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vwebworld

posts: 1237

Nov 24, 2008 8:16 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I prefer ZenCart over osCommerce at this time because they have moved toward a CSS backed design, and to change the design/look of a site does not require changing the php coding.

Both osCommerce and ZenCart are database driven too. A database for your products and for your customer information. As far as customer profiles - both manage customer profiles, but the data is limited to mostly contact information, although customers can view past orders.

Not use Magento, have used Xcart which I think has more features than ZenCart or osCommerce.

~Roland

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CriticalMass

posts: 43

Nov 27, 2008 9:45 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I wasn`t really able to find a definitive answer to this, but do most open source e-commerce solutions, namely ZenCart, osCommerce, UberCart and Magento allow user generated inventory.

When I say user generated inventory, I mean like with Ebay and Amazon, where the seller is able to post the product, price, location, condition, etc. In other words, a unique product page is automatically added to the website/inventory whenever a member posts a item for sale, and doesn`t require a poor old admin to individually add and create product pages and update the inventory.

What does the interface for this kind of feature typically look like, a GUI or just a basic form that is created by the admin? Any raw coding?

Do these capabilities come standard with the e-commerce solution or is it an add on?

Just another thing, somewhat related. Do CMSs automate the creation of usernames/profiles as well as automate the correct access level? I would imagine they would because it wouldn`t be efficient to have to manually create each account. I`m also guessing these kinds of automations can be "triggered" by email/registration form on the website itself?

vwebworld

posts: 1237

Nov 27, 2008 9:55 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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No... user submitted inventory is not typical for a "normal" ecommerce program. That would be more of an eBay clone script.

Both CMS and ecommerce program automatically handle user login/registrations.

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CriticalMass

posts: 43

Nov 28, 2008 12:00 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Thanks, that`s good to know, very important information. I mentioned earlier about how my site would be similar to Amazon. Amazon pretty much has the same "user submitted inventory" as Ebay. Is the situation I`m looking at better for a CMS or e-commerce, or is just best to use a free Ebay or Amazon script?

Do these scripts typically handle the user interface and I can use a CMS or e-commerce solution to handle the membership and access (the rest)? Or do I have to completely scrap the idea of implementing a CMS and e-commerce solution. To what extent can I use a CMS or e-commerce solution to reach my Ebay/Amazon goal?

vwebworld

posts: 1237

Nov 28, 2008 9:24 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi,

It sounds like you will need an eBay or Amazon "clone" script/program. There are some out there (just search), but I think they may cost a little.

I can not tell you what the script can or can not do (because I don`t know what script you would choose), but you should find and use the script that meets your needs (user interface, user submitted product, etc.).

I`d suggest doing some searching to see what is available that fits your needs.

~Roland

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Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

CriticalMass

posts: 43

Nov 28, 2008 11:33 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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It was a little disheartening finding out that the open source CMSs and e-commerce solutions may not be able to meet my needs. Also a little disheartening because searches for Ebay/Amazon clone scripts did not yield much, or at least something tangible enough to use, mainly clients looking for programmers.

I did find something out. Apparently there is an add on for the e-commerce module of Drupal that allows user stores, pretty much identical to Amazon(more similar to Etsy.com). Users can monitor and control their inventory etc (user submitted inventory).

http://groups.drupal.org/node/4487

Does Joomla allow similar functionality, allowing users to create "stores" and control their own inventory?

Although I am not looking to create "stores" for each member, it is a step in the right direction to having user submitted inventory.

Is there a reason why the CMSs and e-commerce solutions I`ve mentioned do not directly support or offer user submitted inventory functionality? Is it too complex or is it some form or copyright infringement?

vwebworld

posts: 1237

Nov 29, 2008 4:04 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Reading that Drupal node, it seems that someone was attempting to create a store for members, but it is a lot of custom code.

I do not know all that is available for Joomla, sorry. One place to check:

http://extensions.joomla.org/component/option,com_mtree/task,listcats/cat_id,1824/Itemid,35/

I imagine the reason why the "standard" or more widely used CMS and ecommerce solutions may not offer a user submitted inventory is because there may not be a feature that is requested a lot.

Typically, people who need an ecommerce solution are looking to sell their own product or service and/or looking to set up some sort of affiliate arrangement.

~Roland

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vwebworld

posts: 1237

Nov 29, 2008 4:30 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I have not used any of the following, so I can`t tell you if they are good or bad:
Auction script

Auction scripts

Shopping carts

This might be one to work for you:

I have used Xcart - did you check out Xcart?

X-Cart Pro allows multiple product providers (vendors) to share a single store for selling their products. I have not used that feature.

~Roland

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Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

CriticalMass

posts: 43

Nov 29, 2008 11:28 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I had a look at Xcart while searching for Amazon/Ebay scripts, it was pretty much had what I was looking for except it was pretty costly. I`d prefer free and open source.

Things seem to be looking up, further research showed that there is a diligent effort in creating a multivendor / user submitted inventory module for Drupal`s UberCart. Seems pretty good and it seems it has already been "out on the market" for some time.

http://drupal.org/project/ubercart_marketplace

http://www.ubercart.org/forum/development/5344/ubercart_marketplace_developer_preview_multiple_seller_support

Roland, thanks for help with the script links.

I think I should clear up what I am looking for, the only aspect of Ebay I would like to replicate is the user submitted inventory/multivendor handling, not auctions. In other words, a marketplace, not necessarily with individual stores, but the same functionality but in a user profile. Small difference.

I think I`ve found a Joomla marketplace equivalent called Marketplace 1.4.6 (makes sense), since you have experience with Joomla, what is your two cents?

vwebworld

posts: 1237

Nov 30, 2008 3:36 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I think while Xcart does cost around $500 to $600 - if it has what you need, it might be your best choice.

If you have to recode or pay someone else to patch together some other script or programs to create the same result - it might cost you the same or more $$.

It seems the joomla marketplace enables people to place classified ads on your joomla site.

I`m not sure if that`s what you want.

~Roland

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Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

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