What's the best way to handle international shipping costs in this module? For example, my flat shipping rate for an item is $8.00 to the continental US. But what if it is being shipped outside the US? How can the store handle adding a preset difference?
If I knew how to do it, I'd add the USPS shipping API support myself, as that would solve the only problem I have with this store. Shipping prices for Priority mail can vary from as much as $4-$10 depending on location for the same item.
Until then, how can I at least add costs to international shipping orders?
Thanx!
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PhoenixOffline
Joined: Mar 18, 2004
Posts: 1543
Location: Netosphere
Quite frankly Storez has been a thorough pita over the last few years - the original source code was way below DF standard and has consumed countless hours just getting it to a secure and functional level. As expressed previously, having got it there, I wished I had simply converted an existing cart system - I know I would have spent hundreds of hours fewer by doing so.
That said, I have 2 options:
adapt APIs from other systems
bite the bullet and look at integrating another, better store
I regularly review what's out there and I always return to what I have recommended to people many times over recent years. ZenCart: it is largely tableless, xhtml compliant, efficient, well-supported, with a large range of add-ons.
Quite simply, Zen is the best cart, GPL or licensed.
I also note that various GPL carts regularly borrow code from each other anyway e.g. Zen borrows from osCommerce etc.
If I can successfully develop some reasonable semblance of integration, then that is the path I will follow. That may be as simple as customizing certain Zen files/templates to provide that integration.
Otherwise, I shall simply have to modify Storez so that it can readily accept APIs that I have adapted to Storez.
But can zencart be implemented with DF? I just switched from zencart to dragonfly because zencart was a pain to use as a CMS (cuz it's really not one), and a CMS is really what I need. The so called "ezpages" are anything but. What a pain in itself that was.
And my problem with UPS is simply that I don't use them. USPS gives me free boxes and picks up packages at my door. I never have to leave. Oh well, whatever happens, I'm good with storez as it is. I'll just keep my eye open for any changes. I can live with the minor issues I'm having. It's not a big deal.
I am inclined to agree about Zen Cart. Even so, as a cart, it's one of the best. Mind you, I have since discovered the query load is astronomical.
I appreciate your needs and USPS is still on the agenda, just some other issues I have to resolve to ensure that existing options function correctly, so that non-US residents also have functionality.
Server specs (Server OS / Apache / MySQL / PHP / DragonflyCMS):
Well, progress at last - my Zen tests just weren't working for USPS, so I found an option to get debug info emailed to me.
Turns out USPS is extremely fussy about the zip code (unlike UPS), for both customer and store origin, and it now works in Zen, so I have the starting point I needed.
Also tinkering with DF Maps for store locations, though I think it's best left within that program for now - the good thing is that it works for DF 9.1 and 9.2.
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PhoenixOffline
Joined: Mar 18, 2004
Posts: 1543
Location: Netosphere
I have an interface working between Storez and USPS for domestic and international, although somewhat perplexing - it will only work when I pre-select only one type of service i.e. one of parcel, first class etc. If I choose more than one service, USPS just tells me they can't quote for that service
The USPS debug info I'm receiving isn't terribly helpful, nor are any of the issues reported on the net - anyway, I'll keep plugging away after the weekend - probably some trivial flag or input I have missed somewhere.
The single option works on this site - the extraneous data displayed is simply my own debug details.
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Hey, I only use priority mail anyway. I mean, I understand that implementing every choice only makes sense, but if it only worked for priority mail, it would work for me! Only reason I use just priority, is cuz as mentioned before, they deliver boxes free, but they are priority mail only boxes, and must be used as such, and they will only pickup at my house priority mail or better so it would all work fine.
Please enter your server specs in your user profile! 😢
PhoenixOffline
Joined: Mar 18, 2004
Posts: 1543
Location: Netosphere