Need coding examples or link to modules.

[Mike Halmarack]

I'm learning how to sell my vinyl record collection via a link from my
home page. I want to sell the records to buyers anywhere in the world,
using PayPal as one of the options. I'd like to set up an on-line
procedure that's as simple and tidy as possible. One that will allow
the user to:

Choose the item they want to buy.
Select their location from a drop down list
Select a Payment method (if Paypal, enable processing)
Choose from the available range of postage options.
Provide their address details

I'd appreciate any advice or pointers to information on how to do
this.
Are there modules available that can be configured to fit the bill?
TIA

 

[hyweljenkins]

I'm learning how to sell my vinyl record collection via a link from my
home page. I want to sell the records to buyers anywhere in the world,
using PayPal as one of the options. I'd like to set up an on-line
procedure that's as simple and tidy as possible. One that will allow
the user to:

Choose the item they want to buy.
Select their location from a drop down list
Select a Payment method (if Paypal, enable processing)
Choose from the available range of postage options.
Provide their address details

I'd appreciate any advice or pointers to information on how to do
this.
Are there modules available that can be configured to fit the bill?
TIA

Plenty. Google for "ecommerce software". Those that are suitable will
depend on your server facilities.

In you model, what happens if there are two things that someone wants?

If this is not a commercial venture, but one for you to sell your gear
privately, why not just use EBay?

 

[Mike Halmarack]

Plenty. Google for "ecommerce software". Those that are suitable will
depend on your server facilities.

Thanks for the reply Hywel,
I'll do a search as you suggest.
My server facilities are currently those basic ones offered by
Plusnet.com as part of the standard ADSL service provision web space
component.

In you model, what happens if there are two things that someone wants?

Good point. In no time at all there are going to be factors involved
which force the situation toward the 'complicated' from the desired
'simple' that I haven't even got my head around yet.
From my point of view it's about learning as much as anything. I'll
need to keep it realistic all the same.

If this is not a commercial venture, but one for you to sell your gear
privately, why not just use EBay?

I've considered this and to some extent I'm hoping (need to clarify
this) that the two pathways to the end result aren't mutually
exclusive.

If I want to go by the Ebay route, the standard Ebay/PayPal procedure
isn't adequately functional when used from a UK base selling to a
worldwide market.

I'm currently working on the premise that by switching off the
standard Ebay options offered to the buyer and inserting customised
code into the HTML section of the listing I can offer a sale
completion procedure that works to the mutual benefit of all parties.

When I've succeeded in doing this I hope to have a process available
to me that will function both on Ebay and my own web pages.
That's the objective. Getting there is the tricky bit.

 

[Kim André Akerø]

Thanks for the reply Hywel,
I'll do a search as you suggest.
My server facilities are currently those basic ones offered by
Plusnet.com as part of the standard ADSL service provision web space
component.

You need either one of the following:
1. A webhosting service that allows for custom programming, either in ASP,
PHP or CGI/Perl.
or:
2. Someone to create and host the processing part of your order (which is,
in this, case to send the customer to PayPal's payment page).

Good point. In no time at all there are going to be factors involved
which force the situation toward the 'complicated' from the desired
'simple' that I haven't even got my head around yet.
From my point of view it's about learning as much as anything. I'll
need to keep it realistic all the same.

That can be easily worked around in a third-party solution. Most programmers
(such as myself, hint, hint) can implement this ability from the start.

I've considered this and to some extent I'm hoping (need to clarify
this) that the two pathways to the end result aren't mutually
exclusive.

If I want to go by the Ebay route, the standard Ebay/PayPal procedure
isn't adequately functional when used from a UK base selling to a
worldwide market.

I'm currently working on the premise that by switching off the
standard Ebay options offered to the buyer and inserting customised
code into the HTML section of the listing I can offer a sale
completion procedure that works to the mutual benefit of all parties.

When I've succeeded in doing this I hope to have a process available
to me that will function both on Ebay and my own web pages.
That's the objective. Getting there is the tricky bit.

At least tricky for someone who's new to programming. There are many
different e-commerce solutions (almost) ready to go and available for free,
but many of them requires a tiny minimum of programming knowledge to
implement. osCommerce is such a solution, but it might be a little too big
for your use for all I know.
http://www.oscommerce.com/

If you need a quick solution that lets your customer order and have the
ability to choose between a direct PayPal payment and some other payment
method, do get in touch with me for further details.