US Funds getting charged in pounds for UK members

[AlxRam]

I recently got a complaint from a member that their credit card was charged in UK pounds instead of US funds as configured in the plugin. I checked my paypal account and confirmed the payment came through in pounds instead of US funds.

This is the code I'm using on the sign-up page:
[s2Member-Pro-PayPal-Form level="2" ccaps="" desc="$49.95 USD / Yearly ( recurring charge, for ongoing access )" ps="paypal" cc="USD" ns="1" custom="bicycletutor.com" ta="0" tp="0" tt="D" ra="49.95" rp="1" rt="Y" rr="1" accept="paypal,visa,mastercard,amex,discover,maestro,solo" accept_via_paypal="paypal" coupon="" accept_coupons="0" default_country_code="" captcha="0" /]

The only setting I can find is the one that says: cc="USD"

Looks like the plugin is configured right. Is there somewhere else I should check? Or does anyone have any suggestions as to what might be the problem?

Thanks in advance

[Cristián Lávaque]

Aren't Maestro and Solo cards from UK? Could that have cause the problem? What kind of card did he use and didn't the description of what he was about to pay say the currency?

Still, you're stating the currency clearly there in the shortcode, PayPal shouldn't just change it...

Could you post your s2Member log entry for that transaction, x'ing out any private information, please? Thanks!

[AlxRam]

Hi Jason,

According to the customer they used a Visa card and they were under the impression it would be in US funds. I'd rather not post the entire log here so I'll send it to you in a PM right now. It does say mc_currency' => 'GBP' in the log file which is strange.

[AlxRam]

Hmmm I can't see the PM option here. Is that not an option on these forums or is there another way I can send the log info privately?

Thanks again!

[Cristián Lávaque]

You can send it by email, you have the address already.

Remember to mention the URL to this thread so we know what it's about, please.

[Cristián Lávaque]

Thanks Alex. We got the logs. Could you also show me the page with the button that had this problem?

[AlxRam]

Thanks Cristián,

The yearly sign-up page for $49.95 is here: https://bicycletutor.com/yearly/
We also have another monthly sign-up here: https://bicycletutor.com/monthly/

[Jason Caldwell]

Thank you. I just got your IPN log via email.
Can I see the API log as well please? You should have a file named: paypal-api.log

[AlxRam]

Thanks Jason, I just sent you the record from the API log

[Jason Caldwell]

OK. Thank you.

I see the problem now. This Customer used a Maestro/UK card, not a Visa card. PayPal requires s2Member to submit all transactions paid for with a Maestro card, in GBP. So this is why you're seeing GBP in the IPN log. This is to be expected, and that's the only way PayPal will allow the transaction to go through.

However, a bug related to currency conversion was corrected in the latest release of s2Member Pro v110606+, which corrects s2Member's handling of this scenario, so that GBP currency conversions match up properly with what would have been USD, or whatever currency you originally configured for your Shortcode. Please upgrade to the latest version of sMember Pro so that UK residents using Maestro/Solo are charged the correct amounts after automatic currency conversion is completed.

[Cristián Lávaque]

Thanks for clarifying that, Jason. Then I was right thinking it may have been related to the card used. Good to know I'm improving...

[Jason Caldwell]

Oh, absolutely. It's definitely related to the use of Maestro/Solo by the Customer.

[AlxRam]

Thanks for all your help. I will upgrade the plugin as you suggested.

Do you think that once I update the plugin that their recurring payment (next year) will automatically be charged in pounds again? If so I'd like to let them know. Perhaps I should issue them a full refund and ask them to sign up again once the plugin is updated?

[Jason Caldwell]

Perhaps I should issue them a full refund and ask them to sign up again once the plugin is updated?

Yes, that would be my suggestion. Either that, or log into your PayPal account and make the changes necessary to get the recurring charges at the correct amount in GBP. You can use this currency conversion tool if you like: http://xurrency.com/

[AlxRam]

Thanks Jason,

I will look into correcting the paypal account for next time. In the meantime I'll just issue them a full refund for the first year as compensation for the inconvenience.

You and Cristián are great, I really appreciate your time

[Cristián Lávaque]