Set credit limits per bidder to manage exposure and control liability. Ideal for regular trade clients, breakers or high-spend auctions. Easy to configure and monitor during live events.

Credit limits can be set at the point of bidder registration, and bidders can request higher credit limits that need to be approved by auction admins.

For clients that use the Bidstream® live bidding software, bidders can see the status of their current credit limit as they bid and win items. If they need to apply for more credit during the auction, they can do that in real time and the auction admin gets an alert to agree or deny the request.

When a bidder hits their credit limit, they are politely reminded that they will not be allowed to place any further bids until they have made a balancing payment. When payments are made, the credit limit is reduced as it is when losing bids are released back into the credit pool.

How Credit Limits Work

Each registered bidder can be assigned their own unique credit limit, a pre-approved maximum spend amount. This limit applies across all lots they’re bidding on, and it updates live as:

• Bids are placed
• Items are won
• Payments are made
• Underbids are released

If a bidder reaches their credit cap, the system prevents further bids until funds are topped up or more credit is approved. This keeps bidding fair, and your risk contained without awkward intervention on the auction floor.

Set Credit Limits at Registration

They can be assigned:

• During the bidder registration process
• Manually by auction staff at any point
• Automatically based on past activity, account type, or KYC status

Bidders can also request a higher credit limit, which triggers an instant notification to your admin team. You can approve or decline in real time even while the auction is running.

Live Credit Management via BidHarvest® Live

For clients using live webcast bidding within BidHarvest®, the bidder’s credit usage is clearly displayed within the live interface. As they win lots, their available credit reduces in real time.

They can also:
• See how much credit they have left
• Submit credit extension requests during bidding
• Get alerts if they’re about to reach or exceed their limit

For the auctioneer, it’s transparent. For the bidder, it’s empowering.

Automatic Balancing & Credit Pool Management

BidHarvest makes credit control seamless by:

• Releasing funds when a bidder is outbid (credit is returned)
• Reducing credit when a lot is won
• Restoring credit as payments are received
• Blocking further bids once the cap is hit, with a polite notification and option to pay or request an increase

This dynamic credit pool helps you manage exposure across multi-lot sales without manual tracking.

Why Auctioneers Use Bidder Credit Limits

• Prevent overexposure from high-volume buyers
• Enforce financial controls without friction
• Allow real-time admin control over risk thresholds
• Improve vendor confidence in buyer solvency
• Automate alerts and reduce financial admin

Whether you’re running salvage, fleet disposal, or asset recovery auctions, this feature gives you a scalable, professional way to balance bidder access with commercial safeguards.

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Real-World Use Cases

• Trade Auctions: Cap casual breakers while streamlining trusted dealer bidding
• Fleet Sales: Limit liability on high-value lots across corporate accounts
• Salvage & Returns: Avoid overcommitment on untested stock
• Private Treaty: Manage spend ceilings for larger buyers

A Fairer, Safer Way to Run Auctions

Bidder Credit Limits help you keep the auction moving while protecting your business. You can give trusted buyers flexibility and block risky exposure at the same time, all without slowing down the bidding or introducing friction.

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