ozpost shipping module

Hi Rod,
I'm having trouble with our ozpost module. It's been installed and working fine for a number of months now without problems. All of a sudden last night the module's stopped working.

During checkout, when clicking on to continue from the shopping cart, the page hangs. If you go back then go forward again, the page loads but there are no options displayed for shipping by auspost (only other installed modules). Hence does not look like a server problem.

A similar problem exists for the "estimate shipping" function.

I've checked the module and it's enabled. We haven't changed anything on the site.

The website is:

http://www.chromeaudio.com.au

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

somedood:

Hi Rod,
I'm having trouble with our ozpost module. It's been installed and working fine for a number of months now without problems. All of a sudden last night the module's stopped working.

The server appears fine, and the log files don't show any connections from your host for the last 24hours.

However, I've just checked the URL you gave and I was able to recieve a valid quote on the one product item I tested with. This also produced an entry in the log file.

So, your problem is either related to a specific product (or products), OR I'm suspecting that since you have changed nothing, and we've changed nothing, then your webhost must have changed something. If this is the case, it looks like they've changed it back.

Cheers
Rod

Hi Rod,
Yes it's totally weird. The problem just went away by itself yesterday evening. I'm not sure why, but I suspect it's some setting on our server. Just hope it doesn't happen again...

Anyway, thanks for your help.

Hello,

When I add up to 20 balls of wool to the shoppingcart the ozpost is ok; but if I add 30+ balls of wool I get the error
ERROR: 150cm exceeds the Maximum 105cm length allowed. Using AP Flat Rate

Is there any way to get ozpost to calculate multiple parcels if they contain numbers of small items?

E.g.
http://www.bubs2grubsknitting.com.au/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=44_121

vandiermen:

Hello,

When I add up to 20 balls of wool to the shoppingcart the ozpost is ok; but if I add 30+ balls of wool I get the error
ERROR: 150cm exceeds the Maximum 105cm length allowed. Using AP Flat Rate

Is there any way to get ozpost to calculate multiple parcels if they contain numbers of small items?

No.

The older AustPost module did attempt the splitting of parcels if they exceeded the weight or size limits imposed by the carrier, but this often caused problems whereby such parcels were 'split' in physically impossible ways. The code needed perform this task reliably is going to take someone with a lot more skills than I have (In fact, this is considered to be 'the holy grail' of shipping modules (other threads cover the issues involved in a lot more detail)

The long term plan is that eventually the ozpost module will support quotes from other carriers (eg, TNT) that will accept the larger/heavier items.

Cheers
Rod

Thanks for letting me know.
I understand the problem with sending multiple the figures to aust post server, etc.

Hi Rod,

I've run into a rather expensive problem.

I've had a customer order goods that weighted 8.56KG, and requested for them to be shipped by ECI Merchandise.

The Ozpost shipping module has charged $96.70 for the package.

The post office charged $200.00 when I shipped it. :shocking:
The error has cost me $100.00

I then went to the online Australia post calculator and it quotes $201.00 for ECI parcels between 7.5Kg and 10Kg

Any clues to why this might have occurred? And more importantly how I can debug/ fix it?

Cheers,

Peter.

Peter Homann:

Hi Rod,

I've run into a rather expensive problem.

I've had a customer order goods that weighted 8.56KG, and requested for them to be shipped by ECI Merchandise.

The Ozpost shipping module has charged $96.70 for the package.

The post office charged $200.00 when I shipped it. :shocking:
The error has cost me $100.00

I then went to the online Australia post calculator and it quotes $201.00 for ECI parcels between 7.5Kg and 10Kg

Any clues to why this might have occurred? And more importantly how I can debug/ fix it?

Cheers,

Peter.

A URL to the offending product would be a good start. Unless/until I can see for myself exactly what data was sent to the server and can verify the under quoting there isn't much that I can do, and unless the data sent is different than what you think it is there probably isn't anything you can do either.

Cheers
Rod

im currently not getting the AP flat rate error option. it is displayed in the shipping estimator ok, but not in the checkout options.

i traced the error and found the failure in tpl_checkout_shipping_default.php

appx. line 68:

      if ($quotes[$i]['module'] != '') { // Standard

the quotes array returned if for example the girth is too big is failing this test, and then not being displayed as an option.
it is because the arrays returned as $quotes in this case doesnt have $quotes[$i]['module'] set. so i tried setting it, and i realise it also doesnt have $quotes[$i]['id'] set, and also the $quotes[$i]['methods']['id] is set wrong to the $title variable rather than some code like 'flat' or 'rrp' ..

no im not really saying its definately a problem with your code as youd think something like this would have come up b4 and been fixed. but perhaps you can help me ??

here is a var_dump on the suspect $quotes:

array(2) { ["icon"]=>  string(137) "Aussie Post" ["methods"]=>  array(1) { [0]=>  array(3) { ["id"]=>  string(141) "Aussie Post" ["title"]=>  string(253) "Aussie Post ERROR: (31+68.00) x 2cm exceeds the Maximum 140cm girth allowed. Using AP Flat Rate." ["cost"]=>  string(5) "25.00" } } } 

and for reference here is a var_dump on a healthy $quotes:

array(3) { ["id"]=>  string(6) "ozpost" ["module"]=>  string(141) "Aussie Post" ["methods"]=>  array(7) { [0]=>  array(3) { ["id"]=>  string(3) "RPP" ["title"]=>  string(327) " Regular Parcel 1 1 days Est Delivery " ["cost"]=>  float(4.35) } [1]=>  array(3) { ["id"]=>  string(4) "PPS5" ["title"]=>  string(342) " 500gm Prepaid Satchel 1 1 days Est Delivery " ["cost"]=>  float(5.7) } [2]=>  array(3) { ["id"]=>  string(3) "REG" ["title"]=>  string(333) " Registered Parcel 2 2 days Est Delivery " ["cost"]=>  float(7.15) } [3]=>  array(3) { ["id"]=>  string(3) "EXP" ["title"]=>  string(327) " Express Parcel 1 1 days Est Delivery " ["cost"]=>  float(8) } [4]=>  array(3) { ["id"]=>  string(5) "PPSE5" ["title"]=>  string(359) " 500gm Prepaid Satchel Express 1 1 days Est Delivery " ["cost"]=>  float(8) } [5]=>  array(3) { ["id"]=>  string(4) "RPPi" ["title"]=>  string(328) " Insured Parcel 2 2 days Est Delivery " ["cost"]=>  float(9.75) } [6]=>  array(3) { ["id"]=>  string(4) "EXPi" ["title"]=>  string(330) " Insured Express  1 1 days Est Delivery " ["cost"]=>  float(13.4) } } } 

zencart and ozpost version is latest

my fix (for now) is to change:
(girth example, but works for other 2 error sections too)

   // Check girth
    if($girth > $MAXGIRTH_P )
    {
         $cost = $this->_get_error_cost($dest_country) ;

       if ($cost == 0)  return  ;
      
        $methods[] = array( 'id' => $this->title,  'title' => $this->title . '<font color=#FF0000> ERROR: (' . $parcelheight . "+" . $parcelwidth . ') x 2cm exceeds the Maximum 140cm girth allowed.</font>'. $FlatText, 'cost' => $cost ) ;
        $this->quotes['methods'] = $methods;   // set it
        return $this->quotes;
    }  // exceeds AustPost maximum girth. No point in continuing.

to:

   // Check girth
    if($girth > $MAXGIRTH_P )
    {
         $cost = $this->_get_error_cost($dest_country) ;

       if ($cost == 0)  return  ;
      
        $methods[] = array( 'id' => 'Error',  'title' => $this->title . '<font color=#FF0000> ERROR: (' . $parcelheight . "+" . $parcelwidth . ') x 2cm exceeds the Maximum 140cm girth allowed.</font>'. $FlatText, 'cost' => $cost ) ;
        $this->quotes['methods'] = $methods;   // set it
        
        $this->quotes['module'] = $this->title;        
        $this->quotes['id'] = 'ozpost';
        
        return $this->quotes;
    }  // exceeds AustPost maximum girth. No point in continuing.

:lamo:

hayden:

im currently not getting the AP flat rate error option. it is displayed in the shipping estimator ok, but not in the checkout options.

This bug has been fixed in ozpost V1.0.6, which should be found attached to one on my messages in this forum.

Cheers
Rod

so why hasnt the zencart/free-addons download been updated ??

hayden:

so why hasnt the zencart/free-addons download been updated ??

Not enough people have been affected by the problem.
Lack of time to create a new distribution package.
Lack of interest/motivation to create a new distribution package.
Always busy working on the next update (v2.x.x with TNT support).

Pick any or all of the above.

Cheers
Rod

RodG:

This is a known bug. Replace the file
/includes/modules/shipping/ozpost.php with the one attached to this reply.

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6771&d=12604557391.0.6.zip
Cheers
Rod

Is this the only update between the download in the add ons rod?

Cheers

PS I know its a big ask but any chance you can come up with some simple intructions (or some sql patch?? :))) based on the new fields added with ozpost to help with product uploads via easypopulate?

michellewardley:

Is this the only update between the download in the add ons rod?

Yes, but please note that the update in the forum doesn't have a complete set of files, so you'll still need to download and install the files from the add-ons and then replace the relevant files from the 1.0.6 .zip file in the forum.

michellewardley:

PS I know its a big ask but any chance you can come up with some simple intructions (or some sql patch?? :))) based on the new fields added with ozpost to help with product uploads via easypopulate?

Not any time in the foreseable future (plus I'm not really sure what you are after), but if you want to give it a go yourself, anywhere in easypopulate that has a reference to products_weight would simply need to be expanded/replicated to include products_length, products_width and products_height.

Cheers
Rod

but if i already have it installed then its just a case of that patch file?

michellewardley:

but if i already have it installed then its just a case of that patch file?

Correct.

Cheers
Rod

Hello Rod and everyone here,

I really appreciate this ozpost module. It is amazing and has benefited me more than a lot! Thank you, Rod. :smile:

Now I am wondering if there is a way to show the shipping cost in a table of different shipping options (i.e., just like the result we get when estimating the postage on shopping cart page) on each product description page.

Since I know there is some module that can determine the viewer's country and city simply by his IP address, I am hoping there is also a way to predetermine a viewer's location and automatically calculate the postage by the OZpost module, and then show the result of the shipping cost in somewhere of the product description area. If the viewer has already logged in, then his recorded location/address will be directly used for the this calculation...

Is this practicable? And any idea to make this 'come true'? I really need your help!!

Thanks so much for your time and attention.

Regards,
Brian

bnamodel:

Now I am wondering if there is a way to show the shipping cost in a table of different shipping options (i.e., just like the result we get when estimating the postage on shopping cart page) on each product description page.

I'd say that yes, this probably is possible.

bnamodel:

Since I know there is some module that can determine the viewer's country and city simply by his IP address,

This is true, but the accuracy isn't to be relied upon because IP addresses and Geographical locations have no relationship with each other other than 3rd party databases.

bnamodel:

I am hoping there is also a way to predetermine a viewer's location and automatically calculate the postage by the OZpost module and then show the result of the shipping cost in somewhere of the product description area. If the viewer has already logged in, then his recorded location/address will be directly used for the this calculation...

I'd say that yes, this is possible.

bnamodel:

Is this practicable? And any idea to make this 'come true'? I really need your help!!

OK, now that I've told you that all of your dreams are possible, time for the let down.

None of the things you are asking for is specifically 'ozpost' related. The reason being is that ozpost, like all the other shipping modules, only serve one very specific purpose, and that is to supply a shipping cost based on certain input parameters.

How or where these costs are displayed or used isn't a function of the shipping module(s) - These are controlled either by zencart itself, or the template files that are being used.

Similar applies in regards to the viewers location (geoIP) and it's relationship with ozpost and/or other shipping module(s) - The location data needs to be supplied to the shipping module(s). The shipping modules have no means or need to determine this information themselves, it just isn't a part of their required functionality.

What this basically all means is that to change how the shipping quotes 'look' you'll need to create/edit your own template file(s).

It is true that the ozpost shipping module does already come with a pre-modified template file (tpl_modules_shipping_estimator.php), but I have intentionally made as few changes as possible from the original file in order to minimise any maintainance or compatibility issues - In other words, if you feel you are up to the task (or know of someone that is) then a few tweaks of your custom tpl_modules_shipping_estimator.php file will have it looking however you wish :-)

Tip: This same file can also be used to set a destination location for visitors as well (in fact the trapping for an undefined destination is the reason I modified tpl_modules_shipping_estimator.php in the first place).

Anyway, to summarise .. I think all of your requirements can be acheived with further customisation of the tpl_modules_shipping_estimator.php file, but do keep in mind that this isn't an 'ozpost' file - it is core zencart file that it used by all of the shipping modules, so treat with caution.

Cheers
Rod

Thank you very much for the advise, Rod. If possible, I will make an effort to achieve this.