PayPal module?

[jhande]

My shop is osCommerce v2.2 MS2 060817, my PayPal method is Website Payments Standard.

 

Right now I am setup utilizing the included PayPal module included in the Admin Panel.

 

I have read different threads and some mention that there is a problem running the included payment module and you would be better off installing a PayPal IPN contribution. But wouldn't an IPN contribution be for something like PayPal Website Payments Pro?

 

Any way, can someone enlighten me on the facts of the PayPal modules... which one should I be using?

 

:blush:

[FIMBLE]

My shop is osCommerce v2.2 MS2 060817, my PayPal method is Website Payments Standard.

 

Right now I am setup utilizing the included PayPal module included in the Admin Panel.

 

I have read different threads and some mention that there is a problem running the included payment module and you would be better off installing a PayPal IPN contribution. But wouldn't an IPN contribution be for something like PayPal Website Payments Pro?

 

Any way, can someone enlighten me on the facts of the PayPal modules... which one should I be using?

 

:blush:

 

 

Hi Jim,

PayPal seems to be a real talking point at the moment with which way to go!

I did this for another person but it might help you too.

 

Your store & PayPal,

 

 

The way it works ...

 

 

Your customer makes an order, this is stored in the session cookie, when the customer goes to PayPal to make their payment this information goes with them.

 

They log in and the complete the payment, once successful they go elsewhere and browse/shop on other sites, or switch off the PC, in any event the information has not been passed back to your site and the info on the order is lost!!

 

The first you will know of it is when you get your email from PayPal telling you that someone has made a payment.

 

 

Because the customer did not return (bringing all of the info with them) the database has not registered any purchase, you should however see that this customer has created an account, not what they have bought.

 

 

You have a few ways to go to rectify this,

 

 

First off if on the PayPal receipt where the order should be you have your store name, you need to replace your paypal.php file http://www.linuxuk.co.uk/paypal.zip you can get it from the link its a one for one replacement.

 

 

This method continues from the replacement of the paypal.php,

 

Log into PayPal, go to profile > website payment preferences > Select Auto return to ON > return url is your web site address followed by /checkout_success.php now save your settings.

 

 

What happens here is the once the customers payment is successful they are redirected to your web site where the data base is updated, an order e mail is sent and you know what your customer has bought.

 

This method in my opinion is better for high volume sales.

 

 

Another way,

 

 

Install PayPal IPN from the contributions,

 

This creates a temporary retaining entry in your database, so if your customer does not return then the order is locked into the temporary part until you either accept or delete it, the downside is that all other orders are stuck there too, so if your site is high volume you need to filter through it and delete all non paid orders.

[jhande]

Hi Nic,

 

I thank you for pointing me in the correct direction.

 

I think I will give your first example a try. :thumbsup:

 

Have you had any luck running a test purchase through a store with PayPal?

 

I have tried using many different "test" credit card numbers but it always catches them and returns a message for me to try another card number. All I want to do is pretend to be a customer and make a false purchase at my store so I can see how the transaction goes and the emails. I'd hate to setup another bank account and another PayPal account just to buy something from myself. :blink:

[FIMBLE]

Hi Nic,

 

I thank you for pointing me in the correct direction.

 

I think I will give your first example a try. :thumbsup:

 

Have you had any luck running a test purchase through a store with PayPal?

 

I have tried using many different "test" credit card numbers but it always catches them and returns a message for me to try another card number. All I want to do is pretend to be a customer and make a false purchase at my store so I can see how the transaction goes and the emails. I'd hate to setup another bank account and another PayPal account just to buy something from myself. :blink:

 

 

Yes i use PayPal, it works faultlessly for me.

I had to change the paypal.php tho as where the order should be it listed my store name!

[jhande]

Yes i use PayPal, it works faultlessly for me.

I had to change the paypal.php tho as where the order should be it listed my store name!

 

Thanks Nic

[satish]

Go for Paypal IPN.

 

 

 

Satish

[jhande]

Hey Satish,

 

If using Paypal IPN, will I be notified of customers orders or will I have to search databases?

 

I'm looking for the quickest notification (like an invoice email) as well as a secure shopping/payment method.

[WootCartoons]

I use the PayPal IPN and it works just fine for me.

 

The way it works is that when a customer begins to make an order, it stores the order in your orders page, but it shows a red X, letting you know that you are not good to go yet as far as payment. Once they pay through PayPal's site, this order will update to a green checkmark letting you know that they finished their order. This way if for any reason they never return to your site directly after payment you will know what they got and if they paid.

 

I have my order emails sent to my personal email as well so I always get order updates. I do not get updates if the order was not finalized though. So if you get those (which would really only be people not paying for their order after placing it in their basket) they will not send an email notification (I think if I remember correctly).

 

I would definately use the PayPal IPN contribution if you want less hassle. You can check it frequently on your site, otherwise be notified when you have a final order.

 

~Jenny

[satish]

Hey Satish,

 

If using Paypal IPN, will I be notified of customers orders or will I have to search databases?

 

I'm looking for the quickest notification (like an invoice email) as well as a secure shopping/payment method.

 

 

The IPN code is not generating any email for order.

You need to place a code in that file.

Oscommerce default code sends order emails.

 

Satish

[jhande]

Thanks Jenny and Satish!

 

I will look into this further.

I did not realize I could utilize Paypal IPN with Website Payment Standard... :blush:

[jhande]

Ok, I have another silly question! :-

 

What is the benifits of using the Paypal IPN as apposed to replacing the paypal.php and setting things up like Nic [Fimble] mentioned above?

 

I started reading quite a bit of the thread regarding the Paypal IPN and it doesn't sound like such a smooth intergration. :huh: