Billing FAQ
Answers about payments, renewals, plan changes, and taxes. Prices match the Pricing page. Limits match the live plan rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) and debit cards through Stripe. We do not currently accept PayPal, bank transfers, or cryptocurrency.
Is my payment information secure?
Yes. We use Stripe, a PCI DSS Level 1 certified payment processor. We never store your full credit card number on BidPulse servers.
Can I update my payment method?
Yes. Go to Settings, then Subscription, and open Manage Billing (Stripe Customer Portal). You can update your card there. Changes apply to future renewals.
What happens if my payment fails?
Stripe retries failed charges automatically and BidPulse emails you when payment needs attention. Until billing is fixed, paid features may be limited. Open Settings, then Subscription, then Manage Billing to update your card.
I see a prompt about a failed payment. Is that the same as my trial ending?
No. A failed or expired card is about subscription billing, not the 10-day free trial. Trial-ending copy only applies if you were on the free trial and it expired without a paid plan.
When will I be charged for my subscription?
Free trial users are never charged. Paid subscriptions renew on the same calendar day each month (monthly plans) or each year (annual plans), based on when you first subscribed.
Do you offer annual billing discounts?
Yes. Annual billing saves 30% versus monthly: Basic $109/year, Pro $244/year, and Elite $412/year.
Can I change my billing frequency?
Yes. Switch between monthly and annual from Pricing or Settings. Existing subscribers use the Stripe billing portal for plan changes.
How do I cancel auto-renewal?
Go to Settings, then Subscription, then Cancel Subscription. Choose a reason, then confirm. Service continues until the end of your current billing period, then renewal stops.
What are the current plan limits?
Basic ($13/month): up to 10 monitored auctions and 10 wins per month. Pro ($29/month): up to 20 auctions and 20 wins per month, plus SMS alerts. Elite ($49/month): up to 150 auctions and unlimited wins. Only auctions you win count toward monthly caps; losses do not. The free trial lasts 10 days with Pro-style features capped at 3 auctions and 3 total wins.
Is there a one-time pack instead of a subscription?
Yes. The Shopping Trip Pack is $24 one-time: 5 auto-snipes and 5 tracked auctions, good for 60 days. Available to returning users without an active subscription. Active subscribers cannot buy packs.
Does "10 snipes/month" mean wins only?
Yes. Only auctions you win count toward your monthly limit. Losses, cancelled snipes, and snipes that never reach ShopGoodwill do not count.
When do monthly snipe limits reset?
On Basic and Pro, win limits reset on the 1st of each calendar month (UTC), not on your billing date. Elite has unlimited wins.
If I change plans or pay again, do I get a fresh set of snipes?
No. BidPulse keeps one win count per calendar month for Basic and Pro. Limits reset on the 1st of each calendar month (UTC). Only your plan cap changes (10 on Basic, 20 on Pro).
Can I upgrade or downgrade my plan anytime?
Yes. Change tiers from Pricing or Settings. Upgrades generally take effect right away with Stripe proration. Downgrades usually apply at the next billing cycle.
How does prorated billing work for upgrades?
When you upgrade mid-cycle, Stripe charges a prorated amount for the remainder of the period. Exact amounts appear in Stripe Checkout or the Customer Portal before you confirm.
What happens to my data when I downgrade?
Your auction and bid history are kept. New actions are limited by the lower tier. Wins already counted this calendar month still count. Nothing is deleted solely because you downgraded.
Can I upgrade from trial directly to Elite?
Yes. You can choose Basic, Pro, or Elite from Pricing during or after your trial. Starting a paid plan ends the trial period for billing purposes.
I was charged but my plan did not upgrade. What happened?
Try signing out and back in to refresh your session. If the tier is still wrong, contact support with the charge receipt or Stripe payment email.
Can I get a receipt for my subscription?
Yes. Stripe emails a receipt after each successful payment. You can also download invoices from Settings, then Subscription, then Manage Billing.
What if I am charged incorrectly?
Contact support with details of the charge before disputing with your bank when possible. We investigate billing mistakes and process refunds or adjustments when the charge was in error.
Do you offer refunds for billing mistakes?
Yes, for clear billing errors, duplicate charges, or technical issues that prevented service use. Monthly plans are generally non-refundable. Annual plans have prorated refund rules in the Terms of Service.
Do you offer discounts for multiple accounts?
BidPulse is built for individual shoppers. Each account should use one person's ShopGoodwill login. For unusual cases, contact support.
Can I get a custom plan for my needs?
Basic, Pro, and Elite cover most needs. Elite includes the highest auction ceiling and unlimited wins. Custom plans are rare.
Do you offer student or nonprofit discounts?
We do not currently offer special student or nonprofit rates. The 10-day free trial lets anyone try Pro-style features before choosing a paid plan.
Do you charge sales tax?
Tax may be added based on your location and local rules. Stripe calculates and collects required taxes. The total including tax is shown before you confirm payment.
Can I get a tax invoice for business expenses?
Stripe receipts and invoices include the details needed for expense reporting. Download them from Manage Billing in Settings.
What happens if there are billing disputes?
Contact BidPulse support before opening a bank dispute when you can. Most billing issues resolve faster through direct support.