[ic] how to model parameterized item in ic

[Ed LaFrance (New Media E.M.S.)]

At 11:13 PM 7/12/2004, you wrote:

>hi,
>
>we are on ic 5.2.0 - foundation based catalog.
>
>our site sells art materials and items are modeled without any kind of 
>options/variants. this works fine for our main requirement, but now there 
>is a requirement to add a "sample" for each item that we sell. this sample 
>is common for all of the items and so i was wondering, if there is a way to
>
>- model the item as a parameterized item - meaning create one item 
>"generic sample" with the amount, weight etc. and change the item's 
>description when placing the order (as part of order button/link), so that 
>the item ordered is the "generic sample" item with the description as the 
>sku of the item for which the sample has been requested.
>
>in our catalog.cfg
>   MaxQuantityField is set to inventory:quantity to prevent ordering more 
> than stock
>   SeparateItems configuration is  set to default value - No.
>
>Is it possible to achieve this ? Any pointers, suggestions would be 
>appreciated.
>
>thx.
>- Akash

Sure, it is possible. If I were to do this, I would just forget about the 
products/options/variants table and push this 'virtual' item directly on 
the cart, something like this (on flypage.html):

<form action="[process]" method=post>
<input type=hidden name=mv_todo value=refresh>
<input type=hidden name=mv_nextpage value=ord/basket>
<input type=hidden name=item_sku value="[item-code]">
<input type=submit name=mv_click value="Order A Sample">
</form>

[set Order A Sample]
[calc]
         push @{$Items}, {
                         code            => 'SAMPLE',
                         quantity        => 1,
                         description     => "Sample of item $CGI->{item_sku}",
                         mv_price        => 1.50
         };
         return;
[/calc]
[/set]

You'll need to have:

         DescriptionField        description

In your catalog.cfg, but otherwise this should work, I think. I'm assuming 
the price for the sample is the same for all items, since you did not say 
anything about that. The code is not tested, so caveat emptor.

Good Luck!

- Ed


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