ozpost shipping module

matthewrossser:

Hi There,

Great work on the shipping module !!

I have it installed & operational.

The items in my shop are quite large & I am having problems if shipping more than 1 item as the combined total of all items exceeds the OzPost maximium. It seems it doesn't see the items as being seperate boxes and adds ALL together for 1 global package.
I can not seem to find any facility in your Module or Zencart to split the shipping of the items to be indiviually boxed, packaged.

Using latest Zen & also your module.

Is there a script hack to enable this or is it a core rewrite for the next version ?

Regards
Matt

This particular module currently has no means of splitting parcels that exceed to 20kg limit.

I do plan on re-adding this functionality in a later update, but I can't give an estimate of when this will be.

Until I do so, you might want to consider using the older 'AustPost Improved' module (which honours the zen-cart 'maximum shipping weight' setting and provides a quote on multiple parcels.

The primary reason for wanting to redo this part of the code in 'ozpost' is because the zen-cart method used in the AustPost Improved module has no means of taking the parcel size into consideration, which depending on the products size/weight ratio would often cause significant quotation errors (at best), and would often divide parcels in impossible ways (at worst).

In other words, even though the AustPost Improved module may be better for your needs at the moment, it does come with an element of risk that you will need to closely monitor for such errors.

Cheers
Rod

Hi again,
While waiting for the updated OzPost module, my AustPost improved is giving me grief...
I have set up products with weights in grams and dimensions in cm.

If I have one product in my cart, the shipping estimate is fine, but if I have 2 or more, it goes completely out the door.
For example, I have a product which weighs 30gms and is 5cmx5cmx2cm. and another similar product. I choose 2 of both of them and then do a quote. This is what I get back:
Estimate Shipping Costs
Total Items: 4 Weight: 140gms Amount: $17.60 Dims: 11.00x8.50x1.02 Boxes: 43

Available Shipping Methods Rates
4 $5.50 (Pre-paid satchel) - correct
1 $7.70 (Express post satchel) - correct
1 $180.60 - Parcel post
2 $181.80 - Insured parcel post
2 $183.35 - registered parcel post
1 $331.10 - express parcel post

What crazy thing have I done? Anybody got an idea?
Thanks in advance!!!
Nerida.:frusty:

Hi Rod,

Thanks for your help.
I have actually discovered that the items are not going over the 20kg weight. They are less than 20kg.
It seems to be the dimesions that are causing the error.The maximum girth I believe is 140cm... width + height not to exceed 140cm.My packages are bulky and are fine if done individually(less than 140cm). However if I select 2 packages then they exceed the 140cm MAX even though they are 2 seperate articles it calls up the Error.
Seems it is not able to differentiate between multiple packages ?

Cheers
Matt

neridal:

If I have one product in my cart, the shipping estimate is fine, but if I have 2 or more, it goes completely out the door.
<snip>
Weight 140gms

I know this says grams, but all I can tell from the info you have given is that it is 140 somethings... I'm guessing 140 kgs.

neridal:

Boxes: 43

You haven't indicated what your maximum shipping weight is set to either, I'm going to guess that you haven't set this, which means it is at the default of '3'

You probably haven't changed the tare weight either, which I think defaults to 10% of the product weight, so what we have is:

product weight + tare weight = 140kg

Therefore product weight = 126kg
Max shipping weight = 3 kg

With these numbers you end up being quoted for

126/3 = ~42 boxes @ 3kgs each (give or take a box since I'm only guestimating and not considering any rounding)

neridal:

What crazy thing have I done? Anybody got an idea?
Thanks in advance!!!
Nerida.:frusty:

Check your products weights & tare weights, and then ensure that the Kgs/gms toggle in the Austpost module matches whatever weight scale you are using.

The 'gms' that you see displayed is a red herring. That is purely a textual/display thing. You can change that text to carets, jins, mites or scruples if you wish and it won't make any difference to the actual calculations.

Cheers
Rod

matthewrossser:

Hi Rod,

The maximum girth I believe is 140cm... width + height not to exceed 140cm.

For the sake of correctness, the girth is actually calculated as
(2 x width) + (2 x height).

matthewrossser:

My packages are bulky and are fine if done individually(less than 140cm). However if I select 2 packages then they exceed the 140cm MAX even though they are 2 seperate
articles it calls up the Error.
Seems it is not able to differentiate between multiple packages ?

Correct. The splitting of parcels based on dimension (as used in the AustPost module) has caused a few issues with a number of merchants because it was splitting parcels in impossible ways. This is why I haven't replicated the code in the new module.

I do have several ideas how to make this work 'properly' (or at least more realistically) with the new module, but before diving in to that aspect of things I need to ensure that the server side code is performing accurately and reliably.

The ozpost module is taking a significantly different approach than the older modules, which ended up evolving into mish-mash of trying to calculate some quotes on its own and/or passing other quotes off to either the austpost.vcsweb server and/or edeliver servers, often making several different requests for the same parcel to cater for several different possible shipping methods.
The code was turning into a nightmare to read and maintain.

The all new ozpost code has separated the elements so that the server provides quotes for all valid shipping methods in a single request based on the weights, dimensions, destination and value of any given parcel.

The client code then eliminates the method(s) that have been disabled by the merchant.

The next stage of development will be to update the client code to do any required parcel splitting based on weights and/or dimensions of the items in the cart (with no concern in regards to actually obtaining a the quotes).

This way, with the client doing nothing nothing more than handling the parcel details it would/should be possible to calculate on the contents of a shopping cart using different sized parcels.

For example:

If you have two products in the cart, one weighing 19 kgs and the other weight 2kgs, the current methods will (assuming a 20kg limit) provide a quote of two parcels each weighing 11.5kgs (which clearly isn't going to be correct). With the new format is should be possible to quote this shopping cart correctly, with one parcel weighing 19kgs, and the other being able to fit into a 3kg satchel (for example).

It will/should also be possible to correctly split the shopping cart correctly by dimensions this way too.

As I said though, I first need to get the basic client/server code fully debugged first (especially the server side), which is also why the client side code is still somewhat 'minimal'.

Time is my biggest enemy though.

Cheers
Rod

Hey thanks Rod,
I have checked the settings and I have
Maximum Package Weight you will ship - 50
Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weight 0:40
Larger packages - added packaging percentage:weight 0:2000
I have the Aust Post toggle set the gms.

I'm going to go back and double check everything again.

Cheers,
Nerida.

I checked it again and the max box size was set to 50, so I guess in grams as I am using that unit of weight measure, so I changed it to 5000 and I now get the correct estimates.
Cheers,
Nerida.:wink:

Hi Rod

As I am currently using AusPost Improved and Request For Quote shipping, and have only just discovered the new OzPost, I may be premature in asking this, however.

With oversized items or parcels, (ie Length > 100 or girth > 140), upon selecting Auspost as the shipping method, I get a white screen with the error message:

The delivery rate for this option cannot be determined at this time. If you prefer to use this option as your shipping method, please contact the store owner.

As the only recourse to exiting this screen is to use the browser Back button, I am wondering whether provision has been made in OzPost (or can be made in AusPost) to disqualify itself from quoting with an inbox message (eg "Parcel/Item too large or heavy for this shipping method. Please select another shipping method or contact the store owner."). This would prompt the user to select the Request For Quote or other shipping method, or to re-constitute their order as more managable parcels.

TIA

dw08gm:

Hi Rod
As I am currently using AusPost Improved and Request For Quote shipping, and have only just discovered the new OzPost,

The new ozpost module still has several issues that need resolving. I'm actually working on them today and hopefully will all be resolved b4 I quit for the night.

dw08gm:

I may be premature in asking this, however.

With oversized items or parcels, (ie Length > 100 or girth > 140), upon selecting Auspost as the shipping method, I get a white screen with the error message:

The delivery rate for this option cannot be determined at this time. If you prefer to use this option as your shipping method, please contact the store owner.

As the only recourse to exiting this screen is to use the browser Back button,

That's odd (that the only recourse is to hit the back button), I've no idea why you are getting that, as far as I know the rest of us can still move forward, and even check out (with a shipping cost of zero).
Whatever the cause/reason I'm not going to worry about it now.

dw08gm:

I am wondering whether provision has been made in OzPost (or can be made in AusPost) to disqualify itself from quoting with an inbox message (eg "Parcel/Item too large or heavy for this shipping method. Please select another shipping method or contact the store owner."). This would prompt the user to select the Request For Quote or other shipping method, or to re-constitute their order as more managable parcels.
TIA

The Austpost module does (or should) already do that, but you do of course need another shipping method that could be used, otherwise, as I said, it will let people check out using a zero cost for shipping.

As for the ozpost module, I have just added a couple of 'fixed price' charge settings (one for overseas, one for Aust) that will/could be used if a normal quote can't be obtained (for any reason), and my next step is to add a check so that if these values are set to zero the module will behave as though it wasn't there at all.

Cheers
Rod

Hi Rod

I look forward to your ammendments.

Whereabouts in your code is parcel size determined.

The reason for the asking is that I am currently toying (in spreadsheet fashion) with ways to determine parcel sizes based on maximum dimensions rather than weight, especially where an order may require more than one parcel whose total order weight is less than 20kg.

Is AusPost or OzPost able to handle multiple parcels in this regard?

TIA

dw08gm:

Hi Rod

I look forward to your ammendments.

Twas uploaded about 5mins ago. It'll take a day or two before the zencart team approve and make it available.

dw08gm:

Whereabouts in your code is parcel size determined.

Look at the code. :smile:

dw08gm:

The reason for the asking is that I am currently toying (in spreadsheet fashion) with ways to determine parcel sizes based on maximum dimensions rather than weight,

I'm confused. Is there any other way?
How can parcel dimensions ever be determined by weight?

[QUOTE=dw08gm;718458]
especially where an order may require more than one parcel whose total order weight is less than 20kg.
/QUOTE]

I think you are another of us that has been looking for the holy grail of shipping calculations.

I suggest you read the 'cubing.txt' file (supplied with both the AustPost and ozpost modules) for some of the issues surrounding this quest.

dw08gm:

Is AusPost or OzPost able to handle multiple parcels in this regard?
TIA

The AustPost module handles weight splitting of parcels (multiple parcels) by virtue of the the zencart code itself.
It also has it's own parcel splitting based on dimensions. Neither method solves the problem of splitting any given parcel in 'impossible' ways.

Currently the ozpost module makes no attempt to split parcels either by weight, or by dimension. The practical solution to this issue would be to use a courier service rather than Australia Post for such deliveries.

I do have some plans and ideas for ways to have parcel splitting for the ozpost module, but I've no idea how successful It is going to be (or when I'm going to find time to do it). If all else fails I am even considering adding one (or more) courier costings to the server code (which may be the best solution anyway).

Cheers
Rod

RodG:

Twas uploaded about 5mins ago. It'll take a day or two before the zencart team approve and make it available.
...waiting for the new file to pass muster.
RodG:

I'm confused. Is there any other way?
How can parcel dimensions ever be determined by weight?

I think you are another of us that has been looking for the holy grail of shipping calculations.

Not so much a holy grail, but a method to exclude certain items from the AustPost/OzPost module. As most of my products weigh much less than 20kg, but some products exceed or approach the size limits of AusPost, the size constraints will govern where a customer orders one or more large sized products with several smaller items.

RodG:

The AustPost module handles weight splitting of parcels (multiple parcels) by virtue of the the zencart code itself.
It also has it's own parcel splitting based on dimensions. Neither method solves the problem of splitting any given parcel in 'impossible' ways.

Currently the ozpost module makes no attempt to split parcels either by weight, or by dimension. The practical solution to this issue would be to use a courier service rather than Australia Post for such deliveries.

I do have some plans and ideas for ways to have parcel splitting for the ozpost module, but I've no idea how successful It is going to be (or when I'm going to find time to do it). If all else fails I am even considering adding one (or more) courier costings to the server code (which may be the best solution anyway).

Cheers
Rod

Do your plans include placing a "always ship separately" and/or "force shipping quote" checkboxes
in the vicinity of the dimension (LxWxH) input boxes on the add-product pages.
By allowing the seller to pre-determine the shipping method, this would help alleviate problems of parcels becoming oversize, especially where certain items in an order approach (say 70% or more) the threshold dimensions or weight set by the carrier.

dw08gm:

.

Do your plans include placing a "always ship separately" and/or "force shipping quote" checkboxes
in the vicinity of the dimension (LxWxH) input boxes on the add-product pages.
By allowing the seller to pre-determine the shipping method, this would help alleviate problems of parcels becoming oversize, especially where certain items in an order approach (say 70% or more) the threshold dimensions or weight set by the carrier.

No. Mainly on account of the fact that this would best be achieved with a separate/independent module.

Cheers
Rod

Fortunately or unfortunately, it would appear that the separate module would require interaction with the AustPost or OzPost module.

dw08gm:

Fortunately or unfortunately, it would appear that the separate module would require interaction with the AustPost or OzPost module.

Methinks you may need a lesson or three on OOP (Object orientated programming). These modules, like all other shipping modules, (and almost everything else relating to zencart) can be enabled/disabled and/or used in conjunction with any other module simply by using the the precoded methods/functions (or whatever else you wish to call them).

What I'm saying here is that it will require no more (and no less) 'interaction' than (say) the way the postage modules interact with zencart itself, or the way zencart manages to take the results from the postage modules and uses those results for checkout processing, etc.

At most the AustPost/ozpost module(s) will require one additional line to be added, and that would be a check to see if any given item in the cart needs to be excluded from the Austpost/ozpost processing, but even this could be avoided by having the new module preprocess the shopping cart items (which it will need to do anyway) and removing them from the datastream before the module is called, and that is assuming the module needs to still be called anyway (in addition to the 'post separately' items.

In the simplest case, the new module will only need do a check to see if the 'special delivery' flag is set, and if so, set the variable to disable the AustPost module(s) for that particular shopping cart.

Does that all make sense to you?

Cheers
Rod

I have a zencart and installed Aust Postmodule and turned on options for:
parcel
500gm Satchels
3kg Satchels
500gm Express Satchels
3kg Express Satchels

I can't get the freight calculator or the user Shipping selection options in cart to show the 500gm sachels as an option when a product is purchased that falls into the 500 gm satchel weight ....

Any ideas what may be incorrectly configured?

These items are in an attribute drop down in the shop - there are eg 3 attribute options for the product - i checked and each has it's own weight in the attributes set.

Re below: estimated shipping screenshot lists shipping options but should show the 500 gm satchel as option as the item weighs 0.045kgs

Example:

Estimate Shipping Costs
Total Items: 1 Weight: 0.045kgs Amount: $0.75

Available Shipping Methods Rates

parcel post: ( 1 ) $6.70

prepaid satchel 3kg ( 4) $12.10
express satchel 3kg( 1 ) $13.40

Fastways Courier (Delivery to 4151 - next days Delivery
(Estimated Delivery Time)
1 boxes 0.045kg(s) (incl $2.50 handling) ) $9.70
Store Pickup (Walk In) $0.00

??
Many thanks, thank you..I know it must be staring me in the face......
Sandy
Brisbane

ozmosaics:

I can't get the freight calculator or the user Shipping selection options in cart to show the 500gm sachels as an option when a product is purchased that falls into the 500 gm satchel weight ....

Any ideas what may be incorrectly configured?

Parcel dimensions?

Cheers
Rod

Hi Rod,
You are my hero. I trolled for a long time in this forum thread and you are a very patient person (sorry am I assuming too much here?). Maybe that should be patient beyond all endurance. Reading all the posts made me realise how one should rethink the problem. You made me see the light quite a few times in the way I approach finding a solution.

That parcel size config - I tried so many things there (don't ask) but again, don't ask me why but your answer made be get a cup of tea and think, Sandy it's there in front of you....

I too the set size out altogether and Presto. all satchels/options are there . thank you.

I wish my son was here, he would have spotted it, he analyses very well, whey did he go to Canberra? LOL. Rod, thank you so much. I am very happy and thanks for the lesson in you know what.
cheers and if it's not too personal, a big hug too.
:clap::clap::clap: you are a great teacher :smartalec:

ozmosaics:

Hi Rod,
You are my hero. I trolled for a long time in this forum thread and you are a very patient person (sorry am I assuming too much here?).

Probably (assuming too much)

ozmosaics:

Maybe that should be patient beyond all endurance.

I'm patient in as much as I don't expect everyone to read every message in every thread in order to find an answer to their particular problem.

I'm not as patient in those odd times when people would prefer to argue rather than learn.

ozmosaics:

Reading all the posts made me realise how one should rethink the problem. You made me see the light quite a few times in the way I approach finding a solution.

You did that admirably, simply by asking what it could be that you were overlooking or doing wrong, as opposed to those that prefer to 'blame' the software.

ozmosaics:

That parcel size config - I tried so many things there (don't ask) but again, don't ask me why but your answer made be get a cup of tea and think, Sandy it's there in front of you....

I too the set size out altogether and Presto. all satchels/options are there . thank you.

Do keep in mind that the size checks are there for a good reason. Those 500gm satchels tend to be a fair bit smaller than people realise, and the last thing a merchant needs is to have the satchels listed as a viable shipping method, only to find that their products won't fit.

ozmosaics:

cheers and if it's not too personal, a big hug too.

I like hugs. It does tend to make my wife a bit jealous though :yes:

ozmosaics:

:clap::clap::clap: you are a great teacher :smartalec:

I shall pass this on to my lecturers' (I'm currently studying Cert IV Training and assessment). It may get me out of an assignment :book:
<grin>

Cheers
Rod

:lamo: I armed and dangerous with a mouse...and a glass of wine! My computer shudders!

.... Thanks again, entertainment and education! I hope, guess, assume, (LOL) that you realise how much these programs are appreciated and the wisdom, advice and effort given by many - is invaluable!

As we share we grow, as we learn we share - hopefully everybody is a winner - I teach -often swapping roles of mentor and mentoree, much to my satisfaction - it's stimulating.

I am sure more questions will be forthcoming.....Don't blame me, after being stuck to the screen all day and night - I become unstuck! :frusty:

I am beginning to feel very happy with Zen Cart - thank you developers and members who help out!

What a generous gift to us all! It's going to be a red letter day when I launch my web shop - I am sure everyone feels like that and knows the frustrations of feeling helpless sometimes and so badly wanting everything to work - we are spoilt here having such fantastic advice!

Big cheers for the helpers! :clap::clap::clap::lamo: Now, where was I...product data entry...groan... those tricky atttributes...gotta love 'em. I think the attributes on zen cart rock! Sorry, I think these smilies are cute....:D
Cheers, Sandy - OzMosaics - wip site: https://www.ozmosaics.com slowly getting there.......visit at own risk of cracking up, shop is wip - but be warned -you may get addicted to mosaics LOL! Your trash might be my treasure.......in fact don't look at the my site shop yet, look next week when it's looking good....I just have the bare bones in at the moment...the artyfarty stuff is about to happen.....I am still in "what will that do?" mode....
Good luck with your assignment!