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USPS Error - server connection not authorized???


thall89553

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Posted

I am a bit baffled on this one. I set up the USPS module in the admin section of my site. In doing so I specifed production server and entered in an User ID I had gotten in an email from the USPS after signing up for what I think is called an API Key. (Previously I had tried entering in the normal user id and password one uses to sign up at their main site, I think this is different than what oscommerce requires). The API User ID did not come with a password.

 

The error I have been getting on the shipping checkout page reads as follows:

 

United States Postal Service An error occured with the USPS shipping calculations.

If you prefer to use USPS as your shipping method, please contact the store owner.

 

I then searched this forum and read to add this line to my module -

 

mail([email protected]','USPS rate quote response',$body,'From: <[email protected]>');

 

Sure enough I get back an email and it reads:

 

<Error>

<Number>80040b1a</Number>

<Description>Authorization failure. You are not authorized to connect to this server.</Description>

<Source>UspsCom::DoAuth</Source>

</Error>

 

Am I missing something? Is it possible that since I am in Hungary they block me? Is it possible that since this domain tried connecting before with the wrong id and password they blocked this domain?

 

Please help. Thanks.

Posted
Before using the production servers you need to read this

http://www.oscommerce.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=85982

 

Tell them that you are using a third party solution (osCommerce) and they'll activate you while you are on the phone with them - then all should work

 

That's what I wanted to hear - Thanks Henry! Henry if you are familiar with the USPS module can you give me a very brief "layman's" idea as to what it can do? For example, does it tie into the USPS system and give actual rates for orders based on zip codes and product weights? Also, does it notify the USPS to come by for a pick-up, etc.? Thanks again, Best wishes Tom

Posted

All quotes are in real zip based on your location to the person receiving the goods.

 

As long as your weights are correct it is extremely accurate.

 

USPS expects to receive weights in pounds (lbs) there all weights must either be a whole

1

2

3

etc..

 

or

 

1.5 (for 1 lb 8 oz)

 

I use this for entering my weights

 

.1 - 1.6 oz

.2 - 3.2 oz

.3 - 4.8 oz

.4 - 6.4 oz

.5 - 8.0 oz

.6 - 9.6 oz

.7 - 11.2 oz

.8 - 12.8 oz

.9 - 14.4 oz

 

so 1 lb 5 oz I would enter 1.4 in the product weight

 

The module does not submit for automatic pick, which I guess is good unless you know that you can have all packages ready for the next day. Scheduling a pickup is easy through their website.. only takes a minute

My Contributions

 

Henry Smith

Posted
You're the Man! Thanks so much. What's your site by the way?

 

Glad to help.

 

Click on my 'card' or my name to see my profile. It's listed in there.

My Contributions

 

Henry Smith

Posted

I looked at your website, it is very sharp and you did a great job. A bit more on this USPS if I may. My client has entered in nearly two hundred products, all vitamin's with each bottle weighing very little. His average weight for an order will be less than a pound BUT there may be those orders where people buy body building formulas that may make orders weigh several pounds. As he entered in his products he failed to enter any weights so we'll have to go back and do that. In the admin section under Config - Packaging & Shipping there is a item called "Package Tare Weight". What role does this play if any in calculating the cost of the shipping. I notice in the checkout process the top of the rate's column reads: 1 - <package tare weight value>. Where does the 1 come from? What if set a tare weight of 2lbs and someone' order is 20 pounds, etc. Does oscommerce sent an order weight total to USPS and that is what calculates the weight? What if all the weight totals are empty such as in my current case? Thanks so much.

Posted
In the admin section under Config - Packaging & Shipping there is a item called "Package Tare Weight". What role does this play if any in calculating the cost of the shipping.

I am new to this program, but I know that the tare weight is that weight by which the total weight of the product and the shipping container should be REDUCED. It is usually used to deduct the weight of shipping material (boxes, etc.) from the weight of the overall shipment (product + package). For example, if you have a plastic container of weight-gain powder that weighs 5lbs, and the box that you ship it in weighs 1lb, the total shipping weight would be 6lbs. The 1lb weight of the box is considered the tare weight, and would be subtracted from the total to compute the charge of only the product.

 

Again, I am just a new user to this program and am not exactly sure how/why it uses the "tare" value, this is only a definition of tare weight in the broadest sense of the term. I hope this helps.

Posted
I looked at your website, it is very sharp and you did a great job. A bit more on this USPS if I may. My client has entered in nearly two hundred products, all vitamin's with each bottle weighing very little. His average weight for an order will be less than a pound BUT there may be those orders where people buy body building formulas that may make orders weigh several pounds. As he entered in his products he failed to enter any weights so we'll have to go back and do that. In the admin section under Config - Packaging & Shipping there is a item called "Package Tare Weight". What role does this play if any in calculating the cost of the shipping. I notice in the checkout process the top of the rate's column reads: 1 - <package tare weight value>. Where does the 1 come from? What if set a tare weight of 2lbs and someone' order is 20 pounds, etc. Does oscommerce sent an order weight total to USPS and that is what calculates the weight? What if all the weight totals are empty such as in my current case? Thanks so much.

 

rankandfile was close, but the tare weight is added, not subtracted

 

Tare Weight is used to add weight to the package for the weight of the material

 

example:

Product weight 1 lb

Your shipping cost for that item to its location may be $4.00

During checkout the customer is charged the $4.00

 

BUT once you package the item the additional weight of the box and packaging materials may be anohter pound.

Now your total weight is 2 lb's and it cost you $6.00 to send it to the customer, problem it that you've already charged them $4.00 - you just lost $2.00

 

Usually set your tare weight around 1 lb ... mine is set to .7 (for 11.2 oz) so about 3/4 of a pound

 

I'm not sure what you meant when you say

I notice in the checkout process the top of the rate's column reads: 1 - <package tare weight value>. Where does the 1 come from?

 

Where are you seeing this?

My Contributions

 

Henry Smith

Posted
I am new to this program, but I know that the tare weight is that weight by which the total weight of the product and the shipping container should be REDUCED. It is usually used to deduct the weight of shipping material (boxes, etc.) from the weight of the overall shipment (product + package). For example, if you have a plastic container of weight-gain powder that weighs 5lbs, and the box that you ship it in weighs 1lb, the total shipping weight would be 6lbs. The 1lb weight of the box is considered the tare weight, and would be subtracted from the total to compute the charge of only the product.

 

Again, I am just a new user to this program and am not exactly sure how/why it uses the "tare" value, this is only a definition of tare weight in the broadest sense of the term. I hope this helps.

 

rankandfile - you are partially correct but you have it backwards.

 

Tare Wight enables you to find the true weight of any item (let's use water). You can't weight the water unless you put it in something. Weight the contanier, set the tare and then weight is with the water in it.

 

Weight container

Contianer weight is 8 oz

 

Set Tare (at this point the scale is zero'd, but the it is zero'd because the tare weight has a value of 8oz)

 

Now weight the container with the water in it

 

You get 1 lb

 

You know the water weights 1 lb

the container weights 8oz

 

total weight is 1lb 8oz

 

Same with shipping - find the average weight of the typical box and packaging material and then set the tare value.

 

This way when you sell an item that weights 6 lbs, during shipping_checkout the shipping is calculated at

item weight + tare weight = total weight

 

which gives you the proper weight to base your shipping fees

 

In your explaination you are stating it is subtracted

 

You stated

For example, if you have a plastic container of weight-gain powder that weighs 5lbs, and the box that you ship it in weighs 1lb, the total shipping weight would be 6lbs. The 1lb weight of the box is considered the tare weight, and would be subtracted from the total to compute the charge of only the product.

 

In this case I would sell something that has a total weight of 6lbs [item weight + tare weight] and would ship at 5lbs if I subtracted the tare.. I'd be losing money

My Contributions

 

Henry Smith

Posted
I looked at your website, it is very sharp and you did a great job. A bit more on this USPS if I may. My client has entered in nearly two hundred products, all vitamin's with each bottle weighing very little. His average weight for an order will be less than a pound BUT there may be those orders where people buy body building formulas that may make orders weigh several pounds. As he entered in his products he failed to enter any weights so we'll have to go back and do that. In the admin section under Config - Packaging & Shipping there is a item called "Package Tare Weight". What role does this play if any in calculating the cost of the shipping. I notice in the checkout process the top of the rate's column reads: 1 - <package tare weight value>. Where does the 1 come from? What if set a tare weight of 2lbs and someone' order is 20 pounds, etc. Does oscommerce sent an order weight total to USPS and that is what calculates the weight? What if all the weight totals are empty such as in my current case? Thanks so much.

 

Also, I beleive having a weight of zero will do one of two things

 

1 - USPS will report an error

 

or

 

2 - USPS will automatically upgrade it to either their lowest shipping weight or to 1lb.

 

I'd suggest filling in the weight

My Contributions

 

Henry Smith

Posted
I looked at your website, it is very sharp and you did a great job.

 

 

Thanks for the compliment

 

I see that you are the one that was buying 21 baskets :)

My Contributions

 

Henry Smith

Posted
rankandfile - you are partially correct but you have it backwards.

You are correct Custodian, from the viewpoint of the application here. I simply applied my experience in a meat market (a real meat market, not a gym! :-)), where I would cut meat, put in in a container or wrap it, and then enter the price per pound to find the total price. For example, if I cut 5lbs of Delmonico ribeye steaks and put them in a container or wrapper that weighed 2lbs and then put them both on a scale, the total weight would be 7lbs. I would enter 2lbs for the "tare" weight so that the customer would be charged for only 5lbs (steak only) instead of 7lbs (steak + container).

 

I imagine that the postal carriers charge a rate for the overall weight of the shipment, in which case the weight of both the product and the packaging material would be computed in the shipping charge. Listen to Custodian! I apologize for any confusion!!!

Posted
You are correct Custodian, from the viewpoint of the application here. I simply applied my experience in a meat market (a real meat market, not a gym! :-)), where I would cut meat, put in in a container or wrap it, and then enter the price per pound to find the total price. For example, if I cut 5lbs of Delmonico ribeye steaks and put them in a container or wrapper that weighed 2lbs and then put them both on a scale, the total weight would be 7lbs. I would enter 2lbs for the "tare" weight so that the customer would be charged for only 5lbs (steak only) instead of 7lbs (steak + container).

 

I imagine that the postal carriers charge a rate for the overall weight of the shipment, in which case the weight of both the product and the packaging material would be computed in the shipping charge. Listen to Custodian! I apologize for any confusion!!!

 

No biggie - just wanted to point it out so YOU didn't do that with your store... losing money is never a good lesson ... unless someone else lost it and you found it and no one claims it :-"

My Contributions

 

Henry Smith

Posted

I meant to add this definition of tare obtained from the Free Dictionary to my last post: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/tare:

 

tare (t?r):

n.

1. The weight of a container or wrapper that is deducted from the gross weight to obtain net weight.

2. A deduction from gross weight made to allow for the weight of a container.

3. Chemistry A counterbalance, especially an empty vessel used to counterbalance the weight of a similar container.

Posted
I meant to add this definition of tare obtained from the Free Dictionary to my last post: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/tare:

 

tare (t?r):

n.

1. The weight of a container or wrapper that is deducted from the gross weight to obtain net weight.

2. A deduction from gross weight made to allow for the weight of a container.

3. Chemistry A counterbalance, especially an empty vessel used to counterbalance the weight of a similar container.

 

Right, but we know the net weight, we need the gross weight so we need to add the tare

My Contributions

 

Henry Smith

Posted
I'd suggest filling in the weight

 

Ok, it's "showtime". I am trying to nail down this weight thing and am no quite sure I am doing it right. Please do the following:

 

1) Go to www.shopthevitaminstore.com/index.php

 

2) Using link on top right "Go To MY Account" use the following: [email protected] and norika to get into the checkout process.

 

3) From the index.php page go to the New Chapter Vitamins Brand and select the product titled Berry Green 180 Grams (btw, look at the source code on this page, pretty clean eh?)

 

4) Put one of these items in your cart and proceed to checkout.

 

5) From the shipping checkout page note the prices for shipping. Then go back to your cart contents and increase the weight by adding 10 items. Go back to the shipping checkout page. The weight's don't change???

 

Earlier I had gone into the admin and changed the weight for this product to 1 which should equate to 1 lb. So if there are 10 items it would be 10 lbs.

 

Am I just not getting it???

 

Thanks and yes the 21 baskets were me, I confess. Tell you what, should I make it big with this then I'll buy the 21 baskets and give them for Christmas presents. Oh, my younger bro is the national sales mgr. for New Chapter. ;-)

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