Paypal requirements on 1.3.7

Hello, all ... Happy Friday....:yes: !
Upgrading this shop from 1.2.4 to 1.3.7 and have a test site up to check out. Was just looking at the Paypal IPN module and removed it then reinstalled it, and got this:
Configuration Instructions:

1. Sign up for your PayPal account - click here.
2. In your PayPal account, under "Profile",

• set your Instant Payment Notification Preferences URL to:
  https://www.creektree.net/shopct137/ipn_main_handler.php
  (If another URL is already used, you may leave it alone.)
  Be sure that the Checkbox to enable IPN is checked!
• in Website Payments Preferences set your Automatic Return URL to:
  https://www.creektree.net/shopct137/index.php?main_page=checkout_processThe site had already been using IPN and I checked the Paypal site finding that these urls weren't set up and the IPN enable check box wasn't on. So I tried running an order thru with a test account, all the way thru Paypal and returning to the shop site, and it appears to have worked.
  So can anyone tell me if these 2 steps are really necessary, and what are the advantages of setting up these URLs ?

Thanks for educating a newbie!
inovermyhead

inovermyhead:

So can anyone tell me if these 2 steps are really necessary, and what are the advantages of setting up these URLs ?

Thanks for educating a newbie!
inovermyhead

Its no longer necessary as Zencart sends the return URL to paypal during checkout.. however i set mine in PayPal anyway, just in case :)

Thanks, samad64, I may do the same just to be on the safe side!:yes:
Texas, huh ? ... me,too.

inovermyhead

inovermyhead:

Thanks, samad64, I may do the same just to be on the safe side!:yes:
Texas, huh ? ... me,too.

inovermyhead

Where at? I'm near the Dallas area :)

Same here, in DeSoto, just south of Big D on I35. Small web, isn't it <grin>.

inovermyhead:

the IPN enable check box wasn't on.I do recommend that you check the box to turn it on. Since PayPal requires a URL to be entered if you do that, just use the one suggested in the module configuration.

Having this on simply confirms to PayPal that you do expect to receive IPN notifications of payment transactions. I'm actually surprised that your IPN transaction completed successfully with it off.

Thanks for that info, but :ohmy: Just thought of a monkey wrench in the works here. We have two shops, using the same Paypal account, and Paypal returns to the proper shop after the payment is made . If we put a return URL in the Paypal profile, isn't that going mess up the return for one or the other ?

inovermyhead

inovermyhead:

Thanks for that info, but :ohmy: Just thought of a monkey wrench in the works here. We have two shops, using the same Paypal account, and Paypal returns to the proper shop after the payment is made . If we put a return URL in the Paypal profile, isn't that going mess up the return for one or the other ?

inovermyhead

No - PayPal and Zen Cart are smart enough to tell each other what to do with each shop's transactions.

Thanks, Dr, Byte, that's great! So we can set the Paypal checkbox and enter either one of the URLs on the Instant Payment Notification Preferences page, but leave blank the Automatic Return URL in the Website Payments Preferences. Then between Zen Cart and Paypal they'll sort out where to return ?

Do I have it right ?

Thanks much
inovermyhead

If PayPal will let you leave that field blank, sure.

inovermyhead:

Thanks, Dr, Byte, that's great! So we can set the Paypal checkbox and enter either one of the URLs on the Instant Payment Notification Preferences page, but leave blank the Automatic Return URL in the Website Payments Preferences. Then between Zen Cart and Paypal they'll sort out where to return ?

Do I have it right ?

Thanks much
inovermyhead

I have a very similar problem - I am in the process of setting up a second shop and want to use the same Paypal account. I tried leaving the Automatic Return URL blank but Paypal wouldn't allow me to do that. Did you find a way of overcoming this problem? I thought about a second Paypal account but no 2 accounts can share the same bank details so this would make the paperwork very confusing! Grateful for any advice or experiences of other Zen Cart users.

Clare,

The PayPal module is smart. Just put either return URL in the field and it will work.

Thank you very much for your quick reply. :smile: