Thread

Hi.

I am looking to use a shopping cart solution in my expression engine.

It needs to be fully integrated into the EE control panel. I need to add a drop down list of print sizes, all different prices to each channel entry.

I have been looking at what different options there are. Cart throb seems to be the best solution I can find, but it isnt available on EE2!!

Can anyone suggest a cart solution that would offer what I need?

Thanks 😊

[Mod Edit: Moved to the General Discussion forum]

Have just seen Cart Throb 2 is for EE2.

Would this be the best option?

Thanks

To the best of my knowledge there are 3 eCommerce solutions now available for EE2.

CartThrob (http://www.cartthrob.com)
BrilliantRetail (http://www.brilliantretail.com)
Exp:resso Store (http://exp-resso.com/store)

Of the 3, I have used CartThrob (EE1) in a production environment, and currently having a look at Exp:resso Store. I have not tried BrilliantRetail, but it does look, well, Brilliant.

I found CartThrob (under EE1) a little complex but the support from Barrett Newton was exemplary. Exp:resso Store is nice and easy but it does not yet support the payment gateways I will require.

From your outline I would think that all three will support your requirements with a bit of planning.

Thanks for the reply!

I have checked out all three.

Brilliant Retail and Exp:resso look more like store fronts. Is that correct?

I simply want a cart, checkout and a to add a product dropdown to channel entries. Can you add to channel entries in all three? or just Cart Throb.

Can you tell me why you found Cart Throb complex?

Thanks

I would not say that any of the 3 are store fronts.

All three are backend integrations into the EE control panel. Of the 3, I would say, baring in mind I have not tried BrilliantRetail (nor EE2 version of CartThrob) that BrilliantRetail and Exp:resso Store are more integrated than CartThrob. Under EE1 CartThrob is administered as a separate module.

The power of ExpressionEngine comes from its templating engine, what you put into the backend you can (almost always) extract to the frontend. I read on the BrilliantRetail website that they provide sample frontend templates that you can use.

I think what you are asking for is available in all three, but without a little more information as to your requirements I can’t answer your question in more detail.

As to why I found CartThrob (EE1) a little complex; purely down to module integration, some incomplete documentation and some strange template calls. However, when approached for support Barrett Newton were fantastic.

Thanks for your reply.

I am using a web blog style photo gallery. In each entry I want to have a purchase print drop down selector with different size options and prices. This will have a add to cart button.

This is the only product I need to sell at the moment, so I am looking to just include this product in each of the channel entries.

From your answers it appears that possibly brilliant retail may be a better solution.

Thanks

So, in a rolling blog style website you publish a photograph that you offer for sale.
This photograph is offered at various sizes and prices?

You have a “purchase this image” type option?

Is this correct so far?

Yes exactly.

A select field with different sizes at different prices with a single ‘add to cart’ button. I want to have a cart in the header. Checkout will be through Paypal.

Exp:resso is looking good.

I suspect you don’t need the power of BrilliantRetail, I also think CartThrob is probably overkill for your needs.

I would take a closer look at Exp:resso Store and also Mark Bowen’s great little SimpleCommerce extension (http://devot-ee.com/add-ons/mb-shopping-cart-plugin)

Perhaps I am picking you up wrong, but you come across as wanting a plug-and-play solution, aka wordpress etc. Plug and Play type installs don’t exist on the ExpressionEngine platform.

I agree brilliant retail would be overkill.

I dont want a plug and play, I just want to ensure its possible to add a select field like that without too much difficulty.

I think I will purchase Exp:resso as its only $39.

Thanks for your help!!

your welcome.
Hope it helped.

You could, of course, just use a PayPal Add to Cart button without any add-on. But if you do want an add-on, sounds like Store is best for you (from what I’ve read about it). It seems you don’t even need an SSL cert with Store if you are using PP, which is handy.