Ron Jones wrote: > Roger Millin wrote: >> Dave wrote: >>> Thanks Roger. It looked like the Paypal system was trying to set up >>> the subscription as a regular annual payment, but presumably that >>> wouldn't work if I don't allow Paypal to verify the account. >> As I understand it the payment is a annually repeating one as the part >> of PayPal that has been used is a 'subscription' membership part that >> allows us to access data and compile reports, just as you would want >> to when running a 'club' (for want of a better word). Will Chapman >> will undoubtedly be along in a bit, to confirm/deny what I have just >> said, as he found the facility and has been busy writing software to >> automate the logging of details and the SOW confirmation e-mail that >> gets sent out as soon as you've paid.
Here I am! Basically the Paypal subscription option that we are using performs two tasks. First it creates a subscription record which has a built in reminder based, in SoW's case, on 1 year (it can be set to a variety of time periods and also you can give free introductory periods if you wish). At the end of the period the subscriber is reminded that their period is over and given the option to renew or not. Its is very convenient for us because we can get Paypal to talk to our online membership database as each transaction takes place and thus greatly reduces the amount of work the membership secretary has to do and also gives the Treasurer a solid audit trail. The integration at the moment is partial but full automation is close and that is when we will have the official launch rather than the one that was prematurely announced by one of our more enthusiastic supporters. (We purposely confined the pre-launch to a limited audience so that we could get the system running smoothly). We are very conscious that the current system is heavily weighted to internet users and we are actively investigating the best way to handle cheques - and, possibly, cash [many concerns there because of the possibility of fraud]. Cheers Will to a restricted -- Will Chapman Save Our Waterways www.SaveOurWaterways.org.uk
