Wow, finally hearing from someone that has brought up a few of the questions I asked earlier.

I finally realized why so many tout OSCommerce or ZenCart !!

Here's the key words ... "maintaind by someone else".

If the gurus write the changes - you are locked into using them. They have the 'source code" for their customized changes.

If a shopping cart solution like AppleCart provides updates or changes (and like most other software packages - updates are at No Charge) then if you decide to change web designers - you still have a shopping cart ecommerce solution that is fully operational and able to be used anywhere.

Great Post !!

Actually, that is not entirely correct.  Both osCommerce and Zen Cart are open source programs... the code is NOT owned or controlled by someone else, it is free to see and or modify. Nor are you locked into any web designer or web host. You can move to another designer or host at any time.

You may use a web designer to set-up the ecommerce store -its' design/look, etc... but once that is done, you can manage your online store without any knowledge of html or php.

You do not need to upgrade (also at no charge)... or install the newer version of osCommerce or Zen Cart when they become available.  The older versions still work. Although a new version may have some advantages.

If you do choose to install a modification to the code (a "contribution" or add-on) you do need to understand what that affects... to make sure the add-ons are compatable with the newer version. But compatability with what version is usually clearly stated for each add-on.

~Roland

Thank you for the clarrification. But again, you have proven my point. Most folks do not understand "code". Most folks are "retailers" - not programmers.

Most online retailers just simply want the shopping cart to work - and work smoothly.

Why would I want to go with an "add-on" that may not work properly with all the other "add-ons" I've chosen - or with a custom script a "web designer (guru) has written - when with programs like AppleCart - the upgrades have been fully beta tested, prior to release?

Free "open source" programs may not always be the best solution - unless you have no money.

As my Granddaddy taught me - paying too much for something and paying too little are both poor business decisions.

If I pay too much for something, I've lost the money.

If I pay too little for something, I've lost the money plus the opportunities that I lost with having to replace what I bought with what I truly need.

If I had spent the extra dollars to get what I truly needed in the first place - I would be ahead the game.

But for those that don't have the foresight to be properly capitalized when starting a business - then they may very well learn that lesson the hard way.

You certainly can use Applecart or Xcart or any of the other ecommerce solutions available.

I'm not saying you must use any specific program.. I was attempting to clarify that using osCommerce or Zen Cart does not limit a person's ability to manage an online store. I don't use the open source programs because they are free, I use them because they work.

AppleCart may be the best thing since applesauce. I just think your implication that the open source programs are problematic is not entirely accurate. Sure, there are add-ons that may be "buggy"... those are typically created by someone to fullfill a specific need for the creator, then shared with the open source users.  Those add-ons are easily avoided because the open source community notes any problems. I would hope you would not choose an add-on that doesn't work properly.

The default or CRE loaded osCommerce or Zen Cart programs are, for most ecommerce needs, quite adequate and fully functional. As are other programs even Yahoo stores.

When evaluating what ecommerce solution to choose (aside from any web designer's involvement) you need to consider your current and future online and business needs and determine if the program can provide for those needs. Each program has strengths and weaknesses compared to others.

~Roland

So I'm assuming that if you discovered a shopping cart solution that worked even better than your osCommerce or ZenCart - that you would consider using that program as well?

I just find it interesting that many of the gurus here have claimed that AppleCart is outdated, ineffective, and simply a "piece of junk".

 But when you look at the ease of use, the multi-functions, the expanded capabilities including an in-house gift certificate module, a fully integrated off-line data base management system, full system support, and FREE updates - and extraordinary results with the search engines - why would anyone consider an "open source" solution such as osCommerce or ZenCart?

Whats in it for the "gurus"? Why stay stuck on providing a Ford Pinto when you can have Corvette? Unless of course, they can keep a customer "locked in" as their customer by writing "special scripts" that can't be modified, except by them? Hmmmmm....

With AppleCart, the gurus still can have a stream of revenue as a VAR,  - or even by re-designing the display templates, since they are html based. But they don't need to write any code, since the AppleCat solution is fully supported by the design company, Spads.com. The data base is exported as a flat file, so the template fields are easily editable. (Getting way too technical here.   )

Unless of course - the client has no money. But then we have already gone down that road before, eh?.

If I have read this correctly, blondie prefers AppleCart, most the others here prefer ZenCart or Oscommerce. It's clear blondie thinks eveyone should change to Applecart. But I doubt most that use the other carts, are going to change.  Probably because, as said, they're happy with the carts they're using.

ZenCart provides everything we need for our site.  The admin section is simple to understand and update. Our company hires Roland to do all updates and changes. The reason? I'd rather take care of orders and customers.  This way I know all updates and changes are made, and it's something we don't have to worry about, or bother with.  That works well for me. 

Gotta to go....it's Mom's Day.

Yes BlondieBlue prefers AppleCart.

NO, BlondieBlue does not think that everyone should change to AppleCart !!

In fact, I never said such a thing. (There is no need to get your "panties in a wad" over this. I was simply commenting on the features and aspects of the AppleCart Shopping Cart and Data Management System. I am a avid beleiver that folks here at SuN should have information on multiple solutions. And that the discussion should not preclude one solution from being discussed, simply because a portion of the SuN family dismisses that solution.

I agree that for a small online store like yours, osCommerce or ZenCart is a rather good solution. But when you start to look at the mega and super stores, carrying hundreds of items - then AppleCart is a very formidable competetor to osCommerce or ZenCart.

And here's why ... please help me a little bit here - if I wanted to do a price change for an entire line of products - I'll use GoTruckStop.com as an example - say I wanted to do offer an across the board discount for the entire line of Shifter Knobs - can ZenCart do a "Search and Replace" with 1 click - and change All 25 Shifter Knobs prices- and then with 1 more click - upload those price changes into the store?

And then when I want to go back to the original price - 1 click reverts the prices back to the original price for ALL 25 Shifter Knobs - and with 1 more click re-uploads the original prices into the store?

..... Or do you need to do price changes 1 item at a time?

I'm not trying to be confrontational here - just simply attempting to understand the differences between AppleCart and ALL the other solutions.

I'll compare more features later - but lets just address price changes for now, ok?