Summary

• Attempt to bid on an auction over $5000
• Complete pre-authorization with a valid credit card

Details

Buyer Certification involves a pre-authorization charge that is applied before a bid can be placed in an auction or an offer placed for a classified listing. These are:

• $5 pre-authorization charge for all bids or offers over $200
• $500 pre-authorization charge for all bids or offers over $5,000.

Please note that unless this is completed you will not be able to bid in any auctions.

Technically it's not an actual charge, it's a hold that we place for a specified amount similar to the hold that hotels place when you book into a room. 

At the point of making a bid over $200 or $5,000, you will be asked to complete a certification process. This is free, there are no charges applied.

• We'll ask you to enter your credit card information. This is a secure form, and this information won't be used to process payments. 

• We place a temporary hold on your credit card. This hold is removed as soon as we can verify the card. 

• You'll then be redirected to the listing page, where you can place your bid.

Please note that these are one-time pre-authorization amounts. Once a pre-authorization has been completed your account is enabled to bid at that level permanently and will not be asked to pre-authorize again.

NOTE: It may be possible to use debit cards if they have a security code (similar to a CVV in a credit card). Please use caution in doing so, and call your bank prior to using it for buyer certification, as this does not work for all debit cards.