Payment Authorization
The bank placing the transaction amount under authorisation and returning a positive response to the store. The order moving to preparation depends on this authorisation being completed together with the stock check; in a transaction where no authorisation returns, the status stays pending even if an order record is created.
Authorisation and collection are technically different steps. In authorisation the bank sets the amount aside from the card's limit; the definitive collection takes place when the transaction is finalised. For this reason you may come across a temporary block appearing on your statement and the amount being released when the transaction is not completed.
- If authorisation returns, the order status moves to the confirmed stage.
- If it is declined, the reason lies with the bank; it may be the limit, a card usage restriction or a verification error.
- In bank transfer/EFT the counterpart of this step is the amount being seen in the account and matched.
If authorisation comes through but the stock check turns out insufficient, the order is not taken into preparation and refund of the price collected comes into play; legislation provides for the consumer to be informed and their payments refunded in cases where performance could not take place. Keep your order number after receiving the authorisation notification; the whole of the shipping, invoice and any return processes is tied to that record.
The context in which this term is used: contact page