Password Protected Categories

Hi Zenophiles, (a branch of Xenophiles?) :smartalec:

Is it possible to create CATEGORIES with restricted (login) access?

The situation is that I have one client who imports goods, and is both selling directly to end customers at recommended retail prices, and to retailers at wholesale prices.

What he needs is CATEGORIES with possibilities for the retailers to order online, but at wholesale prices. Hence the need for username-password RESTRICTED CATEGORIES to keep end customers out.

The most elegant solution would of course have it so that when the retailers order, their login will automatically class them as retailers, and the pricing be accordingly, and have a password protected area with wholesale price lists.

But as a newbie the set up of this is way beyond me, and I cannot find anything even closely relevant.

Also, as an alternative solution, is there a relatively straight-forward way to password protect certain pages in Zen Cart (or other directory) so that each retail customer has a unique username and password to access the price list?

Have searched the web, but none seems too user-friendly.
Looked into a Coffeecup program, but it wasn't very intuitive, and the instructions more confusing than instructive (- just me getting old and demanding?).

Any solutions or suggestions?

Cheers,
shonny

Easiest way is two have 2 duplicate zencart stores,
one for retailers, one for wholesalers, and restrict
wholesale store to access via admin authority only.
Wholesale store can then also have different prices,
but same goods.
There is also a mod which may help at
http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?main_page=product_contrib_info&products_id=166
HTH

Thanks, misty.

The idea is to have a 'fully automatic' 24/7 store for orders, but having two separate stores would create a greater maintenance demand, won't it?
So I'll have a look at the link you kindly provided, and take it from there.

Cheers,
shonny

Best to suck it and see...try module, if does not work to
requirements, then use 2 stores as suggested.
Personally, prefer 2 store method..there may be other
text/parts of store that you don't want retailers to see.
:wink:

Hi Misty,
Although 'real men don't read instructions' so did I print up the most of THE BOOK, and will read it.
If nothing else I will know what terms to use for all the things I don't know how to do.
Biggest problem was that I tried to get it all up and going pretty well overnight :shocking:
Cheers,
shonny

Biggest problem was that I tried to get it all up and going pretty well overnight
Not going to happen, but glad to hear you have realised this
very early on in your travels down zencart paths.
:smile: