Is gift card functionality in the works for CartThrob? I didn’t see it on the features list.

Foxycart doesn’t have this functionality yet, and it is something that a few of my clients are demanding.

Ideally there would be the option to send gift cards by email or by regular post. Having these as two separate products would be fine.

Is this tricky or is it something that is no big deal to add after launch?

Sorry it took so long to respond (I’ve been off-duty for a few days.)

Gift cards are in the works for CartThrob. It’s something I’ve built in the past, and something we’ll be adding to CartThrob. We have to be very careful how it’s implemented to keep fraud to a minimum, so testing is key with this one. Before I can offer it up, we have to be absolutely certain it can’t be abused. That being said, we’ve already put a few of the key pieces in place so that we can set up gift card functionality. #1 we need encryption, and I’ve ported the CodeIgniter Encryption libraries over for just this purpose, as well as for subscription & credit card rebilling. #2. We need to generate and provide a code at purchase time that is unique and stored with an order.  This is already partially in place and will be completed before CartThrob launches, primarily because we need this same type of code system to generate and store unique license keys for CartThrob. #3. We need a method to take these gift credits and apply them to an order. This is already partially in place as part of our coupon system. Our current coupon system can provide several different discount types, and we’ll be adding more as time goes on. Some of the existing functionality can already handle most of the needs of a gift certificate system. Our current coupon system is undergoing an overhaul to make it more flexible for the future, and we’re about halfway through the overhaul. We generally lump gift certificates in with Coupons / Discounts in terms of what is required with the system.

So, while I can’t promise a specific date for Gift Cards, I can promise you that we will be working on gift cards, and a variety of other discounting systems. We use CartThrob for client work, and as they ask for features, we develop them, and we also develop in anticipation of their needs… gift cards is one that gets asked for A LOT!

So, to answer your last question… it’s not really THAT tricky, but we’ll definitely need to test the bejeezus out of it before we launch that feature to make sure CartThrob users are well cared for.

Hey Chris - is this still in the works / being tested? Am looking at CartThrob for a project and this is one key requirement that could be a deal breaker.

There are a couple of features ahead of it right now. If you need it soon, I’d suggest trying something else. We are available for custom work, but if you need the feature without added cost we just can’t get to it rght now.

The big feature we are working on right now is inventory related. Once we get that out of the way we can review what’s left to do with our coupon, discount, gift certificate system.

Hey, Chris.  Any updates on the gift card feature?  I’m not in need of it at the moment, but I’m still curious about its status.

We’ve been solely focusing on the 2.1 version of CartThrob, so we haven’t gotten to GiftCards yet. I believe we have a client commission for gift cards though, so sometime in the next few months we’ll HAVE to get to it.

Good to know.  Can’t wait to see the 2.1 version.  Keep up the great work!

Hey. I’m looking to user CartThrob for a site but need to use Gift vouchers. Is this functionality available now?

Anyone?

Apologies for the very slow reply. I was at the hospital for a few days… Wife had a new baby. Gift certificate systems aren’t available yet. Apologies it took so long for that anti climactic response.

Hi,

Any news on the gift card feature?  We’re at a tipping point to be able to switch from x-cart to cartthrob and the gift card feature is the last hold-out for our client.

If the gift card feature isn’t imminent, what would be the cost if we hired you for custom development of the gift card feature?

Thanks,

-r

Hi Robb,

I’m writing up a scope document for what a GC system would need. I’ll get back to you.

Thanks!  We’re really looking forward to working with CartThrob.

Our client is making their choice early next week (upgrade x-cart or switch to CartThrob.)  If we can get an idea on the timing, that will help us set expectations.

Thanks,

-r

I am interested in this feature too. When can we expect this new feature as well as other ones released for Cartthrob 1?

Just following up. I think we’re going to have to hold off on the gift card stuff until we get our CartThrob1 - CartThrob2 upgrade tool finished. Even if we had a paid commission we wouldn’t be able to start for weeks. We have to get that tool done before May 15, so we’re making it a priority.

I’d say, if you need gift card functionality right now, you’ll probably have to go with X-cart. :/

I understand—thanks for the update.