Extraneous Checkout page
You said: "The checkout process that is created by the checkout wizard uses the information that the custumer enters on the checkout page when storing the order in the database, this is why you should not skip the checkout page. the eCart checkout process will not function properly if you bypass the checkout page, it may _seem_ extraneous, but is is necessary to the way eCart works."
We are not planning to store any order information in our database (we've already captured it prior to the checkout page), and if we are not processing credit cards locally from our site, then why would I ask the customer to fill out any Billing information on the Checkout page?
Thus, if I delete the Express Checkout button...and I delete the Billing information fields...there's nothing left on the Checkout page (but potentially hidden fields that are passing Cart data to the Confirm page)...and if that's the case, could I hide a duplicate of my cart data on the bottom of my Cart.php to pass off to the Confirm page?
I'm also theoretically wondering if I need to use the Confirm page at all? We're giving the customer the opportunity to review their order and make updates In the CART prior to checking out. To me, once you start the checkout process, you're ready to pay...not confirm again.
Bottom line...when I click on the Checkout button from my page, I'm only expecting to pass the Sub Total to paypal for payment processing and tax calculation...and the Total Weight if I want PayPal to calculate shipping costs.