NOTICE: USPS is Updating Their APIs Jan. 27th, 2013

traci:

I have check a couple different products and weights and I am not getting the same rates on my site as I do when I get a rate quote from usps.com. Any idea why my first class would not be matching?

.

Any chance you're forgetting to add the tare weight into the equation? (That little bit of extra weight you tell Zen Cart to add to each package). When you're dealing down in the ounces instead of pounds that can cause a big difference in qutoes. For example if you're set to add 3 ounces to every package for shipping materials and you test with a 1 pound package then ZC will give you a rate quote for 1 pound 3 ounces, but if you go to USPS and type in 1 pound you get a quote for just 1 pound.

PS: Thanks Ajeh, I switched to the new module.

What are your settings in the Configuration ... Shipping/Packaging ... for the

**
Enter the Maximum Package Weight you will ship**
Carriers have a max weight limit for a single package. This is a common one for all.

Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weight
What is the weight of typical packaging of small to medium packages?
Example: 10% + 1lb 10:1
10% + 0lbs 10:0
0% + 5lbs 0:5
0% + 0lbs 0:0

Larger packages - added packaging percentage:weight
What is the weight of typical packaging for Large packages?
Example: 10% + 1lb 10:1
10% + 0lbs 10:0
0% + 5lbs 0:5
0% + 0lbs 0:0

Ajeh-I am having a very hard time getting the USPS module to update. I have uninstalled, downloaded reinstalled several times. I have been installing the first version I see in the Plug in update page (USPS v15 RateV3 2013_0127.zip). It does go up to my site just fine, I check to be sure that I have the right one and that it is installed.

I had to get a new ID from the Post Office (my "developer" disappeared and now I am the IT department {I am not a php expert but I have done some work with it before so I am not a total innocent here}...my Post Office ID disappeared with her so, I had to get a new one). I did get that and was using it to install the modules.

I ran the Developer tools search and found this:
Searching 857 files ... for: usps.php

Match Lines found: 2

Even after several uninstalls and installs I get the above which appears to be a notice that I am running an old usps.php!

My Server is set to Production not test with the USPS.

I am able to offer every shipping method I chose EXCEPT 1st Class International. That has been consistent each time I have uninstalled and reinstalled.

Right now I am at a loss. Can you please suggest something more to do? I am running v1.5.0 of Zen Cart. I know there is something I am missing but I can't see what it is. Thank you for your help in this matter.

The search results you posted indicate that you've not actually uploaded the new usps module files to your server ... or at least not to the correct server.

All of the threads mentioned above are closed to comments so I hope it is OK if I comment here.

inovermyhead had the following to say:

Default Re: USPS January 27, 2013 New Rate Module for Testing

Quote Originally Posted by Ajeh View Post
Could you be more specific on what you mean about the: Post Select

Hello, Ajeh ... Sorry, that should have been "Parcel Select". From what our research has gleaned, we find that Parcel Post will be renamed Standard Post and available as a retail method, but have inferred it will only available at the Post Office. Also to be offered is Parcel Select, which will be for online postage solutions such as stamps.com, where we picked that up at <http://www.stamps.com/usps/postage-rate-increase/> . If this isn't correct, would appreciate anything you can tell us.

Thanks much.

Through my own conversation with a post office supervisor (yes they exist!!) I was told that the new Standard Post replaces the old Parcel Post, BUT.... is for Retail only, not for online. So my question is, why does it show up when you use this plugin? The supervisor stated that if the plugin was setup right, this should not be showing up. I am very confused. If it is not supposed to show up, what is?? Since in the settings you can choose "Parcel" (even though parcel no longer exists) why do we not see the new Parcel Select Service? Which is a few bucks cheaper than Priority. And we all know, our customers want the cheapest!! When my site shows the shipping charges to choose from, it shows Priority and Standard where they are both the exact same amount. Is this true for everyone else???

Thank. You.

You were absolutely right. I was carefully loading the shipping module up to the /includes part of my admin panel. It should have been uploaded to the /includes part of my root. That is a good lesson for me to learn and I am sorry to have to bother you with a basic question like this. I am grateful for your patient answer. It works just fine now.

FukienMan:

Through my own conversation with a post office supervisor (yes they exist!!) I was told that the new Standard Post replaces the old Parcel Post, BUT.... is for Retail only, not for online. So my question is, why does it show up when you use this plugin? The supervisor stated that if the plugin was setup right, this should not be showing up. I am very confused. If it is not supposed to show up, what is??
My guess is that your supervisor is wrong. Mine refers me to the 1-800 number if I ask about the online stuff.
The old module showed parcel post - but you couldn't buy parcel post online with click-n-ship, you had to go to the post office to pay for it. And the priority rates that it showed were for buying at the post office - not the cheaper rates that were offered online. Now with the new module I'm getting priority rates for at the post office (Not online) and standard post (only purchasable at the post office) so basically no change in module performance except parcel post changed to standard?
Those are really the only two options I use so I don't know what the rest of it is or isn't doing.

Joe

joejoejoe:

My guess is that your supervisor is wrong. Mine refers me to the 1-800 number if I ask about the online stuff.
The old module showed parcel post - but you couldn't buy parcel post online with click-n-ship, you had to go to the post office to pay for it. And the priority rates that it showed were for buying at the post office - not the cheaper rates that were offered online. Now with the new module I'm getting priority rates for at the post office (Not online) and standard post (only purchasable at the post office) so basically no change in module performance except parcel post changed to standard?
Those are really the only two options I use so I don't know what the rest of it is or isn't doing.

Joe

I was always able to purchase Parcel online through PayPal. I stopped using Click-n-ship because it was unfriendly, in my opinion. I think what this plugin is showing is nothing but in-store, retail prices you have to buy at the post office. I don't think it has ever showed the cheaper online prices for some reason.

Hello, I'm new here. I downloaded and installed the new USPS module, usps.php 18348G 2013-01-27 and have an activated USPS account. Everytime I try for shipping quotes on the cart, priority and Standard Post always have the same price, regardless of the weight of the package. I set my tare to 0 and have tried packages from .001 ounces through 0.5 and it will still show both options as the same price. Since Standard has to be paid for at the post office, has USPS disabled the ability to see and check out with this option in webcarts or am I missing something?

Any help is appreciated!

We are looking into the Standard Post issue with USPS and will post an update, if need be, when we have the solution with them worked out.

Ajeh:

We are looking into the Standard Post issue with USPS and will post an update, if need be, when we have the solution with them worked out.

Thank you!

USPS RateV3 January 27, 2013 here:

http://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=1292

it says that it will work with Zen cart versions v1.3.9, v1.5.0, v1.5.1,

does anybody know if it will work with verison 1.3.8a also?

In theory, if you have CURL on your server, this should work with v1.3.8 ... I did not test it, but I am not seeing anything off the top of my head that would not allow this to work ...

NOTE: You should really upgrade your site for security issues and bug fixes ...

Thanks, I just installed it on v1.3.8 and so far it seems to be working fine.

Ajeh:

We are looking into the Standard Post issue with USPS and will post an update, if need be, when we have the solution with them worked out.

Ajeh,
Any update on this yet?
I just had a package where the customer chose Standard, on my site it had the exact same price for Priority. When I took the package to the post office, I asked them to tell me what it would have cost with Priority. The cost was a good $5 more than Standard. So I would assume that this plugin is not gathering the correct price for Priority.
Any update would be greatly appreciated.

It seems this is pulling the pricing for Priority but not for stanandard - I had a customer order something using standard post. I shipped it priority (because paypal has not yet updated to allow shipping via standard post) and the price was right in line with what I paid for priority service.

woodlandsprite:

It seems this is pulling the pricing for Priority but not for stanandard - I had a customer order something using standard post. I shipped it priority (because paypal has not yet updated to allow shipping via standard post) and the price was right in line with what I paid for priority service.

PayPal will not be able to give you Standard Post because it is not an online service. Meaning that you have to go into the post office to pay for it, not online. It seems the only way now to print a shipping label for Standard is to use the USPS Click-n-ship. I would be interested in hearing what others are experiencing with the prices of Standard versus Priority, because mine is the opposite of the above post; mine pulled the price for Standard with the Priority showing as the same until I got into the Post Office and was quoted a much higher price for Priority than the plugin showed on my website. The price shown for Standard was right-on. I was told by the man at the post office that as long as the package is lighter weight and being shipped to a closer zone (zone 1-4) the prices should be very similar between Standard and Priority. But once you get into heavier packages and farther away zones (zone 5-8) the price of priority will get to be more.

Paypal is delayed in getting standard post available - they plan to make it available some time in March, if I recall correctly.

I just checked my cart, and it looks like it is actually pulling the correct rates for what I consider a "heavier" package at around 3.5 lbs.

Shipping clear across country so it should be triggering the highest number of zones, the Standard post rate and the Priority rate are correctly matched to the online usps.com calculate a rate calculator.

woodlandsprite:

Paypal is delayed in getting standard post available - they plan to make it available some time in March, if I recall correctly.

I just checked my cart, and it looks like it is actually pulling the correct rates for what I consider a "heavier" package at around 3.5 lbs.

Shipping clear across country so it should be triggering the highest number of zones, the Standard post rate and the Priority rate are correctly matched to the online usps.com calculate a rate calculator.

Here is a copy of what I received from PayPal. It does not mention Standard Post, but instead talks about Parcel Select which is supposed to be an online service available in a few months. Again, Standard will not be an online service, so I truly do not believe we will see it offered. I may be wrong. I have been wrong before. I believe it will be replaced with Parcel Select when Paypal gets there stuff together.

(From PayPal)

Please review the list of service changes below:

Parcel post will no longer be offered. PayPal customers who attempt to select Parcel Post may experience an error message for a few days until the service is removed.
A new service called “Parcel Select Nonpresort” will replace Parcel Post. This service will be available to PayPal customers within a few months.
Express Mail Service – A signature will now be required when a customer buys additional insurance.
First Class Mail International (FCMI) Package will be replaced by “First Class Package International Service (FCPIS). Shipments to Canada will have free Delivery Confirmation with this service.
Priority Mail – Shipments to Canada using the Flat Rate Envelope or Small Flat Rate Box will have free Delivery Confirmation.
Express Mail International – The default level of insurance included will increase from $100 to $200.
Thanks for being a valued PayPal customer.

Stephenie, I did a test purchase on your site a few minutes ago on some yarn. Your shipping calculator quoted the Priority and the Standard to be the same at $6.10. I could see nothing on your website that tells me where you are located, so I could not get a good idea of the distance between us. I am located in Colorado Springs, CO. It would be nice to know the distance between us (Zone) so that we could get an idea if the quote was right.
Thanks Stephenie.

It works but the rates are way too high. I only allow USPS Priority, but online for 01904 to 94534 quotes $9.03, Zencart quotes $15.25? What is going on?