Detecting Paypal Subscription Cancellation

Question

Hi,

I have written a simple paypal subscription system, where a user can enter their information, click the button, and start a subscription. Im wondering how I can find out when the user cancels the subscription though? I have seen $txn_type subscr_cancel but I have no idea how to use that, since paypal doesn't call my handler again.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Are you using IPN if yes then, when a subscription is cancelled paypal returns $_POST['txn_type'] = subscr_cancel along with subscr_date = subscription date, subscr_id = subscription ID, etc now you can process cancel request for the returned subscription id. similarly you get $_POST['txn_type'] = subscr_eot when subscription ends. Once you have setup IPN url in the paypal settings it will always call your ipn handler. use switch case to handle different requests like so,

switch ($_POST['txn_type']) {
    case 'cart':
          //for products without subscription
     break;
    case 'subscr_payment':
        //subscription payment recieved
        break;

    case 'subscr_signup':
        //subscription bought payment pending
        break;

    case 'subscr_eot':
       //subscription end of term
        break;

    case 'subscr_cancel':
        //subscription canceled
        break;
 }
 

Answer 2

The IPN with a type of 'subscr_cancel' is sent then the user actually cancels the subscription. This should not be used to cancel the subscription as this can happen anytime during the subscription period.

The IPN with the 'subscr_eot' type should be used to cancel the subscription. This is sent when the user's subscription period has expired.