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Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL

 
 


ken707
User

Sep 25, 2002, 11:26 PM

Post #1 of 20 (15013 views)
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Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL Can't Post
I would like to charge a yearly subscription fee on my site. Charging a fee for unlimited property listings per year. Paypal has a subscription payment service that also creates user id's and passwords, is there any way to modify this to the sign up add on?

One method that I thought about was to except a subscription fee then send a link to the subscriber to sign up but I don't want the link past around and people avoiding paying the fee. I want to avoid passing out the signup.cgi url.

Any idea's? Here is some info. on Paypal's service below.

Subscriptions Password Management

With Subscriptions Password Management, PayPal can generate unique usernames and passwords for your subscribers, enabling them to access "member only" content on your site.

Note: Subscriptions Password Management is not required to use PayPal Subscriptions. This feature requires installing a Perl script on your server. If you are not comfortable writing or editing Perl, or installing scripts on your server, do not enable Subscriptions Password Management when you set up your subscription.

Overview

After a customer signs up for a subscription, he will be given a unique username and password on the PayPal Successful Completion page. You will then activate the username/password pair on your website's server through code you write or, if you are using Basic Authentication (with an Apache web server on Linux), through a sample Perl script we provide.

How It Works

Step 1: Enable Password Generation
If you want to use Subscriptions Password Management, you will first need to activate Instant Payment Notification (IPN) from within your Profile.

When you create your subscription button, click the Subscriptions Password Management checkbox.

If you are creating and managing your own usernames and passwords, integration techniques are discussed in the PayPal Subscriptions Manual.

Step 2: PayPal generates usernames and passwords
Every subscriber will be given a different randomly generated username/password pair after signing up for your subscription.
Example:

Username: pp-bluekite
Password: dog2sun
Usernames and passwords are stored in both the buyer's and seller's Subscription Details pages.

Step 3: Activate usernames and passwords on your server
The Instant Payment Notification posted to your server will include your new subscriber's username and password.

At this point you have two choices:
You can write code on your server to accept the notifications and activate the username/password pair within your system. Learn more.

-OR-


If you are using Basic Authentication with an Apache web server on Linux, you may install and configure PayPal's sample Perl script.

This Perl script will automatically read the IPNs and update your active username/password file.

To begin, your system administrator will have to download the Perl script and follow the installation and configuration instructions.


Chris
Staff


Oct 10, 2002, 5:26 PM

Post #2 of 20 (14922 views)
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Re: [ken707] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Ken,

I'm not familiar with PayPal, but let me try my hand at a possible solution...

Quote
You will then activate the username/password pair on your website's server through code you write or, if you are using Basic Authentication (with an Apache web server on Linux), through a sample Perl script we provide.

...

Step 3: Activate usernames and passwords on your server
The Instant Payment Notification posted to your server will include your new subscriber's username and password.


If I'm reading this correctly, when a payment is successful, and the user has selected a username and password, the payment system will run a Perl script on your site. Presumably, you supply the URL that will run, and the URL will be run by the payment system, meaning that the user will not be aware of the URL.

If the system allows you to insert the username and password directly into the URL, the solution should be simple:

http://www.yoursite.com/rm/exec/signup.cgi?name=$fullname$&login_id=$username$&login_pw=$password$

Otherwise, you may need to write a small intermediete Perl script to convert the information into a format that signup.cgi can understand, and call signup.cgi.

The trick here is that the URL to your signup.cgi script is known only to the payment system, and is never given out to users. For added security, I would suggest renaming the script so that users familiar with Realty Manager won't be able to guess the URL.

Please let me know if this solution works for you, or if you have any problems along the way.
Chris


(This post was edited by Chris on Oct 10, 2002, 5:28 PM)


terencem
User

Oct 13, 2002, 5:12 AM

Post #3 of 20 (14883 views)
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Re: [ken707] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
This is very interesting. I also want to charge people to put their cars on our website, either by annual subscription or per car, as in classified advertising. I would be very interested to hear how you get on with this and PayPal.

T.

[image]http://www.southerncarsales.co.uk/graphics/newbie.gif[/image]

-- 
Terence Milbourn <terence@southerncarsales.co.uk>
[url]http://www.southerncarsales.co.uk/[/url]


Chris
Staff


Oct 14, 2002, 5:33 PM

Post #4 of 20 (14868 views)
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Re: [terencem] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi Terance,

Although not for the faint of heart, it should be possible to expand on this. You may need to hire a Perl programmer to help you with any of the solutions summaried below, which involve using the RM/AM Database API.

1. I've described how to deal with the first part of an annual subscription service in my post above. A complete annual subscription service would probably also require a system for allowing users to "renew" their memebership. This would most likely be achieved by setting up another script to add an extra year to the expiry date of a user. You'd want to change the "expired" message in interface.dat.cgi to have a link to purchase your Membership Renewal service on your payment service's site. The specifics for how this would be set up would depend on the payment service, and specifically how you might be able to pass information back and forth between it.

2. If you wanted a "per car" solution, things start to get more complicated. Firstly, you'd need a seperate script to manage the maximum number of listings a user can have. By purchasing an item, you could have the payment service call your script and increment the "listings_max" field of a user, allowing them to add more listings. Finally, you could change the "exceeded_listing_limit" message in interface.dat.cgi to direct users to your payment system link so they can buy additional listing credits.

Realty Manager and Auto Manager limit the number of listings each user can have, but users can modify listings at any time, or remove old listings and replace them with new ones, which might not be what you want.
Chris


terencem
User

Oct 16, 2002, 5:06 PM

Post #5 of 20 (14850 views)
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Re: [Chris] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
Sounds like a little more than I can get my head round just at the moment. But thanks for the info.

T.



[image]http://www.southerncarsales.co.uk/graphics/newbie.gif[/image]

-- 
Terence Milbourn <terence@southerncarsales.co.uk>
[url]http://www.southerncarsales.co.uk/[/url]


MAGSGQ
User

Apr 30, 2003, 9:07 AM

Post #6 of 20 (14541 views)
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Re: [Chris] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
Chris,

This is the same issue I have. We currently do not allow agents to create their own accounts (we provide a site for any agent/broker), we do add listings ourselves on behalf of the agent. The site is supplemental to a magazine we have.

The problem we have is: agent provides ad copy for magazine; that information is passed on to me; I add listing to website; payment arrangements are not my responsiblility.

I have to use ColdFusion now to allow agents to signup, create account and submit adcopy online (payment method not used still)and then I still have to take that data and add it to Realty Manager. Sound crazy? Well it is a nightmare.

If there was a way (I am working on signup script now)to incorporate a "Pay Per Listing" workaround, this feature would solve most of my headaches.

I'm not a PERL guy so I have no idea where to start. If you could add some more info in detail what would need to be accomplished, I would be greatly appreciative.

TIA
TCM


Donna
Staff / Moderator


Apr 30, 2003, 4:41 PM

Post #7 of 20 (14524 views)
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Re: [MAGSGQ] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi there,

I'm not sure if I'm understanding what you're asking properly, but let's give it a go.

I'm by no means a programmer, but would this workaround solve the problem?

When they make their payments, with whoever handles that, could they not then be redirected to the RM signup script? That way, they would ONLY have access to the signup script once they had paid.

I'll check with our developers to see if they have any additional input.

Cheers,
Donna :)

Donna

--
support@interactivetools.com


MAGSGQ
User

Apr 30, 2003, 5:36 PM

Post #8 of 20 (14523 views)
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Re: [Donna] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
Donna, let me try to clarify what we need. WE have a real estate magazine that we publish. It is small and we only have 10K circulated.

Currently, agents/brokers submit their monthly ad-copy to us via email or we drop in to their office and pick it up.

Once the current monthly issue is ready for print, I have to add the listings to RM. There is no agent/broker interaction. This is what we would like to change, however with a twist.

We want to provide FREE signups; it's the LISTINGS they are going to be billed for monthly. If they add 3 listings, those listings are going to in THEORY be their AD-COPY for our magazine; just kill two birds with one stone by adding it immediately to RM.

SO: 1. Agent Signs up 2. Agent Adds Listing / submits ad-copy same time 3. we need to incorporate real time billing or not.

Does this clarify things a bit?


Donna
Staff / Moderator


May 1, 2003, 10:07 AM

Post #9 of 20 (14510 views)
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Re: [MAGSGQ] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi MAGSGQ!

I think I've got it. :)

I think you want to take a look at the Realty Manager Signup Script -- it's available on our add-on page here:

http://www.interactivetools.com/products/realtymanager/addons.html

Offhand, I can't think of a way to have them billed for this real time. But I've got a few ideas, I just need to flesh them out in my head...

Let me know if that script works for you, and I'll keep thinking on the billing method.

Cheers!
Donna

Donna

--
support@interactivetools.com


MAGSGQ
User

May 1, 2003, 11:28 AM

Post #10 of 20 (14507 views)
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Re: [Donna] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
Hey Donna,

I am addressing the signup script and once I get time to look at it, this is a step in the right direction.

I guess if realtime billing can't happen (I'd be in love with those who figured it out)we could get by.

Anyways, that is my current dilemna:)

TIA


Joey
User

May 6, 2003, 3:06 AM

Post #11 of 20 (14454 views)
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Re: [MAGSGQ] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
i have tackled this but a different way...

car dealer or realtor signs up through paypal subscriptions:

10 cars/houses =19.95 per month....sell a car/house add another one.
at all times you can have 10 cars/houses..

20 cars/houses=$29.95 etc, etc...

step one simple sign up form:
gets name, address, phone number, etc...(advance warning that someone is signing up plus we have contact info to follow up if they do not complete...perhaps that hate paypal but they may be willing to pay another way....

step two choose plan....19.95, 29.95, etc...

step 3 fill out paypal subscription form...

step 4 upon finishing with paypal next they are sent to the signup.cgi where they input their username/password...

then it is all complete...only hitch must start out with 10 listings if they choose more i have to go into automanager and edit this to 20 listings, 30 listings, etc....
it seems to work well for dealers so far....

One thing we encounter is dealers would rather us charge a little more per listing for US to come out take pictures/descriptions etc and US put it on the site...after all they need to concentrate on THEIR business not learning how to use auto manager and uploading pics and things....BUT if you offered discounts if they do it and you help them initially they may go for it.

just thought i would interject with how i have handled this after a year and half of using auto manager...

take care,

Joey
http://www.Used-CarLots.com
[b][#ff0000]Joey Stubblefield[/#][/b]
[url]http://Used-CarLots.com[/url]
[b]Powered By Auto Manager![/b]

[url]http://MeetingStreetMotors.com[/url]
[b]Powered By Used-CarLots.com Via Auto Manager![/b]


MAGSGQ
User

May 6, 2003, 4:34 AM

Post #12 of 20 (14449 views)
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Re: [Joey] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
Hey Joey,

Seems like that might be the way we have to go. Unfortunately the issue we'll run into is this. We'll have one member add one listing and another one that has 20. It seems subscription based is the only way to go.

What I'm trying to figure out with some agony is when using PayPal IPN service, I want to auto create the username and password and pass those variables on to the signup.cgi script.

What I'm working on (not sure if it will work or not) is a coldfusion script.

1. They signup using a standard signup form choosing their options for membership package.
2. We prepopulate as much customer information as possible.
3. Pass on purchase to PayPal via IPN.
4. Receive receipt and add transaction to our database
5. Build URL which includes new username and password and use the redirect meta tag to take them to signup screen.

That's what I'm thinking. We're trying hard to keep it quick and simple for them. Not sure if it is viable option, but I'd rather them not spend much time on PayPal and then have to come back to my site and fill out another form to signup. Personally, I do not have a problem going in and making minor modifications to new user accounts.

I have found that people are lazy sometimes, and redundancy kills.


carextreme
User

May 6, 2003, 7:19 PM

Post #13 of 20 (14432 views)
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Re: [Donna] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Hi MAGSGQ!

I think I've got it. :)

I think you want to take a look at the Realty Manager Signup Script -- it's available on our add-on page here:

http://www.interactivetools.com/products/realtymanager/addons.html

Offhand, I can't think of a way to have them billed for this real time. But I've got a few ideas, I just need to flesh them out in my head...

Let me know if that script works for you, and I'll keep thinking on the billing method.

Cheers!
Donna


MAGSGQ
User

May 6, 2003, 9:13 PM

Post #14 of 20 (14428 views)
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Re: [carextreme] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
Donna,

Thanks for reminding me about the signup script, but not sure if it is going to come into play. I need a way to PUSH the three variables: Full Name, username and password to signup.cgi but I need to do it from a static page.

I've almost got PayPal IPN working to a point where we use payer_email for username and we randomly generate a password for them.

AT THAT POINT: I need to pass that data to _signup.html and that's where I'm bogged right now.

I do not know how to take the 3 values I have and get them to the signup script. I can use the signup script which I have already done; but now that we're trying to work in our PayPal subscription / IPN solution we have three steps before they even get to the SIGNUP portion, which of course we want to automate for them

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On that note: I think I figured it out.

I can pass on Full Name, username and password from a static page.

Account is created.
Redirect to login page.

Bada bing. So far so good, but what sucks is now I have to do all the damn error checking.


(This post was edited by MAGSGQ on May 6, 2003, 9:22 PM)


carextreme
User

May 6, 2003, 9:22 PM

Post #15 of 20 (14425 views)
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Re: [Donna] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
Will this script work with automanager?


MAGSGQ
User

May 6, 2003, 9:24 PM

Post #16 of 20 (14424 views)
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Re: [carextreme] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
I think it will work with either Auto Manager or Realty Manager.


carextreme
User

May 6, 2003, 9:26 PM

Post #17 of 20 (14422 views)
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Re: [MAGSGQ] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
This will be great for me if it does!!


MAGSGQ
User

May 6, 2003, 9:31 PM

Post #18 of 20 (14421 views)
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Re: [carextreme] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
I can almost guarantee it will work with Auto Manager. I would try it anyways. It is small and simple to upload and test.

Try it.


Donna
Staff / Moderator


May 7, 2003, 1:56 PM

Post #19 of 20 (14401 views)
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Re: [MAGSGQ] Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
Hi there!

Since Auto Manager and Realty Manager are actually almost identical, save for different fields & templates, anything that works on one will work on the other as long as you change all the RM's to AM's.

Let me know if you have any questions. :)

Cheers!
Donna

Donna

--
support@interactivetools.com


MAGSGQ
User

May 11, 2003, 6:51 AM

Post #20 of 20 (14363 views)
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Re: Charging a subscription fee with PAYPAL [In reply to] Can't Post
I gave up on PayPal's IPN solution. I decided to try this instead. If you can offer a better solution I would consider a much shorter way to register a customer that what I have now.

I have an access database to store my subscriptions.

1. They agree to terms and conditions.
2. Next they view subscription options.
3. Fill out (prepopulate) registration form.
4. Next verify information is correct (write initial order to access database)
5. Next I shoot them off to PayPal to make payment.
6. Upon successful paypment, return them to success page.
7. Success page (verify account page) asks them for 3 pieces of information I provide PRIOR to PayPal which is sent via email. (also success page contains two layers)
8. Success page queries database based on their input and returns verify/invalid response. Verify returns SECOND layer with their Full Name, Username (email address) and password (password field so it is hidden - again this information was emailed to them AFTER THEY verify)
9. The HIDDEN layer that returns Full Name, Username, Password USES a FORM to automatically ADD account to RM.
10. Thank you page allows them to automatically LOGIN and start adding LISTINGS.

Winded? Yes I know BUT I can't find another way to AVOID INSTANT signup without PAYING. Even if they FOUND signup.cgi, my _signup.html file is blank and redirects them to my REGISTRATION area.

What do you think? Any other ideas are welcomed.