USPS Test Mode interesting trivia

Hi Folks,

It's not uncommon for people who have their USPS module in TEST
mode (using the test URL) to complain that no shipping rates are
shown during testing. Well, I was implementing a custom USPS
solution and I figured out why.

In the event you really desire to test out USPS shipping before
going live, here's some trivia:

- The TEST server only stores a very small subset of rates
- Any rate that is not stored will return an error, and the
shipping methods will not be displayed.
- Test mode will not display any methods unless the following
criteria are met. There are a few other cases to get back
methods from the test server, but this one definitely works:
1) Parcel Post Method is configured as available
2) Ship FROM ZIP = 20770
3) Ship TO ZIP = 90210
4) Package Weight = 10lbs

Interesting ship-to zip, eh? Hope this helps anyone who cares. :)

cheers,
James

USPS Test Mode interesting trivia



Good point there! I found the same information in this document:

<A HREF ="http://www.usps.com/webtools/htm/Domestic-Rates.htm">http://www.usps.com/webtools/htm/Domestic-Rates.htm</A>

But it's not immediately obvious without some digging.

Tom


> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected]
> [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of James Harrell
> Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2004 12:54 PM
> To: [email protected]; [email protected]
> Subject: [mrc] USPS Test Mode interesting trivia
>
>
> Hi Folks,
>
> It's not uncommon for people who have their USPS module in TEST
> mode (using the test URL) to complain that no shipping rates are
> shown during testing. Well, I was implementing a custom USPS
> solution and I figured out why.
>
> In the event you really desire to test out USPS shipping before
> going live, here's some trivia:
>
> - The TEST server only stores a very small subset of rates
> - Any rate that is not stored will return an error, and the
> shipping methods will not be displayed.
> - Test mode will not display any methods unless the following
> criteria are met. There are a few other cases to get back
> methods from the test server, but this one definitely works:
> 1) Parcel Post Method is configured as available
> 2) Ship FROM ZIP = 20770
> 3) Ship TO ZIP = 90210
> 4) Package Weight = 10lbs
>
> Interesting ship-to zip, eh? Hope this helps anyone who cares. :)
>
> cheers,
> James
>
>
>
>