We need a Zip Code edit in checkout OCST page

[wajake41]

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

Good question: WA zip codes range from 98001 to almost 99500.
I check the first 2 digits for 98 or the first 2 digits for 99 plus that the 3rd digit is < 5.

If the above is true, then state code must be WA.

This does not verify that a zip code in that range is indeed valid, I'll leave that to the 3rd party folks. It shouldn't be difficult to do this, I believe that USPS has an interface to validate addresses and zip codes and actually can assign the last 4 digits of zip code if they are not present.
And someone is charging several thousnad $ for this, what a ripoff.
(Bill if you build it, I'll buy it)

Larry
www.rvparksupplies.com

[wcw]

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

Back in the early 90s I wrote a couple PC (Windows) programs that used free spell checker and zip code databases. But that was a long time ago and I haven't thought about them since. Seems like there should be a free system nowadays that you could query.

[d_host]

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

Seems like there should be a free system nowadays that you could query.

USPS has this table on their web site: http://pe.usps.gov/text/dmm300/L005.htm

You could save it, parse just the 2-letter State code, and create a simple lookup table to use during checkout.

[wcw]

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

That is close but has some limitations. "Unassigned 3-digit prefixes or assigned 3-digit prefixes not associated with an SCF are omitted." seems to imply some are missing. Also, it would not validate zip codes. It would just confirm the first 3 digits were found and match against a state. Something to think about though.

[d_host]

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

Also, it would not validate zip codes. It would just confirm the first 3 digits were found and match against a state.

That is exactly what that list is for - the first 3 digits of the ZIP code are used to identify the State. The last two digits do not matter - once you know the State, the last two digits are definitely within the same State.

[wcw]

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

But if they enter 33333 and there is no zip 33333 then you haven't validated the zip code. You've only guessed that the customer is in a certain state.

[d_host]

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

That's correct. That's exactly what this forum thread was about - people entering valid ZIP code, but different State code so they do not have to pay the sales tax. The purpose of this check is ONLY to validate the 2-letter State code to make sure it matches the ZIP code, so that customers cannot skip the sales tax.

[netblazon]

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

There's no requirement that you use the sales tax component of the AccurateTax solution. Our Address validation service can be used as a standalone during checkout for customers to simply validate their addresses. We validate against USPS datasets and our scrubbing algorithm is at least as good as the USPS version, in some cases better as it needed to be as part of our certification for the Streamlined Sales Tax Project.

Contact Pete at 866.400.2444 to signup for a free trial.