Help setting up USPS Module.

I'm using Zen Cart 1.3.0.1 and am trying to set up my USPS shipping module for rate estimations, with little success. I went to the USPS site as directed in the ZenCart Admin and registered. A few minutes later I had my USPS User ID, but was not sent a password along with it. Assuming that the ID probably serves as the password as well, I've input it as password, but still am getting no shipping estimator results when I try to purchase something from my store. Can someone walk me through the steps of setting up this module. I must be doing something wrong. Sincerely,

1 you first obtain your username from USPS ...

2 you call or email USPS to activate your account ...

3 you configure USPS in the Modules ... Shipping ... and use your USPS username and for the password just type in: ZENCART (it is no longer required)

4 Set your Zip code in the Shipping/Handling to your 5 digit Zip Code ... not your 5+ Zip Code ...

Thank you kindly for the help! I registered but didn't follow through with the activation. Let me give that a go. Sincerely,

Ajeh:

1 you first obtain your username from USPS ...

2 you call or email USPS to activate your account ...

This needs to be a tiny bit more specific.

I had a functioning USPS Click-N-Ship account but this wasn't accepted. For a while, I didn't see any other way to get a USPS username. What I later found was I needed "USPS Web Tools". I am trying to test it now, but I still can't get a USPS quote.

Make sure you are set to the production server ... their test server rarely works ...

OK, thank you. I have it set to Production Server, so now I don't get the errors, but still no shipping quotes yet.

I suppose I just need to wait until the service center opens so they can fully activate my account.

And you did go set your Zip Code to a 5 digit Zip code, correct?

Yes, postal code is the five digit ZIP code.

So now you wait for USPS ...

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin' keep dem doggies rollin' ...

Oh yeah ... they switched to ponies ... or was that snails?

:sadwalk:

Hi JeffDM. After receiving help from Ajeh yesterday, I sent an email to the USPS Web tools support group but didn't receive a reply back. So I gave them a call at 800-344-7779. I told them I am using ZenCart and provided them with my registration number and they gave me access to their production servers within 10 minutes and now my rate estimator is working perfectly. FYI.

By the way Linda (Ajeh), I just wanted to thank you sincerely for your speedy support. You rock!

Ajeh, thank you, your suggestions have been very helpful.

namasa, as you suggested, I made the call, the CSR activated my account and it worked within seconds.

Glad to hear you both are up and humming ... :smile:

Thanks for posting the phone number to activate your USPS account after you have received your username ...

I'd like to ask a stupid question, please. But, first, my situation. I've been trying to set up the USPS module just like the origniator of this thread. I read and read the instructions and nothing seemed to connect with my zencart panel. Long story short, I emailed USPS a few minutes ago and hopefully soon they will activate my account. Then, I found this thread. My question (finally) is what purpose is the test server? It seems to me, having read this thread, that it is useless. Maybe I'm missing something.

Thanks
Tim Scott

Lickety split I got a response from USPS and now the rate calculator works!

But, it always adds 3lbs to a shipment. For example, I put a 1lb item in my cart and in checkout it says the total is 4lbs. I add a 2lb item, so the real weight is 3lbs and it says 6lbs.

Can anyone explain that?

Tim

Now peek in the Shipping/Packaging settings ...

See that nifty Tare that is in there for your boxing and bubble wrap? :cool:

I am having the same problem: USPS shipping estimate module does not work.

I am using,
ZenCart version: 1.3.0
MySQL version: 4.1.12
PHP version: 4.3.11
Apache version: 2.0.54 (Unix)

I followed the instructions on this forum.
I did the following:

1. I got the User ID from https://secure.shippingapis.com/registration/

I installed the USPS module from ZenCart Admin page, and tested in Test mode, but the module did not work. I searched this forum and found this thread. One of the suggestion was to use the production server instead of the test server.

2. I called them at 1-800-344-7779 and activated our account to access their production server.

3. I logged on to our ZenCart admin page and configured the USPS shipping module as follows:
   Enable USPS Shipping: True
   Enter the USPS User ID: (our ID)
   Enter the USPS Password: (our ID)
   Which Server to use: Production
   Handling Fee: 0
   Tax Class: --none--
   Tax Basis: Shipping
   Shipping Zone: --none--
   Sort Order: 0
   Packages 35lbs or more....: False
   USPS Options: all checked
   Domestic Shipping Methods: all checked
   Int'l Shipping Methods: all checked

4. I set up my Zip code in the [Configuration]->[Shipping/Handling] to be 5 digit Zip Code.

However, the module does not work.

When I register for the USPS web tools, I provided our web site URL as:
http://contributionhiphop.com

but, the actual ZenCart root URL is:
http://contributionhiphop.com/shop/

Is this URL information the cause of this problem?

USPS is now working for you. I do recommend you check out this thread to display the pop up better.
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35530

Thank you very much for the quick help, stagebrace.

After reading your advice, I went to my site and tested the USPS module, and it worked! It was my mistake that I thought the module was not working. My method of testing was bad - I was using an test item with zero weight and zero price -> USPS estimate module outputted blank page.

This forum is great. Thank you all.

Ajeh:

And you did go set your Zip Code to a 5 digit Zip code, correct?
I am also having some problems getting USPS to quote, where do I set the zip code? I have one drop down which has 2 options, "none" or "florida'

Jake