select size of product from dropdown - HOW?

[shags38]

Hi,

how can I set up individual products or even a group of products in a product sub-category so that when the customer goes to the product page it it allows for a "select size" drop down box for size selection and that subsequently when add to cart is selected that if size is not selected it warns - "please select size", and when size is selected that the product description in the cart indicates that size selection.

I kinda figure it will be an attributes function but being a dummie I was scared off by the warning in red type so wasn't prepared to play with it until asking this question - or is it a function of a software add-on??

Any help will be appreciated.

cheers,
Mike

[schoolboy]

This is a built-in function of zencart... no need to install modules.

The first thing you must do is sit with a piece of paper and write down all the product variables that will apply in your business.

Divide the paper into two cloumns.

In the left column write down all the Features a product will have.

In the right column, write down all the Variances for each Feature.

EG:

FEATURE . . . . . VARIABLES
Colour . . . . . . . . Red
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blue
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Green

Size . . . . . . . . . Small
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Medium
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Large

When you are done, you need to use the OPTION NAMES MANAGER under the catalog/products menu, and create option names that match your list of FEATURES.

Then, you use the OPTION VALUES function to assign the VARIANCES for each FEATURE (Option Name).

Option Name . . . . Option Value
Colour . . . . . . . . Please make a selection...
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Red
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blue
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Green

Size . . . . . . . . . Please make a selection...
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Small
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Medium
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Large

NOTICE THAT I have created option values called "Please make a selection..." for each of the Option Names. (reason why will be obvious later).

To start, make these TYPE = DROPDOWN selections.

Now... you need to asign SORT ORDERS to these as you create them. There is a little field for you to enter a numerical value...

Option Name . . . . Option Value
Colour . . . . . . . . Please make a selection... (ORDER = 1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Red (ORDER = 10)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blue (ORDER = 20)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Green (ORDER = 30)

Size . . . . . . . . . Please make a selection... (ORDER = 1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Small (ORDER = 10)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Medium (ORDER = 20)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Large (ORDER = 30)

When you have done the above, come back to this thread and let me know...

[shags38]

Thanks for such a quick and very detailed response schoolboy - I will set about trying this with one product then let you know how I went.

cheers,
Mike

[schoolboy]

Mike... we're only half-way through...

The way to get the behaviour you require (forcing the customer to make a choice if they fail to do so before adding to cart), is to do as follows...

When you assign your option NAMES and their respective VALUES to a particular product, you must remember to assign the "Please make a selection..." option value AS WELL...

Then, in your attributes controller screen, you will see a group of ICONS (called LEGEND) where there are ON/OFF options.

After you have added "Please make a selection..." as an option value, you need to switch on the "Display Only" function for that option value.

By doing this, you make that option UN-SELECTABLE for the customer, and if it is left in the dropdown window (ie: customer omits to make a valid option choice), there will be an error message and the customer will not proceed to shopping cart level.

See it in operation HERE. (When you get to that page, be sure to click the "Product Options" tab in the description area of the page.) Deliberately leave the "Please choose..." then try to Add To Cart...