When your card is charged

Saving a card

You need a card on file to bid. When you register for a sale you save a card through Stripe, the payment company; Catalot never sees or stores your card number. You register for each sale separately, and each sale's registration needs its own card.

If you registered for a sale but skipped the card, that sale's lot pages show Add a card to bid instead of the bid box. Add the card and you can bid in that sale straight away. Your next sale needs its own registration and card.

When it is charged

Nothing is charged while you bid. When the sale closes, the seller's invoice for everything you won is made, and your saved card is charged about an hour later (each seller can set a different delay). You get a receipt by email.

If your card is declined

We email you a link to update your card, and try again the next day and on the third day. Once your card works, the invoice is paid and you can book your pickup.

Paying in person

Some sales let you pay at pickup instead; you choose when you register, and the seller may need to approve it. Once you can pay in person (the sale allows it for everyone, or the seller approved you), you can bid without a card. Until the seller approves it, you need a card like everyone else. Large invoices may have to be paid in person.

New bidders

Until you have paid for a first win, some sellers cap how much you can have winning in one sale. Pay a first invoice, or ask the seller to raise it.