Community Support Forums

Hi,

I am trying to provide the user an option to downgrade his subscription from Level#1+ccap="newsletter" to simply Level#1. The Level#1+ccap subscription option is more expensive than simply Level#1 subscription. After downgrading to Level#1, I want that recurring payments continue.

Example: L1+ccap costs 100 USD / year (recurring), while L1 costs 20 $/year (also recurring). After downgrading from L1+ccap to L1, the user should continue his L1+ccap access for until the expiry date of his subscription period, and then be charged 20 USD/year.

I use a Paypal Modification button for that, specifying price (20 USD/year, recurring), Downgrade to Level 1, and left CCAP empty. The problem is, that when the user is redirected to Paypal, he appears to be charged 20 USD right away, although he should not be charged until after the expiry period...

Any thoughts?

Thanks, kind regards,
Steffen

Hi there. Thanks for your inquiry.

Just to clarify, this response is specifically targeted toward PayPal Standard Button integration. s2Member Pro expands on this functionality, and it makes some new things possible. But in the context of this question, I'll just stick with PayPal Standard.

Under normal circumstances, a change in the amount would NOT be charged until the next billing cycle. In your case, that would be at the end of the first year. However, the documentation for PayPal Standard, is limited on this subject. It appears from this conversation that changing the term length may cause the problem you're seeing. Please check this post: https://www.x.com/message/100576#100576

Jason,

thanks for your reply. That logic makes sense, and it might work out like that. What bothers me is that at first look of the customer on the Paypal site after clicking the "Modify Subscription" button it appears as if they will be charged right away. I think the only way to find out is to test myself on the live site once it is up.
I would like to use Paypal Pro by the way, but I believe Paypal does support that only for UK and US accounts.
Regards,
Steffen

Yea, I completely understand about the Customer's perception of this process. One thing I've found that helps, is to create a Custom Page Style inside your PayPal account, specifically for Modifications. Then give that Page Style name to s2Member whenever you generate your Modification Button.

This allows you to display a custom graphic at the top of the modification/checkout form at PayPal, where you can provide some additional custom instructions of your own. Something like, "please log into your PayPal account, then you can modify your existing Subscription". Perhaps include a screenshot even. Just something a little extra there at the top usually makes a huge difference to the Customer.

You are right, this would probably be the best way to go with that.
Thanks for your time Jason, much appreciated.
Steffen