Stamps.com connect questions

I'm starting this thread as the previous ones were started oh so long ago....

I'm running zencart 1.3.9h and the newest stamps.com download.

Orders are not downloading or not showing up.

questions seem to be cropping up about integrating with zencart that may be the problem and I'd appreciate any help:

Order Status default in the stamps.com code do not match our zencart default.

define("ZENCART_RETRIEVE_ORDER_STATUS_3_DELIVERED",1);

Our status 3 is "SHIPPED"

How can I change that?

The interface does not have a way to test the connection. The Stamps.com software just tells me there are no orders but that it downloaded as many as "35" but nothing shows up.

Our url to our store is not secure except to the log on page so that is what I used for the "url to my store" or https://www.mysite/mystore/index.php, but I'm wondering if the prefix the code puts on the admin folder is screwing up the connection. Wouldn't I get an error that it could not connect?

Have you called Stamps.com and talked to Tier 2 support who handles the Batch support?

What is the status of order to be shipped? Pending or Processing?
What status do you want Stamps.com to retrieve? Pending, Processing or both

Default code below tells Stamps.com NOT to retrieve pending. DO retrieve processing.

By default, Stamps.com changes the order status to DELIVERED when postage is printed.

Since you have changed the default zencart codes, Stamps.com will probably throw their hands up and say "You're on your own" but you won't know that until you ask. At one time, we thought about having a "SHIPPED" code but quickly found that was a logistical nightmare to keep straight.

################################################ Only for Zencart Users ############################################ 
define("ZENCART_RETRIEVE_ORDER_STATUS_1_PENDING",0);
define("ZENCART_RETRIEVE_ORDER_STATUS_2_PROCESSING",1);
define("ZENCART_RETRIEVE_ORDER_STATUS_3_DELIVERED",0);
define("ZENCART_RETRIEVE_ORDER_STATUS_4_UPDATE",0);
# Next question: How do you work with the Zencart Order Status?
# In other words, when an order is shipped, should the order
# always be set to DELIVERED in Zencart?
#
# If you only ship orders that are in a PROCESSING state, you can leave 
# the setting below alone. When shipped, they will be moved automatically to the next
# status: DELIVERED.
#
# However, if you have PENDING orders being retrieved (see setting above)
# AND when shipped, you want those orders to move to a status of
# PROCESSING, then the setting below should be set to 0 (zero)
#
# In all cases, when shipped, the tracking # is posted into Zencart.
#
# Short Explanation:
# If this is set to 1, then, when shipped, orders of
# BOTH STATUS 1 (Pending) and STATUS 2 (Processing) will be
# set to STATUS 3 (Delivered)
define("ZENCART_SHIPPED_STATUS_SET_TO_STATUS_3_DELIVERED",1);//Defaults 1

Why...you are correct...I forgot it has been so long but we did change the name from Delivered to Shipped....in the admin...not the code that I can find. I've been on hold and talking to Stamps.com. The documentation I have does say it will retrieve Pending and Processing. We use Processing to flag our PayPal sales. I found some info that may be the issue regarding a two hour delay on retrieving new zen orders. We had a bunch over the weekend so they were not new but maybe it perceives them as new with our new account. hopefully tomarrow will be a new day and they will come in.

I wonder if there is a way to change the two hour delay. I do believe the url is indeed meant to direct Stamps.com to the main store folder as this is where the files are, so I just made sure it had my secure server info in the url. I'll report back tomarrow. Thanks for jumping on this.

I was told the 2 hour refresh cycle is not negotiable.

The "check for all orders in pending/processing status 4 days into the past and 1 day into the future" every refresh cycle can be changed.

good luck

Hi Athena,

It sounds like you already reached out to our Technical Support Team. If this was not resolved and you need further assistance troubleshooting, please send an email to [email protected] so we can investigate further.

Thanks!
Divya
Stamps.com

It was simply the two hour delay which is an inconvenience but not impossible to deal with as they can be entered in individually. I do wish the interface were more intuative and default settings easier to find and customize for batch orders. So far we are enjoying the convenience of printing our own and have been working out our preferences. We were not able to send an international order which was frustrating and had to hand deliver it for processing at the PO, but too soon to tell if this is an ongoing issue as we are going throuigh a slow sales period and do not get many international orders.

The way Stamps.com now automatically fills in the customs forms based upon products purchased is TOTALLY CRAP now. It was much easier to complete the form manually. This autocomplete feature for Customs forms makes it take 3-4 times longer to get an International label ready to print. That could have something to do with the problem you are having with International Labels.

What was a couple of clicks now requires 3-4 visits to the label before the software will allow International labels to be printed.

athena:

It was simply the two hour delay which is an inconvenience but not impossible to deal with as they can be entered in individually. I do wish the interface were more intuative and default settings easier to find and customize for batch orders. So far we are enjoying the convenience of printing our own and have been working out our preferences. We were not able to send an international order which was frustrating and had to hand deliver it for processing at the PO, but too soon to tell if this is an ongoing issue as we are going throuigh a slow sales period and do not get many international orders.

RixStix what are you referring to exactly? I also use international, and my only issue is long product descriptions and trying to fit them on the standard 4X6 labels. I shorten them and i click "I agree............" and I can print to one 4X6 label. It's very easy from my perspective.

TheGoofyOne:

RixStix what are you referring to exactly? I also use international, and my only issue is long product descriptions and trying to fit them on the standard 4X6 labels. I shorten them and i click "I agree............" and I can print to one 4X6 label. It's very easy from my perspective.

Long product descriptions. Attributes not included. Valuation incorrect due to attribute error. Customer telephone number no longer being downloaded by Stamps.com so telephone number not being included on customs form, nor on the address form. That now requires manual intervention. When I call, I am told that they receive 3-4 support calls per day per service rep due to the telephone number issue that was removed in the last update. After 3 weeks, I still have not received any communication from the upper level of support.

It takes several attempts to clear the "RED X". It's a bit easier now that I was told to "Hover" over the "RED X" to see the next issue preventing it from turning "GREEN". Before that, it was trial and error.

Stamps.com when it works - it's great.
Stamps.com when it is not working - Sux. Support is always friendly but if the first level support doesn't already have a solution, 2nd and 3rd levels of support are the black hole of Stamps.com. Once the issue goes in, it seldom comes out. When it does, it is several months later without any notification.

I agree with Rick. When it works....it is great...but when is that? We have been having issues logging on and seeing an accurate accounting of our "bank" and duplicate charges for postage since Friday, November 2nd. It is now Tuesday morning and yesterday was a nightmare trying to get our shipments out on time and getting through to anyone. We were on hold twice when a signal like a fax machine broke the music and then we were disconnected. We are no longer on our trial period so we'll look at another free trial offer to try another service.

Yep, we didn't make the deadline for postal cutoff for packages on Friday. We were in the process of printing Friday's labels yesterday when all hell broke looose.

UPDATE: CRAP it looks like they're down a third day in a row.

• Stamps.com website disappeared off the face of the internet.
• Stamps.com telephone system crashed and disappeared.
• Stamps.com postage servers were not to be found.

As usual, Stamps.com level 1 support was useless. Continuously saying "I'm sorry for the inconvenience" just doesn't help the problem.

Strange that problems only exist during business hours. Afterhours and weekends do not have issues. Sounds like a tech department's update gone bad.

It was the BEST TIME to begin the SHIPSTATION trial. I'm impressed with the service. There are learning curves that are to be expected with any new application. No telephone support but email support has been lightyears better than Stamps.com.

The devil is in the cost....$15.99 vs $25+ ...I guess you get what you pay for. I hate being cynical, but customer service can cover a multitude of sins....it is the only real edge anyone has on the net these days. They should pad everyone's money Que with a coupon when this happens, not bump you off the phone with the screeching of a fax line interruption.

...OK....this is too much...just had them take another $24 out of our que with no cause.....

If you ask, Stamps.com will credit the next month's service to your account for the inconvenience.... BUT you must ask.

We are sticking with Stamps.com after all. Even though my email was not at all tactful...full of "We demands...!!" They got back to us today and issued a full refund of the over charges and gave us a free month (thanks for the tip). Very courteous.

Boy, they must have been under some sort of cyber attack or something. The squealing fax noise after waiting on hold was consistently the experience, but when we cautiously signed on this morning there was a big apology with instructions waiting for us at the interface about the over deduction of postage fees.

I tried signing up for shipstation but backed out as we really do like the ease of use of stamps.com and the price and the built in discounts without having to sign up for Endicia etc. We'll probably make sure we have a back up plan in the future to ride these things out.

I have to say, though, if I had set this system up for one of my clients and this happened I'd look like a real fool.

The implementation is relatively straight forward

I've just about had all the headaches that I can stand with Stamps.com. Support is poor at best if there are technical issues and if you're using batch downloads from zencart, most issues require level 2 or higher intervention. Those folks are the black hole of support. Still waiting on them to contact me regarding how the last update fouled up the telephone numbers on the customs forms causing a 1 click postage to a 4-5 clicks and back/forth to satisfy the logic. I even have several specific sets of keystrokes/mouseclicks to repeat the issue.

I'm watching a ShipStation webinar tomorrow for basic and intermediate setup. I didn't realize the logic available IF/THEN for setting different attributes for postage based upon customers selection. Express1 is a bit less expensive to use for priority than Endicia or Stamps. Insurance is also less.

I'm still going to stay w/Stamps until I go through most of the #4650 labels 4x5". Know anyone who want's to buy them?

ShipStation saved our bacon last Friday and Monday.

FYI, the files used by Endicia and Stamps.com are IDENTICAL (developed by ShipRush/Z-firm) so if you ever need to change, things should be simple.

I switched to Shipstation and what a difference. The ability to trigger a download of new orders from zencart, the capability to set up automation rules, and the ability to completely edit the email, invoices, packing slips, the ability to reprint the shipping labels at any time, real batch support, and other features make this worth every additional penny per month. The only downside is the labels it supports. Two per page 8.5x11 for inkjet. I'm not looking back.