Need help figuring out shipping - FedEx & USPS

New ZC user, just installed v151 via godaddy (automated install) and have been configuring. Bought the manual, which has been very helpful. But shipping seems to still be rather difficult to figure out. Physically located in the midwest.

My store has a limited number of products and for the last year, I have basically shipped the same 2 things. I don't see this changing much, though I might start offering parts, etc. Regardless, I have determined that there are really 2 viable shipping methods for my product:

FedEx domestically
USPS for anything outside the lower 48.

My 2 boxes are basically

#1) 16" cube that weighs about 17 lb
#2) 18" cube that weighs about 28 lb

Basically FedEx international is ridiculous because they only offer express for like $350, while USPS priority mail is more like $80.

FedEx domestic rate varies, it is much cheaper to the adjacent state than it is to the coast for the larger package. So all I want to do is get the rate estimate based on the destination and tack on a flat amount for packaging & handling.

USPS I want to get the rate (which is always based on weight) and then same as above for international shipments only (maybe domestic too)

I have looked briefly at Numinix and Ceon. Built in modules do not seem to be capable of communicating with FedEx or USPS to get rates based on lookup tables?? Seems like this should be something that is very commonly used.

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction. This is the last thing holding up my site from going live

Built in modules do not seem to be capable of communicating with FedEx or USPS to get rates based on lookup tables??
One must have an account with FEDEX and USPS to be capable of communicating with their server for estimates

These account credentials are entered for each in the admin

I have both, so is it just that simple, and where do I enter in the login info I haven't found anything remotely like that

where do I enter in the login info I haven't found anything remotely like that
admin > modules > shipping > select one > install > fill out information requested

Also

admin > config > Shipping/Packaging > Shipping Estimator Display Settings for Shopping Cart > either 1 or 2 but not 0

kobra:

admin > modules > shipping > select one > install > fill out information requested

Also

admin > config > Shipping/Packaging > Shipping Estimator Display Settings for Shopping Cart > either 1 or 2 but not 0

I see no function allowing for tie-in with FedEx or USPS.

In the 1.5 series, you need to download the addons from the Plugins Link at the top of the page.

Ok, back to my original post.

There does not seem to be any built-in function for tying into FedEx and USPS to pull their shipping rates. This is what I was looking for input/suggestions for. I am familiar with plug-ins as I set up my VB4 forum by myself with no prior knowledge and have many plug-ins whirring along.

what I am asking for are suggestions as to how to perform the functions I listed in my OP.

FedEx domestic rate varies, it is much cheaper to the adjacent state than it is to the coast for the larger package. So all I want to do is get the rate estimate based on the destination and tack on a flat amount for packaging & handling.

USPS I want to get the rate (which is always based on weight) and then same as above for international shipments only (maybe domestic too)

I have looked briefly at Numinix and Ceon. Built in modules do not seem to be capable of communicating with FedEx or USPS to get rates based on lookup tables?? Seems like this should be something that is very commonly used.

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction. This is the last thing holding up my site from going live

Ok, back to my original post.

There does not seem to be any built-in function for tying into FedEx and USPS to pull their shipping rates. This is what I was looking for input/suggestions for. I am familiar with plug-ins as I set up my VB4 forum by myself with no prior knowledge and have many plug-ins whirring along.Maybe my trifocals need a good cleaning but that's what I was saying. These functions need to be installed from a mod/addon. They are no longer Built-In. USPS and FedEx Freight/FedEx SmartPost

Yes, I found those as well as the Numinix and Ceon ones. I don't think the FedEx Freight is applicable, just FedEx ground to the lower 48 is all I need.

So yes, there are many, many options it seems and I read sporadic reports of weird functionality and issues with this or that method. What I was looking for is feedback and advice about which modules, plugins, addons, etc, free or not, that would get me up and running.

I have very limited need at this time, per my OP, I really only ship 2 types of packages most frequently, and for my cart, that is all it will be for now. Both packages generally fall under the dimensional weight rule at least for FedEx, then for USPS international it doesn't care about dims as long as they are below a certain overall which I am so it just goes by weight.

So with those simple needs, which solution is the easiest, cheapest, and most reliable for me. That is my question.

This is one of the reasons I am asking which would be best

http://www.zen-cart.com/showthread.php?204404-Will-USPS-module-be-OK-%28Jan-2013%29&highlight=usps

Sounds like USPS changes things every year or something? So I would need a new plug in every year? Is this always the case? these are the types of concerns I have

Another FedEx one

http://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=809

The new USPS shipping module for January 27, 2013 will be released later this month before that date ...

Ajeh, thanks for the update. Does this mean that I should not use any USPS module until then? Not a big deal - I can just handle international shipments manually, the way I am now.

You can get the current USPS RateV3 for now ...

Ok. So I installed the Numinix add-on and this was for FedEx smart post via USPS and this is not what I wanted. All I wanted was to pull rates from FedEx and use FedEx. So I installed FedEx XML add-on and now when this is enabled and I go to checkout using my tester account, I get a blank screen. I only have FedEx Ground & Home Delivery active.

If I disable the FedEx Ground & Home Delivery, the page 1 of 3 checkout screen appears.

I am using GoDaddy and from what I read this means I am supposed to set the cURL Proxy to something but GD says they don't support this for Shared hosting of some BC like that. Anyways. Is this a GD thing with the cURL Proxy or did I not set up something right? There is no readme.txt file that came with the d/l btw.

forget it. just read that this method has been abandoned

http://www.zen-cart.com/showthread.php?186840-Fedex-Shipping-Module&highlight=curl+godaddy+fedex

post 10

so I guess I use the numinex module to at least estimate and bill the shipping and then just ship direct with fedex on the side

I am totally fed up with this!!!!!!

SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All I want to do it get FedEx rates. All I want is the function that I can get by going directly to FedEx's website and entering in XYZ dimensions, weight, and point A to point B, for Ground Service only. THAT IS ALL I WANT. I do NOT want to use Smart Post.

Why can't I get this working? No modules seem to provide this seemingly simplistic function!!!! what am I missing? I'm pulling my f-ing hair out!!!!!!

So I finally figured out that I had installed the SmartPost module instead of the web services module. I did not notice there was this other one offered my numinix.

I got that one installed and it does return proper values, but these values appear only to be based on weight alone. So it's returning a shipping cost of like $26 on a 28lb package to NY from IA, but that package is 18" on a side and the dimensional weight rule falls into play, meaning that package actually costs more like $30. There does not seem to be an area on ZC for specifying a package size in order to get the correct shipping price. I can just add $x as a fee but this does not totally solve the problem, see below

Then, if I add more than one item, each of which will ship in it's own box, it treats the order as one box with a combined weight, and one singe fee.

Ok now I cut the maximum package weight down to 28 (one item is 28 lb the other is 17) and it make the shipment 2 packages, each weighing 22.5 lb. How counter-intuitive is that for ya!?

...so I just read in the manual how it figures this. Should be able to force ZC to realize that a particular item must ship in it's own box. Add on for this possibly?

mmhh... where is the plugin for FedEx in the add ons? I only saw Freight and Smart but not the regular FedEx like ground or express etc. Can you tell me WHICH MODULE I need for Fedex? I've been going around the block on this one...
Yolanda