X-Cart forums

[mworsnop]

problem below that stop this from working, the best I know.

1. The USPS module needs to be able to have the size of the package to be able to work properly. I believe if you do not send the dimensions then it works. But 0 x 0 x 0 gives an error. See the log below:

Dimensions are missing for package; unable to calculate postage.

Array
(
[request] => http://production.shippingapis.com/ShippingAPI.dll?API=RateV4&XML=%3CRateV4Request+US ERID%3D%XXXXXXXXX%2...teV4Request%3E
[xml] => <RateV4Request USERID="***">
<Revision>2</Revision>
<Package ID="01">
<Service>FIRST CLASS</Service>
<FirstClassMailType>PARCEL</FirstClassMailType>
<ZipOrigination>89511</ZipOrigination>
<ZipDestination>94062</ZipDestination>
<Pounds>0</Pounds>
<Ounces>0.8</Ounces>
<Container>VARIABLE</Container>
<Size>LARGE</Size>
<Width>0.0</Width>
<Length>0.0</Length>
<Height>0.0</Height>

<Value>100.00</Value>
<AmountToCollect>100</AmountToCollect>
<Machinable>true</Machinable>
</Package>
</RateV4Request>
[response] => <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<RateV4Response>
<Package ID="01">
<Error>
<Number>-2147219426</Number>
<Source>DomesticRatesV4;clsRateV4.ValidateDimensio n;RateEngineV4.ProcessRequest</Source>
<Description>Dimensions are missing for package; unable to calculate postage. Additional Info: All dimensions must be greater than 0.</Description>
<HelpFile/> <HelpContext>1000440</HelpContext>
</Error>
</Package>
</RateV4Response>

)

[mworsnop]

Does anyone have any clue how this is supposed to work?

[qualiteam]

The response you get from their servers states that you should supply package dimensions, and the dimensions must be greater than 0.

You can specify the dimensions on the "U.S.P.S settings" tab in the Back-end -> Store Setup -> Shipping section.

[mworsnop]

NO NO!!! Every item could be a different size!

In test mode it doesnt work either. But each item needs to have a place to keep track of this I would think. I really dont know how else it would work.

[qualiteam]

I believe you can override the setting when editing a product: switch the "Ship in a separate box" setting to "Yes" and specify product dimensions - this should help.

[mworsnop]

I will look for this but even if that has that how would I ship things in a single box. There seems to be a big missing part to this module.

[Luisv]

That "solution" doesn't work. If you have three items in your cart with each of them having a "Ship in a separate box" setting, USPS thinks you are shipping three boxes instead of 3 items in one box. It works if the cart only has one item but if more are added, everything is a mess. It doesn't work.

[mworsnop]

The module doesnt work, it should be disabled until it does as I have spent tons of hours trying to see what its doing.

[qualiteam]

Originally Posted by Luisv

That "solution" doesn't work. If you have three items in your cart with each of them having a "Ship in a separate box" setting, USPS thinks you are shipping three boxes instead of 3 items in one box. It works if the cart only has one item but if more are added, everything is a mess. It doesn't work.

If you put three items in one box the dimensions of that box is the thing that matters, not dimensions of these items. And you can configure such "default" box in the module settings.

There is no way to guess how items will be actually packed in a box. The shipping cost calculated through their API will always be a rough quote. That's why the currently implemented logic is as follows: you either make an item to be shipped in a separate box having its own dimensions, or let the item to be added into the "default" box along with other such products. Please let us know if you know a better logic. Thanks!

[Luisv]

The problem with the USPS module are three fold. The first issue is outline in this thread and can be corrected with a different approach. I do not agree that the API would always give a ⌠rough quote■, I would say that if the box detentions and the weight were correct, the API would return the correct postage and not a ⌠rough quote■. But that's not the issue, I am good with a ⌠rough quote■ if I can get close to the actual postage due. The problem is I can▒t get close.

If I could add a markup to each item for extra postage, that would solve the issue. As an example; If I have a item that weighs 8.5 pounds and one that weighs 1#, the postage markup would solve the issue with the heavier item. The box dimensions would not make a difference. I sell magic kits. Many of the kits are the same size but most have different weights.

The third problem with the USPS calculator is how the API is sending information, as it stands, the API sends information and the result on a 12 x 12x 12 package from Nebraska to New York sends back 4 options; $11.50 2-day Priority, $34.20 Express Overnight, $3.40 Standard, and $3.12 Media label.

Really? ⌠$3.40 Standard for a 12 x 12 x12 package and $3.12 Media■? What is "standard" and how do I get this great rate? And how is ⌠media label■ an option?

Now before you tell me these are the only options I have turned on, that▓s not the case. I have every single U.S.P.S. option turned on and these are the ONLY 4 I get as a result.

I ship (daily), USPS Priority Mail, why is that not an option to New York?

To answer your statement of ⌠There is no way to guess how many items will be actually packed in a box■, you are right, but if I get the correct postage on a 12■ x 12■ x 12■ box and add a ⌠mark-up■ for bigger items, everything would be okay.

The problem is, everything is not okay because the module does not work in the first place. And I cannot add a mark-up because the ⌠Mark-up■ does not work.


Thank you for your attention,