Group Buy Organization Website

[osxoep]

I'm looking for a project to do and I've noticed everybody uses Google Docs for their GBs and it seems there could be an easier way.
So, I thought I should make a small web app to keep everyone's group buy organised.

It will either be:
 a) A website that people can make new GBs they've organised on and give out the url to (groupbuy.com/awesome-gb) and people register and can keep track of all their group buys.
 b) Or a small web app that the person running a group buy throws up on heroku (for free) for the specific group buy then each person signs up and gets sent a password to view their order.

Pros of Both
+ A buyer can easily view the status of his/her GB order
+ Totals can be viewed by everyone (For those who like stats)
+ probably others, I'm tired.

Pros and Cons for a)
+ Centralised place for people to see all their GBs
+ Easy to use for the person running the GB
- May start to cost money in the long run
- People may not like the idea of a site with all the GBs controlled by one person

Pros and Cons of b)
+ Should be able to use the free tier of Heroku
+ Each GB is controlled by a new person.
- People will get a new password for every group buy. Could be a pro I guess
- Needs a bit of configuration each time a new group buy is started

Would anyone be interested?

If yes, what would you want to see in something like this? What sort of admin features are needed, what sort of user features would you need, should people be able to edit their order (with or without admin approval), should paypal be integrated with it (long way down the line), etc

It will probably be open source. And probably fo sho running on Ruby on Rails.

[The_Beast]

I don't know that all GB organizers would use the GB website. I know some people really like google docs


I'd be game to use it if it's good

[longweight]

What is wrong with Google docs?

[osxoep]

I don't know that all GB organizers would use the GB website. I know some people really like google docs


I'd be game to use it if it's good

As long as 1 person uses it then it's worth it

What is wrong with Google docs?

Nothing is wrong with using Google Docs, but there could be improvements to it.
If I wanted to view (or forgot) what I ordered on a GB and the spreadsheet isn't public then I have to PM the organiser but if I can access the site I can load up my order and see what I ordered, check if it's right, etc.
With a separate app there can be clever form validation (email in the correct format, address formatted correctly) or even a sort of "basket" system so you can submit an order without out having to select 0 in every field you don't want.
Form can auto close so you don't get any submissions after the deadline.
Embedded images? Who knows.

[The_Beast]

I don't know that all GB organizers would use the GB website. I know some people really like google docs


I'd be game to use it if it's good

As long as 1 person uses it then it's worth it

What is wrong with Google docs?

Nothing is wrong with using Google Docs, but there could be improvements to it.
If I wanted to view (or forgot) what I ordered on a GB and the spreadsheet isn't public then I have to PM the organiser but if I can access the site I can load up my order and see what I ordered, check if it's right, etc.
With a separate app there can be clever form validation (email in the correct format, address formatted correctly) or even a sort of "basket" system so you can submit an order without out having to select 0 in every field you don't want.
Form can auto close so you don't get any submissions after the deadline.
Embedded images? Who knows.

I usually post post end dates in the title and have a link to check your order in the second like using another google doc but without the sensitive data (address, pp). I really like matto33 (I think ) GB ordering website

Then again, I don't run huge GB typically.

[hashbaz]

Google docs were a huuuge improvement over the thread-and-PM system we used before, but they have their own annoying quirks and limitations.

I believe matt3o is planning to open-source the amazing GB software he wrote for the DSA group buy.

[SmallFry]

That would be legit. I'd do his system ANY day of the week over Google Docs.

[danielucf]

I would love to convert Toxic group buy to matt3o's website system or something similar

[codyeatworld]

Never experienced Matt3o gb system but I could help out with a new project or any current project.