Setting up shipping to be more accurate.

I've been using the table method and for domestic (US) orders that has been fine. I've been getting more UK orders and now I'm losing money on shipping.

I've tried to set up the USPS mod but it only gives the customer an error "We are unable to find a USPS shipping quote suitable for your mailing address and the shipping methods we typically use.
If you prefer to use USPS as your shipping method, please contact us for assistance.
(Please check that your Zip Code is entered correctly.)" and sends me an email "Authorization failure. You are not authorized to connect to this server"

Any suggestions? I don't see an easy way to set things up for domestic versus international and had hoped that the USPS mod would solve this problem.

Thanks,
Christy

Is your USPS Web Tools set up? Are you on the live server?

I was set up on the live server, but I uninstalled the USPS mod because of the error. USPS sent the Username and Password. I entered the username in the mod, but that doesn't seem to work.

Ok, it sounds like you are using the click n ship used id and password. If so, that is not correct. The USPS Web Tools id is about 11 characters long.

You would have to go to usps.com. Look for the web tools. Follow the directions. You would be set up within a day or so.

BTW, it's not hard to setup and well worth the time.

No, I know it's not the click n ship because I've never used that. The email very definitely says Web Tools. The email says "Important USPS Web Tool Registration Notice" and provided a username and password.

I would really love to have it set up.

OK, the best that I could recommend is to uninstall it. Re-install it. Make sure it's enabled, the web tools id is used (there is no password with it) then continue to set up the rest of it using your preferences. Then click on the production server and save.

Give your hosting company a min or two before testing it yourself.

Make sure that you have installed the USPS current shipping module ...

You will find this on the List of Security Patches:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131115

Also ensure that you called USPS to activate your account for the Product Server, after you received your username ...

Thanks for the security patch list...I do need to do a few of those it looks like.

I just got the USPS mod working!!!:clap:

Now, I have an item set at .2 pounds and when I do a test order it's charging for 3.5 pounds at 6.10 (Priority Mail). That doesn't sound quite right...is there a tare weight setting I'm missing somewhere? Or is that in the Configuration -> Shipping/Packaging? I don't quite understand how the "Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weight" works. Currently it's set to 0:3 and I'm guessing that's not right, but I could be wrong. Is there someplace that explains this better?

I'm excited! This is getting so much closer to working the way I want it!

Thanks!
Christy

Configuration, shipping/packaging.

We set our tier weight to 0 and add a handling charge instead.

Are you exclusively using the USPS mod?

I just ran a test order for an international shipment and got a rather high price. The package was .4 pounds and it did not give me a first class rate. The lowest rate was some $26:ohmy:. I know that I've shipped packages that size First Class for about $12. Could there be something else I'm missing:unsure:? I do have First Class and First Class Mail Int selected.

Thanks!

In the USPS shipping mod. Click edit. Near the bottom you can select which services you would offer. International First Class is the last one.

Sorry, I didn't read your post close enough. OK, if they are still checked, then your weight might be higher than what you can ship first class. If that's the case, double check your tier and your weight. .4 lbs is just under 1/2 a pound. More like 6.4 ounces.

Where do you add the handling charge? I added $1.00 in the USPS Shipping Mod itself and it didn't charge the handling fee on the most recent order.

That's the right place. It won't show it separately.

Ah! So it did charge it, I just didn't see a separate charge! Yea! I think we may have a winner...I hope. It was such a tiny order and she selected First Class which made the charge so low that I wasn't expecting it. I'm used to my table rate, which was set for something closer to Priority Mail rates. So maybe I've got it...