Stamps.com integration - Couple small bugs need addressing

[bpryor]

glad to see this thread is still going and we are all still working toward the same end goal. Today we got this error

Stamps.com will not let me get the wholevacuums mailing infor tell me this This webstore misbehaved and was disabled. Reason: TooManyFailedJobs

So i went ahead and downloaded the latest plugin. - will update back

Well, I hate to say I'm happy you got that error, but that's the problem I have and since I first got that error, over two weeks ago, I haven't been able to get it working again. The development team is supposed to be working on it, but I haven't heard a word in over a week.

This is definitely their problem and I have a feeling everyone's going to run into it unless they find out what's causing it. It shouldn't be rocket science and I'd think they should be able to fix it within a day, but it certainly hasn't happened yet.

I was just going to ask you to get details on your error in the manage/edit Zencart in Stamps.com batch, and when I went in there the error wasn't there anymore. It said it had downloaded 4 orders, but nothing new was showing, but possibly that's because I already manually processed those orders. Anyway, the one order that was "stuck" when all this happened and I couldn't do anything with it, I was now able to cancel. I am not getting the error anymore. I haven't updated the plug-in for at least a week. If they fixed something, I sure wish they'd report it here.

[nohart]

Well unfortunately today I received a new order and now stamsp.com isn't working. It wont import the sale so I can print up postage. Last week it worked for 2 sales and today it keeps saying There are no new items for Zen Cart webstore.

Nothing has been changed in my store so I have to assume its Stamps.com that is broke...

Anyone have any ideas what is wrong?

[bpryor]

Nothing has been changed in my store so I have to assume its Stamps.com that is broke...

Anyone have any ideas what is wrong?

How long has it been since the order was placed? It can take up to two hours before stamps.com will download an order, which I was told was a business decision by stamps.com. What the reasoning was I have no idea. I strongly suggest everyone complains about this. As I stated in an earlier post, this is close to, or may be, a deal breaker for me. The Internet is all about instant service, and imposing an arbitrary delay just makes no sense at all.

[nohart]

I called customer service at a number I found on the web site and it magically started to work. This was after I tried about 5 times. Then I called and asked what the issue may be and just like magic all of a sudden it downloaded the sales? I don't know go figure must have been internet wookie wookie! lol

[StampsCom]

I don't understand why Stamps.com need to access the ShippingZZencart.php file 195 times every 2 hours.

RixStix,

For each order we import and post back information for, there can be back and forth communication resulting in multiple calls to your server. Are you seeing this type of traffic during periods when you do not have orders that are imported or shipment info that is being posted back? Is this traffic typical, or does it occur only when you have a number of orders?

Thanks!
Chuck
Stamps.com

[StampsCom]

Re: 2 hour time delay. The development team told me that was a hardcoded business decision by Stamps.com & was not going to be changed. Like you, the expected behavior when I click the "Refresh" button is a Refresh, RIGHT NOW.

RixStix,

I've passed your concerns to our developers regarding faster import times. One thing I should mention is that this is less of a business decision and more to do with technical limitations of how the import works. We recognize the preference to cut that delay down to allow for real time imports.

Thanks!
Chuck
Stamps.com

[StampsCom]

I just added first class mail as an option and have uncovered a problem. I imported an order and in batch mode it added a 19 cent charge to the rate for delivery confirmation. Using the manual mode to calculate shipping (packages - thick envelope 8oz) to the same address did not add that fee. The USPS rate calculator also did not add this on the website. In batch mode adding a manual entry first class is not even selectable regardless of weight.

Currently, all packages sent in batch, or using the "Packages" tab in Stamps.com automatically add on Delivery Confirmation. For Priority, DC is free for online postage (like Stamps.com). For Express, tracking is in included (tracking differs from DC in that the USPS is only required to scan at delivery whereas tracking scans throughout the packages route).

For other mail classes (such as First-Class packages or thick envelopes, Media Mail, or Parcel Post), we currently require the purchase of 19 cent DC with the option to upgrade to Signature Confirmation. We are looking to change this to an optional service.

For the order that did not charge $.19, which mail class was it? I just checked out a test order using the manual entry and for First-Class, I was charged $.19 for DC but for Priority it was free.

Thanks!
Chuck
Stamps.com

[StampsCom]

Well unfortunately today I received a new order and now stamsp.com isn't working. It wont import the sale so I can print up postage. Last week it worked for 2 sales and today it keeps saying There are no new items for Zen Cart webstore.

Nothing has been changed in my store so I have to assume its Stamps.com that is broke...

Anyone have any ideas what is wrong?

As bpryor mentioned, there can be a delay between when the orders are placed and when Stamps.com imports them. Are you still experiencing a problem with importing orders?

Thanks!
Chuck
Stamps.com

[StampsCom]

The other problem with doing it that way is that there is no confirmation for the store owner that the e-mail was actually sent, nor does the owner have any control over what is said in that e-mail.

If you would like, you can CC yourself on the emails that are sent. I realize this does not address all of the problems expressed, but it is something you can do immediately. To do this, go to File/Preferences/Email from within Stamps.com. There are also limited customization options and I should mention that we are working on additional customization of emails sent from Stamps.com.

I really would want these emails to be relayed out of my Zen Cart store as the post above indicates. I want the experience for the shopper to be seamless. When they start getting emails coming from all over it gets confusing to the customer as to whom they are dealing with. I want all communication to come or to be relayed through my store. Anything that can be done to improve this would be greatly appreciated.

nohart,

I appreciate your feedback regarding the ability to have emails generated from your Zen Cart store and I've passed this on to our product development team to investigate whether or not it is feasible to have our software initiate email sent through Zen Cart. Currently, we post back information to Zen Cart at which point merchants can send emails from Zen Cart. As an option to merchants, Stamps.com can send out emails to your customers.

Based on your comments in this thread, we will investigate a solution which will have Stamps.com prompt Zen Cart to send the email.

[badarac]

Currently, all packages sent in batch, or using the "Packages" tab in Stamps.com automatically add on Delivery Confirmation. For Priority, DC is free for online postage (like Stamps.com). For Express, tracking is in included (tracking differs from DC in that the USPS is only required to scan at delivery whereas tracking scans throughout the packages route).

For other mail classes (such as First-Class packages or thick envelopes, Media Mail, or Parcel Post), we currently require the purchase of 19 cent DC with the option to upgrade to Signature Confirmation. We are looking to change this to an optional service.

For the order that did not charge $.19, which mail class was it? I just checked out a test order using the manual entry and for First-Class, I was charged $.19 for DC but for Priority it was free.

Thanks!
Chuck
Stamps.com

Hi Chuck,
It may in fact have been applied to the first class mail postage in manual mode. I tried to test it again and it's there but it doesn't jump out at you on the menu. Since I generally ship priority mail I've never noticed a change. I'll just need to figure out how to add a little extra to the rates calculated by USPS for first class only.