USPS Girth

So now i am trying to setup usps and it wants a package size and girth? Why in tarnation would this even be needed? Anyone who knows anything about shipping knows this a varibale that changes all the time. so How do I not use the dimension and girth size?

The default USPS module is "simple" and treats the entire cart as "one big package"
Assuming you sell similarly sized items and have a single pre-set box size then you'd add the dimensions and girth
But as you note it is not all that likely to have a single box size for everything so it could use an itemized mode. I've created itemized addons for UPS and added itemized mode to my FedEx and Canada Post modules. I will create an itemized addon for the USPS extension as well.

you say it treats the cart as "one big package" then why would it need to know dimensions. A default setting would be more realistic than trying to figure out what items goes in what size package. When a person shops there is no way of knowing the size until it's time to check out and then the size is based on a lot of varibels. Everything from type of item is , is it plastic ,metal ,cloth etc... A clothing store would use different packing than a computer store. the question now becomes what default size do I use so the customer isn't over charged and I'm not undercharging myself?

eeeprom wrote:you say it treats the cart as "one big package" then why would it need to know dimensions. A default setting would be more realistic than trying to figure out what items goes in what size package. When a person shops there is no way of knowing the size until it's time to check out and then the size is based on a lot of varibels. Everything from type of item is , is it plastic ,metal ,cloth etc... A clothing store would use different packing than a computer store. the question now becomes what default size do I use so the customer isn't over charged and I'm not undercharging myself?

Because the cart can have products of mutiple sizes. Like I said, it expects a single sized packaging box. It's a very simple design that doesn't apply to most situations, but that is because opencart doesn't have a box packaging class yet.

At best, they are meant to be "Average"

Assuming you have 3 packing boxes:
5x5x5
10x10x10
15x15x15

Use 10x10x10 for the dimensions...
People will overpay a bit on shipping for smaller items, and underpay a bit on shipping for larger items. It's not ideal but its usually the difference of less than a dollar.

Why do we have to enter girth? USPS states that girth = L + W * 2 + H * 2. We're already entering L, W, and H. Perhaps you should remove the field and let the software calculate it. That might lessen some of the confusion.

FFJim wrote:Why do we have to enter girth? USPS states that girth = L + W * 2 + H * 2. We're already entering L, W, and H. Perhaps you should remove the field and let the software calculate it. That might lessen some of the confusion.

good idea