We need a Zip Code edit in checkout OCST page

[wajake41]

Hello Forum: We are looking for a good method to verify U.S. Zip Codes in the checkout process. I'd like to do this on the OCST page. Does Miva provide this or do we need a special module for this?

Thanks, Larry
www.rvparksupplies.com

[d_host]

Re: We need a Zip Code edit in checkout OCST page

What is the purpose of verifying the ZIP code during checkout process?

If you want to validate whether the ZIP code matches the card billing address, you can already get this info through your payment gateway - it's part of the AVS check. When you process orders just glance at the AVS response code to see whether the street address and/or ZIP code matches. Most payment gateways also have the option to automatically reject orders (if you configure this option) if the street address or ZIP code or CVV2 code doesn't match - but I wouldn't recommend enabling this, as many people ship to alternate addresses all the time (office, 2nd home, etc). In those cases you'd want to do voice verification with the card issuer to see if the alternate address is on file and matches what the customer ordered - it may be perfectly legitimate order. If the shipping address is not on file, you can request that your customer calls his card issuer and adds the address to the account as valid "alternate shipping address", and you can then re-validate the order and ship it out if it checks out.

[wajake41]

Re: We need a Zip Code edit in checkout OCST page

Thanks for your reply.
I should have explained my problem better.

We are using the Viking Coders UPS module to calculate UPS shipping cost. If an invalid ship to zip code is entered on OCST, page OSEL displays without a shipping cost (it can't be calculated if the zip code is bad). Our problem then is that the customer can still proceed thru checkout and complete the purchase with no shipping cost.

We could determine the zip code is invalid on OSEL, but that requires the customer to return to the OCST page to make the correction. It would be much better to catch the error on the OCST page as the other billing/shipping name & address errors are.

Thanks, Larry
www.rvparksupplies.com

[d_host]

Re: We need a Zip Code edit in checkout OCST page

Ah, I see.

Well, you could also enable the option to require shipping in the store itself, so that customers cannot check out from the store if the shipping is blank. This would force them to re-check their shipping info and correct the ZIP code.

In MM admin, click on the store name -> Settings -> check "Require Shipping" option.

[wajake41]

Re: We need a Zip Code edit in checkout OCST page

Thanks for the reply: I set required shipping on as suggested and with an invalid zip code (86108) I get the following on submission of the OCST page:

Fatal error
Miva Merchant has encountered a fatal error and is unable to continue. The following information may assist you in determining the cause of the error:

Error Code: MER-SUI-MMU-00002 Description: Shipping Selection is required and no shipping methods were found. Please contact the administrator directly. Other Information:

The test was on our DEV platform using the latest Wombat version.

Is there something else i need to setup to make this work properly?
Larry
www.rvparksupplies.com

[Krsullivan]

Re: We need a Zip Code edit in checkout OCST page

Your going to love this.

I agree with Remik as to the AVS response and rejection of the order if it doesn't match billing address. As a matter of fact that was one defense I used in a recent 3 year Sales Tax audit here in California. The auditor was concerned that a customer could put a shipping address and put the correct zip but NOT the correct state (California) and avoid paying California sales tax. He felt, that we should have positive verification of both Bill To and Ship To so the customer or we could not get out of paying California sales tax. Luckily we use Stone Edge Order manager that can verify for bill to and ship to address at import, so it can be flagged and allow us to call the customer.

My point for this post, is that I could see a need in the near future, as states become more and more hungry for revenue, would required some form of positive address verification for both billing and shipping address. Also having address verification on the website would make having to call the customer or other manual forms of verification after the fact.

Maybe that will be a future wish list for Miva

thanks

Kevin
www.automotiveworkwear.com
www.sullivanuniforms.com

[wajake41]

Re: We need a Zip Code edit in checkout OCST page

Great point Kevin: I just tried what you suggested. On an order, used my Washington state zip code and street address but put Oregon (sales tax free) as my state. Bingo, I'm not charged sales tax.
This could be a significant problem for sites using Miva merchant.
Larry
www.rvparksupplies.com

[wajake41]

Re: We need a Zip Code edit in checkout OCST page

Hello Forum: Tried to do the same on Amazon.com. I.e. Entered my city: Vancouver USA and the sales tax free state which is approximately 2 miles away from my home address: Oregon and got the following
"The state and zip code you provided do not match."

IMHO, this is a serious shortcoming in Miva and deserves immediate attention.

Are there any 3 party modules available to fix this? I believe that USPS has a interface that could be used to provide this edit.

Any 3rd party developers want to attempt this? I think every Miva store that sells from a sales tax state requires this edit. Sounds like a money maker for someone.

Larry
www.rvparksupplies.com

[Rick Wilson]

Re: We need a Zip Code edit in checkout OCST page

This solution uses an address validator: http://www.mivamerchant.com/partners...c/accuratetax/

[Bruce - PhosphorMedia]

Re: We need a Zip Code edit in checkout OCST page

If you are using a shipping gateway, it may block this by simply not providing a shipping rate...but then, it depends on the shipping gateway.

[Krsullivan]

Re: We need a Zip Code edit in checkout OCST page

Hello
Yes, AccurateTax, is a good solution for small companies, but maybe not for larger companies, especially if address verification is the only requirement. They do offer a stripped down version that is only for address verification (no tax reporting), but looking at there prices, for our company with our volume would be 7K or 8K per year. Double that if you want the tax reporting. There are cheaper options for address verification, just not available for Miva. Don't get me wrong, for those that need a solution for sales tax. AccurateTax, if it works as promised should be an excellent product. I do think, there needs to be a shipping module, that verifies address, and not a tax module. Anyway, that is my two cents.
thanks,
Kevin
www.automotiveworkwear.com
www.sullivanuniforms.com

[wcw]

Re: We need a Zip Code edit in checkout OCST page

Are there any free services out there that test a zip and return invalid if bad or return city and state if good?

[wajake41]

Re: We need a Zip Code edit in checkout OCST page

Hi: We reside in WA state so I've added a Javascript edit to OCST to verify that if a billing or shipping zip code for the state of Washington is entered, that the state code for that zip code is WA.

This is still a kludge but it should help reduce future state sales tax audit problems (we hope). The loophole obviously is that it requires Javascript to be enabled on our customers browsers.

Does anyone see any other potential problems with this approach?

Still need to prevent checkout with an invalid Zip Code though.

Thanks, Larry
www.rvparksupplies.com

[d_host]

Re: We need a Zip Code edit in checkout OCST page

Hi: We reside in WA state so I've added a Javascript edit to OCST to verify that if a billing or shipping zip code for the state of Washington is entered, that the state code for that zip code is WA.

Surely WA state has more than one ZIP code... Did you have to create a huge conditional with the 1000+ ZIP codes in that state? Or are you just checking the first two digits?

[Brandon MUS]

Re: We need a Zip Code edit in checkout OCST page

It would appear there are a few: http://www.mongabay.com/igapo/zip_codes_Washington.htm