Google Checkout module for ZC 1.3.x (beta)

[Woodymon]

Hi ropu,

Just PM'd info below:

National and International Per Item Shipping
http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?ma...roducts_id=334

Basically the shipping "mod" above just includes the easy steps to create your own two basic flat rate/per-item Zen Cart shipping modules, one for shipping to USA addresses and one for all other addresses. Very simple in concept and implementation. The Zen Cart founders turned me on to the idea several years ago and I have employed ever since.

The idea is you set a different handling charge for domestic and international addresses. And then you add a per item shipping charge, which is also different for domestic and international addresses. It very well approximates the actual shipping costs for USPS Media Mail and USPS Air Mail services, without the need to log in to shipping provider for shipping estimates and third party shipping charges. Really saves on confusion for the customer and shop owner. It is only recommended for those shops shipping items of similar size, shape, packaging and value. In our case books and DVD's.

Hope this clarifies the need.

Woody

[GlobalVillage]

Hi global

have u tried with newer releases?

ropu

I did try the new release and I got this error:
>>
Error parsing XML; message from parser is: Invalid value for body of allowed-areas in checkout-shopping-cart/checkout-flow-support/merchant-checkout-flow-support/shipping-methods/merchant-calculated-shipping/address-filters: Must be a U.S. 2-letter postal code or state name
<<

I restored it back to the old version to at least have it online.

[theangel2g]

I was told to direct this question to this part of the forum. Can anybody PLEASE help me?

Any assistance is appreciated.

How do I make the below changes what files etc. I was referred back to Zen Cart for this information. I did the first part now I need help with the 2nd part.

Answer:
(This is a copy and paste from Jrox forum:)
actually, we've been approved for tracking.

In order to use JAM with Google Checkout, you need to contact Google and ask them to whitelist your domain.

Secondly, you will need to edit the shopping cart you are using with Google Checkout to add some XML code in it:

http://code.google.com/apis/checkout/developer/checkout_pixel_tracking.html

QUESTION: what file exactly to edit? Im using zen cart

Answer:
this is actually done on the shopping cart side, not JAM.

once we get more information on this, we'll post it.

[tj1]

I got this error today
*****
We encountered an error trying to access your server at .../googlecheckout/responsehandler.php -- the error we got is: roproxy.prod.google.com
******

Anyone knows what causes this?

[Jay42]

I regenerated my .htaccess and .htpasswd files today using only my sandbox merchant account and password, and set the CHMOD on my googlecheckout directory to 755. These actions eliminated the error message above and replaced it with this new one:

We timed out waiting for your server at http://www.Jay42.com/googlecheckout/responsehandler.php -- the error we got is: Read timed out Your server must respond faster to merchant calculation callback requests.

Am I getting warmer....or colder?

[ropu]

While continuing to troubleshoot my Google Checkout shipping config issues, I am also observing some peculiar order processing behaviors in ZC admin.

1. When I attempted to submit an order status "update" via ZC admin, with standard boilerplate text entered into the order comments box, and clicked the "update" button I observed error:

Error 400: Bad request. The parameters passed to the service did not match as expected. The exact error is returned in the XML response.

When I inserted a very brief three word comment the update submitted correctly.

I observe no errors in response_error.log.

However I observe in response_message.log

Messages cannot be longer than 255 characters.

Why the limitation?

My same boilerplate test works with other payment modules including PayPal.

2. The original order submission email was delivered to admin email address and to customer email address.

However the order "update" email message was not delivered to the admin address, only to the customer email address. I had both the 'Notify Customer" and "Append Comments' checkboxes checked. (copies of the order update emails should be delivered to admin address as well as to the customer, or at least an option provided to enable/disable delivery of order updates to admin email).

3. "Shipper Tracking Information" form field with tracking number and shipper type dropdown displays at bottom of orders page, even though not employing third party or MC type shipping. Would like to be able to disable the display of this info on admin orders form (so helpers won't get confused).

4. ALL Google Checkout server responses are displayed in the comments column. This info is accessible to customers via their MyAccount link (that is if they had a password initialized for them to allow them to log into Zen Cart). Thinking best if much of this info is displayed on the admin orders page (like PayPal IPN does) and not accessible to customer.

5. On a related note if no shipping tracking info is submitted in order status update this is info is indicated in server response comments.

04/03/2007 12:23:17     True     Shipped     
Shipping Tracking Data:
Carrier:
Tracking Number:

Would like option to be able to disable inclusion of this info in the server response messages/comments. We will manually include tracking info in order status update comments as needed.

6. Also the time in message above indicates time for web hosting provider. When possible would prefer time based on timezone location of shop be applied. Otherwise all the various order update comments get out of synch in listing on admin orders page. I will provide more detailed observations on this later.

7. What happens if customer creates a ZC account. And then later checks out though Google Checkout (not logged into ZC) and submits an order thru GC using the same email address which was used to register ZC account?

Is a second ZC account with that same email addy created in ZC admin? Will customer whom created the ZC account be able to login to ZC and view the details of the GC order?

And then vice versa, if no ZC account is created, customer submits order thru GC. This auto creates a ZC account (but customer would not have a password). and then later attempts to sign up for ZC account. Does the customer see a message that an account with that email addy already exists? Can i click password forgotten link on login page to retrieve a password for an account created by GC? What are the validation issues and what should be expected behaviors here?

8. If customer is logged into ZC account and clicks "Checkout" in main menu, browser is directed to step one page of standard ZC checkout procedure. That means they will miss opportunity to checkout via Google Checkout.

Just some casual observations. Even if GC is only suppose to be an "Express" checkout option for ZC, there are many interaction possibilities (permutations) between Zen Cart and Google Checkout to think about. Wrapping one's head around all the code and logic needed to deal with the possibilities must be mind numbing. I'm sure Ropu can infom us in detail.

Suggestions or comments on the above?

Woody

im taking note of this. i'll be answereing each point when they are solved or have an answer


thx again
ropu

[ropu]

Hi, I've been asking in this thread about supporting "instant downloads". The responses I've received have appeared to indicate that Google Checkout does not support instant downloads

However I've been scanning through the Google Checkout forums for ideas, tips, solutions and workarounds. On the Merchants discussion forum I found this Q&A:


So this appears to indicate Google Checkout supports "instant downloads", does it not?.

Ropu, I know you have much on your plate with supporting other Zen Cart/Google Checkout features. But is "instant downloads" support something you plan to eventually (soon) integrate into your mod? If you need a tester for such functionality please let me know.

Thanks,
Woody

The continue shipping url could work fine

but have some issues!

1: it can bee seen in the cart you sent to google, so buyer can know the url!

2: if u dont anable the url until new order notif arrives will solve problem 1, but, google do not warranty when New order notif arrives. it usually take few secs, but is NOT synchronic, so it may take some time and the continue url wont be enabled, making the buyer confuse...

but im open to ideas...

ropu

[ropu]

Here's an answer.
http://groups.google.com/group/googl...019e1e5c8ac29e

And ropu you are suppose to be on a one-week holiday. Not just a vacation from the Zen Cart community

Woody

sorry about that, those msg get to my gmail account... even in vacations i can log out from gmail

ropu

[ropu]

Regards to emails sent by Google Checkout to (both Buyer & Seller/admin). We do all our email in text (not HTML). The text email messages we receive back from Google Checkout are not well formatted messages and very difficult to read.

1. Adding simple line breaks to the email template would fix most of the text formatting issues.

2. Could the "From" and Reply-To email address for the messages sent out by Google be configured with our shop (sellers) email address? And then allow customers to respond to the email message. Stating "Please do not reply to this message." is VERY BAD customer service and will turn off our customers!!!

3. Also at the bottom of message I observe: "Have questions about this order? Contact SellerName".

Besides the SellerName it would also be good to include the sellers email address.

4. On the test "buyers" shipping status message which I received, I observe the address under "Purchased From" is only half correct. That is only street number but not the street name is included. (might be a problem with my account set-up at Google, will check into it).

5. Need a location for the buyer to enter "Attn To:" when submitting order, and then if entered by customer, display Attn To: within the "Ship to:: address.

6. Ability to remove "Shipping Tracking line" in the email message.

7. Method to include Shop (Zen Cart) order number as well as Google Order number.

8. Shipping Status label and the word Shipped are not adjacent to each other.

9. Itemize each ordered product on it's own item line (item qty, item price, total amt for the line).
Then a dashed line (separator)
Then a SUBTOTAL line.
Then a S&H line.
Then a Tax line (if applies...keep in mind some locales charge S&H before tax, others after tax).
Then a dashed line (separator)
Then the TOTAL line (Emphasize IN CAPS).

10. Remove "(includes Tax (State) $0.00)" from Total line and move to under SubTotal as above. And for locales that don't apply tax, remove Tax line altogether.

11. In email to buyers, add a URL link to Buyers Account login, adjacent to "Check the status of this order anytime in your Google Account".

12. Best to look at how Zen Cart formats customer and admin email messages (for both HTML and text formats). And check out how PayPal IPN does it and emulate. no need to reinvent the wheel here.


Below I've ADDED line breaks and improved formatting of the Order "Status" change email message which Buyers currently receive. Hopefully similar formatting can be incorporated into future GC ZC integration:


Purchased from:
FNAME LNAME
Street Address
City ST POSTALCODE
COUNTRY

Ship to:
FNAME LNAME
Street Address
City ST POSTALCODE
COUNTRY

Hello FNAME,

Great news! Your order has shipped, and should arrive soon. Your credit card has successfully been charged for this order.

Track USPS package #n/a

Order Details - DATE - TIME TZ-00:00
Google Order #123456789012345

Shipping Status:
Qty Item Price <<<< This line is out of sequence and needs moved down!!!!
Shipped

ITEM_QTY ITEM_NAME $ITEM_PRICE
Shipping & Handling (Shipping Method) : $SHIP_AMT
Total: $TOTAL_AMT (includes Tax (Zone) $TAX_AMT)

Check the status of this order anytime in your Google Account.

Have questions about this order? Contact SELLER_NAME

Need help? Visit the Google Checkout help center. Please do not reply to this message. ©2007 Google

--
Thanks,
Woody

im emailing google guys with this suggestions..

ropu

[ropu]

Thanks Woodymon.
I sell true wholesale so profit margin is very small and I also offer free shipping on all domestic orders.
The low order fee is not for using a credit card to pay, but rather a convenience service fee for such a small order regardless of payment method.
I believe this is acceptable, I've literally seen thousands of merchants implementing something similar.
I did a few searches trying to find if this is a violation of the credit card companies' TOS, but I couldn't come up with anything. If you find something please let me know.

I hope ropu can come up with a solution. I'll leave it as it is for now, hopefully I won't get many small orders through GC and customers won't notice and abuse this loophole.

hi, im not sure how it works internally min sell, but waht u can do is add an item in the GC cart that contemplates the charge...

this can be done in googlecheckout/gcheckout.php after the block that start in line 108

if need further help, will try to figure out a solution, but please try to fins out how the module works, how it detects witch is the minimum order, how to get the cost of not reaching that minuium, and all info regarding that module so i can guide u to the solution


hope this helps, ropu