Free 30 Day Trial ?

I have a client interested in creating a 30 day free trial option where they essentially "purchase" the item, it's shipped but if they return the product within 30 days they are not charged.

I feel this is probably the standard 30 day free trial option and doesn't vary too much, but I can't seem to find out whether this is native in Zen Cart or possible with a solid add-on. 'Free trial' doesn't seem to help in terms of search results, so I haven't been able to find anything.

Has anyone come across this before? I'd really love to turn them onto Zen Cart and let them know everything will work out :smile:

Thank you.

If to be by credit card only and using a gateway processor
One can set to only Authorize versus Authorize+Capture
can process after 30 days

Thanks for your response. Is the "process only" operation done on the Zen Cart side or the gateway processor side? And lastly, is PayPal a possibility with this?

That would be a function of the gateway. Paypal Website Payments Pro is a gateway, so you could use that. Other Paypal options (Standard, Express) are not gateways.

Thanks for your response. Is the "process only" operation done on the Zen Cart side or the gateway processor side?
A little of both as a setting in the admin module and accepted by the processor
And lastly, is PayPal a possibility with this?
I don't think PP offers a feature like this

Awesome, thanks for your guys' clarification. The only thing I can think of in terms of not knowing how to proceed is how the admin would differentiate between orders that are still in the trial period and those at/past the 30 day mark. Is that something I'd have to custom code as a filter or.. ?

Other than that, I think I can reassure the client not only that Zen Cart has a great community for support but a trial period is a possibility :D

The only thing I can think of in terms of not knowing how to proceed is how the admin would differentiate between orders that are still in the trial period and those at/past the 30 day mark. Is that something I'd have to custom code as a filter or.. ?
This would not be automatic - it is usually a method for collecting when product is shipped and you are in the admin anyway.
Custom code to time the 30 days would have to be hacked into the gateway processors routine - or better yet in another file that is "included" in the gateway file
Other than that, I think I can reassure the client not only that Zen Cart has a great community for support but a trial period is a possibility
Insure that it is clear that this is only for Credit Card purchases and that a gateway processor is required - these carry a monthly fee

Hey,

This would not be automatic - it is usually a method for collecting when product is shipped and you are in the admin anyway.
Custom code to time the 30 days would have to be hacked into the gateway processors routine - or better yet in another file that is "included" in the gateway file

I'm not sure I follow. If it's a manual process, this is fine, I'm just worried about when the client goes into the admin what option do they have as far as not having to go in every day and constantly check all orders and their current trial times. Is there a filter that can be applied to show only orders processed and shipped past a 30 day mark? Hopefully, that makes sense ;)

Is there a filter that can be applied to show only orders processed and shipped past a 30 day mark?
The general cart is not specifically designed to do this and therefore there is no admin function to do so....being open source, one could be written or one can maintain a seperate sheet - say excel - where trial shipments can be added and dated for reference
Might also check the gateway account and what might be there ??

jadedchron:

Hey,

I'm not sure I follow. If it's a manual process, this is fine, I'm just worried about when the client goes into the admin what option do they have as far as not having to go in every day and constantly check all orders and their current trial times. Is there a filter that can be applied to show only orders processed and shipped past a 30 day mark? Hopefully, that makes sense ;)

Sounds like far tooooo much work to keep track of these transactions.
Why not just charge them and offer a 30 day money back guarantee.
Then at least you know that you will get the money in the first place and you only have to check the orders returned. Not every order ever placed every day.

Customers who have not paid have an extra incentive to return the item in time
Whereas if they have already paid then they don't worry about it as much

Thanks for your guys' replies.

Yeah, it's just too much administrative work for the client. It's also very hard to find information about this as '30 day free trial' tends to offer everything BUT what I'm looking for. I guess I'll have to hunt down another shopping cart platform that may have all the features they need. gah!