Anyhone having intermittent ZIP code issues with USPS?

One of my shops displays an error about an incorrect ZIP code on checkout via Authorize.net. The error is intermittent. Sometimes I can generate it, other times checkout proceeds normally. Users have been reporting the issue, and can't complete their orders when the error surfaces. I tested using ZIP/PC codes from locations all around the world. I received the error on US ZIPs specifically. The intermittent nature of the problem makes this difficult to track down. Has anyone else experienced this?

Are you using 5 digit or 9 digit? Is there a pattern you have been able to reproduce?

stevensmedia:

One of my shops displays an error about an incorrect ZIP code on checkout via Authorize.net. The error is intermittent. Sometimes I can generate it, other times checkout proceeds normally. Users have been reporting the issue, and can't complete their orders when the error surfaces. I tested using ZIP/PC codes from locations all around the world. I received the error on US ZIPs specifically. The intermittent nature of the problem makes this difficult to track down. Has anyone else experienced this?

I use anet but have not had any issues. Good luck getting it sorted out though.

Oops, I meant USPS, not Authorize.net!

Tonight, I can't generate the error at all. I have several International addresses set up in my test account, but I seem to remember only being able to generate the error on a US ZIP code. I am using 5 digit.

There is no discernible pattern otherwise. Sometimes it happens, other times it doesn't. This indicated to me the possibility of a problem on USPS' side, as opposed to ZenCart.

Sales have slowed in the past couple of months, and it's hard to know if this is a cause or not. We've had some people pick up the phone and call in their orders, but how many people are just abandoning their carts upon seeing this error?

I'll keep an eye on this, but if anyone else notices something similar, please do post here about it!

I managed to generate the error just now, using "Kingsport, TN 37663":

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.)

I am also getting it using "Watsonville, CA 95076" but non-US ZIP/PC codes are fine.

If this proceeds as it normally does, I should have no further problems if I just wait a bit. I will check this out again a little later and report back...

Hmm, the error is persisting this morning. I just get that USPS error when I use US (domestic) shipping addresses.

Here are my settings for the USPS module:

Enable USPS Shipping
True

Enter the USPS Web Tools User ID
###########

Which server to use
production

Handling Fee
2

Tax Class
--none--

Tax Basis
Shipping

Shipping Zone
--none--

Sort Order
1

All Packages are Machinable
True

USPS Options
Display weight, Display transit time

Domestic Shipping Methods
Express, Priority, First Class, Parcel, Media

International Shipping Methods
Global Express, Express Mail Int, Priority Mail International, First-Class Mail Int

Debug Mode
Off

Any ideas?

Are you continuing to have problems today?

What weight are you shipping?

Can you in anyway make this happen on demand?

Yes, the problem is persistent today. It's seemingly less intermittent now, since I've been seeing it for the past few days consistently.

I've tried various weights, from under 1 lbs (a video) to around 5 lbs (a video and a golf training aid). The result is the same.

Yes, I seem to be able to generate this on demand consistently now. Only US zips, Intl' is unaffected.

I could PM you my test account info if you'd like to take a look.

Thanks for checking in on this post!

Can you reproduce it based on weight with any products or can you only reproduce it with particular products of that weight?

And for fun, you did save your settings for this and uninstall and reinstall the shipping module?

I have not reproduced an error with those addresses ...

You may drop me a PM on this and perhaps when I am free later on I can look into this further for you ...

Also check the version of your Zen Cart in the Tools ... Server Info ... and check the ID on the shipping module that is on the server ...

I can reproduce the error with any products.

I will try uninstalling then reinstalling the module.

Zen Cart 1.3.8a

USPS module: @version $Id: usps.php 7503 2007-11-27 20:36:04Z ajeh $

That is the right ID for that file ... do let us know if REMOVE, INSTALL and configure fixes this for you ... thanks! :smile:

I think the problem is fixed!

I uninstalled then reinstalled the module. All the settings remained the same, but I noticed that the domestic shipping methods are now listed in CAPS, where they were CamelCaps before. Apparently, CamelCaps was causing an issue when communicating those shipping method values back to the USPS API.

I'll keep an eye on this, but I have a feeling this issue is resolved. Thanks Ajeh!!

I do have a new problem... it looks like I'm getting some inaccurate quotes now, and Media mail is the only available shipping method.

For example, an order containing a video tape and a golf training aid at 4.81lbs, will apparently only ship via the MEDIA method, at a cost of just $5.49. These items should not be able to go media mail. If I disable that method, I get this:

This is currently the only shipping method available to use on this order.
United States Postal Service United States Postal Service
Express Mail (1 - 2 days) $32.70
Priority Mail (2 - 3 days) $17.85
Parcel Post (4 - 7 days) $12.50

Which is the ONLY method? None of them are selected.

It now seems like regardless of what I put in my cart, I see:

This is currently the only shipping method available to use on this order.
(The "only method" is Media mail.)

My module settings:

Enable USPS Shipping
True

Enter the USPS Web Tools User ID
########

Which server to use
production

Handling Fee
2

Tax Class
--none--

Tax Basis
Shipping

Shipping Zone
--none--

Sort Order
1

All Packages are Machinable
True

USPS Options
Display weight, Display transit time

Domestic Shipping Methods
EXPRESS, PRIORITY, FIRST CLASS, PARCEL, MEDIA

International Shipping Methods
Global Express, Express Mail Int, Priority Mail International, First-Class Mail Int

Debug Mode
Off

That text is referring to the fact that ONLY the Shipping Module for USPS is available ...

I cannot break Media ...

Check the ID on your shipping module:
/includes/modules/shipping/usps.php

and make sure it is current ...

 * @version $Id: usps.php 7503 2007-11-27 20:36:04Z ajeh $

NOTE: shipping does not know what you consider to be MEDIA only ...

If you have conditions on when this shows or doesn't show you would need to customize the module ...

Example, this conditions says all Products must be from categories_id 10 as the master_categories_id in the cart:

          if ($type == 'MEDIA' && $_SESSION['cart']->in_cart_check('master_categories_id','10') != $_SESSION['cart']->count_contents()) {
            // skip MEDIA when whole cart is not from master_categories_id 10
          } else {
          $methods[] = array('id' => $type,
                             'title' => $title,
                             'cost' => ($cost + MODULE_SHIPPING_USPS_HANDLING) * $shipping_num_boxes);
          }

Sorry for the delay in response, I'm on medical leave right now and just trying to fit in some catch up right now.

Yes, the ID of the module file is current.

The thing is, Media was NOT the only method available before these errors started appearing. Media should NOT be available for a video and training aid. In fact, I can load the cart up with over $500 worth of bulky merchandise, and still Media is selected as the "only shipping method available."

The CORRECT shipping method is supplied when the shipping address is NOT US. If I enter a US shipping address, then Media is displayed (erroneously) as the only shipping method available (though the user CAN select other shipping methods, but why would they when Media is cheapest? The problem is that the store owner would NOT be able to ship this stuff via Media, so he loses money on shipping.)

If I remove Media as a shipping method option in the module config, then NO shipping method is auto-selected (3 are displayed though: Express, Priority, Parcel Post), and I still see this message generated on the page: "This is currently the only shipping method available to use on this order."

Before I noticed these errors, the correct shipping methods would be displayed based on product weight. I did NOT need to customize the module in any way. So, before I start messing with the module code, is there a reason that is being indicated based on my reports here that would indicate that I now need to customize this latest version of the USPS module? I'm confused as to why these errors popped up all of the sudden, and only with US addresses. It seems like something might have changed on USPS' side recently...

TIA!

Understand, there is nothing designed to "identify" a Media and Non-Media type of Product ...

Currently, Media is displayed based on weight paramaters not on what the physical product is ...

To customize that, you would need some type of identifier in the products table to test for to ensure the whole cart is Media before it could be filtered ...

If you look at my example code, the Media is being controlled by the whole shopping cart being from categories_id by testing how many items come from master_categories_id 10 ...

If "all" are from master_categories_id 10, then Media is allowed to show ... but if there is "anything" not from master_categories_id 10, then Media is turned off ...

Ajeh:

Currently, Media is displayed based on weight paramaters not on what the physical product is ....

So, if the cart is over a certain weight, Media would NOT display as an option?

It's working like this IF I use an INTL shipping address. IF I use a US address, Media is still displayed as an option. The weight of my testing cart right now is 6.31lbs...

I notice that there is a new USPS module... I will go install that to see if my issue clears up.

UPDATE: Media was still showing up as an option for heavy carts with the new module... I just removed the method as an option in the module config, otherwise plenty of customers would choose the option and the store owner would end up paying quite a bit more than the quote for shipping.

I'm also having difficulties with different shipping types. I had Parcel and Priority as my types of shipping methods.

No matter what was chosen, it would default to Priority no matter what.

If I disabled Parcel and enabled Express, it would default to Express no matter what.

Edit: I'm using Zen 1.3.7