Collect additional information by using custom fields

This is a good idea. Another example that includes authenticated users as well is service item that may need additional information to complete. The only existing mechanism I see to collect that information is to have an administrator contact the person placing the order after the fact or adding additional instructions in the receipt emails for the end user to follow. Being able to collect that information before checkout would be beneficial.

+1

but I think this would require massive code extensions to the donations module,
i.e. a new product type actually

+1 also!

I had a similar need: collect company name, position, fax etc.

Here is the approach I've taken:

• collect this info, along with address info, with a profile (profile module).
• Add the following 'if' statement in 'address_form_fields':

  function address_form_fields($edit = array()) {
  if (function_exists(ec_profile_prepopulate)) {
  $edit = ec_profile_prepopulate($edit);

• Make a simple module (which called ec_profile, as above) to map my profile info the address book entry

In my case, the profile contains info that may be made available in an online directory. Users are required to fill this in before registering for the site, and I require ecommerce customers to register first.

But entries in the address book are private, used only for ecommerce billing &/or shipping.

All this really does is pre-populate new address book entries with info from the profile. The solution is not very general, but seems adequate for me.

This approach may not work for everyone

its now possible on eC4

on alpha 6? how?