test mode

[mickeyren]

im surprised no one asked this. Is there a way to put your account into test mode? I'd like to experiement with the actualy payment process and the return variables and other various settings you can set in paypal.

is there any way to put the web standards payment into test mode?

[skier]

What you're looking for is called the Sandbox. 

Basic Sandbox Tips:

* Read the Sandbox Documentation first as you will spare yourself a bit of frustration.

Visit PayPal's Developer Central Website:
Select the "How To" Tab, then from the menu, select "Testing"

After that select the "Training Tab", scroll to the bottom of the Page and check out the last item titled "Getting Started with PayPal Sandbox".

* The Sandbox is a virtual world, it's not associated with your live PayPal Account in any way.
* You are not required to have a live PayPal Account to test code in the Sandbox.
* You will need a valid email address to setup your Sandbox Developer Account, suggest using an email not associated with your live PayPal Account. Get a FREE email address, Gmail, Hotmail, etc.
* In order to minimize confusion logging into your different Sandbox Accounts, simply use the same "password" for all of your Sandbox Accounts. This will also save some time as you toggle between accounts.
* Use the "Create a preconfigured buyer and or seller account" option. It's just easier as both bank accounts and credit cards are setup automatically.
* The Sandbox will automatically create an email address for both your Sandbox Business or Seller Account and your Sandbox Personal or Buyer Account. The email address created will be a variation of the address used for your Developer Account.
* All Sandbox "Notification Emails" sent stay in the Sandbox.
* "Hosted" item button code created in the Sandbox will only work in the Sandbox.
* "Hosted" item button created with your live PayPal Account will only work with your live PayPal Account.
* You must first be logged into your Sandbox Developer Account and remain logged in to test your item button code.
* Ensure you are using the same web browser for logging into your Sandbox Developer Account and testing your item button code. For example, if you login to your Sandbox Developer Account using IE, then attempt to test your item button code using Firefox, you will get unexpected results.

Other Notes -
* Sandbox URL: "https://www.sandbox.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr"
* Live Site URL "https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr"
* If you create non-hosted or non-encrypted item button code in the Sandbox, you can use the same code in your live site by changing the URL of the action line to point to the live PayPal site and the business variable value that's associated with your live PayPal Account.

Regards,

skier

[mickeyren]

thanks for your help. Informative and now i will burrow and read all these loong documentations.

[mickeyren]

hmm, do i need to be cautious about the list of countries that are only available on the test mode?

I don't see my country listed there, does that also mean that Paypal will not be available for processing payments in my country?

Also, when i'm on the test account tab, i see "website payments pro (US | UK)" , does that say that the website payments pro is only available for US and UK?

Thanks

[skier · Accepted solution]

This link will tell you what countries PayPal is currently available to, it also provides info as to what PayPal Features are available to those individual countries.

As for PP WSP Pro.  Pro is currently only available to US, UK and Canadian Accounts.

As for countries in the Sandbox, although limited, you can still test your stuff.

Regards,

skier

[mickeyren]

thanks its been informative, i hope paypal would improve their content so things like this would be easier to find out.