You already purchased this product... [Support Thread]

LINK TO PLUGIN: https://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=2147

I sell digital products and many of my customers purchase a LOT of them (i have over 500). One customer emailed me today saying that it was annoying when she ends up buying one product a second time, because she didn't remember she had already purchased it, or she didn't check her list of products on her computer, properly. She suggested I added a message when she shops that would say something like "You already purchased this product".

I was looking through the available plugins and can't find anything like that. Would anyone know if there is such a plugin (that i missed) or if someone would see the usefullness in such a plugin?

Sounds like a useful plugin for sites that distribute downloads! What is your store's policy on downloads, i.e. what are the limitations that you place on the downloads for number of times and/or time-window?

I have a default 7-day time window for downloads, but i will reset the download for anyone who asks for it (it is very occasional).
I don't mind if they download it a second time if they lost one copy, but there is really no need to purchase it a second time if they already have.

Thanks @CaroleAs; let's use this thread as a requirements-gathering one for the to-be-created plugin.

For the commercial plugins that I offer, I provide unlimited downloads for 365 days (so that the purchasing customers can receive updates for the year after-purchase), so the plugin will need to account for differing "situations".

Anyone else want to chime in with their requirements?

Just out of curiosity, what difference would the download limitations make with a message saying that the customer already purchased the product?

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Originally Posted by lat9

Thanks @CaroleAs; let's use this thread as a requirements-gathering one for the to-be-created plugin.

For the commercial plugins that I offer, I provide unlimited downloads for 365 days (so that the purchasing customers can receive updates for the year after-purchase), so the plugin will need to account for differing "situations".

Anyone else want to chime in with their requirements?

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This would be for a Community module available for free download in the Plugin section and apply only to Virtual Downloads--correct?

Have its own configuration page starting with version number and listing features available.

Each feature, when coded in, to have its own switch for On/Off and other settings.

Possible feature could be when displaying a msg. such as "You've already purchased this Product" to also provide a button saying "Download Again?".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Website Rob

Possible feature could be when displaying a msg. such as "You've already purchased this Product" to also provide a button saying "Download Again?".

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I like that!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CaroleAs

Just out of curiosity, what difference would the download limitations make with a message saying that the customer already purchased the product?

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If a store's policy were to require repurchase of a download/product after a period of time, then it wouldn't make much sense after that time had lapsed to tell them that they had already purchased the product... to tell them it's time to renew/repurchase, sure, but that's different (and would be another feature).

Swguy had previously published a sort of version upgrade related plugin. Been a while since I've looked at it but there may be features in it to include.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mc12345678

If a store's policy were to require repurchase of a download/product after a period of time, then it wouldn't make much sense after that time had lapsed to tell them that they had already purchased the product... to tell them it's time to renew/repurchase, sure, but that's different (and would be another feature).

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Makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mc12345678

Swguy had previously published a sort of version upgrade related plugin. Been a while since I've looked at it but there may be features in it to include.

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Mine does the opposite of what's being discussed here - it charges for an upgrade. http://www.thatsoftwareguy.com/zenca...t_upgrade.html

If you truly want to provide unlimited downloads for an unlimited time, just go to admin->configuration->attribute settings, and set
Download Expiration (Number of Days) to 0 and Number of Downloads Allowed - Per Product to a very large number.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by swguy

- Per Product

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And there is the rub. When looking at having to edit many Products, say 50+ 100+ or more, it would be quite daunting. Yes, other available modules may help alleviate the task but to have a module designed specifically for the task is what modules are all about.

You might not be reading this correctly - these are two values in the configuration table. Not a value per product. The name of the second value is "Number of Downloads Allowed - Per Product". It's not a per product setting.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Website Rob

This would be for a Community module available for free download in the Plugin section and apply only to Virtual Downloads--correct?

Have its own configuration page starting with version number and listing features available.

Each feature, when coded in, to have its own switch for On/Off and other settings.

Possible feature could be when displaying a msg. such as "You've already purchased this Product" to also provide a button saying "Download Again?".

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Yes, a community module available for free download. I was thinking that any configuration would be present in the Configuration->Attributes Settings, along with the other download-related configuration settings.

The "You've already purchased this product" message would be displayed on re-display of the shopping-cart page once the customer is logged in (either placing the product in cart during a logged-in session or after the after-login redirect).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mc12345678

If a store's policy were to require repurchase of a download/product after a period of time, then it wouldn't make much sense after that time had lapsed to tell them that they had already purchased the product... to tell them it's time to renew/repurchase, sure, but that's different (and would be another feature). ...

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Within the constructs of the "You already purchased" plugin, I believe that the main focus is customer satisfaction ... letting the customer know that they don't need to re-purchase the downloadable product.

Going off the idea that there are currently two store policies regarding the downloads:

1. @CaroleAs: If the download count/timeframe is exceeded, the customer can call to receive another chance for the download.
2. @lat9: The download count/timeframe is honored; if either is exceeded, the customer must re-purchase the download.

... it appears that the to-be-created plugin will need at least one configuration value:

Download Prior Purchase Messaging: Choose the method with which to communicate the prior purchase to the customer, one of:

1. Disabled ... no special processing. The download can always be re-purchased without message.
2. Call on Expiration ... Regardless the status of the download count/timeframe expiration, the item cannot be re-purchased. If the download has not expired, the customer is directed to the order-information page where the active download link is displayed. Otherwise, a message is displayed indicating that the customer has previously purchased the product and should call the store owner to get their download "reset".
3. Enforce Expiration ... If the download count/timeframe is not expired, the item cannot be re-purchased. A message is displayed pointing the customer to the associated order-information page where the download link should still be active. Otherwise, the item purchase proceeds without message.

Comments and/or additional purchase scenarios welcomed.

I've just submitted v1.0.0 of Download Already Purchased Messaging to the Zen Cart plugins for review; once approved, it can be downloaded from this link: https://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=2147.

This thread will serve as the plugin's support thread.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CaroleAs

I sell digital products and many of my customers purchase a LOT of them (i have over 500). One customer emailed me today saying that it was annoying when she ends up buying one product a second time, because she didn't remember she had already purchased it, or she didn't check her list of products on her computer, properly. She suggested I added a message when she shops that would say something like "You already purchased this product".

I was looking through the available plugins and can't find anything like that. Would anyone know if there is such a plugin (that i missed) or if someone would see the usefullness in such a plugin?

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@CaroleAs, do you have a link to your site so I can get a feel what it is all about please? You can PM me if you don't want to publicly post the link.

Thanks / Frank

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lat9

I've just submitted v1.0.0 of Download Already Purchased Messaging to the Zen Cart plugins for review; once approved, it can be downloaded from this link: https://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=2147.

This thread will serve as the plugin's support thread.

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The plugin is now available for download.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by frank18

@CaroleAs, do you have a link to your site so I can get a feel what it is all about please? You can PM me if you don't want to publicly post the link.

Thanks / Frank

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Sorry, didn't get a notification of this reply sooner. Here is my store link: http://creationcassel.com/store/

Thanks. I was going to install this very plugin that i asked for and i could not remember how to do so (i didn't find a README file in it)

But there is: docs/download_already_purchased/readme.html

I installed the plugin and it works perfectly. Thanks Lat9!!!
Now, what would be needed to have the message in French too?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CaroleAs

Now, what would be needed to have the message in French too?

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You'll notice that the plugin has this file, which contains all the english messaging:

/includes/languages/english/extra_definitions/download_already_purchased_messages.php

if you copy that to:
/includes/languages/french/extra_definitions/download_already_purchased_messages.php
... and then edit that file's contents and change all the "defines", it'll automatically use those when the store is in french.


note the pattern:

Code:

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define('IDENTIFIER_KEY_YOU_DO_NOT CHANGE', 'This is the part you will change here.');

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Great. An additional question: does the file take accented characters or should they be converted into something else? and apostrophe?

I'd recommend using html-entities for accents and apostrophes.

A couple tools may help with this, like:
https://dev.w3.org/html5/html-author/charref
https://mothereff.in/html-entities

Thanks a lot. I got it done and it works perfectly. I am really happy that Lat9 made that plugin! it will surely be useful for many zencart users!

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Originally Posted by CaroleAs

Thanks a lot. I got it done and it works perfectly. I am really happy that Lat9 made that plugin! it will surely be useful for many zencart users!

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Agreed! Lat9 is always contributing great value to the community! Don't hesitate to send her a Private Message of thanks, or if you're able, maybe even a donation.

Thanks Lat9 for this excellent plugin!! It will save us lots of admin time in creating customers coupons to reimburse them for duplicate purchases of our downloadable products!!

I have one question to see if you would know how I could modify it a bit. I have customers who purchase gift certificates regularly, and with this module turned on, it won't allow them to purchase it again now. Is there a way to eliminate a category id from the runnings of this program so that, in essence, the program will skip checking this certain category and allow people to repurchase???

Thanks for any help you can offer, and again, a great module!!

Jeff

@NWCE, that's weird; do your gift certificates result in a downloaded product?

I ask because I'm filtering the products, looking specifically for products that have a download-specific attribute, i.e. the download's file name.

Thanks for your reply lat9!

Yes, I found I had to give the gift certificates downloadable attributes so that they would create the code to be able to send to their recipient.....not withstanding that I may be doing this wrongly.

The other category we have that I'd like to eliminate is our Angel Use License which is an annually renewable License. It is not that someone needs to download anything...so if I have mistaken attributes that I could remove, this would also resolve the problem that I am having with people not being able to repurchase.

Thanks for your help,

Jeff

Hi again lat9..... in giving this some thought, I see that if I change the attributes on the Gift Certificates and Licenses to non-downloadable products (more as if they were physical products) this will eliminate these items from this mod's checks and customers will be able to repurchase.

Thanks for your help,

Jeff

Hey, @NWCE! I'm glad you were able to craft a solution!

I'll note the change-request in the plugin's GitHub repository, though, since I can see the value of having a downloadable attribute (like your license case) for a physical product ... and this plugin will just "get in the way" of that use-case.

GitHub change request link: https://github.com/lat9/download_alr...hased/issues/1

Thanks again for your help @lat9.....once again, this is an awesome plug-in and I appreciate you creating it!

I've just submitted v1.1.0 which is now available for download.
That version creates two new configuration settings under Configuration->Attribute Settings where your store can identify any products and/or categories to be excluded from the plugin's processing.

Thanks for letting me know lat9! I did redo the attributes for the Licenses and Gift Certificates and created Options Names as these, so that they do not need any option values and then redid the attributes using these new Name Options. This worked perfectly as we have had orders for both and they processed perfectly.

Just in the event, that reprogramming the mod to have these "exclude" categories become a lot of work...this is a perfect option.

Thanks again,

Jeff

Is this module compatible with ZC 1.5.7?

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Originally Posted by CaroleAs

Is this module compatible with ZC 1.5.7?

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I'd forgotten about this one! I've not installed it with zc157, but as long as you're using a version other than the original (zc157, which had issues with multiple observers), it should be just fine.

Thanks. I know this plugin adds features that my clients LOVE!

I have this plugin installed and it works fantastically. However, I noticed a conflict with the Wishlist 0.6 plugin that works also perfectly on its own. The only "conflict" is that if a client adds an item from the wishlist, this current plugin does not detect it and it can cause some duplicates to be purchased instead of informing them.

It is not really a big issue as it only happened a handful of times, but if there is time to tweak it, maybe consider this.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CaroleAs

I have this plugin installed and it works fantastically. However, I noticed a conflict with the Wishlist 0.6 plugin that works also perfectly on its own. The only "conflict" is that if a client adds an item from the wishlist, this current plugin does not detect it and it can cause some duplicates to be purchased instead of informing them.

It is not really a big issue as it only happened a handful of times, but if there is time to tweak it, maybe consider this.

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Thanks for the report. Unfortunately, sometimes plugins don't work with other plugins.

Understandable. It is not a big issue for me but I wanted to report it in case it could be "fixed" for others who might find it more annoying than me :)

Just in case there is more interest on this, I can confirm that I am using this plugin with 1.5.7c and it works fine.
I still keep my hand raised in case there is any tweak possible to make it compatible with Wishlist, as it is easy for customers to put things in the cart from their wishlist when there is a quick sale. In those situations, this current plugin is somewhat bypassed.

Hi lat9

In installing this plugin into my development site for upgrade to Zen Cart v.2.1, everything installed well but I received this error message in the Debug Logs

PHP Deprecated: Creation of dynamic property DownloadAlreadyPurchased::$is_downloadable is deprecated in C:\wamp64\www\new2121\includes\classes\observers\DownloadAlreadyPurchased.php on line 166.

I am in WAMP using PHP v.8.2.18 Would you be able to recommend the needed code change on this line??

Thanks!

@lat9 has not changed this code since 2017; she is a slacker!

i can tell you what to change but i have a feeling you will run into other errors, i could be wrong. who knows.

look here:
https://github.com/lat9/download_alr...ed.php#L16-L17

between those two lines, add the following line:

PHP Code:

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$is_downloadable, 


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good luck.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by carlwhat

@lat9 has not changed this code since 2017; she is a slacker!

i can tell you what to change but i have a feeling you will run into other errors, i could be wrong. who knows.

look here:
https://github.com/lat9/download_alr...ed.php#L16-L17

between those two lines, add the following line:

PHP Code:

---

$is_downloadable, 


---

good luck.

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@carlwhat is correct on all counts! I've now got this added to my list of stuff-to-be-updated.

GitHub issue for tracking: https://github.com/lat9/download_alr...hased/issues/2

Thanks carlwhat and lat9 for your replies!

I'll try this code addition in between these two lines....but I'll also know that if other errors crop up, not to worry or post about it.

Thanks again to you both.

> @carlwhat is correct on all counts!

... except the "slacker" part. Cindy is the hardest working developer on the project!

Quick update.....

Thanks to carlwhat's coding suggestion in post #44, I applied it to the file and I now do not receive the error!

It did cause an error in my Save For Later plugin that was not there before...

PHP Warning: Undefined array key "action" in C:\wamp64\www\new2121\includes\main_cart_actions.php on line 44.

But the Download Already Purchased is fine! You warned me about these unintended consequences....ce la vie!

Just thought I'd update in case someone else was having the same situation...

v2.0.0 of Download Already Purchased is now available for download: https://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=2147

Updated for continued operation under Zen Carts 1.5.8 and later. See GitHub issues #2, #3 and #4.