Here is my question:

I am setting up a cart for a school. I do not have the paypal password for the schools account, I only have their paypal email address. So can I:

Set up a cart to accept payments for things like a tee-shirt?

or do I need the paypal password so that the cart can be set up to send the funds directly to the school?

Thanks,

Mauiwh

Well, the cart only requires a valid email address. However, as their web developer you should have that information in case something goes wrong. Also, so that you can test the functionality of the cart to ensure that everything is working properly.

An email address is all the cart asks for if they are using Paypal Payments Website standard. But, if they are using Paypal Express Checkout, you are going to need an API username, password and signature to plug into the cart for payment processing. This is aquired by signing into the Paypal account and requesting it.

Set it up and test it to make sure its working properly and than have them change the password. Both parties will have peace of mind.

Hi Tom:

Thanks for your help. I am still not sure why I would need their password, only to test the account? I would rather stay away from the money issues if possible. So as I understand this, if I have the right email address, I can set up the entire store/cart. I can purchase some items as a test and they can tell me if all is working correct?

Regards,

Mauiwh

Correct.

A password wouldn't help much to test the cart. Sure, you could sign into their account and see the transaction details online, but the Paypal notification will be sent to the email account registered with Paypal. So, unless you have access to that email account, you will need to check with them regarding payments anyway, to see if the notifications are being sent to them. So to test it, you really only need the email address or API info, depending on the Paypal service being used.

Much of the point and the beauty of SCC is that you don't need to handle the personal data of your customers. This is so for developers, as well as shop owners. You don't need the 'keys to the customers' vault' to make it all happen.

I was referring to retrieving a PayPal API signature key. Some clients may not know how to set one up or retrieve it from within PayPal and want you to do it for them. If that is the case, have them change the password to PayPal when you know the cart is working correctly.

I suppose one has to do some hand-holding sometimes when developing for others, but in this case, the school department bean counters ought to be able to find their way around their Paypal acct. or there is some serious wastage of tax $$$$$ going on

Ya just never know until your banging your head on the table.

Nice avatar, by the way. I love those guys.