AustPost Improved

Cheers, thanks RodG. Nice to see another South Aussie here!

Hi, sorry if this question has been asked, I did look for an answer but couldn't find anything.

This is the Aus Post module I'm using:
http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?main_page=product_contrib_info&cPath=40_51&products_id=471

My parcels are over 500g but under 20Kg. I've setup the product dimmensions within Admin / Categories / Products etc and also included the products weight, 900 grams. I've also altered the weight from lbs to kgs in 4 places.

From what I can tell the module is giving me the price for a parcel up to 250 grams ($4.20) where it should be giving me the price for a product over 500 grams ($7.20).

I also have the Table Rate module installed and this is telling me the correct weight for the product.

Any ideas? All help greatly appreciated.

Sorry! Got it. It's just a simple change of the 'Parcel Weight format' setting from grams to kilograms ... simple, fixed!

This setting is towards the bottom of the modules' settings.

I'll leave this post/reply in, in case it helps someone else.

10gallons:

Sorry! Got it. It's just a simple change of the 'Parcel Weight format' setting from grams to kilograms ... simple, fixed!

This setting is towards the bottom of the modules' settings.

I'll leave this post/reply in, in case it helps someone else.

Thanks for letting us know you solved the problem. For what it is worth, the 'Parcel Weight format' setting is the only weight related setting that you needed to change.
The changes you made in the other 4 places (as per original message) are text displays only.

Cheers
Rod

I've got another question.

I've found that the module works out the correct charge for an individual item, but when I use more than a single item (of the same item type) it is way out.

1 item it works OK, 2 items it works OK, but after 2 items it starts to go haywire. I tested this both on postal within Australia and overseas addresses and after 2 items the charging went offtrack.

I was using the AusPost calculator here. versus the module on my web site.

For example, sending a parcel weighing 3.6kgs within the same state, using the AusPost calculator gives me $9.20 and the module gives me $22.10

Any ideas? All help greatly appreciated.

10gallons:

I've got another question.

I've found that the module works out the correct charge for an individual item, but when I use more than a single item (of the same item type) it is way out.

I beg to differ. If the quotes APPEAR to be way out, it is always caused by the input data not being what you think it is.

10gallons:

I

1 item it works OK, 2 items it works OK, but after 2 items it starts to go haywire. I tested this both on postal within Australia and overseas addresses and after 2 items the charging went offtrack.

I was using the AusPost calculator here. versus the module on my web site.

Ultimately, both quotes originate from the exact same servers(s), so if you are getting different results it is only because you are using different data.

10gallons:

For example, sending a parcel weighing 3.6kgs within the same state, using the AusPost calculator gives me $9.20 and the module gives me $22.10

Any ideas? All help greatly appreciated.

Are you taking your tare weights into consideration?
Are you taking the dimensions into consideration?
Are you taking the number of parcels into consideration?

The austpost module takes all of these factors into account before forwarding the information to the quotation servers(s).
I'll wager that when you manually enter the data into the austpost.com website you are ignoring at least one of these factors.

If you can provide me with a link to the item you are testing with in your store I'll be able to let you know exactly what data you are sending for quotation. That should give a clue as to which of these elements are not what you think they are :-)

Cheers
Rod

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I understand everything you've mentioned Rod and I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

I am not totally satisfied that I have set everything up correctly weight wise with the cart as I am still quite new to Zen Cart, so I wouldn't be surprised if I have missed something. But I do know that the weight of the products in the cart is correct as I am given a weight for the purchase during the checkout process.

Here's what I can tell from the testing I've done.

If I checkout with 1 product weighing 0.9kgs, the module returns the correct charge for a regular package. It's the same with 2 products each at 0.9kgs (1.8kgs), it's a little bit out but only by a few cents. But after 1.8kgs, or 2 products it starts to wander off track, it's like there's a multiplying setting somewhere I've missed or something.

Is there a generic shipping charge setting somewhere (outside the Aus Post module) that may be effecting the shipping charges somewhere?

I can send you a link to my cart if you'd like so you can see for yourself what is happening.

Thanks again.

10gallons:

Hi,

Is there a generic shipping charge setting somewhere (outside the Aus Post module) that may be effecting the shipping charges somewhere?

Thanks again.

Yes.
Tare weights & maximum shipping weights.

Both are defined external to the shipping modules under the general configuration options.

Cheers
Rod

I worked out what was giving me the price variations. As I added items, the size of the package changed thereby altering the price.

But my packages wont be charged by dimmension, only by weight, so I set everything to 0x0x0 and now it works as I need it to.

Thanks for your help.

One more question, is there a way I can remove this text near the Aus Post graphics - "- Incl $0.00 P&H. ):" ???

Thanks again.

Quick question - I have this installed and it's working great on my cart (thanks a lot!), but I'm having a slight problem with letter sized objects. The option is appearing, but the price isn't affected by the weight of the object.

For example, a letter from Australia to the US weighing less than 50g is calculating at $2.05 which is correct, but when the weight is increased to 250g it is still calculating $2.05, when it should be $6.15.

Is this a known issue and is it fixable? It's important as most the items in my store will be posted as letters rather than parcels (which do calculate correctly at different weights).

Hi,
I found my problem was caused by the size of the package increasing with each additional item added, however my packages would never be charged by dimmenson as they are odd shapes, they would only be charged by weight.

I had to set the sizes of my items to zero so they wouldn't be charged by size. Your problem sounds like the opposite of mine as I was being charged too much where as you seem to be being charged too little.

From what I can tell Aus Post charges more for size rather than weight. Try checking your sizes and weights.

I discovered my problem when I tured on the 'Estimate Shipping' buttons in the checkout, they return the dimmensions, weight and cost of your parcel to be shipped.

HTH?

Thanks for the reply. Yes, Ive been checking with my shipping estimator.. All is correct.. my items are CDs in slip cases (approx 2mm thick) all with the same dimensions, so they don't vary much with multiple items. It's the fact that a 50g item is charging the same as anything up to 500g, when, according to the Auspost site, there should be 4 increments - 0-50g, 50-125g, 125-250g & 250-500g, each with different prices. Most of my items come in between 100g and 200g but are being charged at the base 50g price. From what I've read on other threads Rod was "a bit slack" (his words!) with the coding for letter sized objects, so Rod - if you have any insight here that would be appreciated. Thanks again...

exoticcorpse:

Thanks for the reply. Yes, Ive been checking with my shipping estimator.. All is correct.. my items are CDs in slip cases (approx 2mm thick) all with the same dimensions, so they don't vary much with multiple items. It's the fact that a 50g item is charging the same as anything up to 500g, when, according to the Auspost site, there should be 4 increments - 0-50g, 50-125g, 125-250g & 250-500g, each with different prices. Most of my items come in between 100g and 200g but are being charged at the base 50g price. From what I've read on other threads Rod was "a bit slack" (his words!) with the coding for letter sized objects, so Rod - if you have any insight here that would be appreciated. Thanks again...

Hi Guys (esp exoticcorpse & 10gallons)

Firstly, I hate being misquoted. The 'bit slack' that was mentioned was in relation to destination ZONES. Please go back and re-read the original message(s).

There is nothing amiss in regards to the dimensions (or weights) of letter sized objects themselves.

Secondly, 10gallons stated "As I added items, the size of the package changed".

This is normal and expected. The austpost module is designed produce accurate quotes in a REAL WORLD scenario. I can't think of any physical object that will NOT change dimensions of a parcel as more of the items are added. The 'solution' of setting the dimensions to 0x0x0 is not only absurd, but it is also not doing what you think it is doing. The fact is, assuming the module did try to quote for an item of zero dimensions it will simply produce an error message (go to the online postage calculator and try it). For this reason, any item that appears to have zero dimensions will automatically be re-dimensioned to the australia post minimum parcel size, specifically, 50mm x 50mm x 50mm. This effectively means that such items will never qualify for letter rates.

Thirdly, when entering dimensions you need to use the dimensions of the ITEMS and NOT the packaging that the items will fit into. This is especially true with letter sized objects where the dimensions become rather critical. Furthermore, please note that even though there are 3 different letter rates based on weight, these are ALSO dependent on size, which means that even if an item weighs <125gm (small letter), it the size is larger than allowed (for a small letter) it will be quoted as a larger letter.

exoticcorpse, you stated "Most of my items come in between 100g and 200g but are being charged at the base 50g price.".

I find this a little odd on account of the fact the 0-50gm pricing is only available for overseas letters. The aust letters the lowest rate is 0-125g. So, in the interests of simplicity (and to err in favour of the merchant), the Austpost module ignores the 0-50gm possibility, and will use the <125gm rates as the minimum charge, which doesn't quite gel with what you have stated, so even I am a bit confused over this one.

I'm not really sure if any of these comments really help either of you, but seriously, the best advice I can give you both is for you to use accurate weights AND dimensions for all of your store items, and the module will give you accurate results no matter how many of any given item is added to your carts. If you try to 'cheat' the module by setting dimensions to zero, or using package dimensions rather than item dimensions, you'll only end up with confusing results as more items are added to the cart.

DON'T try to second guess things by stating you can fit "x" number of items into a "y" size parcel, because the reality is that even if what you say is true, you will also be able to fit the same 'x' number of items into a parcel that is (say) 10 times the size of the 'y' you specified - it basically means you'll be mailing a lot of 'air'.

Again, accurate quotes means accurate weights and dimensions. Most times 'close enough' will be ok, but if your item is 1.9mm thick, and you specify it as 2mm, if/when 10 of these items are ordered at the same time, that 0.1mm will make the difference between a letter rate and a parcel rate.

Cheers
Rod

Hi guys,

I'm wondering if there is any way to change the size of the AustPost Improved icons when you are in the Payment Information page?

I have gone in and manually changed the size of the images and then uploaded the new re sized images but they then become stretched.

The php coding or css must be setting the image size but i can't find where. Any help would be much appreciated.

thanks.

HevvieEvvie:

Hi guys,

I'm wondering if there is any way to change the size of the AustPost Improved icons when you are in the Payment Information page?

I have gone in and manually changed the size of the images and then uploaded the new re sized images but they then become stretched.

The php coding or css must be setting the image size but i can't find where. Any help would be much appreciated.

thanks.

First up, there are several 'flaws' in regards to the way the icons are implemented in the austpost module (fortunately, mostly cosmetic rather than functional), so trying to obtain a 'perfect look' is probably an exersize in futility. That said, if you do a search in these forums for "austpost icons" you'll not only see mention of several of the other icon issues, but you'll also find a posting that contains some replacement icons. Many of us (myself included) prefer these replacements over the default icons. They look a lot tidier. :-)

As for your actual query, yes, the size of the icon is defined somewhere in either the php coding or one of the .css files, but alas, I really couldn't tell you where, or in which files. The best I can tell you is that they are NOT defined in any of the code specific to the austpost module itself. I suspect they are defined as part of one of the global settings, so if you do find the correct place or setting to change the icons in question you will probably end up changing the size of all the icons in the store.

This is probably not the answer you was looking for, but hopefully it'll be of some help to you - even if it is just an acknowledgement that someone (me) has read your posting, 'cos I have a strong suspicion that this will probably be your only reply.

Cheers
RodG

Cheers Rod,

Maybe one more reply though. I'll have a search though the threads and see how the replacement icons go.

Bit of a shame this could not be done an eraser way.

Thanks.

10gallons:

From what I can tell Aus Post charges more for size rather than weight.

HTH?

This isn't an "either/or" situation. It is a "that is the way it is" situation. Australia post don't give a choice on the matter. In most cases items are charged solely on weight. In some cases, specifically where the items are large but light, they charge according to the cubing rules (IOW, by dimension).

Please read the 'cubing.txt' file that comes with the austpost distribution files for more info.
For further information please refer to any of the official australia post mail guides.

Although you can effectively 'fool' the australia post module (and even aust posts own online postage calculator) by entering smaller dimensions than the product you are being quoted for, you WON'T be able to fool the post office staff when you actually go to mail the item. This will have the effect of you being charged more to mail the item than you have been quoted for. Do you really want to end up in that situation? :no:

Cheers
Rod

RodG:

exoticcorpse, you stated "Most of my items come in between 100g and 200g but are being charged at the base 50g price.".

I find this a little odd on account of the fact the 0-50gm pricing is only available for overseas letters. The aust letters the lowest rate is 0-125g. So, in the interests of simplicity (and to err in favour of the merchant), the Austpost module ignores the 0-50gm possibility, and will use the <125gm rates as the minimum charge, which doesn't quite gel with what you have stated, so even I am a bit confused over this one.

Sorry Rod... I did state I was doing these calculations for postage from Australia to the US, however... to go into a bit more detail in regards to Australian rates, comparing the calculations with the Auspost site, I have the following item in my cart:

Items: 1 Weight: 400grams Amount: $12.00 ** Dims:** 10cmx10cmx0.2cm

Which is calculating the postage rate through the Shipping Estimator:
Letter (Sml) $0.55

In the Auspost calculator I entered the following:
Size: 100mmx100mm **Thickness: **Less than 5mm Weight: 250-500g
Which returns the postage rate:
Large Letter $2.75

Which, checking and checking again, has all of my entered dimensions and weights falling within the parameters for them to calculate correctly.
I should make clear that any product weighing less than 250g with the same dimensions is showing as Small Letter through the Austpost calculator.

Now, for International Letters, from Australia to the US using the same product example:

Items: 1 Weight: 400grams Amount: $12.00 ** Dims:** 10cmx10cmx0.2cm

Is calculating the postage rate through the Shipping Estimator:
Letter (Sml) $2.05

In the Auspost calculator I selected the following:
Over 250g and up to 500g

Which returns the postage rate:
Letter (Air Mail) $12.20

It appears to me that the Shipping Estimator is returning the min weight rate (up to 50g) of $2.05 regardless of what the product actually weighs. The same goes for Australia - the weight is not affecting the cost of the postage.

I've tried quite a few different dims and weights and keep having the same problem. For packages the weights and dimensions are calculating correctly, so either I'm entering something wrong or there's a problem here....

I hope this makes sense and thank you for your assistance.

exoticcorpse:

Which, checking and checking again, has all of my entered dimensions and weights falling within the parameters for them to calculate correctly.
It appears to me that the Shipping Estimator is returning the min weight rate (up to 50g) of $2.05 regardless of what the product actually weighs. The same goes for Australia - the weight is not affecting the cost of the postage.
<snip>
I hope this makes sense and thank you for your assistance.

I don't know if I should congratulate you or curse you <grin>. After almost 12 months of usage, you are actually the first to identify a genuine a bug in the code (of this nature).

There are two possible fixes. You can either load the austpost.php code into a text editor, go to line #267, and change the weight check for small letters from its current "2500" to the correct "250", OR, if you are not comfortable with that, set the minimum length of your item(s) to 25cm (which will effectively disable the small letter rates, leaving the 3 larger letter rates fully functional (and correct).

Cheers
RodG

ps. Feedback on either of these fixes will be greatly appreciated.