ozpost shipping module

[GAM]

Here is my contribution, saving you looking it up.
Adelaide ADL
Albury ALB
Bendigo BEN
Brisbane BNE
Cairns CNS
Canberra CBR
Capricorn Coast CAP
Central Coast CCT
Coffs Harbour CFS
Geelong GEL
Gold Coast OOL
Hobart HOB
Launceston LST
Mackay MKY
Melbourne MEL
Newcastle NTL EDIT: should be NEW
Northern Rivers NTR
Perth PER
Port Macquarie PQQ
Sunshine Coast SSC
Sydney SYD
Toowoomba TOO
Townsville TVL
Wide Bay WBY
Wollongong WOL

I'm not sure about the others, but Newcastle is NEW as far as I can tell. I was using NEW before and getting quotes but looking for other posts about omitted quotes I noticed the above list again and realised that the prefix for Newcastle was different to what I was using. I tried NTL... NO Fastway rates were returned. NEW = good for Newcatsle as far I'm concerned.

Cheers
Greig

[GAM]

Hi Rod

I've been noticing omitted valid quotes from Fastway via OzPost and looking into it discovered something interesting which might identify the cause of these absent and/or erroneous Fastway quotes.

I'm located in Newcastle. Fastway abbreviation is NEW. These abbreviations are listed in Fastway Transshipment schedules (Note re my earlier post concerning abbreviation, if anyone has their transshipment schedule, look up your own suburb and you should see the correct abbreviation for your depot/region).

I thought it was strange that I wasn't getting quotes for 2000 - Sydney. Then today a customer ordered and selected Express Post for 2760 - St Marys @$35.00 cost to them. Strange I thought as St Marys is 'short haul' zone from Newcastle and would have cost the customer less than half the price for their order.

Anyway, struggling to find an answer I tried changing my Fastway zone to SYD. Voila! Accurate quotes for 2760 - St Marys. Also for 2000 - Sydney and others that I've been noticing during the week.

This discovery makes me think that it might be the Fastway server, database, etc on the Fastway server side that is the reason for these absent quotes. Most likely the same reason for many others that aren't getting expected quotes for Fastway via OzPost.

Note that I have confirmed my expected (but omitted) results via Fastway's calculator too and there are definitely inconsistent results returned via OzPost.

Hopefully this info helps and sparks realisation of some 'easy' solution. ;-)

Let me know if I can help with any testing, hacks, etc. as I'm keen to get this fixed as I'm sure it's putting some customers off when they're not getting good freight quotes for their potential order. I'm happy to contact Fastway too if you want.

Cheers
Greig

[RodG]

I know it's usually a config problem but I've looked and can't see anything wrong.

How much are your handling fees?

Rod

[RodG]

Anyway, struggling to find an answer I tried changing my Fastway zone to SYD. Voila! Accurate quotes for 2760 - St Marys. Also for 2000 - Sydney and others that I've been noticing during the week.

The ozpost server is simply an aggregator. It takes the data provided by the user, reformats it to the format required by the 'real' servers. It then retrieves the response from the server and reformats this reponse into the format required by zencart.

Whether what you state is true or not, it is outside of the control of ozpost.

This discovery makes me think that it might be the Fastway server, database, etc on the Fastway server side that is the reason for these absent quotes.

Maybe, but it could also be a result of a previous discussed issue in regards to missing or mis-identified suburb names.

Most likely the same reason for many others that aren't getting expected quotes for Fastway via OzPost.

Many others? Is there another forum where this issue is being discussed that I'm not aware of?

Note that I have confirmed my expected (but omitted) results via Fastway's calculator too and there are definitely inconsistent results returned via OzPost.

Hopefully this info helps and sparks realisation of some 'easy' solution. ;-)

Well, no, not really.

Firstly, I seem to have only one other recorded report of incorrect FastWay quotes, and that was from vandiermen Post# #721 in this thread, so perhaps you have something different going on.

Secondly, if changing the local FastWay zone is the 'cure' for the problem, this is also outside control of ozpost

Thirdly, although there are currently only about 15 FastWay zones available (which I could EASILY have made into a dropdown menu), I opted not to do this because new zones can be added at any time (as more people take up the franchises), which results not only in additional zones, but also the occasional changing of the codes fro some existing zones (the 'NEW' vs 'NTL' could well be an example of this, so for this reason the input field is left as a text box so that the module doesn't 'force' iny particular inputs.. In other words, changes to, or incorrect zone codes is outside of the control of the ozpost module.

Also, please be aware that the zones are used for 'base pricing' EG, A 'Blue' label in the ADL zone has a different price than the 'Blue' label in the SYD zone, which will make a delivery costs from Adelaide to Sydney different than the same items Sydney to Adelaide. (assuming such quotes were possible). With this example, if the zone was set to SYD and the quote requested from Adelaide to Sydney then no quote will be provided because the SYD franchise won't do an Adelaide pickup.

Such 'decisions' are made by the FastWay server and not the ozpost module. Therefore this can't be 'fixed' either.

In summary, the only 'problem' that can conceivably be 'fixed' by the ozpost module is the one reported by vandiermen Post# #721 , which affects local/shorthaul delivery quotes only, and the reason for this is because FastWay uses suburb names rather than just the postcodes, and the suburb names aren't readily available/determinable by zencart, and therefore not available to ozpost either.

There *are* ways that this can be taken care of, but nothing that can easily be performed by the shipping module alone - it will require other changes and additions to the zencart core code so that the source/destination suburbs are 'known' before the quotes are requested.

Let me know if I can help with any testing, hacks, etc. as I'm keen to get this

I'd be interested in having your thoughts on how to best incorporate suburb names when requesting shipping quotes, as that will take care of the local/shorthaul delivery problems, but as far as I can see, everything else is completely outside of the realms of the ozpost module itself, which is really acting as nothing more than a realy/aggregator. Garbage in, Garbage out.

Cheers
Rod

[marknew]

I've set handling fees to zero while I'm trying to work this out.


Handling Fee - Letters
0

Handling Fee - Regular parcels
0

Handling Fee - Overseas parcels
0

Handling Fee - Registered and/or Insured parcels & letters
0

Handling Fee - Express parcels
0

Handling Fee - Prepaid Satchels
0

Handling Fee - Prepaid Satchels - Express
0

Handling Fee - COD
0

Handling Fee - ECI Documents
0

Handling Fee - ECI Merchandise
0

Handling Fee - TNT Merchandise
0

Handling Fee - FastWay Labels
0

Handling Fee - FastWay Satchels
0.00

Hide Handling Fees?
No

Cost on Error
25.00,99.99

Error cost Type
Flat Rate

Default ITEM Dimensions
29,25,2.5

Parcel Weight format
gms

Tare percent.
0

Icons type
jpg

Postage Delay (days).
0

Sort order of display.
0

Tax Class
GST

[RodG]

I've set handling fees to zero while I'm trying to work this out.

If you did an upgrade from v2.0.5 to v2.0.6 then you probably neglected to perform the remove/install procedure (I'm making this claim based on 'missing' options from what I assume was a cat/paste of the ozpost settings).

If that doesn't cure the problem then you probably have something amiss with either your currency or tax settings.

Cheers
rod

[marknew]

Thanks Rod, I didn't do an uninstall. I'll try that.
Cheers.

[RodG]

Thanks Rod, I didn't do an uninstall. I'll try that.
Cheers.

Just to clarify, you don't need to uninstall/reinstall any *files*, you only need to click on the admin buttons.

Cheers
Rod

[GAM]

The ozpost server is simply an aggregator. It takes the data provided by the user, reformats it to the format required by the 'real' servers. It then retrieves the response from the server and reformats this reponse into the format required by zencart.

Whether what you state is true or not, it is outside of the control of ozpost.

Yes, I understand that. I simply thought that knowing the reason for an issue would be helpful for you and others when addressing issues that users may have. I will be contacting Fastway to see if they can shed any light on the matter.

I'm thinking there are either different servers or scripts or such used by the Fastway web based calculator to that/those used by OzPost and other e-store quoting tools.

Maybe, but it could also be a result of a previous discussed issue in regards to missing or mis-identified suburb names.

I tested that, or so I thought, using logged in account details with exact suburb names. The SYD test ruled this out for me with expected quotes being returned for postcodes with multiple suburbs.

Many others? Is there another forum where this issue is being discussed that I'm not aware of?

Sorry, that wasn't a thought out or founded comment. Perusing this forum lately I thought I noticed a few users describing the same symptoms.

Well, no, not really.

Firstly, I seem to have only one other recorded report of incorrect FastWay quotes, and that was from vandiermen Post# #721 in this thread, so perhaps you have something different going on.

I have been able to identify the cause and/or reason for all mis-quotes I've experienced so far with the exception of the omitted Fastway services for some destinations.

Secondly, if changing the local FastWay zone is the 'cure' for the problem, this is also outside control of ozpost

Not a cure at all, simply highlighting a difference and pointing to a possibly source of the problem.

Thirdly, although there are currently only about 15 FastWay zones available (which I could EASILY have made into a dropdown menu), I opted not to do this because new zones can be added at any time (as more people take up the franchises), which results not only in additional zones, but also the occasional changing of the codes fro some existing zones (the 'NEW' vs 'NTL' could well be an example of this, so for this reason the input field is left as a text box so that the module doesn't 'force' iny particular inputs.. In other words, changes to, or incorrect zone codes is outside of the control of the ozpost module.

Agreed, not my point nor a request.

It is interesting though that the correct abbreviation for Newcastle transhipment quotes via OzPost is NEW, and this is the same for their printed transshipment schedule, but Fastway's calculator pages and other references for Newcastle is NTL.

Possibly they are in the midst of migrating and there is some confusion there. Maybe the issue I'm seeing is only applicable to Newcastle based quotes.

Also, please be aware that the zones are used for 'base pricing' EG, A 'Blue' label in the ADL zone has a different price than the 'Blue' label in the SYD zone, which will make a delivery costs from Adelaide to Sydney different than the same items Sydney to Adelaide. (assuming such quotes were possible). With this example, if the zone was set to SYD and the quote requested from Adelaide to Sydney then no quote will be provided because the SYD franchise won't do an Adelaide pickup.

Such 'decisions' are made by the FastWay server and not the ozpost module. Therefore this can't be 'fixed' either.

Yes, I understand that.

In summary, the only 'problem' that can conceivably be 'fixed' by the ozpost module is the one reported by vandiermen Post# #721 , which affects local/shorthaul delivery quotes only, and the reason for this is because FastWay uses suburb names rather than just the postcodes, and the suburb names aren't readily available/determinable by zencart, and therefore not available to ozpost either.

There *are* ways that this can be taken care of, but nothing that can easily be performed by the shipping module alone - it will require other changes and additions to the zencart core code so that the source/destination suburbs are 'known' before the quotes are requested.



I'd be interested in having your thoughts on how to best incorporate suburb names when requesting shipping quotes, as that will take care of the local/shorthaul delivery problems, but as far as I can see, everything else is completely outside of the realms of the ozpost module itself, which is really acting as nothing more than a realy/aggregator. Garbage in, Garbage out.

Cheers
Rod

I'd wondering whether there might be another server or address for the Fastway lookups? If Fastway have upgraded or such, then maybe there's another address to point to. If you could provide some details on that I will look into it with Fastway.

I'm very willing to assist with the suburb/postcode issue as soon as I've addressed some of these other things that are important to me and my online store immediately. Selfish I know. ;) I think I'm so close now except for this omitted fastway options thing.


Also, sorry I haven't yet provided the code hacks I've done for item stacking in parcels. I keep wanting to enhance it and then not getting around to doing the 'clean up' I wanted to do before sending it to you. FYI, it also now re-orientating items by length or width for 'best fit' in the max parcel area.

Cheers
Greig

[RodG]

I'm thinking there are either different servers or scripts or such used by the Fastway web based calculator to that/those used by OzPost and other e-store quoting tools.
<snip>
I'd wondering whether there might be another server or address for the Fastway lookups? If Fastway have upgraded or such, then maybe there's another address to point to. If you could provide some details on that I will look into it with Fastway.

http://www.fastwayfms.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll