Is Zen-Cart right for me? Before I spend 30-40 hours configuring it...

Hi there,

I was told that PrestaShop would do everything I needed it to do and so I jumped in feet-first, spent a lot of time configuring it...only to find out that it won't do what I need it to without modules, and most of the modules are in French so I can't even tell what they do. Plus the modules are all expensive.:no: So I decided to come here and ask if Zen Cart can do what I need before I waste all that time again. Hope you don't mind.

What my client's business does is manufacture replacement parts for certain commercial equipment. They sell these parts worldwide. The shipping is like this: each part has a fixed shipping rate (I don't know what it's based on--size,weight,price,whatever, but it's already set in stone that X is the shipping price for Y product and C is the shipping price for D product, etc.). If you order multiple items at one time, you pay the highest shipping amount from your cart, then only $1 each for each additional item in your cart.

So that's hurdle number 1. Fixed shipping rates, with the highest +$1 for combined shipping on orders of multiple parts.

Hurdle number 2: International shipping. Again, it's a flat rate: one rate for priority, and another for express. But it's essential that if the shipping address is other than the US/Canada, that the buyer MUST choose one of the international shipping options.

As their site is currently set up it's a madhouse of emailing international customers and getting them to Paypal more money to cover shipping, etc.

To simplify things, they only ship USPS and only accept PayPal or personal checks for payment.

I'd like to be able to create informational pages (like a CMS) as well as product pages, as there is a lot of information that they need to pass on to customers other than just "here's our stuff--buy it."

So those of you who know Zen Cart well--can it do what I need it to do? If it can't, do you know one that can? I'm getting desperate. I wasted 2 weeks on PrestaShop and I can't keep doing that.

Thanks so much in advance.

Your new buddy
WebKat

Hi Kat and welcome
have a read of these links (one guide and one paid for but very useful and simple module). From what you have written these could be the type of things you are looking for to save time and alot of effort in mashing other mods together.
http://dev.ceon.net/web/zen-cart/advanced-shipper/features
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=117
Posted via Mobile Device

Yes, Zen Cart will do everything you've described. May need the shipping module that picandnix linked, but the cost is nominal. There maybe also be some suitable modules in the free add-ons section. Also, here's a relevant tutorial:

https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=208

Thanks, I'll look at the links you gave me :) Anyone else feel free to add to the thread!