Zip Code Based Storefront

[oldderby]

Hello all,

I am currently using v4.12 and I have a client who wants to restrict purchases based on their zip code.

Basically, they want an entry point screen that asks for the customer's zip code. If, the zip code entered is within the New England region, they want to turn order off product purchasing functionality.

Any suggestions? Or, should I be looking for a custom module to be built?

Thanks,
Todd

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

Please explain a little more....

Are they not going to be able to see pricing? Or just not be able to purchase? Or not have any shipping options?

[oldderby]

They do not want anyone with a New England zip code to be able to see prices nor purchase their products from within the storefront. They might be willing to allow the prices to be viewed if that would be a easier/cheaper solution.

Quick Company Background Info:

They are a hand-made jewelry company that is having trouble getting their products into "local" bricks and mortar retail shops because they are in direct competition with the website. So, they want users with a New England zip code to be able to view the products only and be forced to purchase them from one of the local retail locations.

Does that help?

[Bruce - PhosphorMedia]

The one problem you will have is getting folks to enter a correct zip code upfront...even that little of personal information request is going to make a LOT of customers go...ah, nevermind (unless of course, the product is so stunningly desirable).

Perhaps they can rethink the business plan a bit such as offerring their on-street dealers commisions for online sales. That might help to remove the 'direct-competition' stigma and turn it into a 'direct-cooperation' situation.

[oldderby]

I agree 100%. Believe me, I have tried talking them out of this. Even after showing them that 65% of their online sales are from the New England region, they are still full-speed-ahead with this functionality.

As for the 'direct-cooperation' business plan, how would they know which retailer would receive comission?

[Bruce - PhosphorMedia]

For direct cooperation, I was thinking that each retailer would be given an affilate account which they could use to provide to customers when they may not have an item that the customer wanted.

You could also setup some sort of regional map on the storefront to allow NE area residents to choose what area they are from...each area would be assigned to an on-street dealer. (The fact that this is happening does not need to be promoted to the customer, although, they might actually be more inclined to click their area if its messaged that doing this, helps their local economy).

The regional map concept might also be a better approach then entering "zip" codes to cover the clients original idea.

You might be able to use that methods as well to hide pricing information. (There used to be an auto-price group module, but i think its from a defunct company called mod-stop. The concept would be to set the price to 0.00 then use another mod or custom currancy module to detect 0.00 price and display a message).

[oldderby]

This whole thing is a bad idea from the start (the client's request, not your suggestions). I cannot figure out why a small "mom and pop" shop would be willing to turn down six figure annual sales to appease local on-street shops.

They are already using the auto-price mod for products that they do not sell online. But I don't think it will not work in this instance, as far as I know.

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

Sometimes clients need to be educated on why NOT to do things. While they may think it is in their best interests, proving that it is not can often set them on the right course.

Not to mention the cost of having a custom module developed from the ground up.


This whole thing is a bad idea from the start (the client's request, not your suggestions). I cannot figure out why a small "mom and pop" shop would be willing to turn down six figure annual sales to appease local on-street shops.

They are already using the auto-price mod for products that they do not sell online. But I don't think it will not work in this instance, as far as I know.

[Herman]

Sorry to jump in late. This is the age old problem suppliers have with their dealers. The big companies get away with competing directly with their outlets simply because they're bigger. The smaller businesses get pushed around.

We have the same problem - web vs retail (competing with my customers). We list retail locations that carry our products on our web site. Most of our products go to businesses and non-profit groups who use them for promotion. We don't list those.

It's best to think of our on-line store as part of a multi-channel approach. Use each channel to drive business to the others. A mom and pop won't have a retail outlet in every place there are customers. Work with the retailers to promote their business on-line so they won't worry about the few sales they might lose to the web.

Herman

[oldderby]

I have to say I was a little suprised when the client first mentioned the problems they were having as a result of the "Direct Competition" issue. Especially since 10% of their sales are via web and the remainder are through retailers. The real issue they are up against is, retailers want to sell for triple the wholesale price where as the website is listing the products for double the wholesale price.

Nevertheless, the client insists on stopping the sale of their products online to anyone in the New England region. So, I am looking to farm out the work to anyone interested.

Sorry to jump in late. This is the age old problem suppliers have with their dealers. The big companies get away with competing directly with their outlets simply because they're bigger. The smaller businesses get pushed around.

We have the same problem - web vs retail (competing with my customers). We list retail locations that carry our products on our web site. Most of our products go to businesses and non-profit groups who use them for promotion. We don't list those.

It's best to think of our on-line store as part of a multi-channel approach. Use each channel to drive business to the others. A mom and pop won't have a retail outlet in every place there are customers. Work with the retailers to promote their business on-line so they won't worry about the few sales they might lose to the web.

Herman