how do add-ons work?

[cpagee]

I'm learning on the demo right now, so forgive me if this has been covered elsewhere. I could not find in the manual or the help, how exactly to make use of add-ons in inventory. E.g. i want to associate an optional upgrade item with a particular set of products (is this what the add-on option is intended to support?) I set up a matrix for the products, then created the add-on item as a separate product. I returned to the parent product in the matrix and associated the new product as an add-on, however it did not populate the child products. My questions:
1. should I associate the add-on to the matrix of products one by one;
2. if this is not the way, how can I display a limited number of special products as "optional upgrade"-type items, associated only with a limited number of items in inventory?

thanks for any enlightenment, this is a big part of why I am evaluating RE as a possible system for our store!

Camille

[Andy]

Camille,

Add-on items are used to help remind clerks and/or users of accessory items that customers might want in addition to the "main" item being purchased. Examples of add-ons might be batteries for a flashlight, a belt for a pair of pants, a cable for a printer, etc.

For each "main" item, you need to enter the appropriate add-on items (see the AdOns tab in the Item Editor). I thik you are correct in that you have to enter the Add-On items for each matrix child.

HTH.

Andy