Before I go and post a project on one of the freelancing sites, I would like to know if what I am trying to accomplish is even possible or if there is a mod(2) that is already built that is suitable.

I know that some of these things could/should be dealt with via attributes, but the lack of SKU/Stock, etc associated with attributes and the impossibility of maintain stock levels from automated datafeeds, it isn't an avenue I can pursue.

Lack of response to this thread (http://www.zen-cart.com/showthread.p...deal-with-them) sort of proves my point.

I've gone through this thread and think my answers lie within it for parts of this:
(http://www.zen-cart.com/showthread.p...332#post656332)

I ~think~ that dynamic filters might work for this, but I would obviously need to create some additional fields in the products table and populate it with data.

Or would a new product type pages be better?

For instance:

Product is Holsters - I would like to be able to filter on 'handedness' (Right/Left) and on 'size' (1-36).
Product Sleeping Bags - I would like users to be able to filter on zipper opening (Left/Right) and size (Regular/Long/Wide)
Product is Optics/Scopes - I would like users to be able to filter on Power/Aperture Size and reticle type (X-hairs, Mil Dot, etc.)


New Product Type:
Product is Ammunition - I would like to display cost per round, dynamically calculating it on the base price of the product / # of rounds in the box, even if I run a sale.

Sort by 'price per round' within that calibers (sub)category.

Filter by caliber. Currently I had to create subcategories for each caliber to make finding the correct products easier. Would a filter alleviate the need to do this, or would it just augment what I already have? I don't want to throw 500 products in one category that customers have to wade through, but most will filter what right down to what they need anyway so that might work.



Assuming this would just be modifications to the default product display page:


Display a specific line of text with a link to an EZ page within the product display page if a product field is 'true', similar to how the 'free shipping' icon shows up when 'true'.


Display a graphic similar to this on all product pages (not the links to the other products, just the 'ships from'):

Name: ships_from.png Views: 204 Size: 10.3 KB

I have a few of the same products from different suppliers (may be slightly higher/lower price), it would make it less confusing or easier to bundle items that would all ship together vs from 3 different warehouses. I can use the X-Sell to display the other warehouses same products, but would like customers to be able tell at a glance that their products are all coming from the same location. I already have a 'vendor' field within my DB that I use with CEON's Advanced Shipping Module, so all products have data that denotes where its coming from.


Attach PDF's to product description to allow for the addition of manufacturers rebate forms.




Am I way off base with my thinking? Over thinking it, over complicating it? Not explaining it well enough? I need to be able to convey to a developer what needs to be done and if some of the more experienced zen hackers could state this a bit more eloquently or tell me something isn't possible, that would be appreciated.