How does the UPS module calculate shipping?

Im finding that the UPS module isnt very accurate, at least when I compare my warehouse shipping cost, to what ZC determined.

Im up to $6 in 'handling' fees to be on par..so..how does this built in module do this?

A 6lb package gives me at ups.com going from Ohio 44026 to Texas 77001 ...

I have my Maximum Weight set to 50 and my Tare for 0:0 ...

UPS says ...

Service Guaranteed By Total
UPS Next Day Air Early A.M.® 8:00 A.M.,
Friday
March 6, 2009 98.83 USD*

Ship
Days In Transit: 1 Billable Weight:
6.0 lbs.
UPS Next Day Air® 10:30 A.M.,
Friday
March 6, 2009 67.52 USD*

Ship
Days In Transit: 1 Billable Weight:
6.0 lbs.
UPS Next Day Air Saver® By End of Day,
Friday
March 6, 2009 60.90 USD*

Ship
Days In Transit: 1 Billable Weight:
6.0 lbs.
UPS 2nd Day Air® By End of Day,
Saturday
March 7, 2009 50.05 USD*

Ship
Days In Transit: Saturday Billable Weight:
6.0 lbs.
UPS 2nd Day Air® By End of Day,
Monday
March 9, 2009 34.90 USD*

Ship
Days In Transit: 2 Billable Weight:
6.0 lbs.
UPS 3 Day Select® By End of Day,
Tuesday
March 10, 2009 23.89 USD*

Ship
Days In Transit: 3 Billable Weight:
6.0 lbs.
UPS Ground By End of Day,
Wednesday
March 11, 2009 12.74 USD*

Ship
Days In Transit: 4 Billable Weight:
6.0 lbs.

Zen Cart says ...

United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (Next Day Air Early AM) $98.83
United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (Next Day Air) $67.52
United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (Next Day Air Saver) $60.90
United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (2nd Day Air) $34.90
United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (3 Day Select) $23.89
United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (Ground) $12.74

What version Zen Cart are you using?

What settings are you using on UPS shipping module?

United Parcel Service

Enable UPS Shipping
True

UPS Pickup Method
RDP

UPS Packaging?
CP

Residential Delivery?
RES

Handling Fee
6

Tax Class
Taxable Goods

Tax Basis
Shipping

Shipping Zone
--none--

Sort order of display.
0

Shipping Methods:
Nxt AM, Nxt AM Ltr, Nxt, Nxt Ltr, Nxt PR, Nxt Save, Nxt Save Ltr, 2nd AM, 2nd AM Ltr, 2nd, 2nd Ltr, 3 Day Select, Ground, Canada,World Xp, World Xp Ltr, World Xp Plus, World Xp Plus Ltr, World Expedite
1DM, 1DML, 1DA, 1DAL, 1DAPI, 1DP, 1DPL, 2DM, 2DML, 2DA, 2DAL, 3DS, GND, STD, XPR, XPRL, XDM, XDML, XPD

The RDP setting will drop the prices considerably on the quote:

United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (Next Day Air Early AM) $90.70
United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (Next Day Air) $59.39
United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (Next Day Air Saver) $53.33
United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (2nd Day Air) $28.13
United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (3 Day Select) $19.09
United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (Ground) $9.40

Verses the setting of: CC

United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (Next Day Air Early AM) $98.83
United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (Next Day Air) $67.52
United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (Next Day Air Saver) $60.90
United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (2nd Day Air) $34.90
United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (3 Day Select) $23.89
United Parcel Service (1 x 6.00lbs) (Ground) $12.74

See if this is where the problem is on the settings that you are using ...

Linda:

Just processed a new order, where the manufacturer that drop ships it has it as a 12lbs box going residential to Colorado Springs, CO 80918, and this also has insurance for orders over $100.

Their UPS computer put this at $18.02, the break down is:

$13.95

• 1.95 for the Declared Value
• 2.12 for the residential price

ZC/UPS gave the customer $14.85 with these settings, was a 10lb box in my settings:

Enable UPS Shipping
True

UPS Pickup Method
CC

UPS Packaging?
CP

Residential Delivery?
RES

Handling Fee
2

Tax Class
Taxable Goods

Tax Basis
Shipping

Shipping Zone
--none--

Sort order of display.
0

Shipping Methods:
Nxt AM, Nxt AM Ltr, Nxt, Nxt Ltr, Nxt PR, Nxt Save, Nxt Save Ltr, 2nd AM, 2nd AM Ltr, 2nd, 2nd Ltr, 3 Day Select, Ground, Canada,World Xp, World Xp Ltr, World Xp Plus, World Xp Plus Ltr, World Expedite
1DM, 1DML, 1DA, 1DAL, 1DAPI, 1DP, 1DPL, 2DM, 2DML, 2DA, 2DAL, 3DS, GND, STD, XPR, XPRL, XDM, XDML, XPD

So..if everything was equal, and I wasnt adding in the insurnace cost, I should have only lost $1.95, but Im still way off.

The 2lbs I was off, was only a 40-cent difference, which leaves about a $1 difference.

How can I tell the ZC UPS module about insurance costs at the very least?

If you set your products to 10lbs but the dropshipper is 12lbs you are going to be short ...

Maybe you should just add 2 or 3 lbs on the Tare to account for the weight differences on the packaging ...

There is also an add-on for Insurance that might help you on this ...

The UPS module is driving me crazy too. I don't think it's figuring my zip code into the calculations. It costs MORE to ship to my own state than it does to the far zone. If I up the handling fee, the shipping costs are outrageous close to home but they're never enough for the other coast. (we're in FL). I think it's using generic calculations from somewhere in the middle.

I have a very large order on my list right now and the shipping to a far zone for an oversized box WITH a $2.50 handling fee included is $11. That's many dollars short of what it should be. I really really think something is wrong and I can't even ADJUST it so it will come out right because it's really screwy about how it's figuring the zones. This is maddening. I've been messing with this for awhile (months) and I think somebody needs to look into the UPS module and see if something has gone wrong. I absolutely KNOW that I can't trust it. The far zones are WAY WAY off, consistently. I am losing money on shipping, there's no doubt about it. I have tweaked this module every way possible, installed it and uninstalled it over and over. I do not trust it.

Cyndy

Also... I've been using the same weights for years. I've checked the weights on my products and they're right. I've even increased the weights on some products, significantly, but the UPS rates continue to turn out very low. It doesn't seem to be able to figure anything over $12. Everything, absolutely everything, is under $13. This is throwing off my international shipping quotes so the rates are coming out VERY high, because of how I've been fiddling with the weights so the UPS will come out right. So obviously the US Postal service is working fine. I get results out of them but UPS continues to quote at $11 for almost everything.

The UPS module finally did spit out a shipping quote over $13 this week. It quoted $35 for an average box to be shipped to MY own state. I might as well do all of this manually. It's driving me bonkers.

I did have one idea while I was "talking" about this... I decided to delete all other shipping modules in case there is a conflict of some kind. I had noticed conflicts with another shipping module one time (a moduled conflicted with the USPS module) so in case one of the modules I'm not using is causing some problems in the background, I deleted all but USPS and UPS. So we'll see if that makes a difference. It might.

Cyndy

daffy, what are the settings you have in the Configuration ... Shipping/Packaging?

What are the settings you have on the UPS and USPS shipping modules?

What is the Ship from address?

What is the Ship to address?

What is the weight of the products?

Is this a Clean install of Zen Cart or an Upgrade?

On the server, if you view the code for the files:
/includes/modules/shipping/ups.php
/includes/modules/shipping/usps.php

what do the IDs read for them?

This is a clean install of ZenCart.
Zen Cart 1.3.8a
Database Patch Level: 1.3.8

SETTINGS FOR SHIPPING/PACKAGING

Country of Origin --- United States
Postal Code ---34655
Enter the Maximum Package Weight you will ship --- 24
Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weight --- 0:0
Larger packages - added packaging percentage:weight --- 0:0
Display Number of Boxes and Weight Status --- 0
Order Free Shipping --- 0 Weight Status 0
Shipping Estimator Display Settings for Shopping Cart ---2
Display Order Comments on Admin Invoice --- 1
Display Order Comments on Admin Packing Slip --- 1

SETTINGS FOR UPS.PHP MODULE ARE:

Do you want to offer UPS shipping? TRUE
UPS Pickup Method: RDP - Daily Pickup
UPS Packaging? CP - Your Packaging
Residential Delivery? RES
Handling Fee: $2.50
Tax Class: none
Tax Basis: Shipping
Shipping Zone: None
Sort order of display. Lowest is displayed first.
Shipping Methods: GND

ID ups.php -------------------------------------------------------
/**

• @package shippingMethod
• @copyright Copyright 2003-2007 Zen Cart Development Team
• @copyright Portions Copyright 2003 osCommerce
• @license http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt GNU Public License V2.0
• @version $Id: ups.php 5849 2007-02-20 01:28:43Z drbyte $
  /
  /*
• UPS Shipping Module class
  ID usps.php -------------------------------------------------------
  /**
• @package shippingMethod
• @copyright Copyright 2003-2007 Zen Cart Development Team
• @copyright Portions Copyright 2003 osCommerce
• @license http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt GNU Public License V2.0
• @version $Id: usps.php 7503 2007-11-27 20:36:04Z ajeh $
  /
  /*
• USPS Shipping Module class

I did add a custom line or two to the USPS module, which is working fine, no problems.
I didn't do anything to the UPS file.
On line 202 of the usps.php file where it reads:

          $methods[] = array('id' => $type,
                             'title' => $title,
                             'cost' => ($cost + MODULE_SHIPPING_USPS_HANDLING) * $shipping_num_boxes);
        }

I added this snippet right after.

	if($type == "PRIORITY" && $shipping_weight > 0.7){
		return false;
	} 

So if our packages are over .7 pounds the system doesn't give a quote for USPS mail at all. We only use US Mail for packages under 1 pound total weight. I would also like to refine this further, so packages under 6 ounces would go first class but I couldn't get the code to work so I decided to be grateful for what I had.

Here's an order I was especially concerned about because the shipping came up WAY short of what it should have.
There are two small dolls and two BIG dolls as well as a variety of nice outfits. The shipping weight is at least 11 pounds. I checked the products, and they're right. The two large dolls are 4 pounds each plus all the other items add up to another 3 or 4 pounds. To be conservative, I went with 11 pounds total:

1 x COD0015-J AA Happy with Eyelet Dress (COD0015-J AA) = $27.99
1 x COD0041-J Happy Baby with Thin Ponytail (COD0041-J) = $11.99
1 x White Balloon Holly Terry (DOLL16WB) = $39.99
1 x White Balloon Holly Katy (DOLL16WB) = $39.99
1 x Dress Pattern for White Balloon Holly Dolls (PATTERN) = $2.99
1 x Denim Jumper with Embroidered Heart (SZA-TLEE) = $8.99
1 x Yellow Flannel Floral Sleeper Pajamas = $2.99
1 x Edith's Blue Coat Set = $4.99
1 x Cosmos Pajamas & Robe by Effanbee (SZ18-AGCHAT) = $19.99
1 x Clown Sunglasses Assorted Designs 1 Pair = $2.19
1 x Tonner Toni Aqua Dress Set = $19.99

Sub-Total: $182.09
UPS United Parcel Service (USA Only): $12.18
Total: $194.27

SHIP FROM:
New Port Richey, FL 34655

SHIP TO:
Mamaroneck, New York 10543
PACKAGE WEIGHT: 11 pounds

UPS Says the shipping cost to NY 10543 is: 14.88
ZenCart says $12.18

If I sent the same box to Pasco, WA 99301, UPS says this package is: 18.17
ZenCart says $16.58.

The TERMS for ALL these calculations is 11 pounds, $182 value, residential delivery, daily pickup. Plus ZenCart is theoretically adding $2.50 handling but it doesn't appear to be doing that.

CONCLUSION:
I don't think ZenCart is figuring in the Residential Delivery fee, or the Handling fee that I specified. Or the extra insurance on a package valued at more than $100.

I was impressed that Zencart gave quotes of $14.88 and $18.17 just now. I wonder if deleting the other shipping modules this afternoon DID help. But it's still coming up short. Maybe I can tweak it now, as long as it's figuring the zones the way it should then I can adjust it.

UPS Pickup Method plays a roll in the quoted charge ...

By default it is set to CC ...

Testing with your Ship From and Ship To information for Florida, without the Handling Fee, I am getting:

RDP - Daily Pickup with Maximum 50
11 pounds GND is coming up as:
United Parcel Service (1 x 11.00lbs) (Ground) $9.84

CC - Customer Counter with a Maximum 50
11 Pounds GND is coming up as:
United Parcel Service (1 x 11.00lbs) (Ground) $13.40

Testing with your Ship From and Ship To information for Washington, without the Handling Fee, I am getting:

RDP - Daily Pickup with Maximum 50
11 pounds GND is coming up as:
United Parcel Service (1 x 11.00lbs) (Ground) $13.27

CC - Customer Counter with a Maximum 50
11 Pounds GND is coming up as:
United Parcel Service (1 x 11.00lbs) (Ground) $18.39

Saving the settings, Removing and Installing and then reconfiguring the modules is helpful in correcting issues, changing versions, etc. etc.

NOTE: the current USPS shipping module is at:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97461

your USPS module appears to be out of date ...

The Maximum of 50 is for what is the largest single package your shipping carrier(s) will ship and should be the lowest of the carriers ... as in if USPS ships 50 and UPS ships 75, use 50 ...

For the Insurance, I believe there is an add-on in the Free Software Add Ons ...