Flexible Return Authorization (RMA) for ZC v1.5.x [Support Thread]

[lankeeyankee]

Sorry, I missed your initial discussion, I would have liked to have participated and contributed.

I think I did say something in my initial post(s) about how awesome this is compared to the original mod. Sorry if it seems like otherwise.

Someone must have changed the email along the way then, I might even be using the original mod or it's from several years ago anyway. My old version has newlines. Anyway, like I said, it's a small point but needs to be fixed to format properly, currently the email is difficult to read.

To start with, in the basic way of doing the return policy window, I am doing just as you suggested with setting the time limit based on the request date and comparing that to the completed (or admin defined) status. In my case I am doing it from the completed status since that's when the order is shipped in our system. I have it working now in the basic framework with hardcoded values, I am adding the configuration switches and defines now and considering a few alternative options while cleaning it all up and getting it ready to test properly. I should have it on my live site over the weekend if I can set aside the time. Then I will work on refining it once we start using it and get experience with it, and adding more options should the need arise.

I was thinking of extending this more than just different order status updates, more along the lines of a separate table specifically for RMA info. I think it will be a lot cleaner and better organized than a bunch of order status updates and can be a lot more detailed with specific, segmented data. Currently we use a spreadsheet to keep track of returns and exchanges and I would much rather have a dedicated admin interface page that displays all of the relevant info on one page instead of still needing to look at individual orders to read the comments from the status updates. I think this can be pretty sophisticated and quick and easy to use, which again for me is super important. I am planning on using ajax to display individual line item details and allow multiple input on the main page without refreshing. Another little timesaver that starts adding up to shave minutes off busy employees' days, plus the info is all easily accessible and editable when talking on the phone with the customer.

My idea of the customer-facing info would have a separate page in the My Account section for RMAs as well as a page available on the main site for COWOA users. It would have only info related to the return, if using just order status updates with comments it can be kind of cluttered looking when the original order stuff is included. And again, I think it would look very polished and professional for the customer.

If this is all too much for you guys, or are not interested in taking it in this direction, I can post it as a new module because by that point it will be substantially changed. I am open to any and all suggestions and will post code for review. I think that this can be an extremely valuable and thorough tool that keeps everything well organized and streamlined. Thoughts?