Why Can't I Bid? Decoding Error Messages

In an online auction marketplace, there are several reasons why a bidder might find themselves unable to place bids. While this can be frustrating, bidder restrictions protect the integrity of the platform and maintain a safe environment for both buyers and sellers. From account-related issues to specific seller-imposed conditions, understanding the common causes behind bidding blocks can help users navigate the platform more effectively.

Verify Your Information:

Bidders are required to verify their email addresses before they can start bidding. Here’s what a bidder can expect to see if they have not verified their email: 

This issue can be easily solved by following the prompts sent via email. 

Not Authorized to Bid:

When a bidder sees that their account is not authorized to bid on any given auction, this could be because of a block the seller put on their account.
((For this screen shot, we blocked an admin account from bidding on Full of Surprizes))

Sellers are permitted to block individual bidder accounts from bidding on their sales. This could be due to a past negative experience with that bidder, it could be due to item disagreements, or disputes/chargebacks. If a bidder finds that they are not authorized to bid, they should contact the seller in question to get more information. 

Transaction Keys: 

If a bidder sees an error code about the merchant’s transaction keys, there is something wrong with the seller’s payment processor. The bidder should either report the issue to the seller, or to AuctionNinja. 

Disabled Account: 

If a bidder sees a message stating that their account is disabled and they need to contact AuctionNinja’s support team to reactivate their account. 

This is due to an account deactivation—account deactivation occurs for the following reasons: 

-A bidder was blocked by 2 or more sellers.
-An invoice goes unpaid for more than 45 days. 
-Bidders can cancel their own bidding accounts (often accidentally). 
-Some account information (name, address, email, phone number) matches a bidder who has been blocked previously by other sellers. 

If you are still unsure as to why your account is not authorized to bid on any given auction, you can reach out to the seller or fill out a contact form and hear back from our support team. 

Written by:

Juli Dupont

April 10, 2025     Updated 11:04 AM

Juli is the customer success guru at AuctionNinja, specializing in helping sellers achieve maximum success on the platform. With a background in the estates and acquisitions department at AuctionNinja's parent company, BRG, Juli possesses a deep understanding of the challenges and dynamics of the auctioneering and estate selling industry. Her expertise makes her the go-to person for sellers navigating the ever-changing marketplace. Juli holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

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