dashCommerce

Does anyone here have an interest in this provider? When I say interest some who will ACTUALLY use it? I have pretty much finished the provider and it seems to work fine, however I need to know how it should work in the real world? I have questions like: * Does each product usually get calculated using a seperate package? in reality I guess not you just dump it in one box? How do you determine when another box is needed if this is the case? * With USPS (and I presume other providers) there are different types of "packages" (and sizes for that matter) i.e evelope, packaage, media etc how would this be determined in dashCommerce?? Would more properties need to be added in the product listing page so the admin can select the page or size (Large, Regular, Oversize) my questions go on and on I need to know how the real world works. If anyone needs this NOW and can help me work out the kinks then you will be entitled to a free LIFETIME license. Thanks, Matthew

My USPS Shipping Provider is now avaliable FREE from http://skiltzonnet.blogspot.com/2008/10/usps-shipping-provider-for-dashcommerce.html 

Installation should be a breeze does NOT require Visual Studio.  Only a matter of copying three files to your dashCommerce installation.

You can also use the provider to allow for flat rate shipping
i.e.

1-Day : $15 per order
2-Day : $10 per order
1-Day : $2.50 per item
2-Day: $3.00 per unqiue item

Would really appreciated anyone testing it even if you have no intention of using it.  Does NOT alter any existing files in dashCommerce.

Thanks,
Matthew

 

 

 

It is soo nice of you to share the provider. Thanks

Matthew,

Thank you so much for sharing this. Your step by step instructions were very helpful. Everything is working great in the test environment. I guess when I'm ready to be live I'll just contact the USPS folks to make my profile live?

I've got the flat rate per order working beautifully (using priority mail flat rate). Now I just need to figure out how to force another shipping option if the total shipment is more than a certain number of units (i.e. I can only fit 5 units in a priority mail flat rate envelope, so I'll need to modify shipping selection for additional units).

Thanks again,

Carrie

Hi Carrie

I'll see if I can alter the code so you can specify  a limit to the number of products per order before another "flat rate" is required. 

If you are using flat rate then it never actually contacts USPS so need to get a userid from USPS.

I'll let you know when the code has been altered.

Thanks,
Matthew

I actually just sent you an email, and decided to browse the forums and came by your message. My client is an antique, art and custom framing shop that ships items in multiple size configurations and would be a great real world example to develop your provider to its full potential. While there may be shortcomings (e.g. no shippment tracking), there is something to be said for USPS shipping rates;

http://consumerist.com/5072394/overnight-shipping-battle-fedex-vs-usps-vs-ups

http://www.monstersmallbusiness.com/ecommerce-strategy/article-shipping-options.asp

but like any good argument there is always more than one side -- http://www.webmasterworld.com/ecommerce/3352892.htm.

I know the mom and pop stores I work with prefer using the post office, and because of this, I would be glad to help learn what the provider needs to accomplish in the real world.

Hi There

The shipping provider works from what I understand.  There are probably lots of short comings as I'm not excatly sure how the USPS works (as I'm not american).  what I suggest you do is install the provider to a temporary store (or I can do this for you) and then tell me how it should work.  It does install fine and works the way I built it however this might be the wrong way :)

Thanks,
Matthew

I definetely agree that the shipping provided works. I have sucessfully installed it to a temporary store, the issue I am having is calculating the shipping rate based on product weight, the origination zip code and destination zip codes. In a previous version of dashcommerce the weight and zip codes were passed to the post office API allowing it to account for product weight and the fact that it would cost an Ohio shipper less to ship to an Ohio address, than shipping to Hawaii. Can this be done using your provider?

Kind regards.

Does anyone have this the download of this USPS Shipping Provider available? The link on the author's website is broken and I can't reach him via email.  Please PM me or reply here if you can help.  Thanks.