AlteredCart: Checkout One, On Sale... is Bill still around?
 

Altered Cart quietly released their "Cash Rewards :: Advanced Customer Loyalty Program" module earlier in the year -- and I quietly integrated it into my store over the summer.

I am starting this thread to congratulate Bill for the superb mod, and to share my integration with others in the community.

We had been using the BCSE Customer Reward Points (CRP) module for many years - but a bunch of things inspired me to seek out a different solution:

a) redeeming CRP points was tricky for the customer (and admin too). CRP redemptions are considered a "discount" - and it was a multi-step process to do a partial redemption and then pay the balance with credit card. Way too many errors or customers simply giving up;

b) because CRP was a "discount" - combining CRP redemptions with other discounts or coupons was sometimes impossible;

I wanted a solution that permitted the customer to redeem in checkout, without going through an extra process. I wanted a solution that automated bonuses for specific products or categories. Automatic posting when a review is approved. Automatic credit for signing up.

Cash Rewards (CR) does all of this. IN the cart.

And Bill made it so that a 100% redemption solved tax issues -- since a free item is not taxable in many/most jurisdictions. This was a big deal!!!

The days of "you need 25,000 miles/points to redeem a free ticket" from the land of frequent flyer programs is very 20th century. Modern loyalty programs accrue based on spend or other metrics, and redemptions often start at 0 -- if you earned it, you can redeem it. This is what I wanted. I wanted a system that allowed the customer to simply apply their rewards in the cart, without having to go through a checkout process just to return to the cart.

CR is a wonderful UX for the customer. It's not hidden.

I am gushing... I don't do this too often here.

If you want to see CR in action, PM me and I'll share my URL.

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

I'm gonna bump this because I have happy customers.

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

Thumbs up, ever since switching from bcse to AC CR customers actually use the points and our repeat customer stats have gone up significantly! We use it together with AC OPC. Ajax refresh when applying reward points, brilliant.

While Bill has implemented many of our recommendations, we are still waiting for some features in the admin back end:

1. Need to be able to include notes when adding points to customers account.
2. Need to be able to set an expiry date when adding points to customer account.
3. Some sort of automation to reverse points when cancelling or refunding orders.
4. Better reporting on top collecting users, expiry dates, reward programs statistics.

Hey Bill, thank you for continuing developing and supporting your invaluable 4.x mods.

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

I will bump this as well and have my own little gush if I may :lol:

Thanks for the post carpeperdiem, found this one whilst looking for reviews on this mod.

All installed & working perfectly, absolutely over the moon with it :D

Had a really tiny glitch on the install, support was as always top notch.

The way it all integrates into AC OPC with the Ajax refresh is indeed brilliant.

There are a lot of features as well, will take a while to check them all out.

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

How is the discount listed?
As there are several prices how is the discount listed in the system?

We also use the sale mod from Bill.

Example:

Item price: $30
Market price: $35
Sale price: $27 (10%)

I'm asking this because of the possibilities of accounting when provider payments
are involved. Bonus points deducted equally or only on admins share?

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

Cash rewards becomes its own pseudo-payment method, independent/in addition/in-lieu of other payment methods.
It's NOT a "true" discount. Well, sort of.

Ultimately, we use the variable,
{$order.order.extra.tax_info.taxed_discounted_subt otal}
as the "reported" final transaction amount (after all deductions and sales and coupons) that is sent to affiliates. (what did the customer actually pay after all coupons, redemptions and sale offers?)

The ability to apply the rewards in the cart, without disrupting coupons or sales is an INVALUABLE feature that is not found in most reward or loyalty programs. THIS ALONE makes this module one of the best modules ever written for xcart.

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

Does this mean it uses the correct variables out of the box so the amount paid after all sales from sales mod deducted is used? Or did you customize?

It's a nice mod. However, how did it affect your returning customers rate?

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

I did not customize any variables.
I am USING the variable {$order.order.extra.tax_info.taxed_discounted_subt otal}
to report "what the customer paid" to affiliates and to other analytics

Returning customers are CRUCIAL to my business. I have some customers that have made 30+ orders. My customers use the rewards and enjoy the permanent 10% discount. It also keeps them on our mailing list for members-only offers.

Loyalty marketing is the new normal.
Altered Cart's module meets most of the needs - If I were building a new xcart store in 4.6.x I wouldn't dream of not using this module.

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

1. Ok. So no customization was needed.

2. Did you measure before/after in %?
How can you make sure they stay on/only can use a 10% discount when on your maillist when using mailchimp?

3. In the end it's facts that count for me :)

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

1. I customized the css. I also customized checkout1 for "one page registration" and also made various landing pages. If you want to see a no-custom code install, look at altered cart demo store.

2. no measurements before/after as we've had a loyalty program since launch. it's just part of our business.

3. want to go out of business quickly? shut down or change your long-standing loyalty program.

On the other hand, Duane Reade stores in NYC devalued their loyalty program 3 times over 5 years when Walgreens purchased them. I stopped shopping there, because the CVS loyalty program is better. But they are still in business. I don't think the loyalty program was a big part of their marketing.

But for a small merchant, I'm not gonna go there.

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

3. There are multi-million dollar businesses without loyalty programs but unique content ;)
Has nothing to do with 'want to go out of business' as there is already bonus program from QT but IMO a poor solution and not customer friendly.

I'm with you that a good reward program sure can satisfy a customer and make him feel good, that's why I want to install this mod but need to know how tricky it gets as we have a heavily customized provider backend
(also commissions shown on various parts).

Guess mod is encrypted.

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

Most files are not.
Bill is not unreasonable if you need access to a page.

Considering the size and scope of your store, i would encourage you to open a ticket with Bill and get his input. He's not going to try to sell you anything that you don't need.

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

Already have some tickets open there since a bit more than a week...
I want to buy it anyway but need to make sure everything will work together.

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

As stated in my post earlier, our repeat customers have gone up significantly since we installed this mod.
This mod works great and together with Ajax OPC, it's straight forward for the customer.
You can run different reward program's, for example double points, or 10% on a specific product or category.
The customer will be able to see in the account, which program or promosion was adding rewards.
This is almost have mod.

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

Problem is we need it customized and we contacted Bill 32 days ago with 2-3 tickets. Not answered so far.

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

I have another question. Does anyone know if this mod works Advanced Customer Reviews from QT?

Thanks!

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

I was never able to get the trigger working. That is, customer's review status is changed from pending to approved, I wanted cash rewards to be applied automatically. I spent considerable effort and Karina and Bill both went out of their way to try to resolve, but then I just bailed and now apply all reviews manually. This is one function that I wish I could have figured out.

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

Felt the need to add to the praises for Bill at Altered Cart. We have a few modules from Altered Cart (Checkout One, Cash Rewards and On Sale). His customer service is fantastic. While re-building our site, in lieu of coming here looking for support, I would always open a ticket knowing Bill would reply within a reasonable amount of time. Bill has gone far and above what even I would deem necessary, particularly at no $$ for additional support. Keep up the good Bill. It is much appreciated.

With that being said, our store is now live so I will post my question here...

In regards to Cash Rewards, what bit of code can I apply that would display the Rewards Points used for a purchase? For obvious reasons, I am looking to have the points displayed on the order confirmation and final invoice. Also, which templates would I need to apply the code?

I've played around a bit adding code from modules/Checkout_One/checkout_one_totals.tpl to mail/html/order_data.tpl , but I can't seem to get it to apply.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

Great module! I'm wondering if it's possible to show customers different free items and let them choose 1-2 of the free items to add to their purchase. Is this possible to do with the module out of the box?

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

4.6.5 Question? First, Cash Rewards is a fantastic and extremely well thought out mod.

I'm testing 4.6.5 and on the opc checkout page the ajax does not seem to be working to apply the rewards. Nothing happens when you click on the "arrow".

Is anyone else seeing this happen?

EDIT: 11/05/2014 - Cash Rewards works fine on 4.6.5 I did not copy and paste correctly and Bill knew exactly where I messed up. Thanks Bill! My customers are loving this and I am too!

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

i have BCSE module since years, but i have lot of issues, BCSE reinstalled it already i think 2-3 times, each time it was paid reinstall, and now again it doesnt work as should be...
they claim someone reverted the files from old installation- i didnt do changes on the webs since months.. i start to suspect something is really wrong here..

is altered works better? is it easy to swap?

Re: Altered Cart "Cash Rewards - Advanced Customer Loyalty Program"
 

I have no experience with the BCSE module so I can't comment on their mod. I've been using Altered Cart's Cash Reward module for a while now and my customers love it and they have ZERO problems applying their rewards on future purchases because Bill made it so easy for them. I get more sales and no hassles :-)

The only issue I've ever had with this module was MY FAULT during an x-cart version upgrade and Bill pointed me to the exact file to fix.

My only recommendation would be to have Alterd Cart (Bill) do the installation for you.

Paul

AlteredCart: Checkout One, On Sale... is Bill still around?
 

I would like to add PayPal Payments Advanced to my 4.4.5 cart. Although this isn't a default payment method for my XC version, I discovered that it's supported by AlteredCart's One Page Checkout (which I have). From what I can determine, I will have to purchase/install their companion CheckOut One Payments module for it.

I have a couple basic questions; Advice is appreciated:

1. Anyone using the Checkout One OPC & Payments module combination? If so, How is it working for you? Do you use it with PayPal Advanced?

2. Has anyone had any recent email interaction with Altered Cart? The reason for asking is because my support email inquiry went unanswered. I found some older forum comments about some difficulty in getting responses from them too.

Re: Anyone using Checkout One Payments?
 

Altered Cart can get backed up and run behind sometimes. But we recently had a client get support on a module they purchased.

Rant: Alteredcart - take the money and run
 

I purchased the Image Manager mod for XC classic on their site

After the PayPal payment I received the download link but unfortunately the link is valid but it is not working.

Their site suggest to "contact them to request another one" with a message on the page.

I wrote to them about this 4 times, since Apr 26. No reply from anyone.
No account has been created with the purchase and I can't log in to the site to download anything.

Just to report this for anyone who think to purchase from their site: don't do it.

Re: Rant: Alteredcart - take the money and run
 

Unfortunately it would appear that Alteredcart has gone rather quiet lately.

I also have a support ticket outstanding with Bill

As this is most unusual for Bill I hope someone has been in touch with him recently to verify all is ok?

It's very out of character for Bill not to respond promptly to tickets / sales so here's hoping it's just a minor issue hiccup.

All the best Bill.

Re: Rant: Alteredcart - take the money and run
 

Do you mean March 26th? if so due to Easter you may need to wait a few days.

Re: Rant: Alteredcart - take the money and run
 

Yes, I mean March. Easter is gone now.

Their behavior is exactly what I NOT expect on a provider.

Re: Rant: Alteredcart - take the money and run
 

FWIW, I never received a reply to my inquiry from a couple weeks ago. I'm holding out on my purchase until there is evidence that someone is still there to provide support.

As mentioned, this is very unusual. So something must have happened to Bill.

Re: Rant: Alteredcart - take the money and run
 

"Alteredcart - take the money and run" - I wouldn't say this.
Bill is one-man company and in transition. This may not sound as an excuse to you but it is hard to be everywhere at all times in this case. His site is being rebuilt from ground up and it does have some issues. This did happen to me like 2-3 weeks ago but I send him a message and got the files in a couple of days.

Re: Rant: Alteredcart - take the money and run
 

I agree that this is not Bill's normal behavior. But it appears that something has happened to him since your last contact 2-3 weeks ago.

The "Contact Us" form on the Alteredcart site is now a blank page. And Bill's last post on his forum was Feb 22. If anyone is a personal friend with more information on his situation then it would be great to confirm he is safe and Ok. Please invite him to check-in here too.

Re: Rant: Alteredcart - take the money and run
 

Contact at the bottom of the page - http://www.alteredcart.com/pages/about/

I believe sooner or later he will show up here and explain the whole situation. I don't think he will just leave everyone hanging without a word.

Re: Rant: Alteredcart - take the money and run
 

After opening a dispute on Paypal, he promptly reply saying that "he never received any support request by the form on his site".

So, there is someone behind the shop.

Re: Rant: Alteredcart - take the money and run
 

it was the FIRST action that I've done on march 24.

Re: Rant: Alteredcart - take the money and run
 

always prompt when i needed support. probably emails getting lost due to new site.

Re: Rant: Alteredcart - take the money and run
 

Today I received from Bill an email with the mod attached.
Only the dispute on paypal has resolved this issue.
Hope that these issues on communications will be solved by Bill promptly.

Checkout One, On Sale... is Bill still around?
 

Ok, I'm hoping someone can help me track Bill down.

I have lots and lots of his mods, he's always had absolutely stellar support and great products.

I purchased some upgrades from him and am finally getting around to upgrading my x-cart to the latest branch.

I have a few issues, and I've been trying to get ahold of him. I've left him tickets on his site - I have two that are 45 days old.

I've pm'd him here in the forums, and nothing. I submitted yet another ticket on his site 4 days ago, and still nothing.

I'm literally releasing the new site this weekend, and I'm going to be extremely frustrated if I can't use the mods I've paid for from him.

I know he was branching out on his own, but I still paid cash for the mods that I have, and if he's just going to walk away I'd at least like to know that so I can go a different route.

I HATE having to post this, and I'm truly hoping everything is ok with him, as I've never had this kind of issue with him since I started with x-cart in 2005...

But I'm concerned, as I searched the forums for a few things to see if I could figure out the glitches myself, and it looks like many of his posts and mods have been removed.

Anybody know what's going on? Even if you need to PM me the details, I'd be grateful...

And Bill, if you see this, please get in touch - through the support suite on your site, through PM, through email.... I'd love to be able to move forward!

Re: Anyone using Checkout One Payments?
 

If I hear from him I will let you know.

If you are using PayPal Payments Advanced with his payments module then please let me know how you like it.

Re: AlteredCart: Checkout One, On Sale... is Bill still around?
 

You're not the only one in these forums who can't get in touch with him.

Unfortunately, he stopped updating the forum threads dedicated to his modules a long time ago. The posts became full of outdated information and broken links, so we had to delete the messages.

Re: Checkout One, On Sale... is Bill still around?
 

I had Bill follow up on a support ticket about 10days ago and resolve it Bill can get a little backed up with support tickets at times, but he always comes thru. Much appreciated Bill.