Added charge, one-time deposit/fee, minimum order

Hello!

I am a newbie to zencart, (not so much to php or mysql) but have been asked to add the ability to collect a deposit/fee from a new customer for a delivery service-type business. The product is delivered only on specific days (by zip code) in a special bag/container. The customer should leave the prior delivery container out for the next delivery so they can be reused. Sort of like the old milk-bottle delivery (dating myself). The other concept at work here, is "free delivery".

Other kickers: customers can pay by check at delivery and they do not want to store credit card numbers in the database.

I can't imagine this is the first time anyone has had need of something like this, but I haven't found a good match anywhere either, hence the post.

The idea is that when a customer signs up or, preferably, places a first order, they are charged a one time fee of $10 as a deposit on the container. However, if the container is not returned on subsequent orders, they should be able to re-charge this customer this "deposit/fee". It is known that this could be a tracking nightmare.

I can see down the road, having to add some custom stuff in the admin, but that's later, when, hopefully, they are very busy. I also know that some people may never order again, etc. The idea is that there should be some fee/deposit that we can enforce, at least on a customer's inital order. Deposit is probably a bad word to use, because we also don't want to imply that they'll ever get the amount back.

I am kind of at a loss as to the best way to do this and am open to any and all suggestions, including, just raise the prices on everything to accomodate it; set up a gift cert/coupon, whatever. Maybe there is already something there to do this and I just don't recognize it.

Bad part is, this was kind of sprung on me AFTER the mailers for the service went out. So, now, we're visible, live on the Internet for people to look around, but clearly not processing orders yet. Yikes. :shocking:

While I'm at it, we'd also like to enforce a minimum $25 order on all orders. What is the best way to do that?

Any and all suggestions for handling this will be appreciated!

Mike

I'm also interested in the one-time 'deposit' question. Does anyone know how to set this up?
can't find anything related on the board. thanks

Just found your thread while looknig for something else. Here's one solution for you:

Add a field to your orders table, called container, and ensure that it defaults to 'Y'. It can be a 1 character varchar type. Next, create a very simple order total module. Call it "one-time charge". You can take a look at any of the other order total modules for ideas as to how to write it, or ask for assistance. Using a simple SQL query, count the number of records in the orders table relating to your customer. If there are no orders, charge him the fee as an order total extra, as you would with shipping.

Be careful with regard tax though, as if you show tax within your store, you may have to show the tax on the deposit as well. Depends on your State/Country/Store etc.

If you want to go further, then you may want to create a sepearate table, to count how many containers you send each customer, and how many you are charging them for.

Absolute