Product with choices

[cbourque]

I have read, read and read how to have a product with color choices and have it affect stock monitoring. As a result of what I have read, I created the product (necklace) then component, attributes (colors), choice1 (red), choice2 (green), choice3(blue). The choices appear in a drop down box. The user can use the drop down to select the color they want and then Add to Cart. I used the pricing model 'product price' since the price for all choices is the same. I think all is well.

But, now the stock monitoring...is the stock monitoring available only at the product level or can it be at the choice level? If I sell a blue necklace, is the quantity taken off of the choice or only off of product? What is the best way to monitor stock at the choice level?

By the way, I am new to Actinic...thanks for your patience in advance.

[NormanRouxel]

This is slightly more complicated than what you've done so far but is possible.

Basically you create products for each colour of necklace and in Product Details / General tick "Hide on Web Site".

Delete your choices from your main product and add a Component (called say Variety"). Now add your choices back in to this component.

Once you've done this the component will have a "Permutations" tab.

Now you can associate these hidden products with your choices via the Permutations tab.

The Actinic Help covers this under "Making Customer Selection Affect Price and Stock Level".

There's also a flow chart that explains this quite clearly at the end of the Starter Guide (find it via Actinic / Help).

[cbourque]

I will check out the resources you mentioned. One more question...we originally had each piece of jewelry set up as its' own product (necklace1red, necklace1green etc.). We thought we would save space on the screen and have them listed as one product (necklace) with choices (red, green etc). In addition to the stock monitoring per color, we want each choice to have its' own image. I would like to have the image change when the user clicks on the choice? Will this have to be a separate javascript? Do you think we are better off going back to our original method of having each necklace its' own product and forget about the choices?

[NormanRouxel]

Having the image change as the Choice is selected can be done. I've posted a patch that allows exactly that:-

The product image changes when a radio choice or drop down list is selected.
In addition a scaled down thumbnail of the alternative image is placed against the radio item.

See www.drillpine.biz/actinicstuff and look for Dynamic Product Images.

[rjcuser]

With regard choices for a product: If each choice is set up as a stock item as you say above, will or is there any way to make Actinic automatically not list the choices that are out of stock on the choice menu for a particular product to the customer?

Cheers
Richard

[NormanRouxel]

Afraid not. This is an Actinic weakness. You're only told that the choice is out when you try adding it to the Cart.