USPS -HOW TO- Question

I was wonderind is someone who has been there, can help me out.

My site sells lingerie. I plan on only shipping via the USPS and have the USPS shipping module installed. I want to ship worldwide, via the USPS only.

This is what I am trying to do:

1. Give the buyer an option of priority, flat rate, parcel post, express, or overnight (the options in the USPS module checklist).
2. Since packages under 2 lbs will automatically be shipped priority, express, and overnight, I don't need to add a box fee, just the weight of the priority box to the full order.
3. As the weight of the package goes up (by the customer adding more items to the box), I need to module to charge appropriately so that I don't lose on shipping costs.
4. I want the actual shipping charge plus a $2 handling fee per order (per the shipping estimator), that will pay for my materials.Right now I have to have another module (in addition to the USPS module) for any charge to show, and the options for USPS don't show (Either per item, per unit, or per zone rate).

I have been working on this for one week, and am not seeing any results. Remember, all I want to do is charge the actual shipping cost (vis USPS) according to the weight of the box and the individual components added to the cart, plus $2 for the materials in the priority box.

It seems simple, but there are too many modules and I am not getting the results I expected. I assumed that the USPS module would automatically take the weight of the item, and then calculate given the option they can select in the shipping estimator. Is my USPS module not working right, or should I have additional modules set up as well?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Can you give a more real world example?

You say you want to use USPS and a handling fee but only use the handling fee on some products?

Or use a handling fee per item based on some products?

Your definitions on this are a bit confusing to follow ...

Have you looked at the Tare weights where you can add weight or a percentage to the product weight to adjust for packaging?

Ok.

If you go to my store, and throw some items into the cart, then estimate shipping, there are no options other than store walk in (which I need for local sales). I have the USPS shipping module installed with my API number, but the cart extimator is not giving me quotes or multiple shipping options via USPS.

• I want the estimator to give the exact shipping cost per weight (according to the USPS website), and then add my shipping cost (say $2.00 for materials) per order.
• I want the person to be able choose: overnight, regular, parcel post, or priorityPlease go here, add some items to the cart, and then check the shipping estimator, to see what I mean:
  http://www.lasilhouettelingerie.com/

I am selling lingerie, so I want to have actual USPS shipping costs, plus say, "$2.00 per package" to cover shipping costs. I also want the person to be able to select, priority, express, or overnight options. Since lingerie is very light, I want to keep the shipping cost close to the price of actual shipping, or it may turn away customers.

Right now, the buyer cannot select between different shipping options (priority, parcel, etc.) for one, and getting a quote from USPS is not showing up. I know that I can use the flat rate, per item, per unit, or zone modules under shipping modules, but setting up worldwide zones seems to me to be the wrong path.

Since the buyer would be able to choose different shipping options, and lingerie is very light, it seems to me that I need to get the shipping qoute first, and then add my $2 handling fee onto each order.

Since I want to ship worldwide setting up zones for all worldwide scenarios doesn't make sense? **Gettting an actual quote from USPS and then adding my handling charge does **(This is what I want to achieve).

I hope I didn't confuse you again! I appreciate your help.

So is a package an item?

Is this $2.00 per number of items in the cart plus the USPS costs?

Or, are you wanting a straight USPS price plus $2.00 per order regardless of the number of items in the cart?

Ajeh:

So is a package an item?

Is this $2.00 per number of items in the cart plus the USPS costs?

Or, are you wanting a straight USPS price plus $2.00 per order regardless of the number of items in the cart?

I am wanting straight USPS price plus $2.00 per order regardless of the number of items in the cart?

So add a 2.00 handling charge ... voila ... USPS shipping plus $2.00 per order ... :cool:

NOTE: if no quotes are happening period ... go to the Modules ... Shipping ... and click on USPS ...

REMOVE this module ...

Reload the files from:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69769

Then INSTALL this module and configure it ...

Be sure that you are using your 5 digit Zip code in the Shipping/Packaging as well ...

Ajeh:

So add a 2.00 handling charge ... voila ... USPS shipping plus $2.00 per order ... :cool:

O.K on the handling charge, but my USPS is not adding the real shipping quote to the order, or adding options for shipping. So my real problem lies with the USPS options not showing. If you go to my site, add something to the cart, and click estimate shipping, you will see that no quotes are being given.

Could you try to REMOVE the USPS shipping module ... reload the files from the Zen Cart v1.3.7.1
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=69769

INSTALL the USPS shipping module and reconfigure for the Production server with your USPS Web Tools User ID ...

NOTE: if you did not physically call USPS after you received your USPS Web Tools User ID and have them activate it for the Production server then it will not work either ...

O.K. I finally got it. I had to add the per unit module in order to show the shipping charges. I also added the handling charge per unit.

But the customer still does not have options, unless I use the other shipping modules.

I wanted them to be able to select priority, express, or overnight as well. Do you know how I can set this up?

Yes,

I believe that is the problem. I kept hitting check for updates, but it said I have the most recent upgrade. Looking into my server information, It shows I only have 1.3.7.

Also i did not phsically call USPS, but I will in the morning.

Thank you for your help!

P.S. It is good to see I am not the only one working on my site in Ohio at 2:00 in the morning (Was beginning to think I was crazy)!

You do NOT need to add the Per Unit to use USPS ...

You have a problem with USPS if this is not working right ...

If you want to PM your USPS Web Tools User ID to me I can test and see if it is working or if you need to call USPS and have them activate it ...

Let us know if you get this working ... :smile:

oh ... and isn't everyone working at 2:00am?! :lamo:

Will do!

We would probably be suprised to know the number of people working at this hour!

Ajeh,

Everything is now working perfectly! It was the bug for one, and I had to call USPS. Amazing what an upgrade can do.

Now I see why there weren't more posts, I just didn't see what others could see without the module working right (was very confusing). Now it is easy.

Once again thank you,
Patrick

You are most welcome ... glad to hear that all is right in the world ... :smile: