[Old] Royal Mail Modules

[zigzak]

Hi,
This mod just keeps getting better! Thank you!

I'm not sure whether this problem is new to 1.3 or not but I'm finding that the Shipping Estimator doesn't work if it's used before the customer has logged in.

If I do this:
1. Visit the site, without logging in
2. Add any item to my basket
3. Click on "Estimate Shipping"

...all the shipping options I want appear, but they all say "Only available for orders over £0" and can't be selected.

If I then Log In and repeat it comes up perfectly.

I upgraded from 1.2 to 1.3 by following your supplied instructions and running the SQL patch if this is of any significance.

David

[bouncingltd]

Hi,
I'm not sure whether this problem is new to 1.3 or not but I'm finding that the Shipping Estimator doesn't work if it's used before the customer has logged in.

David

And therein lies the problem, this was mentioned before. Now it's a philosphical issue, the system cannot estimate shipping or rather the module that I've based this upon, for a "guest" because it don't know where the guest is located e.g. the guest's country and frankly, at the moment I have no idea what to do.

[Pixxi]

When logged-in as a guest, the shipping estimator has a drop-down menu for selecting the country (state, zip, etc) and an update button for refreshing the shipping modules based on the new country/state/zip selected.

Could the country/state not be used as the basis for the shipping modules to calculate rates?

[zigzak]

Hi,
Perhaps we're moving outside of the realms of the Royal Mail module - but my store is only going to be shipping to the UK, so it'd be safe for the shipping module to default to UK based shipping and thus avoid this problem.



Cheers,
David

[bouncingltd]

Ahh but my shop's not only UK based, I am having a look at the problem at the moment, but two things stand in my way. The original royalmail.php that I'm basing this upon was written in 2004, and b) as mentioned I'm disabled. I'm not on benefits so have to run my own business and look after the children, during these times I don't take my medication because it would be unsafe to do so with the children, but physically I'm suffering and I really need to take my "happy tabs" for a couple of days to calm my disability down otherwise (not being dramatic here) I will die. I have scar tissue in my spinal cord and my disability is called Chronic Pain Syndrome, and though pain can't kill you, too much adrenalin can, so until I can get that under control (as my wife is back to look after the children), I may not be able to work as quickly as possible, or I may produce junk. Sorry this is why I can't hold down a permanent job. I will be looking at it but any variable I name, may be called "mr fluffy" so please be patient.

On another point, I will be creating a "courier" module for the royal mail. This will serve two purposes, the UK is split into zones for the larger orders, by using an old module I hope to split out the counties into the correct zones for courier based services, so that not only parcelfore etc... can then be quoted, but so that people can use the courier of their choice correctly, as in my own business I once quoted someone £20 for delivery and ended up having to pay £40 because the delivery address was fractionally inside another zone. I sell plastic lenscaps for photographic equipment, it's not very profitable, it's not exciting compared to previous jobs, but I was proud and self-employed when I became disabled and didn't declare bankruptcy and so don't get benefits.

Please excuse the wittering, I will be back shortly and may even be shorter if the inflammation of my spinal cord decreases.

[Pixxi]

Hi Phillip,

Of course - just take it easy

It's normal for people to give feedback and add requests when a new mod is released.

You've already produced an excellent mod. Any more that you might feel able to do in the future would, I'm sure, be just as good. But please don't feel pressured.

And your ideas for the ParcelForce/Courier module(s) sound really good.

[zigzak]

Phillip,
I'd like to echo the comments by Pixxi - I am deeply greatful for the excellent work you have done with the modules.

My own suggestions for modifications are just that - suggestions.

I wouldn't want you to feel that you're being pressed to make modifications at the whim of those who appreciate your work - that's certinally not the case!

Thank you again,
David

[bouncingltd]

Okay

http://bouncing.org/big_royalmail_v1.4.zip

but I am not submitting this to the download area yet. It covers the estimator problem and should be a straight copy over the includes files. if you wish to see my template for the shipping estimator, it is in there too. I think this works but I would appreciate testing, I just had a crash and my "journalled" filesystem didn't quite journal correctly so some of the files reverted back to older versions, I think I have got them but if an error about line 170 comes up, then I probably didn't and I'll need to know which module is throwing a fit. The estimator now works for guests, the shipping options do re-appear if they are set to in the admin section, but that's as far as I have checked for tonight.

I cannot remember how I have done this, so do not ask me, I do know that in the future someone will ask something about tax zones and subtotals, or someone should be investigating whether the £32 limit on first class is inclusive or exclusive of tax, and I think this should be version 1.31 or something. The courier module sounds good to me too. My brain works now but my short term memory is not that good

bye

thanks

Philip.

[Pixxi]

Hi Philip,

Well, I haven't looked at this yet (and won't be able to tonight ... 1.50am) but well done nevertheless and anyway / and in any case (regardless of whether it works) - but, even if it doesn't work completely, I'm sure it will be pretty damn well where it should be.

Ps. I turned journalling off as soon as was introduced ... silly idea ...

Goodnight, and well done again - now go and get some rest!

[zigzak]

Hi,
I'll try the module later tonight Phillip and let you know what happens - thanks yet again!

Re the £32 compensation limit - it's all a bit vague really - especially if you're sending goods - do you claim your cost price, or the selling price? And do you claim VAT or not?

If your customer is buying somerthing for £100, you may have paid £80 for it? And it's even more complcated if you're VAT Registered and VAT is involved!

Personally I'm going to set the limit a little higher than £32 - based on the risk I see of items up to my determined value going missing while at the same time striking a balance between a resonable postage rate and the charge for that postage!

David