MULTIVENDOR SUPPORT

[mbsarino]

Does PhocaCart support multivendor scenarios?

[Jan]

Hi, for now, there is no multivendor feature. It exists in POS (Point of Sale) but not in standard website ecommerce.

Jan

[keerillcom]

Where is this wondrous beast POS (Point of Sale)? The multivendor is very necessary. Created a group with restrictions, but with the ability to enter the admin panel to the component. There is not enough restriction for the user to see only his product. It is also necessary to withdraw interest during a transaction to the seller. I really need it. I bought a module from an Indian Multivendor for Opencart, but there is only one option for one language: either English or some other.

[Jan]

Hi, as written above, Phoca Cart does not have multivendor support for now. The focus of Phoca Cart went another way - to have eshop and option to use the system in brick and mortar stores simultaneously. So in POS more vendors can use the system but in fact all is one shop (stock, prices, etc.)

To make Phoca Cart multivendor - in frontend eshop - a lot of structural changes needs to be done, so for now really hard to say if and when such function will be added or if there will be some external solution for this

Jan

[keerillcom]

Sorry. It is only necessary to limit the rights of sellers with their goods in the Phoca cart component. User rights can be set in Joomla, but not in the store. Money is transferred by buyers to the general PayPal account of the site owner, then it is transferred manually (with interest) to sellers. For small and specific stores (for example, selling paintings), this option is optimal.

[Jan]

Hi, will be grea to get some more detailed information. In case somebody write such option, I will take a look at it and can implement it to Phoca Cart (if it will be not in conflict with other features) Features like: coupons, discounts, product discounts, stocks, etc. should be even solved in such option. Maybe accessing images, download files should be somehow resctricted for another users. Rights for accessing parts of the system (payment methods, shipping methods, categories, ...) should be even solved, etc. etc.

Jan

[voymacao]

There are many Multi-vendor carts out there, yet here is a scenario to convert Phocacart to an efficient B2B platform:

Imagine you are a whole saler - distributor for car tyres in your country, say you represent the "Michelin" brand.
You don't directly sale to individuals, instead your customers are retailers, such as car performance and accessories stores, garages, car mechanics etc.

There are another 10 whole salers (your competitors) selling car tyres, same dimensions but different brand for each one.
Car tyres have globally similar dimensions, characteristics and naming (e.g. 195/60 -15) no matter the brand.

Now, when an individual needs to replace his car's tyres, he goes to the garage to do the job, ask for prices, tech advice, availability etc. The mechanic will then suggest to the final customer what is suitable for him.

Here is the deal:
The car mechanic visits the platform (say it "PhocaMarketplace"), a website with a login, where available vendors are included.
A very simple interface required as a listing only, not even photos needed since he already knows the products.
He searches for the specific tire dimensions (e.g. 155/30 -14) and receives a list of all available items per brand
1. Vendor: Sample distributor - Brand: Michelin - Product:(e.g. 195/60 -15) - Price:100$ - Availability: 40pcs
2. Vendor: Vendor Number 2 - Brand: Continental - Product:(e.g. 195/60 -15) - Price:110$ - Availability: 20pcs
3. Vendor: Another Whole saler - Brand: Bridgestone - Product:(e.g. 195/60 -15) - Price:90$ - Availability: 50pcs

He can then directly order the products from the platform, and not even online payment is required since the retailers usually hold a permanent credit deal with their suppliers.

There are a few things to consider though:
1. Vendors sale their products to other distribution channels and physical locations too, so their stock status is changed frequently.
There should be a way for the database to be easily updated daily in order to keep the platform up to date and reliable.
2. Also, each retailer has different discount from their suppliers but i think phoca has already this functionality to apply discounts for customer groups.
3. Vendors should not be able to see other vendors products, prices etc, obviously because they are competitors.


What do you think of the general idea?

[Jan]

Hi, thank you for the info, I have added it to feature request list including this info.

Thank you, Jan