Before I even get to the documentation, do I need add on gateways?

Hey @tokyoprogressive5 – Thanks for checking out our plugin and documentation. Here’s how it works: If you’d like to accept credit card on your website without any redirects to PayPal then the Add-on is the way to go. Keep in mind you will need an SSL if you plan on accepting credit cards on site so it’s secure. Your host can help you set this up.

We also like Stripe as a gateway. It has many features and looks like it’s available in Japan: https://support.stripe.com/questions/is-stripe-available-in-japan-how-do-i-sign-up-for-the-beta

Sorry to hear you don’t think processing checks is useful for you. We find many users like it, such as churches, that’s why we include it.

Please let me know if you have anymore questions.

Hi Devin and thank you.

Just a clarification or two is needed and hopefully I will be all set.You said,
“If you’d like to accept credit card on your website without any redirects to PayPal then the Add-on is the way to go”

Ok, but may I ask again. I have Paypal Business. Not Paypal Pro. Your site seems to say only Paypal Pro (not available in Japan) works. So should I bother with this.

“Sorry to hear you don’t think processing checks is useful for you. We find many users like it, such as churches, that’s why we include it.”
This is because in Japan personal checks are not used. Though I do have a US bank account. so US users could do this and I would then send the check back to the US bank.

We also like Stripe as a gateway
Ok, if this works in Japan, I could use that.

The last question then is: If I can get the PayPal Add on to work with a business account, and if Stripe also works in Japan, is there an advantage to having both (or even others?). In other words, PayPal can take Pay pal subscribers as well as anyone with a credit card. So what is the advantage of having both?

Thanks, and hopefully that will get me started. Paul Arenson.

https://tokyoprogressive.org/news/
(nothing shows up yet, presumably because I have not turned it on (and I assume the instructions where tell me where to locate the subscribe link)

Hey there,

I believe that PayPal business & Pro are synonymous – if not, we can provide you a full refund or gateway swap.

I didn’t know personal checks are not used in Japan – good information! Thanks.

Stripe is my personal favorite gateway for accepting donations. To answer your question, I don’t recommend accepting CCs with more than one gateway. It would confuse the donor because there would be two payment options labelled “Credit Card”.

Thanks for your questions!

Hello Devin Walker. So slow with no time, but have more news that may be useful to you. I tried to donate using Paypal to my friend, musician David Rovics, not using the GIVE plugin, but anyway, I got this response. Basically, from JAPAN, you cannot DONATE using PAYPAL. (Of course, I could ask people to have me send them an invoice, but that defeats the purpose.)

Since most of my users are in Japan, I think that means I had better go with STRIPE to save the stress. Will go and join now and then figure out how to but it and set it up. I guess I could already mention in a link that people are still free to use Paypal and checks. But looking forward to getting this set up.

Thanks and I guess once I buy STRIP I can qualify for the priority support?

paul

Hey Paul,

No problem. Sorry to hear about PayPal in Japan. Stripe is a good decision. If you purchase a bundle or the single Add-on you can access priority support. Thanks for your questions!

Just signed up but sent priority help message about not being able to upload. I am sure it is something simple, but have a look when you get a chance No rush.