[Done 1.3.9] "Invalid Gift Certificate Redemption Code"

[zcnb]

One of my test customers reports that she tries applying a gift certificate during checkout but it fails with the error message:

Invalid Gift Certificate Redemption Code

I checked the customer table and can see that she has the correct GV balance ($4.28).

However, while the tabular GV Balance shows the correct value, the one in the right pane shows $0.00...

I am attaching a snapshot here - she is the only one who tried redeeming a gift certificate so far.

How do I begin troubleshooting this problem?

[zcnb]

I would like to add that when trying to redeem gift certificates that I sent to a test account that *I* created, I don't encounter any problem.

I am attaching a snapshot of the database table coupon_gv_customer. The customer ID in question is 18. Do you notice anything that could explain this problem?

[Ajeh]

This is a bug ... there isn't an Order yet and the SELECT statement is written in such a way that because there isn't an Order, the value is coming up as 0.00 ...

I am moving this to the Bug Reports ... thanks!

[Ajeh]

Add this function to the:
/admin/includes/functions/general.php

    function zen_user_has_gv_balance($c_id) {
      global $db;
        $gv_result = $db->Execute("select amount from " . TABLE_COUPON_GV_CUSTOMER . " where customer_id = '" . (int)$c_id . "'");
        if ($gv_result->RecordCount() > 0) {
          if ($gv_result->fields['amount'] > 0) {
            return $gv_result->fields['amount'];
          }
        }
        return 0;
    } 

The edit the file:
/admin/customers.php

And change:

        $contents[] = array('text' => '<br />' . TEXT_INFO_GV_AMOUNT . ' ' . $currencies->format($customers_orders->fields['amount'])); 

to read:

        $customer_gv_balance = zen_user_has_gv_balance($cInfo->customers_id);
        $contents[] = array('text' => '<br />' . TEXT_INFO_GV_AMOUNT . ' ' . $currencies->format($customer_gv_balance)); 

[zcnb]

Ajeh, thank you for your bugfix and I am glad that I was able to contribute something to "perfecting" Zen Cart.

My question now relates to the fact that the bugfix is in the admin code only:

I understand that it fixes the display on the Admin's right panel for Gift Certificate balance (when no order exists yet for a customer).

Does that also solve the problem I described as seen by the customer?

[zcnb]

Does that also solve the problem I described as seen by the customer?

OK - I did some more elaborate testing after applying the fix and there seems to still be a problem from the customer's point of view:

• If the customer clicks the GC redemption link, then everything is fine (at checkout, she can elect to apply any amount in her GC balance).
• On the other hand, if the customer starts checkout before redeeming the GC (and has a GC balance of $0.00), then the "Apply Amount" edit box is missing in step 2 (of 3), and the customer is taken directly to PayPal...

Some of my test customers were really confused by this.

Any suggestion how to workaround this (except for asking the customers in the GC email to always use the link)?

[DrByte]

If your customer actually enters the GV redemption code during checkout, the funds will be added to their account. They can then fill in the amount they wish to redeem before they complete checkout.
But they certainly have to redeem the code before the funds are available to them.

[zcnb]

If your customer actually enters the GV redemption code during checkout, the funds will be added to their account. They can then fill in the amount they wish to redeem before they complete checkout.
But they certainly have to redeem the code before the funds are available to them.

I just tried this procedure again and it seems that describing the problem off my memory was inaccurate: During checkout, the customer is actually given the edit box to enter the GC redemption code and the funds are actually added to their account. However, the customer is not given the edit box to fill in the amount he wishes to redeem before he completes checkout. If, after being directed to PayPal, the customer choses to leave PayPal and return to the store, then the edit box to fill in the amount to apply appears...

If the customer redeems the GC before checkout, however, then what you just described actually happens: the customer is given the edit box to fill in the amount he wishes to redeem before he completes checkout.

Notice this subtle difference in behavior - I just tried it with a test setup that has the latest fix by Ajeh.

Can you reproduce this problem?

[DrByte]

I don't see any technical problem that needs reproducing. It's working as the code is written to work.

The customer cannot use the GV funds until they've redeemed the code.

1. Customer can redeem the code before they start checkout, by using the link in the email, or the redemption option in the GV-FAQ page, etc. Then they can easily redeem available funds during checkout.

2. Customer can enter the code and choose payment method, and then on the order-confirmation screen click Edit to go back and apply a GV amount.

3. If the customer enters the GV code in the box and presses Enter or clicks Continue *without* choosing a payment method, they'll immediately be able to use the funds, because they will be redeemed when they're returned to the same page to select the payment method.

[zcnb]

The customer cannot use the GV funds until they've redeemed the code.

Indeed, that is the way I expect it to be - and it works as advertised.

1. Customer can redeem the code before they start checkout, by using the link in the email, or the redemption option in the GV-FAQ page, etc. Then they can easily redeem available funds during checkout.

Works great (and without the customer being confused).

2. Customer can enter the code and choose payment method, and then on the order-confirmation screen click Edit to go back and apply a GV amount.

OK, although IMHO it would be better to present the 'Apply Amount' box without having to go back.

3. If the customer enters the GV code in the box and presses Enter or clicks Continue *without* choosing a payment method, they'll immediately be able to use the funds, because they will be redeemed when they're returned to the same page to select the payment method.

Aha! This is where I see the problem: in my shop, there currently is only one payment method (PayPal). Therefore, the customer is never returned back to be given the option to immediately use the funds. A picture is worth a thousand words, so I am attaching a snapshot of this special case.

Do you see where this can be confusing to the customer?