Description of the MStore Email Order Plugin Functionality for Buyers

The MStore Email Order plugin helps buyers who browse products in an online store catalog to place orders via email notifications without making payments on the website. Buyers include guests (unregistered users) and registered customers (regular buyers or store owners looking for suppliers). This covers what buyers can do, including placing orders, viewing lists and details, submitting complaints, the full interface, order card content, and the benefits of working without online payments. I will highlight the differences between guests and registered customers.

Placing an Order

Order Form Interface

Buyers can place an order for a product directly on its catalog page. The order form is accessed by clicking the "Order" button. The form interface is as follows:

• Breadcrumbs: At the top of the page, the navigation path is displayed, e.g., "Catalog → Product Name → New Order". This helps buyers understand their location.
• Header: A large header like "New Order" or "Order Form" to make it clear that this is for placing an order.
• Form Fields:
  • Email: A text field for the email. For registered customers, it is auto-filled from their profile; for guests, it is empty. The email is mandatory and must be valid.
  • Phone: A text field for the phone number. Mandatory, and the number must be valid (e.g., 7 to 20 characters, including digits, plus signs, spaces, parentheses, or dashes).
  • Quantity: A numeric field with a minimum value of 1. Buyers can specify how many units of the product they need.
  • Comment: A large text area (multiple lines) where buyers can write requests, e.g., "Delivery after 3:00 PM" or questions for the seller. Optional.
• For guests additionally: A CAPTCHA field — an image with symbols and a text input to confirm they are not a robot.
• Buttons: A "Place Order" button to submit the form. There is no cancel button, but the page can simply be closed.

After submission, if everything is correct, a message appears: "Order successfully placed!" For guests, the form is cleared, and they remain on the page. For registered customers, they are redirected to their outgoing orders page. If there’s an error (e.g., invalid phone number), a warning is displayed.

The plugin sends emails with order details to the buyer, seller, and site administrator.

Email Template for Buyers Upon Order Creation

The buyer receives an email with a subject like "Your order has been accepted". The email content is as follows:

Your order #123 has been successfully placed!
Order details: View order
Product: Product Name
Quantity: 2
Phone: +380123456789
Date: 09/05/2025 10:30
Comment: Delivery after 3:00 PM
Seller Email: [email protected]
Seller: Ivan Ivanov
Your Buyer Profile: Anna Petrova

The email includes:

• Order number (e.g., 123).
• Link to order details (unavailable for guests without logging in).
• Product name and link to it.
• Quantity of ordered items.
• Buyer’s phone number.
• Order date and time.
• Comment, if provided.
• Seller’s email.
• Seller’s name and link to their profile.
• Buyer’s name (for guests, "Guest" or their email; for customers, name from profile) and link to profile (empty for guests).

Benefits of the Order Form

• Simplicity: The form is short, with only a few fields and no extra steps.
• No registration for guests: Guests can place orders quickly without creating an account.
• Auto-fill for customers: Email is pulled from the profile, saving time.
• Flexibility: The comment field allows specifying any order preferences.

Viewing Outgoing Orders (Only for Registered Customers)

Guests cannot view orders as this requires an account. Registered customers can access the "Outgoing Orders" page from their profile.

Outgoing Orders Page Interface

• Breadcrumbs: Path "Profile → Outgoing Orders".
• Header: "Outgoing Orders" — a list of all orders placed by the customer.
• Filters: A form above the list:
  • Dropdown for filtering by status: "All", "New", "In Progress", "Completed", "Canceled", "Rejected".
  • Search field for email or product name.
  • "Filter" button.
• Orders Table: If orders exist, they are displayed in a table with columns:
  • Order number (with link to details).
  • Product name (with link).
  • Quantity.
  • Cost.
  • Seller’s name (with link to profile).
  • Comment.
  • Date.
  • Status (e.g., "New").
  • Status change history with dates (e.g., "New (09/05/2025 10:30)").
  • "File Complaint" button.
• No Orders Message: "No outgoing orders".
• Pagination: Buttons to switch pages if there are many orders, with text like "Page 1 of 4".

Interface Benefits

• Quick Overview: The table shows all orders at a glance with key details.
• Search and Filters: Easily find specific orders by status or name.
• Navigation: Links to details and profiles simplify interaction.

Viewing Order Card

Buyers can view an order card from the list (for customers) or via a link from the email (for guests, after registration).

Order Card Interface

• Breadcrumbs: "Outgoing Orders → Order Details #123".
• Header: "Order Details #123".
• Main Block: Card with sections:
  • Product:
    • Product name with link.
    • Cost.
    • Quantity.
    • Comment.
    • Date.
    • Status (e.g., "In Progress").
  • Buyer:
    • Name (or email for guests).
    • Email.
    • Phone.
  • Seller:
    • Name with link to profile.
    • Email.
  • Status Update: Not available for buyers (view-only).
  • Change History:
    • List of changes with dates (e.g., "New (09/05/2025 10:30)", "In Progress (09/05/2025 12:00)").
  • Complaints:
    • Number of complaints.
    • Complaint text, date, status (if any).
    • "File Complaint" button (for customers).
• Error Message: If the order is not found or access is denied, "Order not found or you are not authorized".

Example Order Card Content

• Product:
  • Name: XYZ Smartphone (link).
  • Cost: 10,000 RUB.
  • Quantity: 2.
  • Comment: Delivery after 3:00 PM.
  • Date: 09/05/2025 10:30.
  • Status: In Progress.
• Buyer:
  • Name: Anna Petrova (or [email protected] for guests).
  • Email: [email protected].
  • Phone: +380123456789.
• Seller:
  • Name: Ivan Ivanov (link to profile).
  • Email: [email protected].
• History:
  • New (09/05/2025 10:30).
  • In Progress (09/05/2025 12:00).
• Complaints:
  • Number: 1.
  • "Product does not match" (09/05/2025 14:00, New).
  • Button: File Complaint.

Benefits of the Order Card

• Complete Overview: All order details, including seller contacts, in one place.
• History: Buyers can see how the seller is handling the order.
• Complaints: Easy to view and file complaints.

Filing a Complaint (Only for Registered Customers)

Guests cannot file complaints. Customers can file a complaint for their order via a button in the list or order card.

Complaint Form Interface

• Breadcrumbs: "Outgoing Orders → Complaint for Order #123".
• Header: "Complaint for Order".
• Form Fields:
  • Order number (displayed, non-editable).
  • Product name (displayed, non-editable).
  • Complaint text: A large field for describing the issue (mandatory).
• Buttons: "Submit Complaint" and "Cancel" (returns to orders).

After submission, the complaint is saved as "New", a success message is displayed, and the customer is redirected to the orders list. Emails are sent to the administrator, seller, and customer.

Email Template for Customers Upon Filing a Complaint

The customer receives an email with a subject like "New Complaint for Order". The exact template is not specified, but the email includes:

• Order number.
• Product name and link.
• Complaint text.
• Date.
• Status ("New").
• Customer’s name and email.
• Seller’s name and link.
• Link to order details.

Benefits of the Complaint Form

• Simplicity: Only the complaint text is required; everything else is auto-filled.
• Quick Submission: Buyers can quickly report issues.

Notifications

Buyers receive emails for:

• New Order: Email with details (described above).
• Status Change: If the seller changes the status, an email with the new status and details.
• New Complaint: If the customer files a complaint, an email with the text and details.
• Complaint Status Change: If the admin changes the complaint status, an email with the new status.

Benefits of Processing Orders Without Online Payments

Placing orders via email without website payments offers buyers real and potential benefits:

Real Benefits

• Security: Buyers do not enter card details or other payment information on the website, reducing the risk of data theft or fraud.
• Payment Flexibility: Buyers can choose any convenient payment method (cash on delivery, bank transfer, or direct payment to the seller), not limited by the site’s payment systems.
• Simplicity for Guests: Guests can order without registration, simply providing contact details, which is convenient for one-time purchases.
• Process Control: Buyers communicate directly with the seller via email or phone to clarify payment and delivery details.
• Fewer Errors: Without payment forms on the site, there’s less chance of technical issues during payment.

Potential Benefits

• Personalized Approach: Direct contact with the seller allows negotiation of discounts, special conditions, or alternative payment methods.
• Accessibility for All: Suitable for people without bank cards or those who prefer traditional payment methods (e.g., in regions with low trust in online payments).
• Faster Processing: Orders are sent to the seller immediately, without delays for payment confirmation, speeding up delivery.
• Simplified Process: Buyers can place orders quickly without spending time entering payment details.
• Cost Savings: No payment system fees, which may reduce the final product price for the buyer.

Why This Matters for Buyers

The absence of online payments makes shopping simpler and safer, especially for those hesitant to share financial details online. Buyers can focus on choosing products and communicating with the seller rather than dealing with payment technicalities. This is also convenient for wholesale buyers or store owners seeking suppliers, as it allows flexible negotiation of terms.