I don't follow your comment, "but it should do as advertised. " It does exactly as advertised. We offer a fully functional trial version that you can test before you buy. We do this for just the exact reasons you mentioned here. We document everything clearly on our Website and in our manual for the server requirements as well.

I would suggest putting a date on your support documentation, so that we know when it has been updated.

So why are so many users having problems, Scott? I'm seriously not trying to be total jerk, but this kind of reaction from a company on what they sell is what I see from some of the bigger companies often. It's an awful way to sell a product.

The documentation might be clear to you, but the frequency of posts here give me the impression a lot of people somehow "missed" your information.

For what it's worth...the product is easy to use, until you get to the point of using it with PayPal. Then it drops off.

Here's an example of how to make the requirements clearer:

On the product page for Shopping Cart Creator you have requirements in two places.

The one on the right says "Runs on Windows Vista, XP" and lists this:
"About this Version:
Price: $ 49.00
Trial Period: 10 Days
Version: 3.0.5
File Size: 14.11 MB
Last Update: Dec 29, 2008"


..and then at the bottom you have the server requirements:

"Server Requirements: Shopping Cart Creator needs PHP 4.4.7 or higher to run properly. Most Web servers have this running already, but check with your hosting provider to make sure. Get more info here. "

...but wait!...there's more! You never mention on that page the cURL extensions until you click on the "Get more info here," which show this:

"To use Shopping Cart Creator on your Windows or Linux server, PHP 4.4.7 or higher, cURL extensions, and PHP sessions must be enabled. If you are not sure if your server has these items enabled, contact your hosting provider, and they will be able to assist you. You can also use the code below to check to see what version of PHP is installed on your host."

...and you don't mention what cURL extensions version is required (is any version OK?). Guardpost has the latest cURL extensions installed and the version of PHP exceeds 4.4.7. PHP sessions are enabled. So, we're back to clarity of requirements and the fact that the product does not function, as advertised.

Again, this is why we offer a fully functional trial version that you can test before you buy. We do this for just the exact reasons you mentioned here. We document everything clearly on our Website and in our manual for the server requirements as well.

If something is not explained to your full satisfaction, e-mail us. This is why we offer free support. The majority of all PayPal issue in these forums always stem from the server requirements not being met. Just an FYI, we have thousands of people now using our software and the majority of those all use PayPal.

The server requirements are broken down into two areas. You have the Windows Side and Server Side. This is why you see it displayed in different formats. The application itself runs on Windows XP/Vista, the Shopping Cart itself runs under the server requirements explained at http://www.coffeecup.com/help/articles/ … -software/

So while I was in the trial version, you were suggesting that the problems with PayPal were likely stemming from having an item in the cart worth $0. Then you suggested it was user error putting the API key from PayPal in. Then you suggested it was something on PayPal's end. Then you suggested it was something to do with the host. I meet all requirements, I've worked through everything you suggested. What next Scott?

Regardless of 80,000, how do you know that functionality is working on all of them and they simply aren't posting problems here, possibly out of frustration?

The issue with the $0.00 was because after adding the item to 0.00 our software prompts that it will not appear in the cart. However you can then change the price to 1.00 and then back to $0.00. We have added a double fix for that in the 3.1 version. When trying to debug issues, we can only go by what a user tells us. It is always a process of elimination. I know from a customer point of view it would be easier to say it is CoffeeCup's responsibility, just make it work. In reality it does not work that way.


I don't want this tread to start turning into a flame war. We have both said what needs to be said. These forums can be used for more productive things.

Trust me, this experience has solidified my desire to never buy another CoffeeCup product.