Why are some one-time donations treated as recurring by PayPal?
When supporters make one-time donations at the same amount and frequency, PayPal may categorize them as repeat subscriptions. This is because PayPal's system is designed to identify patterns in transactions and classify them accordingly. Some supporters may intentionally choose to make one-time donations with the same amount and repeated frequency to reinforce their intent rather than opting for recurring donations. This behavior can lead to PayPal treating these donations as repeat subscriptions.
Addressing the issue
- Contact PayPal: If a supporter believes that their donations have been incorrectly categorized as repeat subscriptions, they should reach out to PayPal directly. PayPal can assist in changing the transaction type to accurately reflect the nature of the donation.
- Communicate with supporters: If you notice that some supporters are making one-time donations that resemble repeat subscriptions, you can consider contacting these supporters to inform them about the recurring donation option available during the checkout process. This will help ensure that supporters can make their intended donation type and avoid any confusion in the future.
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If the PayPal option isn't available in your checkout for recurring donations, there's a simple explanation: PayPal doesn't allow subscription payments by default.
PayPal cannot be used for recurring giving