This article is for buyers. It details, step by step, how to register your first bank card hold when you place a bid, and how to move up to a higher tier when you want to bid higher.
Summary
- The hold is entered at the time of your first bid on a sale that requires it, directly from the listing.
- The default amount suggested corresponds to the minimum required for the bid you've just entered; you can choose more.
- To exceed your ceiling, simply register a new hold at a higher tier.
- Your card is remembered for your future entries.
1. Registering your first hold
Step 1 — Enter your bid
On the listing, enter the amount you want to commit, then confirm to move to the next step.
Step 2 — Choose your security deposit amount
A window offers you the minimum amount required for the bid entered. You can choose a higher amount if you plan to bid higher later: this will save you from entering it again.
Step 3 — Enter your bank details
Enter your card information, then confirm. A confirmation briefly appears, then the window closes: your bid is registered right away.
You can close this window at any time, using the cross in the top right. In that case, no hold is registered and your bid is not taken into account.
Once the hold is registered, you can bid freely, on as many items as you like, as long as each bid stays under your tier's ceiling.
2. Increasing your ceiling
Step 1 — Bid above your ceiling
When the amount entered exceeds what your current hold allows, a message invites you to choose a new security deposit amount.
Step 2 — Confirm with your card
The card used previously is offered for quick entry. You can also add another one.
The new hold replaces the previous one: the two amounts don't add up, and the earlier authorization is cancelled.
This also applies to automatic bidding. If your automatic bid needs to exceed the ceiling of your current hold, the system explicitly invites you to register a higher hold before continuing — it never stops silently.
3. Tier reminder
Guaranteed amount | Maximum bid |
€25 | €500 |
€50 | €1,000 |
€200 | €5,000 |
€500 | €15,000 |
€1,000 | Unlimited |
4. If you run into a problem
My card is declined
Check its expiration date, the limit allowed by your bank, and whether funds are available. Some cards with systematic authorization or prepaid cards don't accept this type of authorization.
My bank's validation doesn't go through
The security check goes through your banking app. Make sure it's installed and that you have network coverage, then try again.
I closed the window by mistake
No hold was registered and your bid isn't taken into account. Simply start again from the listing.
My bid is blocked even though I have a hold
It may have passed 30 days and been released automatically, or your amount exceeds the tier's ceiling. Register a new hold.
Our tips
- Plan a tier ahead: it's better to guarantee a bit more than to have to start over mid-bid.
- Register your hold before the last minutes of a sale: entry and bank validation take a few moments.
- Keep your phone within reach for your bank's confirmation.
- Note the date you registered it: the hold is released automatically 30 days later.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I enter my hold outside of a bid?
It's entered when you bid on an item that requires it. That process is what triggers the request.
Can I use a different card than the first one?
Yes. The previous card is offered for convenience, but you can add a new one.
Do the amounts of different holds add up?
No. The new one replaces the old one, which is cancelled.
Can I go back down to a lower tier?
It's not possible to reduce a hold while it's active. It will be released automatically after 30 days; you can then enter a lower one.
Is a hold requested for every item?
No. A single hold covers all your bids, within the limit of its tier's ceiling.
Is my bank information kept by Agorastore?
No. It's processed by our specialized and secure payment provider; Agorastore doesn't have access to it.
Does my automatic bid stop if it exceeds my ceiling?
No. As soon as your automatic bid would reach an amount above what your hold allows, a window asks you to register a new one, at a higher tier. Without this confirmation, the automatic bid can't keep rising above your current ceiling.