Shopping Cart/ Inventory? Question

[Tonya]

After reading all the shopping cart threads that are already here, I haven't found the answer I need so I thought I'd ask.

I have a pre-existing website into which I need to integrate a shopping cart. I've been looking at adding the PayPal shopping cart buttons, but they don't seem to have as many options as I need.

I'm hitting a wall when it comes to a page I want to build for one-of-a-kind items where people can snatch up custom things I make by just clicking the 'add to cart' button. However, I haven't discovered how to add the option of the 'add to cart' button having an availability of 1 so that particular item 'disappears' once it's been bought by a customer. I don't necessarily want an inventory tracker since most everything on this site will be made to order, but I can't help but think there must be something out there to suit what I need.

I know it's possible with a major shopping cart software setup, but I'm hoping to do this in as simple a manner possible. Plus, with the existing site, I just need to know how to write codes to insert in what I've already got.

Any ideas?
~ Tonya

[hipgirl]

Originally Posted by Tonya

After reading all the shopping cart threads that are already here, I haven't found the answer I need so I thought I'd ask.

I have a pre-existing website into which I need to integrate a shopping cart. I've been looking at adding the PayPal shopping cart buttons, but they don't seem to have as many options as I need.

I'm hitting a wall when it comes to a page I want to build for one-of-a-kind items where people can snatch up custom things I make by just clicking the 'add to cart' button. However, I haven't discovered how to add the option of the 'add to cart' button having an availability of 1 so that particular item 'disappears' once it's been bought by a customer. I don't necessarily want an inventory tracker since most everything on this site will be made to order, but I can't help but think there must be something out there to suit what I need.

I know it's possible with a major shopping cart software setup, but I'm hoping to do this in as simple a manner possible. Plus, with the existing site, I just need to know how to write codes to insert in what I've already got.

Any ideas?
~ Tonya

You don't need to write any codes. What you need is a 'shopping cart software'. I use zencart but it's not easy to set up. You can purchase a shopping cart software which cost about $99 (one time cost. No need to subscribe for $14.99/month) which is supposed to be super user friendly. Once you set it up, you just need to fill in the form to create product pages.

Here is how I add my products (manually, not batch):

1. see attached cat1. Go to the category I want to insert the new product, click 'new product'
2. see cat2 & 3 (they are on same page). Enter product detail as shown and then preview, then save. Then at my website, the new product show up.

See. No html coding. no coding at all.

Michelle

[Princess Babies Bowtique]

Tonya - I know this doesn't address the shopping cart issue, but could you write in your description that it is a special one time order available for Guest Number Whatever? Then a little sentence that says something like "...if you would like this item customized just for you, contact me at..." That could tide you over until you find some software that works for you.

But you're right about the paypal shopping cart, it does leave quite a few things to be desired.

[Tonya]

Oh. My. Goodness! I feel like an idiot now. PayPal (which, granted, is not very user friendly when trying to figure out their shopping cart stuff) also has a 'Buy It Now' button. If those are compatible with the rest of the shopping cart, then I'm all set for going the simple/easy route! Yay!

*crosses fingers that it'll all work right* Here's hoping...