Generating Serial Number Lists - how?

[LaraSoft]

It should be possible in theory to do what you're doing, but for the time being I'll be manually processing all purchases. However what you suggest about the automating of the process is something I'm looking into. I have already programmed an in-house solution to contain customer purchase information and I don't see it too hard to have a program that creates licenses and then pass that information on to the customer storage database

One thing mind... if it's a simple as sending an email with a name and email address... what's stopping a person from sending an email to that without paying and getting a load of serial keys. With it automatic you would find it hard to intercept once the email is received and processed.

For now manual is the way for me. It means I can see who is purchasing and offer personalised responses as well as get an idea on sales figures. To be honest unless you're a large corporation, generating a lot of sales per day or both then is automation absolutely necessary all the way?

[Maverick]

Basically, since at least I'm only accepting paypal, I would probably verify the sender was from payments@paypal.com as part of the verification process (or whatever the email is that sends you the confirmation of payment) and extract the customers email address (and any other relevant information) from that email to generate the key, and have the program send the mail back to that person...

Though your right, personalized responses are better and I completely agree... but honestly don't check my email every day... and sometimes I get caught up with playing World of Warcraft (lame excuse, I know) ^_^;; Automated would more or less ensure that they got the key in a more timely matter.

Unless, I could live off the money I would make from the program /games I sell (not likely though), I probably would be lax in responding to emails I suppose ^_^;

[aidmm]

LaraSoft,

Very good point about payment confirmation. My main concern was that the customer couldn't use the product until I emailed them a code. If I'm offline for two days, that'd be two days before they could use it.

But, after thinking about this, I'll just have all my apps contain a Trial object, so that it can be used for X amount of days without a correct Code. That will still give them the ability to use the app while waiting for their code.

[Pkeod]

If you are using paypal, you can setup a php script to automatically generate a serial (hash or w/e). With other payment programs (kind of what Maverick said), you could have all of the order e-mails sent to an additional e-mail, have a script or program download those e-mails, then have it parse the information, generate the serial, add the info to a database for your use, and then send off a serial off to the customer.

[JasonDarby]

If i was a buyer of a product i would still want some form of confirmation. Also what happens if i leave it until the product trial has completed before deciding to buy?

Having people purchase a product online can be alot of trouble, and you have to try and respond quickly to the user.

I had one user buy one of my products, and it states it takes upto 24 hours to get the code (the trial runs forever so its not a problem in that respect), but they were not happy they didnt get the code within an hour of purchasing. It was lucky i was still online at 12 oclock at night, otherwise they would have had to wait another 7 or 8 hours...lol

So it is something to keep in mind.

Jason

[aidmm]

If you are using paypal, you can setup a php script to automatically generate a serial (hash or w/e).

This sounds like a great option... except for the php learning curve for me (at this point).

(heading off to wikipedia to learn about php...)

[DavidN]

PHP's a great language, its only real drawback being its variety of colourful error messages that don't relate at all to the problem if you mess your syntax up.

[Maverick]

PHP's a great language, its only real drawback being its variety of colourful error messages that don't relate at all to the problem if you mess your syntax up.

Man, is that ever familiar!

Pkeod: Exactly what I had in mind! ^_^

Also, I agree with Jason myself. When I order something online, I like to see a confirmation email saying they got my payment. It kind of puts the buyers mind at ease. Though if you still do it manually, you could setup your email to automatically reply with something along the lines of "We have received your request and are currently generating your password, you will receive it within 48 hours" and maybe add a ticket / confirmation # in the email in case they never get their key.