Checkout problem - USPS Shipping Estimate API timeouts?

15 Apr 2007, 11:12 PM

#1

New Zenner

Join Date:: Feb 2006
Location:: CMH
Posts:: 94
Plugin Contributions:: 3

Checkout problem - USPS Shipping Estimate API timeouts?

Hello,

We seem to be seeing some issues with checkouts which are due to the USPS Shipping Estimator API timing not responding. This has been working flawlessly for well over a year, no recent changes.

Symptoms: White screen (occasional browser hang) upon clicking 'Checkout' or 'Estimate Shipping' with the USPS module enabled. Disabling the USPS module (UPS still working) seems to fix the issue altogether. UPS estimates pop right up, and checkout is able to continue. Otherwise, the person is not able to check out as they can't get past the shipping issues.

Tried going back to the "test" USPS server with no changes. Anyone else experiencing this issue?

Thoughts?

16 Apr 2007, 6:49 AM

#2

drbyte

Sensei

Join Date:: Jan 2004
Posts:: 63,511
Plugin Contributions:: 176

Re: Checkout problem - USPS Shipping Estimate API timeouts?

Have you talked to USPS tech support ?

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17 Apr 2007, 2:58 AM

#3

rtw819

New Zenner

Join Date:: Feb 2006
Location:: CMH
Posts:: 94
Plugin Contributions:: 3

Re: Checkout problem - USPS Shipping Estimate API timeouts?

Well, after talking with Salvador in iCustomer Care (who was very helpful), wouldn't you know on Saturday, April 14th, the USPS changed their rates and also apparently affected the Rate API such that there are now THREE First Class options rather than just one as was previously the case?

Of course the API documentation hasn't been updated yet by the USPS folks, but be sure that the new rates are out there and the new documentation will be available soon.

It sounds like we might have some code changes to make to the USPS Rate API interface based on what he could surmise. Will have to figure out what's happening with the existing API calls and return responses first.

17 Apr 2007, 3:16 AM

#4

rtw819

New Zenner

Join Date:: Feb 2006
Location:: CMH
Posts:: 94
Plugin Contributions:: 3

Re: Checkout problem - USPS Shipping Estimate API timeouts?

rtw819:

Well, after talking with Salvador in iCustomer Care (who was very helpful), wouldn't you know on Saturday, April 14th, the USPS changed their rates and also apparently affected the Rate API such that there are now THREE First Class options rather than just one as was previously the case?

Of course the API documentation hasn't been updated yet by the USPS folks, but be sure that the new rates are out there and the new documentation will be available soon.

It sounds like we might have some code changes to make to the USPS Rate API interface based on what he could surmise. Will have to figure out what's happening with the existing API calls and return responses first.

Guess I missed that there were problems being discussed in another thread. Thought I searched well, but apparently not as well as I thought.

Their changes on April 14th seem to have made the issue a little more pressing, however, since it is now affecting the way the existing API functions (or fails to, as the case may be).

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61336