Is OSC right for me or should I look at other SW?

[NavCopy]

Hi all, I could use some advise from experienced users to see if this is the right SW to use for my situation. We want our site to function like a store but only allow a customer to Request a Quote for each item based on the item/options presented. I found SW that is quite expensive that does this but for now we are looking at the open community to see if the same can be done. I can't seem to find one contribution that will do it all, so I figure there are several that need to be used to make it happen - but if they are out there is it still worth it?

 

I have spent the past 3 days installing a test store, reading over the forums, checking out mods, and generally playing around with it to see what it offers. It appears that all/most of the stripped down version I am looking for is possible, but there seems to be a lenghthy learning curve/modification period that may make this SW cost more in time than we care.

 

Any thoughts,

Nav

[Jack_mcs]

If you install the Request Product Info contribution and remove all links to the checkout pages, it will do what you want.

 

Jack

[NavCopy]

Jack,

 

Can you elaborate on what the 'button' does. The description indicates it appears on every page, but what happens when you launch it? Does it provide details based on each item can you 'add' to the request as you browse, or is it a generic request form?

 

Nav

 

 

 

If you install the Request Product Info contribution and remove all links to the checkout pages, it will do what you want.

 

Jack

[NavCopy]

Jack,

 

Thanks anyway but your suggestion is far to generic for our intentions. I just installed and uninstalled your contribution as it was nothing like what I was looking for. As I originally indicated, I am looking for a mod that works just like a real store where you have the option to select the product(s) along with any specific options/sizes/styles/colour/quanitity as you browse the pages. Once you are finished you head to the Checkout to submit your 'request for quote'. The only difference from a regular store is there will be no price shown anywhere and I do not require the shipping pages. I also do not require all the customer detail information at this time as the customer is only requesting a Price Quote. I am sure there are workarounds for these.

 

FYI - we currently use BFormMail to solicit requests, however this restricts us to one page for all products (and its separate from each product info page), and limits the customer from including any options.

 

Nav

 

 

 

Jack,

 

Can you elaborate on what the 'button' does. The description indicates it appears on every page, but what happens when you launch it? Does it provide details based on each item can you 'add' to the request as you browse, or is it a generic request form?

 

Nav

[Ausgirl]

Not sure if this is what you want but doesnt hurt to have a look.

 

Call for Price

For logged in users only

Click for price

Do your own search

[bkellum]

Nav,

 

I beleive Jack's contribution above as well as Ruth's suggestions would get you exactly what you are looking for.

 

Also, as far as the learning curve goes, it depends upon your skillset. If you are worried about the design elements and coding PHP to do it, take a look at the STS (Simple Template System) contribution. It allows you to keep all of the functions of osCommerce and design it using HTML pages. You could use your favorite WYSIWYG editor to design your templates.

 

Hope this helped,

[Jack_mcs]

Jack,

 

Thanks anyway but your suggestion is far to generic for our intentions. I just installed and uninstalled your contribution as it was nothing like what I was looking for. As I originally indicated, I am looking for a mod that works just like a real store where you have the option to select the product(s) along with any specific options/sizes/styles/colour/quanitity as you browse the pages. Once you are finished you head to the Checkout to submit your 'request for quote'. The only difference from a regular store is there will be no price shown anywhere and I do not require the shipping pages. I also do not require all the customer detail information at this time as the customer is only requesting a Price Quote. I am sure there are workarounds for these.

 

FYI - we currently use BFormMail to solicit requests, however this restricts us to one page for all products (and its separate from each product info page), and limits the customer from including any options.

 

Nav

You didn't mention you wanted to be able to proceed to checkout in your original post. If that is all that is needed, then edit the Check/Money Order payment module and name it something like GetQuoat. You will have to bypass the shipping page (that can be done with code or by enabling the downloads controller option and setting the weight to 0.

 

Jack