Authorisation vs Charge
Authorisation vs Charge
When you pay by credit or debit card, you might notice that the transaction appears on your bank statement in different ways at different times. This is because card payments typically involve two separate steps: an authorisation and a charge (also called a capture).
What is an authorisation?
An authorisation is a temporary hold placed on your card when you submit your payment at checkout. It confirms that your card is valid and that you have sufficient funds to cover the order. The amount is reserved but no money actually leaves your account yet.
You may see this appear on your bank or card statement as a "pending" transaction. Some banks show it immediately, while others may take a few minutes.
What is a charge?
A charge (or capture) is when the payment is actually finalised and the funds are transferred. This is the real, completed transaction. Once charged, the pending authorisation is replaced by the settled amount on your statement.
How we handle payments
At Little Bird Electronics, we use immediate capture — meaning that when you place an order with a credit card, the authorisation and charge happen together in a single step. Your card is charged straight away at checkout, and you'll typically see the final transaction on your statement within one to two business days.
Why does my statement show "pending"?
Even with immediate capture, your bank may display the transaction as "pending" or "processing" for a short period. This is normal bank behaviour and not something we control. The pending status usually clears within a few business days, depending on your bank.
What happens if I cancel my order?
If your order is cancelled and a refund is issued, the original charge is reversed. Depending on your bank, refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days to appear on your statement. In some cases, if the original transaction was still pending, the hold may simply be released rather than processed as a separate refund.
Why might the pending amount differ from the final charge?
In rare cases — for example, if an item is out of stock and removed from your order before shipping — the final charged amount may be less than the original authorisation. Your bank will release the difference automatically.
If you have any questions about a specific transaction, feel free to contact our team and we can help clarify what's happened on your account.
