Error Msg: "We are unable to find a USPS shipping quote suitable..."

I am getting this error and I am stumped.

Before you ask, yes I am on the production server. The USPS guy tells me that I need to debug the error messages I am receiving (I don't get any) and that I need to follow the steps in the API instructions (I thought ZC was already set up to automagically do all the API stuff).

Here's the error I'm getting:

We are unable to find a USPS shipping quote suitable for your mailing address and the shipping methods we typically use.
If you prefer to use USPS as your shipping method, please contact us for assistance.
(Please check that your Zip Code is entered correctly.)

:wacko:

lets start with

where is the package coming from ( and do you have the mailing address and zip setup in admin-> configuration -> shipping )

whats the zip going TO

what method

whats the weight of the package,
what do you have your max weight to ship set to also in the -> shipping setup

Merlinpa1969:

lets start with

where is the package coming from ( and do you have the mailing address and zip setup in admin-> configuration -> shipping )

whats the zip going TO

what method

whats the weight of the package,
what do you have your max weight to ship set to also in the -> shipping setup

The "package" is coming from 60647 (Chicago, IL) (yes and yes to the mailing address and ZIP setup)

I'm "mailing" it to my home address in the same ZIP. I even tried another address in another ZIP.

The package weight is 1 lb (it's a book)

The max weight is the default of 50

/includes/modules/shipping/usps.php
line 416 says:```
// mail('[email protected]','USPS rate quote response',$body,'From: [email protected]');

1. remove the // from the beginning.
2. replace both instances of "[email protected]" with your own email address.
3. save and re-upload the file
4. attempt to get a shipping quote by going to the checkout_shipping page.  
5. now check your email for the detailed XML-formatted output coming back from USPS.

DrByte:

/includes/modules/shipping/usps.php
line 416 says:```
// mail('[email protected]','USPS rate quote response',$body,'From: [email protected]');

> 2. replace both instances of "[email protected]" with your own email address.
> 3. save and re-upload the file
> 4. attempt to get a shipping quote by going to the checkout_shipping page.  
> 5. now check your email for the detailed XML-formatted output coming back from USPS.

Thanks DrByte - that worked. It turns out that USPS did not have me authorized on the servers. I forwarded one of the emails and they fixed it. 

Now, one more thing if I can pick your brain...

I ship audio CDs to our customers. When I make them and ship them from here, the USPS rate is $.69 (that's cents) but the rate calculator here only allows a minimum rate of $2.89 (Library rate). Should I change the item's weight and how do I get a 2 oz (2/16) package to show up when the calculator weighs items in tenths of a pound?

the customer is being shown a LIST rate,
and you might want to make sure that your tare weight is set in
admin-> configuration -> shipping

Merlinpa1969:

the customer is being shown a LIST rate,
and you might want to make sure that your tare weight is set in
admin-> configuration -> shipping

I'm assuming that you're referring to this:

Package Tare Small to Medium - added percentage:weight 0:3

That's the default. What should it be?

Correction: I changed it to 0:0 because it was raising the rate by a factor of 3.

Merlinpa1969:

the customer is being shown a LIST rate,
and you might want to make sure that your tare weight is set in
admin-> configuration -> shipping

Ok, the 0:0 gets it to show up correctly as $.63.

Thanks.

BTW, is the pa in your name referring to Pennsylvania? I'm a native son of the Keystone state.

Yes our Office is in York PA