AUSTPost module

marknew:

changed that. Now for one product I get;
<snip>

Excellent. Just what I was hoping for. :-)

If not immediately obvious to you, when using the austpost.vcsweb.com server you are only getting the 'fixed price' quotations (prepaid satchels, etc). When using the drc.edeliver server you are only getting the variable rate items (parcel post).

Normal operation is for the austpost.vcsweb.com server perform a redirect for the parcel post calculations, and apparently your host/server is restricting this action.

You can get around this rather easily.

Firstly, modifying the same file as before, put the
SERVER = line back to how it was (http://austpost.vcsweb.com).

Next: Scroll down about a page until you see a rather large block of code commented out.
Either immediately before or immediately after this block (not really important) add another line of code to redefine the server to be used.
Namely, a copy of the currently modified line.

In short, you'll end up with two "SERVER =" definition lines.
The 1st pointing to vcsweb.com (for the prepaid satchels, insurance rates, etc), the second pointing to the drc.edeliver server for the costings.

Cheers
Rod

I've put that in but seem to be back the the start. Myabe I've put the 2nd server in the wrong place.

1 prod:

Australia Post 5 - Incl $0.00 P&H. $5.30
Australia Post 2 - Incl $0.00 P&H. $7.40

4 products:

Australia PostERROR:Unable to obtain a valid quote from the Australia Post Server.
You may still checkout using this method and we will contact you with postage costs as soon as possible. $0.00

line 137 -

foreach($Fees as $key => $value) {
$x = split('=', $value) ;
$$x[0] = $x[1] ;
}

//new server coed fix

$SERVER = "http://drc.edeliver.com.au" ;

// Uncomment the lines below to override values from the vcsweb.com server
// Fees as of December 2007
// $costPrePaid3k=9.30 ;
// $costPrePaid500g=5.30 ;
// $costPrePaidExp3k=10.50 ;
// $costPrePaidExp500g=7.40 ;
// $costCOD=9.30 ;
// $costREGaus=2.70 ;
// $costREGints=10.85 ;
// $costREGintl=17.50 ;
// $costLETaus=50,1.00,1.45,2.45 ;
// $costLETint=1.95,3.85,5.80,11.60 ;
// $costINS=1.20,1.20,5.50,2.00 ;
//
// If reguired you can also adjust the server given fixed prices. eg:
// $costCOD=$costCOD+2.50 ; // add $2.50 to the cost of COD charge.

$aus_rate = $currencies->get_value(AUD) ;
$xchange = $currencies->get_value($_SESSION['currency']) ;

marknew:

I've put that in but seem to be back the the start. Myabe I've put the 2nd server in the wrong place.

Well, you did put it where I told you, but I do tend to agree, it must be in the wrong place.

Further down in the code (around line 400-500) you should find another line that reads"

$SERVER = $SERVER."ratecalc.asp........"

Try adding the new server definition immediately before this line.

Oh, may not need to do that... I just noticed that as it stands it'll be missing the "/", so please ensure that BOTH your server definitions end with this slash (if it appears to be working without it it is probably using cached data).

ie: $SERVER = "http://drc.edeliver.com.au/" ; and
$SERVER = "http://austpost.vcsweb.com/" ;

Cheers
Rod

It's working! I have checked it against Aust Post and it's almost right.
It still seems to be a little under.

500gm satchel estimator says $5.30 Australia Post site says $5.50.

I can easily add a handling cost to cover that unless you have an idea why it's undercharging slightly?

thanks Rod

Cheers,
Mark.

marknew:

It's working!
I can easily add a handling cost to cover that unless you have an idea why it's undercharging slightly?

That's now fixed. :-)

Cheers
Rod

Hey Rod,
Would the above work with the problem I have had with the regular parcels?

imperialis:

Hey Rod,
Would the above work with the problem I have had with the regular parcels?

I had to go back through this thread to see exactly what your problem is/was, and from the looks of things, yes, you do seem to be having the same problem as mark, in that your isp/server is dissallowing scripted redirects. Therefore the 'cure' will be the same for you as it was for mark, namely, add a new $SERVER definition that points directly to the drc server.

Cheers
Rod.

***Originally Posted by IanP
Well, the best laid plans of men and mice. I calculated the ratio of the difference to the zancart/austpost answer and came up with a nearly constant 24%. Funny, then I realized, Currency!!!. Made the Aussie $ the default currency and did a currency update and BINGO it works. I hope this helps others who may be puzzled by this.

Cheers,

Ian

What a great find. Well done. This particular problem really did have me stumped. Currency was the one thing I hadn't thought of. <duh>

Hopefully if annav is still following this thread she can confirm that hers is also the same problem.

Cheers
Rod***

Hi, yes I'm still watching this thread! I changed the default currency to AUD in my admin (still not calculating right though) but what is a currency update (obviously this is not done yet, so maybe that's why it's not right yet). How do you do the currency update and where?

Thanks
Anna

Oops, I also forgot. I want to have bank deposit as an option as well and I downloaded the mod for it a couple of weeks ago, but in what file do you upload it?

And also when it has been uploaded, once a customer goes through checkout they will obviously get the option whether to pay by paypal or bank deposit?

Thanks
Anna

WOOHOO!! Aust Post calculator is working perfectly!!

Thanks for the info regarding changing the default currency.

BTW I found the the currency update button (duh! I'm so blind lol).

Cheers
Anna

Hi All,

I am just amazed at how many people are having hassles with Rods Plugin and his continued support through the forum of the plugin, Thank You Rod. I have found that the plugin won't be absolutely accurate compared to handing the goods over the counter at the Post Office so if you want it dead accurate then the plugin won't do it. But it will get it close to the mark.

I have found you have to work in kgs and decimals of kgs. The size can be a bit hit and miss but you will work it out as you go. We have had to tip in a couple of dollars on our export orders but I am not going to go to the customer and ask then to top up the order because we have lost $3.00 on the freight.

We have 10 suppliers (Drop Shippers) based around the country and we have had to balance the shipping out between Freight Free, Aust Post and including the freight in the Product Pricing.
Our automatic order email tells the supplier whats ordered, who's ordered it and how it has to go.
We then have to work with the supplier ensuring that the goods are sent appropriately.
We eventually will out grow the Aust Post module and will need to do something else but in the meantime this is the best available module to suit us and our needs. Once Again Thank You Rod :smile:

https://www.ozprodrivers.com.au/shop Please disregard the signature as we have changed our shop address for SEO purposes

OK I'll admit I didn't read the whole thread & just skipped to the end, so I'm sorry if this has already been covered.

I'm on version 1.3.7 & haven't upgraded to the latest Auspost module yet, but it has been working pretty good up till now, however I received an order today that threw me, the person ordered a number of small items that calculate as a large letter (up to 125g) & then the last item was larger & would normally be classified as a parcel item, however it has calculated the order as a large letter (up to 250g).

The smaller items all have their dimensions & weights entered in the product info fields, however I only have the weight entered for the larger item.

I tested it myself & if I put the large item in the cart first it calculates postage correctly, but as the last item it doesn't, does anyone know why this would happen?

Thanks
Katie

ozprodrivers:

Hi All,

I am just amazed at how many people are having hassles with Rods Plugin

Just for the record, of the 5000+ people that have downloaded it, less than a dozen have had problems with it, and 90% of those are N00b issues trying to run before they could walk (and not reading the docs).

ozprodrivers:

and his continued support through the forum of the plugin,

This is mostly so I can identify and fix real bugs. ;-)

ozprodrivers:

Thank You Rod. I have found that the plugin won't be absolutely accurate compared to handing the goods over the counter at the Post Office so if you want it dead accurate then the plugin won't do it. But it will get it close to the mark.

This is of great concern, 'cos this plugin is using the exact same costings as the systems used by Australia post itself, so assuming valid weights and dimensions are entered the results should be equal in most cases, and over quote if you happen to pack multiple items more efficiently than simply stacking them on top of each over (which is very likely).

ozprodrivers:

I have found you have to work in kgs and decimals of kgs.

Or gms. (the only difference being that if measured in kgs, the module multiplies the weight by 1000 in order to present the gms expected by the AP servers).

ozprodrivers:

The size can be a bit hit and miss but you will work it out as you go.

The size only comes into play to:

1. Determine whether the items are small enough to be considered letters. (Won't effect actual costings).
2. To ensure items will fit inside the prepaid satchels. (won't affect actual costings)
3. To help ensure accuracy if/when the 'cubing rules' come into play (IOW, when items are very light compared to their size).
4. To ensure the parcel won't exceed the allowed dimensions (returns an empty result 'cos it can't be posted via AP anyway).

For all other costings the dimensions, IOW, most parcel post methods the dimensions are unimportant.

ozprodrivers:

We have had to tip in a couple of dollars on our export orders but I am not going to go to the customer and ask then to top up the order because we have lost $3.00 on the freight.

That should never really happen. One of the main reasons for producing this module was to avoid underquoting.

If the circumstances of this under quotation can be replicated I wouldn't mind taking a look into the cause.

Cheers
Rod.

lucky__starre:

I'm on version 1.3.7 & haven't upgraded to the latest Auspost module yet,
<snip>
I tested it myself & if I put the large item in the cart first it calculates postage correctly, but as the last item it doesn't, does anyone know why this would happen?

Thanks
Katie

That sounds like it may be an undiscovered bug. However, before trying to do any fault finding could you please install the latest update. Chances are the bug will still exist, but I really don't wish to waste time looking for it if it has already been fixed due to other code changes).

Also, if you could post a URL and the list of items that is causing this problem it will make debugging so much easier.

Cheers
Rod

Hi Rod,

Thanks for getting back to me, I did try to upgrade to the latest version a while ago but it wasn't working properly, so I uninstalled it again, I will try again & see if it works this time.

My url is https://www.live2knit.com.au & the items purchased were 6 x 10g vials of Landscape Dyes & 1 x 100g skein of Undyed Marilyn yarn.

Regards
Katie

lucky__starre:

Hi Rod,

Thanks for getting back to me, I did try to upgrade to the latest version a while ago but it wasn't working properly, so I uninstalled it again, I will try again & see if it works this time.

My url is www.live2knit.com.au & the items purchased were 6 x 10g vials of Landscape Dyes & 1 x 100g skein of Undyed Marilyn yarn.

Regards
Katie

Hate to be a pain, but could you provide me a link to those specific items as I'm unfamiliar with knitting terms, and have been having a problem locating them. I wouldn't know an "Alapaca" from a "Cashmere Blend" even if my life depended on it ;-)
Vial's and Skeins are magical spells as far as I know.

Also, I hope you don't mind me saying, but your shop could probably do with a 'search' function for those ignoramises <sp>like me.

Cheers
Rod

Ooops, sorry I would usually assume that whoever is on my site knows what they're looking for.

Link for dyes link for yarn

Thanks for the suggestion for a search box, I'll add that in shortly.

I've just had the chance to upgrade to Auspost module 2.1.2 & am still having the same issues, so it looks like it might be a bug in the system.

Katie
www.live2knit.com.au

lucky__starre:

I've just had the chance to upgrade to Auspost module 2.1.2 & am still having the same issues, so it looks like it might be a bug in the system.

Katie
www.live2knit.com.au

Yup. It looks that way. I'm a little busy this weekend but I'll look into a fix for it as soon as I can.

Cheers
Rod.

Thanks Rod, whenever you get the chance is fine.

Katie
www.live2knit.com.au