How do I require a credit card authorization outside shopping cart?

[stargre]

Hi! I want to build a reward program for my website, which is outside of the main shopping cart system but still needs to fit into the zencart template. I am wondering if this is possible:

1) I want the customers to fill out some comment pages and enter credit card information. I can do this by cloning and hacking the contact_us page. But then, I will immediately and automatically verify the credit card by obtaining an authorization from the bank without actually charging the card. I don't have a merchant account though. If this is not possible, then, can I at least utilize the built-in validation process of credit card payment zencart has in its checkout procedures? How do I hack the code?

2) I need to charge the customer at a later time rather than immediately. It doesn't matter if it is credit card, google checkout or paypal. But when this happens, I need to have the ability of entering charge total at that time.

Anyone has ideas? Thanks so much!

[kobra]

I dont understand your reasoning for this???
But the contact page not being a secure page (https://)
I would not enter any sensitive information there.

[stargre]

Hi Kobra! Thanks for reminding me of that. Can I turn it into a secured page by some simple modifications?

As far as my orginal question, I just want a way to require credit card information and validate it on a page other than shopping cart.

For example, I'll create a secured page using contact_us as a model. Then on this page, I will ask for credit card information and validate it. Since I know zencart does do a simple validation of credit card information during checkout, I am wondering how can I call that function in the page I just made.

My second question is how can I get the customer's authorization to charge them at one time, but actually charge them at a later time. For example, I am selling one item out of stock. So, when the customer goes to my page and enter his google checkout information, I don't take the money immediately. Then, when this item comes into stock, I charge the customer through the information he already provided and ship the item out after that.

Are these possible at all? Thanks so much!

[kobra]

I know what you are talking about on the out of stock issue but have no direct experience with how this would be handled.

I am wondering how can I call that function in the page I just made.

I still do not understand why you want to do this prehand and not at checkout as CC status can and does change. But you can look for the checkout code that does this and modify for your page.