Not actually skipping the Payment page?

[Xenocythe]

Version 1.3.8
ZenCart

Basically, the only payment module installed in my store is the PayPal Express Checkout module. Gift Certificates and Discount Coupons are both removed, disabled, and are not in use in any way at all.

My problem is that I'm trying to skip the payment page (step 2 of 3) in the checkout system. Yes, I have this option checked in the express checkout module.

This is how I want the checkout process to go.

1. Shopping cart: press the button 'go to checkout'
2. Fill out info in Paypal: use paypal to purchase and confirm
4. Order success page: download the item you just bought
and your done!

Instead, when you view the shopping cart, it has a 'go to checkout button' and if the item you are buying is not free, there is a paypal checkout button underneath. What the heck is the point of two different checkout buttons? That is so ridiculous and absurd.

Now, if you press the ZenCart 'go to checkout' button, it sends you straight to step 2 (the payment page). Even though this option is disabled in the express checkout module, it sends you straight to it. There is nothing there about discount coupons or gift certificates, so I know for a fact that they are indeed disabled. Then you go to step 3 and confirm the order. NOW, it takes you to paypal where you fill out your information. Finally, you are taken to the order success page and you can download the item you just purchased.
Keep in mind, however, that if the item you are buying is free, there is no paypal page at all.

BUT, if you press the 'checkout with paypal' button from the shopping cart page instead of the 'go to checkout' button, you are taken straight to the PayPal form where you fill out your info. Then, your at the order success page and all is well.


My dillema is that I don't want to be taken to the Payment page (step 2) AT ALL, and I want the checkout process to go the way i described above. I have only the express checkout module installed, and that setting is checked to 'Yes'. I have all gift certificate and discount coupon modules disabled and removed. So, why on earth are there two buttons, and why the heck does step 2 (the Payment Page) still show up!?



Phew, that was a lot to write.
Thanks.
Xeno

[DrByte]

There are a few FAQ articles that already deal with this, but I'll try to explain it again.

a) If the order is free, then the checkout will deal with shipping and then final confirmation. PayPal will not be involved.

b) If the order is not free, then payment must be collected. There are two ways to go through checkout at this stage:

-- i) Regular Zen Cart checkout
-- ii) PayPal Express Checkout


i) Regular Zen Cart Checkout
This is the usual checkout process:
1. Check that the customer is logged in and has supplied default address info
2. Shipping screen to select shipping address and choose from available shipping options/rates.
3. Choose payment method (list of available options if more than one) and apply any coupons/discounts. If using this checkout process, then PayPal can be selected here.
4. Confirm final amount
5. If selecting an offsite payment method, redirected to that site to collect payment, including going to PayPal if the Express method wasn't selected on cart page.
6. After payment is completed offsite, customer is returned to Success screen

As stated, using this method, step 2 HAS TO show you the PayPal option if you want to use PayPal for checkout. But using this method, the "Express" flow is not used.


ii) PayPal Express Checkout
If selecting the Express Checkout button from the shopping cart or login page, the following flow is used:
1. Start Express ... immediately redirected to PayPal website to login and select funding source. This login information is used to ensure that the customer has an account in your store, preventing them from having to re-enter shipping details again ... hence part of the "express" meaning.
2. Return to cart and choose Shipping options (if auto-select-cheapest is selected in admin, this screen is skipped)
3. If discounts/coupons are available, the Payment options page is displayed (or page is skipped if those are disabled, since the payment method is already known as Express)
4. Confirm final amount to charge, at which time the final charge is submitted to PayPal and funds are transferred.
5. Success screen.


Why does it work that way? Because that's how PayPal requires it.

[Xenocythe]

Ahh, I see.

Well then, I guess I can't do anything about Page 2 being shown or not being shown.

What I can do, however, is fix the problems that Page 2 bring up, for which are the reasons I want to remove it from the whole checkout process.

1. My store is entire for digital download products, for example a game or ebook that you can download right after you buy. Therefore, I don't want to show the 'shipping address' section in either step 2 or 3. I would have to dig around the module files to remove this, correct?

2. When the item is free and paypal is not involved, in the 'payment options' area in step 2, there is a red, distracting error message that says "Sorry, we are not accepting payments from your region at this time. Please contact us for alternate arrangements." I would either like to remove this, or change the message to something like "This item is free."


I'd just like to know now if it's possible for me to dig into a module file and comment out or modify the the block of code that displays these two things.


Thanks.

[DrByte]

An item that doesn't require shipping will automatically skip the payment page. Sounds like you've got your products configured incorrectly.

Same with payment. If the item is free and doesn't require payment, then the payment page is automatically skipped. The freecharger payment module handles that automatically.

Related FAQ: https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=71

[DrByte]

What I can do, however, is fix the problems that Page 2 bring up, for which are the reasons I want to remove it from the whole checkout process.

It's actually better to *start* with that information being INCLUDED in your first post about a matter.
You jumped to a conclusion without stating the original problem, which ended up being steered in the wrong direction.
Just a tip for future issues

[fightthefourwalls]

If the item is free and doesn't require payment, then the payment page is automatically skipped. The freecharger payment module handles that automatically.

I can't seem to get this to work... I have a free download product but I can't get it to skip the payment page. I have got only the Zen Cart FREE CHARGE CARD payment module on (as I am just testing this specific product at the moment). I find it extremely annoying having a payment page if the order is free. I have free shipping enabled too, and it skips the shipping page fine.

[Samirah]

Im having the same problem.

My items are set as free, I only have the Zen Cart FREE CHARGE CARD mod on, and I'm getting the 2nd step:

Step 2 of 3 - Payment Information

Your Total
$0.00
Total:

Payment Method The Zen Cart FREE CHARGE CARD

****

My product settings:

Product is Free: Yes

Product is Virtual: Yes

Always Free Shipping: Yes, Always Free Shipping

[DrByte]

Product is Virtual: Yes

Why is your product marked virtual?

Remember: download items are downloads. If you mark them as virtual you will not get the special handling for downloads.

The FAQ on setting up downloads makes specific mention of that fact: https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=71