Calguys Ecommerce Modules: About to dive right in

[fearmydesign]

Hello all, I have been putting this off for a couple of years, but today I will start to dive right into building my 1st CMSMS Ecommerce site.

My only question is: (and I can't really find it using the search option on the CMSMS main site for some reason).

1. is this documentation still correct and does it still apply in terms of modules etc? I read several posts about major updates that were done to these modules by Calguy last year.
http://calguy1000.com/Blogs/8/60/cmsms- ... ow-to.html

I want to read everything and as much as I can before I start installing modules etc. I just want to make sure I'm reading the right guidelines.

Thank you all.

[calguy1000]

Well, it's more or less accurate with a few changes:

A: Products now uses 'options' instead of 'attributes' though I don't think I dealt with that in that blog article.
- options use a unique SKU

B: Cart2 has replaced Cart ... and I am slowly phasing out any new additions to the Cart module. Cart2 works with SKU's so if you want to add anything to the shopping cart you need to assign a unique SKU to each product and product option.

C: To display the 'add to cart' button you now call the Cart module directly. i.e:
{Cart2 sku=$entry->sku} or something like that.

[fearmydesign]

Well, it's more or less accurate with a few changes:

A: Products now uses 'options' instead of 'attributes' though I don't think I dealt with that in that blog article.
- options use a unique SKU

B: Cart2 has replaced Cart ... and I am slowly phasing out any new additions to the Cart module. Cart2 works with SKU's so if you want to add anything to the shopping cart you need to assign a unique SKU to each product and product option.

C: To display the 'add to cart' button you now call the Cart module directly. i.e:
{Cart2 sku=$entry->sku} or something like that.

Awesome! I've setup a staging site already with the latest CMSMS version and downloaded all the 'least' modules required to start off. I'm excited about trying this out. I would just love to master the E-commerce side of CMSMS, I feel like it is the only piece missing for my use of CMSMS. Thank you!

[fearmydesign]

Calguy, I have to say. So far I love the Ecommerce Suite. I had no issues following your guide and getting everything to work so far.

I do have a question. I am now familiar with the "options" for each product, but what I want to do is create a series of options if you will that will determine the "final product".

Let me explain
This is NOT a single product that just comes in different colors (where options could be used). Instead, I have a product that can have a series of different features, then it ultimately has to calculate the final cost.

This product is a bathroom top where the customer has to choose the following;
1) type of material
2) type of sink
3) type of finished edge
4) if backsplash needed
5) if side splashes needed (right or left)
6) faucet holes spread (4", 8", curved, etc)

So depending on the different options/features they choose, the final price has to be calculated. So customers have to more or less "build their" product.

I'm not sure this makes sense, but I hope it does. It would be helpful to know. Thanks

[calguy1000]

This Products module won't handle this automatically. It is not an 'item builder' module, and more like a product catalog.

Depending on the site, if there is only one 'product' with a bunch of different 'addons' I would consider thinking of each 'addon' as a different product that can be added/deleted. Then you could use the Products module and Cart2 modules.

All you would have to do is manage the uses flow so that they pick the main product first, before they pick the 'addons'.

[fearmydesign]

This Products module won't handle this automatically. It is not an 'item builder' module, and more like a product catalog.

Depending on the site, if there is only one 'product' with a bunch of different 'addons' I would consider thinking of each 'addon' as a different product that can be added/deleted. Then you could use the Products module and Cart2 modules.

All you would have to do is manage the uses flow so that they pick the main product first, before they pick the 'addons'.

Interesting, I tried that and so far it works, but I don't know how to proceed. By the way, so far my experience with your Ecommerce Suite has been excellent! Everything just works, I love it.

Here's what I did based on your suggestion

You can see my example at http://www.cibaths.com

Basically I added the 3 main products to the main page using {Products productid='1'} {Products productid='2'} {Products productid='3'}

Then I added the following to the Detail Templates under Product Manager so that the rest of the options appear when they select the "main product";

{* display the cart *}
{Cart2 sku=$entry->sku}
{Cart2 sku='GRANITECOLORS'}
{Cart2 sku='EDGE'}
{Cart2 sku='FAUCET'}
{Cart2 sku='DRILLING'}

So, I guess from this point on they could "Add to Cart" the options they want... Is this sort of what you were referring to? Is this the closest I can get to creating an 'item builder" similar experience in your opinion?

I also tried this

One issue is the main product does NOT get added to the Cart automatically.
I did try another way (which didn't work), to add the {Cart2 sku='3cmGR37'} for each of the products on the main page. This way, they would see the option right away to add to cart... then I placed the different options in the Viewcart Form Template;

{* display the cart *}
{Cart2 sku=$entry->sku}
{Cart2 sku='GRANITECOLORS'}
{Cart2 sku='EDGE'}
{Cart2 sku='FAUCET'}
{Cart2 sku='DRILLING'}

But this caused some issues with the items on the cart. It would keep them in the cart and be added to the next order. If I hit Remove All products from cart, it wouldn't remove them. So I decided to undo this way.

[Dr.CSS]

If you look at the detail template in products you will see where the Options come in, they are supposed to have text, a sku and a price adjustment, so if you do a standard counter top then add options with a price adjustment then they should be able to check/choose them which would increase the overall price...

[fearmydesign]

If you look at the detail template in products you will see where the Options come in, they are supposed to have text, a sku and a price adjustment, so if you do a standard counter top then add options with a price adjustment then they should be able to check/choose them which would increase the overall price...

Thanks Dr, but if I understand correctly, this would not work, because I would need the ability to add more options to other options. So they would select the main counter top, but then they would have to choose the edge, which has several "options", then they would have to select the color, which also has several "options". Another words options within options if you will, make sense?
Maybe I'm confusing it...