Dynamic Price Updater (DPU)

Posted in the Github but also wanted to put my thoughts here on it as well so maybe the developers take notice and others can chime in.

Price updating based on input into the quantity box and attribute selection should be a standard part of the core files. Other popular ecommerce platforms have integrated this functionality years ago as it takes a cart package to the next level in terms of offering a professional web presence. No customer wants to fumble with trying to figure out how much something is going to cost them and it is far easier for them to abandon your store and find another where there is no fumbling through to get an instant price.
I started using ZenCart about 20 years ago and at the time was extremely popular. Doesn't seem as popular now. My #1 reason for choosing ZenCart at the time was for SEO which is where it shines for small businesses who need a web presence.
My biggest complaint way back then was adding and pricing products that was quantity and attribute based into ZC's cookie cutter type 1 size fits all approach for products. Then came the DPU Price Updater module and it opened new opportunities for me to show the end user/customer a price to include setup fee(s) (one time charges), running charges as unit prices (great for imprinting), and multiple options/attributes to configure a "custom" product. The problem with the DPU module is it seems to be poorly maintained with each new ZenCart update and unfortunately its above my paygrade to fix. I strongly urge the developers of ZenCart to add this functionality to the core files in v2.0.0 as this will once again make ZC a more powerful option and bring ZC to the forefront against other cart platforms particularly open source ecommerce options.
Thanks,

Goldbuckle

> swguy:

No. There is an open request for this but it hasn't attracted a lot of interest. You can add your thoughts to:
https://github.com/zencart/zencart/discussions/5895

Features that are included in 2.0.0 are noted in the What's New file:
https://docs.zen-cart.com/release/whatsnew_2.0.0

So really funny thing... the admins took notice of course. Astral, they moved this post away from where it originally was posted... further they (nor you) directly associated it in the thread about DPU where the maximum direct associated audience would see it...

That said, my bad for not staying on the software. It was abruptly taken away from me, modified to where it would not work on the devices I had it supporting and then proposed and placed functionality as gutted... I moved on.

I fully agree that the easy capability of this software should be more integral with zen cart. Changes made to the html tags around prices has helped with that, though some of the observers associated with the final price calculation for display require more code duplication for successful results than other ways of implementing. Additionally, if in not mistaken there is one existing zen cart site price display configuration that as I recall isn't sufficiently supported. It seems to be a rare setup, but...

I too am surprised that this additional feature request requires some sort of vote. Someone that has not otherwise significantly engaged with the software made a straight up request, others in the forum have obviously used the software to include partaking in discussions and yet a vote or whatever is needed? Interesting...

It should be integrated.

So really funny thing... the admins took notice of course. Astral, they moved this post away from where it originally was posted...

This is not related to 2.0.0-alpha. It's a feature request.

It should be integrated.

Maybe, maybe not. See reasons 1 and 4.

https://docs.zen-cart.com/user/plugins/why_plugins/

Desire to keep the core small

Really? Seems a mistake to me. If you want to compete, add the things the others have got. Then add things they don't have/that some people want.

Plugins get attached to one poor bugger and the rest of the world thinks they should keep it up to date. Why should they have to do it all?

Loads of precious "developer" (home-tinkerer) time gets wasted making a plugin as independent from the core as possible and keeping it up to date with the core instead of just adding it.

In the core at least half-a-dozen may cast an eye over it. ZC needs more features and less obsolete/orphaned plugins.

(Friday night beer takes the brakes off)

So what would it take to make dynamic pricing a core feature? How difficult is it?

torvista:

Desire to keep the core small

Really? Seems a mistake to me. If you want to compete, add the things the others have got. Then add things they don't have/that some people want.

Plugins get attached to one poor bugger and the rest of the world thinks they should keep it up to date. Why should they have to do it all?

Loads of precious "developer" (home-tinkerer) time gets wasted making a plugin as independent from the core as possible and keeping it up to date with the core instead of just adding it.

In the core at least half-a-dozen may cast an eye over it. ZC needs more features and less obsolete/orphaned plugins.

(Friday night beer takes the brakes off)

Now I'm considering a beer as well... A huge +1 from me as well.

The era of community-driven software is pretty much over. Zen Cart used to be really popular back in the day, but it's now hanging on a single thread just holding on to it's former glory, and all that just because of some stubbornness. All other platforms are evolving and adapting to user requirements, except Zen Cart where we still have the "if you want it, do it yourself" approach. How many new users are there per month? And maybe equally important, how many new developers join the community? There's a few dinosaurs here who are still willing to keep the project going, but that's like a candle - it's guaranteed to go off.

IMHO, the only way to get Zen Cart back to it's former glory is to start adapting. Get more (much more) things into core and let the user decide if they want it or not. Plugins are a nice idea, but we're missing basic stuff in the core. AJAX add to cart was a revolutionary thing 10 years ago, but nowadays it's weird if you don't have it. Sitemap and static URIs. The list goes on. All features that should be core, not plugins...
And, one other thing - an official marketplace. The only way to attract new developers is to allow them access to sell their products (plugins) on an official marketplace where all users can easily find it, instead of being on your own and depending on selling it through your own website. Of course, take commission, but do make it available.
Oh, and don't get me started on templates... The only template we currently have available is BS4, and BS4 is already obsolete... All other templates are either out of date or look like my kid's school project... In today's world, the way your site looks is at the top of the list in your customers' eyes...

LOL, looks like I don't need a beer after all...

I agree with you. I offer websites to my clients and have for years but graphic design and printing is my core. I develop my own site and I really like ZenCart as a admin but there is a lot to be desired. My coding skills are limited but I know my way around ZC here pretty well. Time is a big constraint for me as far a advancing my coding. So the support forum is great and I love the fact that it is free. This makes it possible for the starting out entrepreneur/small business owner to have a web presence with a storefront if they are willing to dig in and learn. But it is definitely harder then it should be to get started making certain pluggins part of the core is essential for ZC to thrive going into the future. And as some of us here may now be in our 50s/60s closing in on retirement attracting new developers to keep this project going is a must. I have offered to help with the development with this project many times over the last 20+ years but never once have I been invited or asked to assist. I feel like it is closely guarded by the handful that run it and that they don't want any others to help with its future development - not meant to offend any of you but that is the impression I have got on more than on occasion particularly by one individual here who sent me a harsh email once regarding a question I asked via private message through this forum. If I remember right it was regarding something that I thought might have been a vulnerability and I didn't want to put it out there publicly for potential exploiters to see it so I messaged privately. Any way, one thing I would suggest is like balihr suggested is offering an official area here for more advanced pluggins that can be purchased. But certain core ones need to be included ready to use and those at a bare minimum should be:
ADA functionality
DPU Price Updater
UPS Shipping
Fed Ex Shipping
USPS Shipping
PayPal modules

Maybe you have a few you would include in that list but I would keep it to those modules likely to be needed/used by 80% of the ZC users. Then offer the others for a minimal charge, and upcharge for installation services. One more area where you may add value to Zencart community is to offer a premium level of support by subscription. Keep the forum free but add a premium support where the user can get rapid one on one help on demand wtih Team Viewer. Keep it affordable for the new business owner who may be on a tight budget but split the fee with the developer and the ZC project to help keep it going. And I love the idea of having quality templates plug and play ready that look professional and meet the current monitor friendly requirement.

Just my two cents.

balihr:

Now I'm considering a beer as well... A huge +1 from me as well.

The era of community-driven software is pretty much over. Zen Cart used to be really popular back in the day, but it's now hanging on a single thread just holding on to it's former glory, and all that just because of some stubbornness. All other platforms are evolving and adapting to user requirements, except Zen Cart where we still have the "if you want it, do it yourself" approach. How many new users are there per month? And maybe equally important, how many new developers join the community? There's a few dinosaurs here who are still willing to keep the project going, but that's like a candle - it's guaranteed to go off.

IMHO, the only way to get Zen Cart back to it's former glory is to start adapting. Get more (much more) things into core and let the user decide if they want it or not. Plugins are a nice idea, but we're missing basic stuff in the core. AJAX add to cart was a revolutionary thing 10 years ago, but nowadays it's weird if you don't have it. Sitemap and static URIs. The list goes on. All features that should be core, not plugins...
And, one other thing - an official marketplace. The only way to attract new developers is to allow them access to sell their products (plugins) on an official marketplace where all users can easily find it, instead of being on your own and depending on selling it through your own website. Of course, take commission, but do make it available.
Oh, and don't get me started on templates... The only template we currently have available is BS4, and BS4 is already obsolete... All other templates are either out of date or look like my kid's school project... In today's world, the way your site looks is at the top of the list in your customers' eyes...

LOL, looks like I don't need a beer after all...

These worthy posts never advance anything.

I guess (as in "can only imagine") that the sentiments expressed in these regular outbursts of frustration are well-understood by all those who still contribute...still better discussed elsewhere in the hope of a real warts-and-all discussion being had, which is worthless without reaching CONCLUSIONS THAT CAN BE ACTED UPON.

**Everyone **is too busy to be writing posts here/managing this project, so the sacrifice of time has to be shared, and until there is a plan where people can take some ownership of aspects of the plan in accordance with their abilities, enthusiasm and time, I've not changed my opinion:

https://github.com/zencart/zencart/discussions/4805

https://github.com/zencart/zencart/discussions/5094