BUG: Variations aren’t put into packages

Hello @nicoleashley,

I’m sorry to hear you’re experiencing issues.

Can you elaborate on “the item would no longer be put into boxes when an order was placed”? What are you seeing happen, and what do you expect to see?

Do your variations have dimensions, or just the parent product?

Thanks.

Thanks for your reply!

When I look at an order that includes item variations, I might see something like this:

First-Class Package Service
Packaging:
Small Uline 4x4x4 (), Individual packaging (), Individual packaging (), Individual packaging (), Individual packaging ()

I know the shipping option chosen doesn’t have boxes that will fit every item, hence the “Individual packaging.” BUT, I’d expect to see items listed within the parentheses. There were 6 items in the above order. By size, I know the 2 smallest would go into the defined box – but they’re not listed.

In my troubleshooting, I created an item that I built out step by step to match a problem item. Here is the shipment order packaging, with 1 problem item and 1 new item (simple at this point):

Priority Mail
Packaging:
Medium Uline 6x6x4 (Syrup Duplicate), Medium Uline 6x6x4 ()

Syrup duplicate is in a package, the other item isn’t. There was 1 of each item in the order. I duplicated the same exact order after giving “Syrup Duplicate” 1 variation (it should really have 2), and here’s the packaging:

Priority Mail
Packaging:
Medium Uline 6x6x4 (), Medium Uline 6x6x4 ()

You can see, neither item is assigned to a box.

Likewise, in this order, there are 2 items with variations, and 2 without. Here’s how the packaging is listed in the order:

Flat Rate: Priority Mail
Packaging:
Medium Flat Rate Box 1, Top Loading (Room Spray: Cinnamon Spice, Clean Hands)

It lists only the 2 items without variations.

When I order 5 of a “problem item” –

Flat Rate: Priority Mail
Packaging:
Medium Flat Rate Box 1, Top Loading ()

There’s a box, and I actually believe this box won’t fit the items. (I need to play more 3D tetris to find out for sure, lol.)

Does that answer your first set of questions?

All of my items have dimensions and weights.

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Thanks,
Nicole

On the 3D tetris topic – 5 4x4x6 objects are put into the flat rate medium box. This box has dimensions 11 x 8.5 x 5.5. I’m positive there’s no way to put 5 objects of this size in this box. Am I missing something, or is this another bug?

Hi again @nicoleashley,

It looks like you’ve found a bug with variations. The good news is that I’m able to verify it:

We’ll work to fix this and release it in plugin version 1.10.1.

I need to play more 3D tetris to find out for sure, lol.

3D Tetris is among the most difficult Tetrises. ??

5 4x4x6 objects are put into the flat rate medium box. This box has dimensions 11 x 8.5 x 5.5. I’m positive there’s no way to put 5 objects of this size in this box. Am I missing something, or is this another bug?

You’ve hit a limitation of our box packing algorithm. In its current form, its quite limited. Right now, it checks to see that each successive item fits in the box on its own and then checks to see if there’s sufficient volume left in the box.

Working that out:

Box volume is 11 x 8.5 x 5.5 = 514.25

Item volume is 4 x 4 x 6 = 96 * 5 items = 480

This is a known problem and has unfortunately been reported several times. We’re prioritizing improvements to the box packer for Q1 2018.

Thanks for the update! Any idea when that next version will be out to fix the variations? If it’s going to be a while, I may do separate listings on my site.

Is there a workaround that you know of for the box packing issue? For example, I could set those product weights so that it limits them correctly. It would not be uncommon for someone to order those from my site in a set, and I would like it to be handled correctly.

(On that note, where can I find the Max weight for flat rate boxes?)

Any other thoughts for a workaround for this particular product?

Thanks very much for your help on this.

Any idea when that next version will be out to fix the variations?

We’ll aim for early next week. Thanks for your patience!

Is there a workaround that you know of for the box packing issue?

You could play with different dimensions for the product, essentially “gaming” the box packer until the result is to your liking. I’m sorry I don’t have a better solution for you at this time.

(On that note, where can I find the Max weight for flat rate boxes?)

“Weight restrictions for domestic Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelopes, and Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes and Boxes are 70 pounds.

Weight restrictions for Priority Mail Express International Flat Rate Envelopes are 4 pounds. Weight restrictions for Priority Mail International Large and Medium Flat Rate Boxes are 20 pounds, and 4 pounds for Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes.”

From: https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm100/flat-rate-reference.htm

Thank you!!

Hello @nicoleashley,

WooCommerce Services 1.10.1 has just been release which contains a fix for this issue.

Please report back if the latest version solves the problem you encountered.

Thanks!

Thanks very much! I’ll be able to update and check it out on Wednesday, and will get back to you then.

Problem solved, thank you!