ozpost shipping module

seanymph:

Curls seem to work, however you are being rejected or refused connection from most of them.

Those rejections/refusals are/were to be expected if/when the servers are queried with no valid data.
The 'important' thing they should have noted was that some of the queries they ran from the command line were successful, yet none of them were successful via the test script (or the ozpost module).

Cheers
Rod

seanymph:

Hi RodG,

Well I dont know what the issue was that caused both paypal and Auspost modules to give error messages and Justhost have not got back to me since the last email I sent to them asking for further assistance. But it seems that all is working right now

I can confirm that all is OK now. In fact if you run the ozpost test script yourself you'll have a better idea of what to expect when things are working. This can be a great aid if things ever get broken again.

Keep in mind that the ozpost system has 3 different servers on 3 different networks. If they** all** report 'FAIL' the problem is almost certainly something amiss with the stores host.

seanymph:

thanks for your help in this matter without your assistance I would have probably still be no where with Justhost.

With some hosts you've just got to persist a little more than others. It'll be interesting if they report back to you with what they needed to do to fix it. Actually, it'll be useful info for me to know, that way I can be more precise with the next person with the same(?) issue.

Cheers
Rod.

Hi Folks,

Just received from Australia Post.

Dear Customer,
Our records indicate that you registered for an API key to utilise Australia Post’s postage assessment calculator (PAC) and postcode search (PCS) API’s. This email is to advise that from October 22nd 2012 Australia Post will be changing postage prices and the way that the U.S. security surcharge is incorporated.

As part of the price changes the $9 U.S. security surcharge will no longer be separately itemised in the total postage cost. Instead, this cost will now be incorporated into the regular pricing cost.

We believe that this change should have no impact to your implementation of the PAC API but wanted to bring this activity to your attention in any case.

Should you have any questions about this change please contact us via this link:

https://auspost.com.au/devcentre/support.asp

Regards,

Aus Post Web Support.

This change will NOT have any** direct **effect on OzPost users, who have been lucky enough to have had this surcharge included in the postage costs (where applicable) for almost a year now (when the surcharge was first introduced). However, it does mean that I need to reconsider how this charge is presented to the customer.

At the moment this surcharge is being listed as a separate charge from the postage. My question is, do the ozpost users have any preferences in this regard? Should I update the ozpost module(s) to include this surcharge as a part of the shipping costs (As Australia Post are going to be doing), or do you prefer to have it listed as a separate item, as it currently is?

Majority Rules, so make your voice count.

Cheers
Rod

Since this is an unavoidable cost I see no particular advantage to showing it separately.

lucidlee:

Since this is an unavoidable cost I see no particular advantage to showing it separately.

The argument against this is that it helps avoid 'postage shock' for those affected by the surcharge. OK the final cost is the same, but wouldn't people be more receptive at seeing

Product Cost $50.00
Postage Cost $39.00
Security surcharge $ 9.00

Total $98.00

Rather than:

Product Cost $50.00
Postage Cost $48.00

Total $98.00

Hmmm.. perhaps not..

Your vote has been noted, and thanks for stating your reason. Much appreciated.

Cheers
Rod

Rod
I have a fairly limited product range but only one group of products really works with OZPost (well Australia Post really). These ship in tubes, up to six products per tube.
If I sell these products in bulk (ie >25) they ship as a flat pack via Pack & Send, who handle packaging and then contract shipping via DHL, FedEx or whatever. They quote for specific quantities and destinations - automated lookup to a remote server seems impossible. Anyway I occasionally get an updated quote for my common pack sizes and destinations so really the table rate module is what is needed here.

To offer shipping prices on my website for these 'flatpacks" and tubes I'm figuring that I need to be able to invoke one shipping module or another according to package type or, given how my site is organised, by product category. Zen cart seems adept at swapping shipping modules according to zones, weight, $Order or units but not according to product category. Is this indeed an insurmountable limitation or just not thought of?

I don't know if I'm alone in this regard so I'm asking if you can provide a technical feasibility response - and if your other users can indicate an interest.

All being well maybe we can crowdfund this.

Lee

lucidlee:

To offer shipping prices on my website for these 'flatpacks" and tubes I'm figuring that I need to be able to invoke one shipping module or another according to package type or, given how my site is organised, by product category. Zen cart seems adept at swapping shipping modules according to zones, weight, $Order or units but not according to product category. Is this indeed an insurmountable limitation or just not thought of?

I don't know if I'm alone in this regard so I'm asking if you can provide a technical feasibility response - and if your other users can indicate an interest.

This is actually quite easy to do and there are several threads that cover the information needed. Here's a link to one of them.

http://www.zen-cart.com/showthread.php?91394-Different-shipping-methods-for-different-categories&highlight=shipping+product+type

The main reason why this isn't 'standard code' is because each and every store will have their own unique category structure, and each store will have their own selection of shipping modules. Trying to create a universal interface to satisfy everyones needs is a tough ask, doubly so when the principles behind it are so simple.

It is more of a user interface problem rather than a technical problem.

Cheers
Rod

Hi Rod,

There appears to be a problem with your site shop.vcsweb.com/

Currently it is off the air, and as such no postage calculations are being performed.

This a major issue so hopefully you are aware of it.

Cheers,

Peter.

Peter Homann:

Hi Rod,

There appears to be a problem with your site shop.vcsweb.com/

Currently it is off the air, and as such no postage calculations are being performed.

This a major issue so hopefully you are aware of it.

Cheers,

Peter.

Seconded.

Cheers
GAM

Me too. I have reverted to a flat rate. Not happy as it is the start of my busy season.

Robyn
The Horse Stall

------ Here's a copy of the email I've just sent out to a couple of other people that are currently experiencing the same problerm.---

There are major problems with our primary server at the moment.

Both backup servers are fully functional.

Most of the ozpost client modules will detect the svr1 problem and use srv2.ozpost.net instead (and if that fails they should use svr0.ozpost.net).

If you are experiencing an issue as a result of this current outage, you have three options.

1. update to the latest ozpost code.

2. Load the code /includes/modules/shipping/ozpost.php into a text editor.
   Locate the line of code that reads:
   curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL,"svr1.".$server.$request);
   (it'll be somewhere around line #1696)

Change 'svr1' to 'svr2'.

Resave the file.

This'll force the module to use the secondary server 1st :)

or

3. Be patient. svr1 will be back online ASAP.

Cheers
Rod

Update: ozpost outage.

Our primary server is still offline (12hrs and counting), with no idea as to when it will be fixed. (It is outside of our control).

I've just completed code changes that will solve the quote issue that some of you are experiencing as a result of this outage. The new code has been designated as V3.4.0 and is currently available for download on the ozpost.net.au website (see link in signature line).

This update has been submitted to the zencart downloads, but it could take a few days to be approved.

Until the server problem is rectified** we are unable to update/renew subscriptions**. We appreciate that this can cause undue hardship for those that leave their renewals until the last minute, therefore,** until we get the subscription servers back online ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS WILL REMAIN VALID and will show 999 days remaining.**

Cheers
Rod

RodG:

Update: ozpost outage.

Until the server problem is rectified** we are unable to update/renew subscriptions**. We appreciate that this can cause undue hardship for those that leave their renewals until the last minute, therefore,** until we get the subscription servers back online ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS WILL REMAIN VALID and will show 999 days remaining.**

Cheers
Rod

Hi Rod,

My OZcart was working with the recommended fix of changing server 1 to server 2 as suggested. This morning the module is no longer working, it is showing 0 days subscription left.

I also have these errors when I select the Ozpost module from the shipping module in my Zencart Admin.

Error cURL communication ERROR: name lookup timed out
Error cURL communication ERROR: name lookup timed out
Error cURL communication ERROR:
Error cURL communication ERROR: name lookup timed out
Error cURL communication ERROR: name lookup timed out
Error cURL communication ERROR: 

Is there something that has changed that is causing this?

Cheers,

Peter

Peter Homann:

Is there something that has changed that is causing this?

Nothing that I'm aware of.

Peter Homann:

My OZcart was working with the recommended fix of changing server 1 to server 2 as suggested.

When convenient you should change this back to svr1 as it provides that additional layer of redundancy. Also, accesses to servers 2 & 0 trigger an SMS alert to warn that there may be an issue with svr1. (I currently have you whitelisted to avoid such alerts).

Peter Homann:

This morning the module is no longer working, it is showing 0 days subscription left.

I also have these errors when I select the Ozpost module from the shipping module in my Zencart Admin.

[CODE]
Error cURL communication ERROR: name lookup timed out
Error cURL communication ERROR: name lookup timed out[CODE]

Although not much help on this instance, but if you were using svr1 1st you'd get three of these (one for each server tried).

Peter Homann:

Is there something that has changed that is causing this?

Clearly something has changed, but not from the ozpost side of things. These are DNS lookup errors, in other words it is a resolver problem with your webhost/server.

Such problems are not uncommon and usually fix themselves within a few minutes. If it persists much longer than that you'll need to do further investigationing.

Cheers
Rod

Hi Rod,

Any tips on how to investigate further?

Is the problem that my host (in the USA) cannot lookup site http://ozpost.net.au/

Cheers,

Peter.

Peter Homann:

Is the problem that my host (in the USA) cannot lookup site http://ozpost.net.au/

That I can't tell you. What I can tell you is that the error message(s) that you posted indicated a problem looking up svr2.ozpost.net & svr0.ozpost.net (no .au)

Peter Homann:

Any tips on how to investigate further?

I assume the problem is ongoing?

Are there any other issues (currency update problems, paypal problems, or anything else that connects to external servers)?

You can also try running the ozpost server test script from here:
http://www.zen-cart.com/showthread.php?122637-ozpost-shipping-module&p=1151486#post1151486

Has your host updated its firewall recently?

I can't really think of anything else at the moment.

Cheers
Rod

Hi Rod,

Paypal, currency updates etc. All work well.

Below is what the script returned.

http://ozpost.net.au OKAY > V3.4.0

Query : http://ozpost.net.au/postage.php?flags=get_latest_client_version
Connect Time : 15.667356
Name lookup Time : 15.501922
Total Time : 15.884058
########################################____
http://ozpost.net OKAY > V2.9.9 PLEASE UPGRADE

Query : http://ozpost.net/postage.php?flags=get_latest_client_version
Connect Time : 15.071452
Name lookup Time : 15.011499
Total Time : 15.188857
########################################____
http://svr0.ozpost.net OKAY > V3.4.0

Query : http://svr0.ozpost.net/postage.php?flags=get_latest_client_version
Connect Time : 15.180432
Name lookup Time : 15.010016
Total Time : 15.386911
########################################____
http://svr1.ozpost.net OKAY > V3.4.0

Query : http://svr1.ozpost.net/postage.php?flags=get_latest_client_version
Connect Time : 15.065858
Name lookup Time : 15.005805
Total Time : 15.184502
########################################____
http://svr2.ozpost.net OKAY > V3.4.0

Query : http://svr2.ozpost.net/postage.php?flags=get_latest_client_version
Connect Time : 15.172087
Name lookup Time : 15.007182
Total Time : 15.389777
########################################____
Thank you. Please come again,

Will turning on debug provide anything extra?

Cheers,

Peter

Peter Homann:

Below is what the script returned.

Nothing amiss there.

Peter Homann:

Will turning on debug provide anything extra?

Perhaps.

Oh, just to confirm, you did tun the script from your store and not your localhost, didn't you?
The reason I ask is because the script results are contradicting the error messages you reported.

Cheers
Rod

Hi Rod,
I was doing an update on solarcampingaustralia.com.au, and did auto file then DB updated to V3.4.0 ozpost.
Check settings and Fastway was changed to city name instead of fastway-codes (that's less confusing) .
we were using BDB Wide Bay, so I changed it to Wide Bay
Tested cart and no Fastway
Changed fastway to Sunshine cost and fastway is working.

vandiermen:

Hi Rod,
I was doing an update on solarcampingaustralia.com.au, and did auto file then DB updated to V3.4.0 ozpost.
Check settings and Fastway was changed to city name instead of fastway-codes (that's less confusing) .
we were using BDB Wide Bay, so I changed it to Wide Bay
Tested cart and no Fastway
Changed fastway to Sunshine cost and fastway is working.

It is working for me.

Test product: http://www.solarcampingaustralia.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=144
Destination: Sydney 2000
FW satchel $11.20
FW labels $12.20

If still having a problem please provide a link to the product you are using for testing, as well as the destination postcode/suburb being used and I'll look into it further.

Cheers
Rod