Multiple tracking numbers for an order, needed or not?

[the.rampage.rado]

I would like to ask the community - do you (personally) need multiple tracking numbers per order?

This does not solve the issue where you might have to use 2 different couriers (let's say you ship from 2 warehouses) but offers a solution with minimal impact - theme file should be changed, but example code will be given.

Also tracked here: https://github.com/thirtybees/thirtybees/issues/1975





If somebody has a shipping module or CRM module that sets tracking numbers it would be nice to test this if it's backwards compatible fix as I don't have anything working with the webservice and there are couple of functions to fix in that aspect.

[DRMasterChief]

We sometimes have to send partial deliveries, for example one package in week 5 and the rest as a package in week 7.
It would be great to have an overview of the package numbers, one below the other in the BO, for example.
The customer receives an email every time I enter a package number, so he gets a message in week 5 and then again in week 7. Or not?

[the.rampage.rado]

In this version of the code - every change to the tracking numbers send out new email with the values you save, so your case would be OK - just add comma and the new number.

Based on the poll there is no demand for this, possibly in future.

[x97wehner]

Real life for us: We often have to split shipments into multiple packages and between couriers.  We have a third party shipping solution that helps us with this, but when looking in TB, all you see is one tracking code for once courier, which is wrong. Would be best if we understand in the TB backend which products were shipped against which tracking codes without having to jump to the other software solution to figure it out.

[the.rampage.rado]

4 hours ago, x97wehner said:

Real life for us: We often have to split shipments into multiple packages and between couriers.  We have a third party shipping solution that helps us with this, but when looking in TB, all you see is one tracking code for once courier, which is wrong. Would be best if we understand in the TB backend which products were shipped against which tracking codes without having to jump to the other software solution to figure it out.

Yes, this is a must functionality for a serious shop but I'm afraid would be quite a big endeavor. 

Does your module allow to use 2 different couriers per order or it only passes one number to thirty bees and handles the rest outside the system?

[x97wehner]

19 hours ago, the.rampage.rado said:

Yes, this is a must functionality for a serious shop but I'm afraid would be quite a big endeavor. 

Does your module allow to use 2 different couriers per order or it only passes one number to thirty bees and handles the rest outside the system?

It does allow separate couriers and tracking.

[Yabber]

A proper implementation of the multi-shipping option would require a very serious rebuild of the store engine.
In PrestaShop, they have not been able to implement this solution and fix the split-order option for over 5 years, which has a lot of bugs: https://github.com/PrestaShop/PrestaShop/issues/15491
And this solution would require all shipping companies offering modules for PrestaShop to make their modules from scratch.
So I don't think this solution will ever be implemented.

[DRMasterChief]

Is anyone else working on this?  I’m currently creating a module that allows the admin to select from various shipping carriers, so the customer receives the correct tracking link (regardless of which carrier they chose at checkout).
We run into this situation sometimes because packages can't always be shipped via DHL, so we have to use a different carrier. However, the customer needs to receive the correct tracking number with link; otherwise, Thirty Bees simply uses the standard link for the selected shipping method and appends the tracking number  (then it goes wrong).

[the.rampage.rado]

My initial approach was flawed. I might revisit this later.

Your idea is good. We should have this functionality in the core, not as a module, as this scenario is possible for every merchant.

 

[Yabber]

9 hours ago, DRMasterChief said:

I’m currently creating a module that allows the admin to select from various shipping carriers, so the customer receives the correct tracking link (regardless of which carrier they chose at checkout).

Multi-shipping and changing the carrier for an order are two different features.

In many countries, changing the carrier for an order in this way is against the law. It constitutes an unauthorised alteration by the shop to the contract entered into with the customer.

However, many shops do this, and the module for changing the carrier for an order is included in the attachment.

tbchangecarrier.zip

[the.rampage.rado]

What if you ask the customer post-order and they give you permission by email? I see no harm in that if you receive it.

[Yabber]

1 hour ago, the.rampage.rado said:

What if you ask the customer post-order and they give you permission by email? I see no harm in that if you receive it.

This action is lawful, as the amendment to the terms of the contract – the order – is made by mutual agreement between both parties to the contract.

This email constitutes an addendum to that contract.

[DRMasterChief]

Thanks for the info - but that’s not really an issue here on the forum, nor regarding the technical feasibility.
If such conditions or rules exist in a given country, each dealer is personally responsible for compliance—that goes without saying.
Contractual terms can also be agreed upon online (in Germany, these are known as General Terms and Conditions), and a dealer could certainly address this there before the contract is concluded.
Let’s continue discussing the "technical" side of things.

[DRMasterChief]

Thanks for the `tbchangecarrier.zip` module; I’ve taken a quick look at it.

Fundamentally, it serves a different purpose:

`tbchangecarrier`: Actually changes the order's shipping carrier in the database - updating `id_carrier` in both the `order_carrier` and `orders` tables. It does not send an email to the customer; it is purely a silent correction made in the backend.

My module, designed for our specific requirements, does not alter the order data at all; it simply provides the option to send the customer a different (additional) tracking email containing a different tracking link.

It uses a hook to integrate into the order overview page in the backend, providing a dropdown menu for shipping methods and a field for the tracking number. Once the details are entered and submitted, the customer receives a shipping notification containing the correct link.

The reason for this is that we often handle both very light and very heavy packages sometimes within a single customer order.
0.5 kg package is shipped via DHL using the native tracking link in the backend.
35 kg package is shipped via DPD using the "new" tracking link in the backend, which points to DPD tracking. However, the customer cannot actively select DPD shipping in the shopping cart at all.

 

That is the reason why I included this information in this topic.
After all, there are -so to speak- "multiple" tracking numbers involved, and this allows any number of shipping emails to be sent to the customer (for example, even for 10 packages...).

Edited yesterday at 02:01 PM by DRMasterChief

[Yabber]

@DRMasterChief 

So it’s actually about multi-shipping, rather than simply changing the carrier on an order.
The solution you’ve described, using the module you’ve developed, has one major drawback – it won’t work properly with any carrier module or with any external integrations such as Base.com or eMagicOne.
Install any DHL, DHL Pickup, DPD, FedEx or UPS module – none of them will work properly.

That is why the standard solution available in thirtybees, known as "split-order", is a better option. If a single customer order involves several carriers, that order is split into several separate sub-orders, and in each of these sub-orders, all carrier modules and all shop integrations with external order-handling systems work correctly.

 

[Yabber]

As far as "split orders" are concerned, functionally almost everything works correctly.
In the back office, orders are created with different IDs but the same reference number. At the bottom of each such order, there is a note stating that it is a combined order.
Each of these sub-orders can be handled by a different carrier module.

However, on the front office, all templates for all versions of PrestaShop and ThirtyBees are broken, and nothing is displayed for carriers in "split-order" mode. The option is available to choose from, but the customer doesn’t know what they’re choosing. And once this option has been selected, a valid split order is created.
The delivery cost, however, is correct; it is the sum of the costs for all carriers.

 

[the.rampage.rado]

4 hours ago, Yabber said:

@DRMasterChief 

So it’s actually about multi-shipping, rather than simply changing the carrier on an order.
The solution you’ve described, using the module you’ve developed, has one major drawback – it won’t work properly with any carrier module or with any external integrations such as Base.com or eMagicOne.
Install any DHL, DHL Pickup, DPD, FedEx or UPS module – none of them will work properly.

That is why the standard solution available in thirtybees, known as "split-order", is a better option. If a single customer order involves several carriers, that order is split into several separate sub-orders, and in each of these sub-orders, all carrier modules and all shop integrations with external order-handling systems work correctly.

 

Does it work with non ASM products too? Previously I expereinced an 'issue' with it where I had mixed catalog (ASM and non-ASM) products in the cart and it made split orders for thast cart. But how i works for non-ASM carts? I believe the products have to be set to use different carriers prior to creating the cart/order? But in this case the functionality @DRMasterChief proposed (option to change delivery method post-order) will not be available through the split-order?

[Yabber]

@the.rampage.rado

I never use Advanced Stock Management in the shop; I believe it’s a feature that causes nothing but problems and offers no benefits whatsoever. So I haven’t tested "split orders" with ASM.

Yes, different carriers must be configured for the products for "split orders" to take place.

Yes, with the module I’ve attached, you can change the carriers for individual sub-orders in "split orders" mode.

And, as a point of interest, a Prestashop fork called PhenixSuite has fixed this.

 

[DRMasterChief]

5 hours ago, the.rampage.rado said:

....But in this case the functionality @DRMasterChief proposed (option to change delivery method post-order) will not be available through the split-order?

To be honest, you’d have to try it out. I didn't have an eye on ASM. We don't use any inventory management within the shop itself; instead, we use separate software in the office and warehouse.