Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about how GroupBuyIn works, card holds, fees, and your money.
What is a card hold?
A card hold (also called an authorization) reserves funds on your card without actually charging you. Think of it like a hotel putting a hold when you check in — the money is earmarked but doesn't leave your account. Your bank may show it as "pending," but it is not a charge.
Will I see the hold on my bank statement?
Most banks show holds as a "pending" or "processing" transaction. This can look like a charge, but it isn't one. No money has been transferred. If the buy in doesn't fill, the pending transaction will disappear — typically within 1–3 business days, depending on your bank.
Does the hold affect my available balance or credit limit?
Yes. While the hold is active, the held amount reduces your available balance (debit cards) or available credit (credit cards). For example, if you have a $500 limit and a $200 hold, you can spend up to $300. Once the hold is released, your full balance or credit is restored.
Will I owe the held amount on my credit card bill?
No. A hold is not a charge. It does not appear on your statement balance and does not affect your minimum payment. You only owe money if the buy in fills and the hold is converted to a real charge.
When does the hold become a real charge?
Only when every spot in the buy in is filled. At that point, all holds are captured simultaneously and converted into actual charges. The organizer then receives the collected funds.
What happens if the buy in doesn't fill by the deadline?
All holds are automatically released. No one is charged. No fees apply. The pending transaction on your statement will disappear within a few business days.
Can I cancel my commitment?
Yes. Before the buy in fills, you can cancel from your confirmation page. Your hold is released immediately and your spot reopens for someone else.
How long does the hold last?
Card holds are authorized for 7 days at a time. If the buy in is still open after 7 days, GroupBuyIn automatically re-authorizes the hold so your commitment stays active. This happens seamlessly — you don't need to do anything.
What if my card is declined during re-authorization?
You'll receive an email asking you to update your payment method. You have 48 hours to do so. If the issue isn't resolved, your commitment is released and your spot reopens.
What fees does GroupBuyIn charge?
GroupBuyIn charges a 5% platform fee on card payments and 4% on bank account (ACH) payments. The fee is included in the amount shown at checkout — there are no hidden costs. If the buy in doesn't fill, nobody pays any fees.
Is my payment information secure?
Yes. All payment processing is handled by Stripe, a PCI Level 1 certified payment processor. GroupBuyIn never sees or stores your full card number. Your data is encrypted end-to-end.
Who is the organizer?
The organizer is the person who creates the buy in — they set the price, number of spots, and deadline. Once the buy in fills, the organizer receives the collected funds (minus the platform fee) via Stripe.
Can the organizer also be a participant?
Yes. When creating a buy in, organizers can check "I'm also participating" to claim a spot. Organizer spots don't require a card hold since they're the one receiving the payout.
What is a "Custom Split" buy in?
A custom split lets the organizer create tiers with different prices — for example, a lake house where the master bedroom costs more than a bunk room. Each participant picks their tier and pays accordingly.
What is a "Closed" or "Invite Only" buy in?
A closed buy in is one where the organizer pre-assigns specific people to spots. Each invited person receives a personalized link. Only they can commit to their assigned spot.
Still have questions?
Reach out at [email protected]