ozpost shipping module

[RodG]

I works fine except it gives an error message "Postcode must contain 4 digits!" before anyone even gets a chance to enter a postcode.
It is a bit annoying more than anything. Is it possible to get rid of the message?

This has been taken care of in the current version V3.1.2

Cheers
Rod

[robbie269]

This has been taken care of in the current version V3.1.2

Thanks Rod

I just updated and it is now OK. What is the best way to know when updates are available?

Robyn

[RodG]

Thanks Rod

I just updated and it is now OK. What is the best way to know when updates are available?

Robyn

The best way is to navigate to the /modules/shipping/ page of your store every so often. If there are any ozpost updates available you will either be informed about them, or they'll be automatically installed, depending on your settings.

I also post an announcement in this forum whenever I upload a new version.

Cheers
Rod

[RodG]

Rod,
It does appear that the ® symble causes the issue but not continally. Since I have removed the ® yesterday everything seems to be running how it should.

You're right, it wasn't consistent. It turns out that it depends on which of our servers are being connecting to.

Only one of the three has the problem, and I think I've narrowed the cause down to over restrictive(?) rules with the hosts mod_security settings.

I've submitted a support ticket to our host to see if they can relax the restriction.

Thanks for your help and please let me know if you have a work around in the future as we have registered the name and would like to display that it is in the future but until you let me know I will leave it out.

I'll let you know what our host has to say, meanwhile, I've made a minor change to the code that will prevent the character from being sent to the servers in the first place, which will cure the problem even without help from the host.

If you wish to make the change yourself so as to get the (R) working again ASAP, you can load the file

/includes/modules/shipping/ozpost.php into a text editor

Somewhere near line#130 you should see this:

$this->HOST = urlencode( STORE_NAME )  ;

Replace it with this:

$this->HOST= urlencode(preg_replace('/[^A-Za-z0-9\s\s+\.\'\"\-\&]/', '', STORE_NAME ))  ;

I suggest you cut 'n' paste.

IF for any reason this causes you grief, another option would be to replace the line with this:

$this->HOST= urlencode("Store Name") ;

Where "Store Name" is the name of your store *without* the (R) symbol.

This will only be used by the ozpost module, so the (R) will still display correctly elsewhere.

I shall be incorporating the first solution into the next update (which other than this, currently has no other known issues, so it may be a while).

Cheers
Rod

[RodG]

It does appear that the ® symble causes the issue but not continally. Since I have removed the ® yesterday everything seems to be running how it should.

Thanks for your help and please let me know if you have a work around in the future as we have registered the name and would like to display that it is in the future but until you let me know I will leave it out.

You can now freely use the ® symbol again. No code changes needed. Our webhost modified their filters for us

Please let me know of any other problems.

Cheers
Rod

[ozmosaics]

Dear Rod,
Thanks for the latest update. Fantastic how Updates are highlighted in the backend of ZenCart and how EASY IT IS to do the update. Thanks for the auto feature!!!!!!!!!

The Shipping Estimator is sleek!

Just wanted to let you know it is appreciated!
Kind regards
Sandy Robertson
OzMosaics

[RodG]

Dear Rod,
Thanks for the latest update. Fantastic how Updates are highlighted in the backend of ZenCart and how EASY IT IS to do the update. Thanks for the auto feature!!!!!!!!!

The Shipping Estimator is sleek!

Just wanted to let you know it is appreciated!
Kind regards
Sandy Robertson
OzMosaics

Thanks for your comments. I have had a fair bit of good feedback in regards to this (and other aspects of the module) in my emails, but it is really nice to have similar comments posted in the public forums occasionally. It makes a pleasant change from the usual problems and fixes.


Thanks again.
Rod

[vandiermen]

hello,
admin\includes\modules\product\collect_info.php has been updated in v1.3.9h to fix some problems described here http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=165081
ozpost uses collect_info.php from 1.3.9g, i think its good to merge.

[wakeleymb]

i'd like to know if this module is accurate in its pricing and what the max. dimensions and weight is allowed with australia post? i assume the default 30,40,30 is the dimension for the parcel?

[RodG]

i'd like to know if this module is accurate in its pricing

Yes, it is very accurate, but only as long as the data that *you* provide for your product weights and dimensions is also accurate.

As they say 'Garbage in, Garbage out'.

and what the max. dimensions and weight is allowed with australia post?

This is a question for Australia Post. Neither I, nor the ozpost module has any control over what any given carrier allows.

Having said that, I thought everyone in Oz knows these limits, they are clearly publiciced.
Max weight 20kg, max length 104cm, max girth 140cm.

The ozpost module is aware of these limits and will not provide an Australia Post quote if they are exceeded.

i assume the default 30,40,30 is the dimension for the parcel?

Why would you make an assumption like that? Where did you get these numbers from?

The ozpost module does have a default setting for *item* dimensions, and the distribution files has this pre-set to
29,25,2.5, which was chosen to 1) be large enough to ensure that any item(s) without their own dimensions will never be quoted at letter rates, and 2) to keep the item(s) without their own dimensions from being subject to any cubing rules.

IF YOU RELY ON THESE DEFAULTS YOU CANNOT EXPECT ACCURATE QUOTES. They will be *mostly* right, as most quotes are based on weight only, BUT *accurate* dimensions are needed for each *item* so that the module can calculate how many of any given item (or items) will fit into any given sized envelope/satchel/box/parcel.

It is foolhardy to assume that an item weighing under 500gm will actually fit into a 500gm satchel, etc... Oftentimes items of this weight will actually be too *large* to fit, but if your weights and dimensions are accurate it could be possible to fit this same <500gm into into a 3kg satchel instead, so this would be a valid option presented to the customer.

As I say, if you provide accurate data for your *items* then the module will produce only valid and accurate results for your customers to select from. If your data isn't accurate then the module could start producing quotes for packages that are physically impossible to create.

Finally, before you ask, by default, the module will only attempt to create a *single* parcel for quote purposes. If the parcel happens to be too heavy (eg, over 20kg for Australia Post) then this option won't be given.

I have tried many different methods over the years to create code that will reliably 'spilt' large parcels into several smaller ones, but this turns out to be a very complex task to do correctly. All such code I've seen so far runs the risks of splitting parcels in impossible ways.

Example:
Item #1 weighing 18kg
Item#2 weighting 4kg

Total weight, 22kg - Two heavy for AP, and 'simple' parcel splitting will request a quote for two parcels @ 11kg each, which 1) is probably going to cost something different than 1 parcel@18kg and 1 parcel@4k, and 2) Is it going to physically impossible to split these items in half so that half of each goes into each box.

And that is just with TWO items. Imagine how complex and error prone it will be as more and more items get added.

Having said that, Zencart itself does have code to perform this parcel splitting, and so for those that wish to take the risks mentioned above, the ozpost module has a setting that will allow these figures to be used instead. It also has an option to 'restrain dimensions' so that a quote won't be rejected on size alone. Either of these can/will affect the 'real world accuracy' that ozpost was designed for, but by providing these options it does give the user a choice...

Cheers
Rod