Allowing checkout with product out of stock

[ckosloff]

Hi,
I have reviewed all the options in Configuration --> Stock
Mark product out of stock = blank
Allow checkout = true
Product status when out of stock = 1 (on)
Show sold out image = 0

I need to know if Zen Cart will allow me to add to cart and complete operation with an "out of stock" product, which we can order.
In other words, instead of the "sold out" image I need to show "on back order" and complete the operation.
Of course, we wouldn't charge the credit card before shipping the order.
Please help, this is critical for our site.
Thanks.

[Ajeh]

This is what the Configuration ... Stock ... setting is for:

Allow Checkout
Allow customer to checkout even if there is insufficient stock

true
false

[ckosloff]

Thanks indeed for reply on a Sunday.
I was wondering what was happening with your ultra-fast tech support but then I read about your Mom's health.
Hope all is well, sincerely.
Understood your response but what about allowing customers to check out even with 0 stock, by placing their order "on back order" status.
We custom order products all the time because we cannot afford to stock a variety of over 7,000 items.
I know that does not exist in Zen Cart at present, but it is a feature I absolutely need to have.
Please help me out, and don't mention donations, if I can go live and make $$, you will be the first to get contribs on a regular basis.
Thanks in advance.

[Ajeh]

There isn't anything customize built in to manage stock beyond tracking and not tracking and setting to Sold Out or allowing checkout ...

You can indicate in the code that it is backordered with:
Mark product out of stock

and setting that to *** or text or something that says this is not in stock ...

Beyond that, you would need custom code ...

[ckosloff]

Thanks again for swift reply.
I will try by all means to solve within the given functionality, please point me to the files that govern that process.
I will study them, try to understand them and attempt to modify if necessary.
If I run into trouble that I cannot manage with my very limited knowledge, I will contact you by this means.
Best regards.

[Ajeh]

To change the functionality of the checkout processes involves a magnitude of files to manage stock, manipulate what can or cannot be used for checkout etc.

If you cannot use what is built into Zen Cart and need to customize this, you would need to follow all of the files for the shopping_cart and then the checkout ...

This would require a lot more information than a simple post to explain how to change the functionality of Zen Cart and adapt it to something new ...

Perhaps someone with a lot of time on their hands will pick up on this and help walk you through all of the changes required beyond the already built in features for Allow checkout when products_quantity is <= 0 ... if you cannot use it as it is currently designed ...