How to Handle Customers with no email

[jimmie]

i am using zencart as a pos, but on occasions some customers dont have an email. what do i do?

[kobra]

i am using zencart as a pos

One can setup a default customer that is used for those that do not have an email
You log into this default customer and complete the transaction

[jimmie]

still want them to be able to log in from home. Check previous orders

[RixStix]

I'm confused.

If they don't have an email address, how do they expect to login from home?
If they have an email address at home, why don't they have it when in the store?

[kobra]

RixStix,
The OP stated he is using it as a POS(point of sale) system

[RodG]

I'm confused.

If they don't have an email address, how do they expect to login from home?
If they have an email address at home, why don't they have it when in the store?

That's what I was thinking too - but there can be good reasons for this:

1) The home account is shared by several family members and they've not taken up the option to create a different email for each member (and they don't want their purchase known to other family members)
2) They don't want to provide an email address for instore purchases for privacy concerns.

There could be others, but having two valid reasons is enough to demonstrate the point.

My suggestion to the OP, would be to 'invent' a fake email address when setting up a login account for said customers. Preferably an address that is non functional - such as '[email protected]'. The customer will need to be informed of this address and associated password (of course) which will give the ability to login and check orders, etc. They won't be able to use things such as the 'recover password' should they forget it though, and they won't get email confirmations of future orders, but it is still a viable solution. I think.

Cheers
RodG

[gilby]

still want them to be able to log in from home. Check previous orders

If they really don't have ANY email addresses and you want them to be able to login from home
Give them a dummy email address @your domain

eg: Customer number: [email protected]
or more problematic use their name
eg: [email protected]

and a password ....

All the shops emails will bounce (back to you)
and they won't be able to use the forgotten password feature

But they will be able to login and view their previous orders

[RixStix]

I understand that. The OP stated the customer did not have an email address but the customer expects to be able to check previous orders?

If the customer does not have an email address, what do they expect to use at home to check previous orders?

[RodG]

If they don't have an email address, how do they expect to login from home?
If they have an email address at home, why don't they have it when in the store?

On a related note, and in line with my previous response, last Xmas I purchased what was supposed to have been a surprise gift for my wife and 'foolishly' used one of those 'reward cards' offered by many stores. Completely forgetting that the email address we registered with the card was one that we share.

A few days before Xmas we received an email from the store along the lines of "Thank you for your recent purchase of <product name>. You may also be interested in buying <another product>".

THANKS CIINTS!. Surprise totally ruined.

I only mention this here and now because once again christmas is fast approaching and it seems to me that this email up selling based on previous purchases appears to be growing exponentially. If this 'warning' can prevent just one other persons xmas surprise being spoiled I feel it worth the mention.

Cheers
RodG

[RodG]

eg: Customer number: [email protected]

I'd say you stole my idea, but looking at the timestamps it looks like we posted within the same 60seconds.

Great minds think alike, or fools never differ? :-)

Cheers
RodG