Pick up at store, multiple locations

PowerStore: I am writing a bid for a long time client who wants to take her retail stores online. She has several locations within a 20 mile radius. She will use the inventory feature. So I am wondering, if she wants to offer a free store pick up instead of shipping, and with several locations, is there a custom way to let the customer pick the closest location for pick up? That begs the question though that one store may have it on hand while another won't. If it gets that deep in the weeds, could extra database fields be added for each location's inventory?

Store pick up with multiple locations is very difficult. You raise questions like: If someone orders online and does have it shipped... if multiple locations have it in stock, which inventory is subtracted from?

You would need a separate relational table for inventory at each location.

I've never done this or heard of a customer doing it, so there is no custom method.

It is definitely possible, but I'd say very tricky to pull off with lots of things that need to be accounted for differently than the current system does.

Thanks as always, Ray. I am just trying to anticipate her questions prior to meeting. I mean't that if it doesn't ship, but rather can be picked up and could a customer pick the location? And if the customer can pick the location, could the admin tie inventory to different locations, ie, storeA had inventoryA, storeB has inventoryB, but it is only in play for store pickup. Probably too much in the weeds, but thought I'd ask before my meeting. My thought is that since the stores are relatively close, only one inventory, but if customer could pick the store, and when the order places, if staff could see that order, check with location if on hand, and if not, then get the product to that location... I am probably over-thinking this, but wanted to check to be sure what was workable.

It has come up now, so removing the issue of which store to pick up at, is this a possible solution:

In the product set up, instead of using weight, since they are not using FexX, UPS or USPS, set a price for shipping. Then in Options/Advanced Options, set up a selection for FREE PICK-UP or the Shipping cost for that product.

I suspect that the largest store will have the inventory, but I have to confirm that. But in the FREE PICK UP option, it could indicate which store to select. More information to get from customer.

Or am I overthinking this and in the shipping rates, there can be an option for Free Pickup?

I found this thread:
http://www.webassist.com/forums/posts.php?id=23712

So I am overthinking it. I need to figure out how to set the shipping rules for one that is Free Store Pickup.

Is there a specific tutorial on how to do shipping rules? My first tests aren't adding any charges to cart yet. Still working on it.
attachment of shipping rules... are these correct? Custom shipping.

I may need to help with this one. Can we set up an hour session for later this week? Free in-store pickup wasn't accounted for in the code.

OK... I'll get with client about locations and then we can schedule.

But, if I made one of the Shipping Rules to be <=1000000000 at $0 and called it Pick up, would that work? Is my screen shot in error for flat rates?

Thanks

I'm not sure how it would handle a free shipping option. You could try and it might work.

Thanks Ray. So at this point, client confirms that all stores can be pickup, the next day. One inventory will manage all stores. Since they are within a few miles, they will package and get to the store pick up of choice. So that part is answered. I have asked for their shipping rates since they have their own system, not using Fedx etc. Waiting for an answer.

Once I get more information, then we can schedule a meeting to set up shipping (which at this point, I don't have any values coming in, so I've done it wrong) and hopefully you will do your magic to include free store pickup option during check out. More when I have it. Thanks.

Sounds good. Just let me know and I'm sure I can help figure it all out.