ozpost shipping module

[RodG]

I am a new Zen Cart user. I have a fresh install with only a couple of add-ons: Those being a template, a direct bank deposit add on and also the ozpost add on.

I read the patch text file,

Stop: This file is for those folk that already know how to run. You are only just learning to walk.

but I am curious if the same modification are possible in the relevant files for music product, such as a CD, which would be letter sized.

Yes.

But there are no fields for Length, Height or Width in the pages to add or update a music product.

The ozpost module is responsible for adding the fields to the database.
The ability to edit these fields is dependent on the page(s) being loaded for the given product type. The ozpost distribution package contains pre-modified files for the 'general' product, along with the patch.txt file to demonstrate the changes that needed to be made so that if needed similar changes can be made to other pages.

As I am trying to set up a store for both music and non-music products.

In your opinion, how does a 'music product' differ from a 'non-music product' ?

The reason I ask is because with almost every (zencart) store I have seen that sells CD's they are treated just the same as any other product(s) in thier store. Perhaps they don't know better, or perhaps the 'general' product type is all they want/need.

Either way, I have been 'waiting' for someone to bring this up since I first added dimensional data back in 2007.

I would appreciate any help I can get. Also, I am not truly familiar with PHP coding either.

I think the best way to help you *at this stage* is to give you a tip as to how you can get good/accurate results without having to patch any files.

The 'trick' is in being aware of the fact that it you don't give your products any dimensions at all then the ozpost 'default' dimensions will be used. Since CD's are all the same size all you need to is make this your *default* dimensions and simply not worry about adding dimensions for this product type.

Keep in mind that all the patched files are for is to allow the *easy* ability to *edit* the dimensions of any given product, so if there are some CD's that require different dimensions they can be updated via other means (with phpMyAdmin for example).

Hope this helps

Cheers
Rod

[jmmusic]

In your opinion, how does a 'music product' differ from a 'non-music product' ?

The reason I ask is because with almost every (zencart) store I have seen that sells CD's they are treated just the same as any other product(s) in thier store. Perhaps they don't know better, or perhaps the 'general' product type is all they want/need.

What makes a "music product" different to a "General Product", I believe are the additional fields to be filled in. Such as Artist, Record Company, Genre. Which are initially added under the Extras Menu, in the main admin area.

These fields are not available in the General Products forms.
Cheers
John

[RodG]

What makes a "music product" different to a "General Product", I believe are the additional fields to be filled in. Such as Artist, Record Company, Genre. Which are initially added under the Extras Menu, in the main admin area.

These fields are not available in the General Products forms.
Cheers
John

As previously stated, in my experience most zencart merchants selling CD's either don't know, or don't care about this.

Anyway, is my earlier 'tip' going to be acceptable to your needs, or are you still interested in patching the music product files?

Although the patch.txt file may appear complicated, in reality the required patching is quite easy/simple ... it is basically a matter of identifing any reference to the product weight, then replicating the code 3 times while changing the reference from 'weight' to lengh, width & height. .

This needs to be done in 3 files... the file that reads the data for editing, the file that is use to preview the product, and the file that is used to save the updated data.

Cheers
Rod

[integrity_designs]

1054 Unknown column 'products_height' in 'field list'
in:
[insert into products (products_quantity, products_type, products_model, products_price, products_date_available, products_weight, products_height, products_length, products_width, products_status, products_virtual, products_tax_class_id, manufacturers_id, products_quantity_order_min, products_quantity_order_units, products_priced_by_attribute, product_is_free, product_is_call, products_quantity_mixed, product_is_always_free_shipping, products_qty_box_status, products_quantity_order_max, products_sort_order, products_discount_type, products_discount_type_from, products_price_sorter, products_image, products_date_added, master_categories_id) values ('100', '1', '', '0.50', null, '10', '0.01', '32.40', '22.90', '1', '0', '0', '0', '1', '1', '0', '0', '0', '1', '0', '1', '0', '0', '0', '0', '0', '', now(), '14')]
If you were entering information, press the BACK button in your browser and re-check the information you had entered to be sure you left no blank fields.

Can you please tell me how to fix this problem when I go to add a product to the store? I am at a loss. Becoming very frustrated with it.
Kind Regards Casey

[RodG]

Can you please tell me how to fix this problem when I go to add a product to the store? I am at a loss. Becoming very frustrated with it.
Kind Regards Casey

Did you restore your database from an old backup recently?

Easy to fix. Log in as admin, navigate to modules/shipping then 'remove' the ozpost shipping module. Now press the 'install' button and the module will re-create the missing database fields, and the error will go away.

Please note that if you have added dimensional data at any time you will need to re-enter it. A better solution may be to find a newer backup.

An alternative fix is to restore the 3 files located under the /admin/ folder that were replaced when you first installed the ozpost module.

Cheers
Rod

[Manx]

Hi Ron,

I have installed the ozpost module and am having an issue with the fastway estimated shipping price. It seems excessively low.

During my testing, I was trying to ship 3 items with a combined weight of 80kg to a local capital city destination. It was showing a price of $13.40 including $5 handling fee.

In comparison the online shipping agents were quoting between $70 and $150.

I have ticked all label options in the settings as we ship Australia wide.

Am I missing something here?

Cheers

[RodG]

Am I missing something here?

Yes. a copy of the output that you see when you have DEBUG enabled :-)

Seriously, when you use words like "It seems excessively low" it doesn't tell me anything... it either IS low, or it isn't.

"I was trying to ship 3 items with a combined weight of 80kg to a local capital city destination".

How am I supposed to duplicate this?
It's not that I doubt you, but I really do need some way of seeing the problem for myself... a copy of the debug output is usually sufficient.

Having said that, there IS a problem with FasTway *local* delivery quotes in that the weight is apparently ignored - This cannot be versified with their online quotes because they simply won't accept weights over 26kg.

This may or may not be yout issue.... the debug output will reveal all.

Cheers
"Ron"

[Manx]

Here is the Debug info.

I can't remember the exact products, but this scenario hopefully gives you the idea.

Debugging information
Item 1-1 Offroad Front Bar - Ball Joint Parcel
Weight 25000gms Items 1 Weight 27500gms
Dimensions 160.00 x 60.00 x 50.00 160.00 x 60.00 x 50
Cube / Weight 480000cc / 120Kgs 480000cc / 120Kgs
Item 1-2 Offroad Front Bar - Ball Joint Parcel
Weight 25000gms Items 2 Weight 55000gms
Dimensions 160.00 x 60.00 x 50.00 160.00 x 60.00 x 100
Cube / Weight 480000cc / 120Kgs 960000cc / 240Kgs
Calculated: Length=160.00cm, Width=100.00cm, Height=60.00cm, Weight=55000gms, NumBoxes=1

Server response time 5.676ms
/postage.php?weight=55000&height=600&width=1000&length=1600&value=869&fromcode=45 20&Osub=SAMFORD&destcode=4207&flags=0&host=Meyers+Manx+Australia&version=2.2.2&F astWay=BRI&TransDirect=1&ego=1&ef=1&deadline=10&maildays=31&lead=2&AllSat=1
Server Returned:

<?xml version='1.0' encoding='ISO-8859-1'?><quotes>
<quote><id>Australia Post Error</id><cost>0.00</cost><days>-1</days><description>Too Heavy (55Kg), Too Long (160cm), Girth to Large (320cm)</description></quote><quote><id>FWL</id><cost>9.90</cost><days>Tue 22nd of Mar</days><description>FastWay Labels (LIME)</description></quote><quote><id>EGO</id><cost>54.45</cost><days>Tue 22nd of Mar</days><description>E-go Parcel</description></quote><quote><id>EGOi</id><cost>98.45</cost><days>Tue 22nd of Mar</days><description>E-go Insured Parcel</description></quote><quote><id>TRD</id><cost>182.31</cost><days>Wed 23rd of Mar</days><description>Transdirect Parcel</description></quote><information>
<server>74.55.148.130</server>
<timestamp>Sat Mar 19, 2011 17:53 (SA Server Time)</timestamp>
<requesttime>17:23 (QLD Store Time)</requesttime>
<postdate>Mon 21st of Mar</postdate>
<insurance>13.75</insurance>
<egoinsurance>44.00</egoinsurance>
<registration>0.00</registration>
<fromsuburb>SAMFORD</fromsuburb>
<destsuburb>ALBERTON</destsuburb>
<expires>57</expires>
</information>
</quotes>

Shipping quotes are based on the address information you selected:
SAMFORD 4520 to ALBERTON 4207 Australia
Available Shipping Methods Rates

Tue 22nd of Mar
Fastway - Includes $5.00 Packaging & Handling.

$14.90

Tue 22nd of Mar
Ego - Includes $5.00 Packaging & Handling.

$59.45

Tue 22nd of Mar
Ego - Insured - Includes $7.00 Packaging & Handling. +$44.00 fee

$105.45

Wed 23rd of Mar
Transdirect - Includes $5.00 Packaging & Handling.

$187.31

[RodG]

Here is the Debug info.

Thanks. This IS the problem I mentioned in my previous response... It is a result of the FastWay server not returning valid data once the 25kg weight limit is exceeded.

I was recently discussing this issue with another client in an effort to find a method to resolve the problem; but about the only resolution was to disable quotes that exeed the weight limits...

My 'prefered' solution would be to quote based of the rate returned multiplied by the number of 25kg parcels it would take, but I really have no idea how close this will be to actual charges (and the previous correspondent didn't reply to this question) :-(

Anyway, these are very recent discussions, and the problem has only just come to my attention, so I'm still open to suggestions or ideas as to what I *should* do in this situation, so if you have any ideas (or prefence for either of the two current solutions) please speak up ASAP 'cos I'm just about to finish on my current working project and I'll be tackling this problem next.

Cheers
Rod

[Manx]

Thanks Rod,

I spoke to fastway today and confirmed there shipping process. They will move an individual parcel upto 25kg dead weight or with a cubic weight of 40kg. Cubic weight is calculated h(m) x w(m) * l(m) x 250.

So I would like to see the module confirm that each item in the cart could be shipped by fastway based on the above. If not then fastway is not available.

If it is then fastway shipping is label costs are multiplied by ( total weight/25). As you suggested above.

This doesn't remove the risk that alot of items may be large in volume and light in weight.

As a suggestion:- Perhaps a setting in the admin of the module could define an item size dimention. Anything bigger than this is calculated as per item. Anything smaller than this is assumed to be able to be packed into boxes meeting the top criteria and is based on weight.

There are suggestions only and others may be able to provide better algorithms for packing.

Cheers