Old way: Customer's card expires, their sub fails (first try)... We notify them, so they update to their new card on their PayPal account but don't realise they need to update the funding source on the sub separately so it fails again (2nd try). We notify, they update, payment goes through (3rd try.) Typically, at each point they apologise and ask if they need to subscribe afresh. We assure that they don't. Although an inconvenient and inefficient process, the sub is nevertheless maintained. New way: Customer's card expires, their sub fails. They apologise and ask if they need to subscribe afresh. We say 'yes - shall we simplify things by doing it with a standing order?' Conclusion: PayPal is, as it began, a convenient mechanism in the procurement of new business. It has never IMHO been great for maintaining ongoing financial relationships with clients and PayPal seems keen, through this change in procedure, to diminish that functionality further.
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