Here is the issue:
We have 5 brick and mortar store locations. Our online customers can order prepared foods from any of these locations. When they submit an online order, it needs a specific subject heading indicating which store the order is for. In addition, the order has to be transmitted to a specific email address which is unique for each store. I do not know how to accomplish this. Would this be configured through the VM Control Panel or would code need to be added or edited. If so, which file gets edited and how? If it is simple, I am sure I can do it and would appreciate the help. If it is complex, reach out to me and let's talk about how to get it done. I am willing to contract with someone if they know what they doing. I use Upwork to manage freelance contracts all the time but can work something out if that isn't convenient.
VM 3.0.16
Joomla 3.6.2
maybe each store can be a "vendor"
would the customer choose which store at the checkout process (dropdown select shopper field?)
this then could be used in the email function to decide the send to address and subject line...
Correct, the customer chooses the store in the checkout. I think the suggestion about the vendor makes sense.
I then would select Enable Multi-vendor as shown in attached screen cap?
Then I presume I set up a Joomla user account for each vendor with its own email. Does that sound right? Where would I find that setting in Joomla, under users? I just add a user for each store with the correct email? Does anything further need to be done to connect that user to the vendor information n VM?
Would I need to add a multi-vendor extension like VMVendor or Market?
You would imho only need multi vendor if the different physical stores are there own profit centres etc
It's ages since I tried multi vendor but as I remember it products belong to different vendors - so u would need 5 x everything (I may be wrong here)
In your case aren't they just points of delivery?
You could even think about each store being a std. ship method.. i.e. they choose at checkout
then use this to code the email address and subject
Okay - that's an interesting idea.
We once set this up on a different VM cart. What file would that code be in? I could look at the file and see if the settings I need are already in place and then copy them over.
This site was an upgrade. It already has manufacturers set up for each store location with the correct email. It does not have the ability to select a store in the checkout. I thought it did but I was wrong. I think the person assisting must've done something in the last hour or so to break that function (???). At this point, I am thinking that if I add that option back (somehow) in the checkout process, then I can connect that unique manufacturer ID to an email?
Thank you for you help.
But how is having a manufacturer enabling a choice?
Are products only available to a particular manu (shop)?
to get a "choice" at checkout u could use a shipping method or a shopper field
emails are handled in components\com_virtuemart\helpers\shopfunctionsf.php