Strategy for disallowing cancellations in paypal?

Discussion in 'Payments processing' started by msrsek, Mar 2, 2009.

  1. msrsek

    msrsek New Member

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    Hi everyone

    We have amember set up to sell a product for a 3 month period, and we charge $30 per month using paypal and amember recurrence

    My client and I noticed it is possible for users to cancel at any time druing that three month period through paypal, and they will not be charged for the remainder of the balance.

    For example, I sign up today, am charged $30 for the first month. Tomorrow, I cancel, and I am not charged for months 2 and 3.

    This is an issue for my client and they are asking if it is possible to not allow users to cnacel, or if they cancel, make sure they are charged the remainder of the balance?

    Is that possible?

    If not, we are considering moving to a new cc processor. Is there a processor that behaves as I described? The only other hard requirement we have is that it store credit cards remotely - we don't want them stored in the amember database.

    Thanks for any help
  2. davidm1

    davidm1 aMember User & Partner

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    aMember should not be allowing access to months 2 + 3 if they cancel. When they cancel, amember is notified, and will stop the subscription after the 1st month (assuming you have everything set up right)

    David
  3. msrsek

    msrsek New Member

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    Oct 17, 2008
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    Hi David thanks for the response

    You are right - this is what is happening. The issue though is that my client wants to make sure that if they sign up for the 3 month access, that they are charged the total of three months regardless.

    For example, lets say a product costs $99, set at a $33 charge recurring for three months. If a user signs up, they should be obligated to pay the complete $99. If they cancel after one month, my client still wants to collect $99.

    What is happening is people are paying $33 for the first month and then canceling, meaning the remaining $66 is never accounted for. This is what my client wants to prevent. If they sign up for three months access, they should be charged the total amount.

    Hope this makes sense.

    Also, just as an aside, I've noticed you answer a number of questions on this forum, and just wanted to say your help is much appreciated

    Thanks
  4. davidm1

    davidm1 aMember User & Partner

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    You can't do it.
    You cant charge people monthly and then not allow them to cancel- not with paypal anyway.

    If you want to be guaranteed to get $99, you will have to charge them $99.

    David
  5. codeispoetry

    codeispoetry aMember Pro Customer

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    Hi msrsek,

    Perhaps you can consider:

    $99 for 3 months, and $33 per month thereafter.

    In aMember, it will be:
    Price = $30.00
    Duration = 1 Month
    Trial1 Price = $99.00
    Trial1 Duration = 3 Months

    Does that work for you? :)

    Lee
  6. msrsek

    msrsek New Member

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    You said: "not with paypal anyway."

    Is there a cc processor that allows this, while also storing the credit card info themseleves?
  7. davidm1

    davidm1 aMember User & Partner

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    I dont think so. I would imagine they need to be very careful about cancellations as well, and if someone wants to cancel a recurring payment- it allows them- otherwise they may run into legal trouble...

    The only option I can think of is to get your own merchant account.

    David
  8. miso

    miso aMember Pro Customer

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    Aug 22, 2006
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