Is this possible???

[DivaVocals]

Resolving the problem on the shopping cart page is simple math along with some code. Why jump through hoops?

I beg to differ.. Authorize and Capture isn't really jumping through hoops.. There are some legitimate business processes/transactions where this is required. There's a reason that not only PayPal but the Authorize.net gateway includes this function.. There are situations where the shopowner may in fact need to adjust a sale before FINALIZING the actual credit card transaction. My client uses Edit Orders to adjust the order total, and authorize and capture to finalize the credit card transaction.

The other option is for Pewe to consider using the Ceon Advanced Shipper module which is designed to manage varying shipping costs at the cart level.

[pewe]

Resolving the problem on the shopping cart page is simple math along with some code. Why jump through hoops?

True - but on reflection, using the 'Auth' facility in Paypal is probably the neatest solution in my situation because:

- Until a customer places an order I do not know what items they have purchased, and until I know that I cannot get an accurate figure for shipping charges (if the order is to be shipped as opposed to collected, in which case I simply deduct shipping from the collected amount), and the charges will be based on the total size as well as weight. Further, I would get quotes from any one of 3 different couriers depending on the weight and size of the package, as well as its destination - and this takes time.

For this scenario what is needed is a facility for a customer to be able to store an order without paying for it, and for me to get the shipping cost then amend the order prior to them paying for it - and this facility is not available (as far as I have seen) in Zen-cart.

[pewe]

My client uses Edit Orders to adjust the order total, and authorize and capture to finalize the credit card transaction.

I had seen your other posts about this facility and was going to look at that next. I assumed it would be simple enough to go into admin and use this to change the shipping figure on its own.

The other option is for Pewe to consider using the Ceon Advanced Shipper module which is designed to manage varying shipping costs at the cart level.

I had seen this before - but as it covered a lot more flexibility than I need, and my store is purely to sell off a lot of personal items that are no longer required/used (a garage sale if you like) I couldn't see the point of spending the £75 they charge for it - although it may be useful for a friend who has asked me to help set up a store for his business.

[DivaVocals]

HA!! it looks like you posted at the same time I posted this..

and this facility is not available (as far as I have seen) in Zen-cart.

There is.. It's called authorize and capture..

Let me repeat my post above..

There's a reason that not only PayPal but the Authorize.net gateway includes this function.. There are situations where the shopowner may in fact need to adjust a sale before FINALIZING the actual credit card transaction. My client uses Edit Orders to adjust the order total, and authorize and capture to finalize the credit card transaction.

[twitchtoo]

I'm experienced in high volume sales, when there's hundreds of sales it's not reasonable to click through every... single... order. The cart has to work properly on every sale which will make less work, not more. My job is to refine the cart to make it more effective, if there is no code then hire someone to make one and save yourself the time... money will follow!

[pewe]

when there's hundreds of sales it's not reasonable to click through every... single... order.

I wholeheartedly agree.
However as I mentioned in my last but one post - mine won't be a big job - I'm only selling about 150 - 200 items, and there's only one of each item.

Manual adjustments - although tedious - won't be a major problem

[DivaVocals]

I'm experienced in high volume sales, when there's hundreds of sales it's not reasonable to click through every... single... order. The cart has to work properly on every sale which will make less work, not more. My job is to refine the cart to make it more effective, if there is no code then hire someone to make one and save yourself the time... money will follow!

You seem to be missing pewe's point:

- Until a customer places an order I do not know what items they have purchased, and until I know that I cannot get an accurate figure for shipping charges (if the order is to be shipped as opposed to collected, in which case I simply deduct shipping from the collected amount), and the charges will be based on the total size as well as weight. Further, I would get quotes from any one of 3 different couriers depending on the weight and size of the package, as well as its destination - and this takes time.

YES custom code will solve the problem.. I'm the FIRST to say this regularly to folks who ask for complex functionality not covered by modules..

However, read what pewe says his functional requirements for this development are (determine if the package will be shipped or picked up, evaluate quotes from multiple shippers).. the kind of development that takes into account ALL the possible variables required to calculate the shipping in the cart for him may be more than a small business can or even SHOULD spend. A small business may not see a ROI on this kind of development investment. In that case authorize and capture is a viable solution.. and more importantly he SAYS it will work for him..

[twitchtoo]

DivaVocals, I prefer to drive my car to the beach any day of the week and let the shopping carts work for me. If one order interferes with that luxury, I'll work day and night to fix the problem. Then find some sand and relax again. I'm only offering that to other people :)

Just because it works, doesn't mean it can't be improved. Like a squeaky door hinge, even if it's cheap and it works I'd rather make it swing smoothly.

[mc12345678]

True - but on reflection, using the 'Auth' facility in Paypal is probably the neatest solution in my situation because:

- Until a customer places an order I do not know what items they have purchased, and until I know that I cannot get an accurate figure for shipping charges (if the order is to be shipped as opposed to collected, in which case I simply deduct shipping from the collected amount), and the charges will be based on the total size as well as weight. Further, I would get quotes from any one of 3 different couriers depending on the weight and size of the package, as well as its destination - and this takes time.

For this scenario what is needed is a facility for a customer to be able to store an order without paying for it, and for me to get the shipping cost then amend the order prior to them paying for it - and this facility is not available (as far as I have seen) in Zen-cart.

I've read the posts following the above, but for some reason this one sticks in my mind. Do you still think that functionally (not literally) there is no process that is a part of ZC (or easily/freely added) to it that will allow a customer to place an order without money leaving their hands, providing you the time you need to do what you need/want and then to modify the order and collect funds?
Perhaps there is some other related setting that is to be modified to make it all work the way it should. Ie purchase should come in as pending or a low status level.

After posting this, more of the conversation came in. I agree also with twitch to solve the problem to make it work and work right, but I am also seeing that there may be a trade off accepted by the OP. Then again, someone is offering their input, why not answer the questions asked and maybe get something of benefit out of it.

[DivaVocals]

DivaVocals, I prefer to drive my car to the beach any day of the week and let the shopping carts work for me. If one order interferes with that luxury, I'll work day and night to fix the problem. Then find some sand and relax again. I'm only offering that to other people :)

Just because it works, doesn't mean it can't be improved. Like a squeaky door hinge, even if it's cheap and it works I'd rather make it swing smoothly.

You are preaching to the choir.. I've been working in software development as a business analyst for over 17 years.. Not disagreeing that this process can't be improved, and it's GREAT that you are offering to help others.. What I am saying is not EVERYONE can afford to PAY for some upgrades.. (this community is FULL of SMALL business owners who can't always front the cost of custom work -- then there are others do not see the value of commercial work and expect all development will be free, and some shopowners may not place the same level of importance on certain automation as others.. When any of these situations are the case, if a workaround exists, then it CAN indeed be a viable solution..

Pewe has found a workable solution for himself.. (and he has STATED this) 'tis all I was pointing out..