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Payment Methods, Holds & Declined Charges

Brian Halstrom
Updated

Payment Methods, Holds & Declined Charges

Quick Summary

BowlersMart accepts all major credit cards, PayPal, and Buy Now Pay Later options. If a charge gets declined or your order is on hold, this guide covers the most common reasons and how to fix them.

Table of Contents

💳 Accepted Payment Methods

Credit & Debit Cards

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Most prepaid debit cards (must have a billing address registered)

Digital Wallets

  • PayPal
  • Apple Pay (mobile and desktop where supported)
  • Google Pay
  • Shop Pay

Buy Now, Pay Later

  • Afterpay (4 interest-free payments)
  • Klarna (4 interest-free payments or longer financing)
  • Affirm (longer-term financing options for larger purchases)

Other

  • BowlersMart gift cards and store credit
  • Striking Rewards point redemptions

📅 Buy Now, Pay Later (Afterpay, Klarna, Affirm)

How It Works

  1. At checkout, select your preferred BNPL provider
  2. Complete a quick application (instant decision in most cases)
  3. Your first payment is charged at checkout (or first installment)
  4. Remaining payments are split over the chosen schedule

Common BNPL Questions

  • Will it affect my credit? Most BNPL options use a soft credit check that doesn't impact your score. Affirm financing for larger amounts may use a hard check.
  • What if I return the item? The refund goes back to your BNPL provider, who adjusts your payment plan automatically.
  • Can I use BNPL for any order? Most orders qualify; minimum order amounts may apply (typically $35 for Afterpay, $10 for Klarna).

❌ Why Was My Card Declined?

Card declines come from your bank or the BNPL provider — BowlersMart doesn't decline payments directly. Most common reasons:

Top Causes

  • Address mismatch — billing address doesn't match what your card issuer has on file
  • Insufficient funds or credit — available balance is below the order total
  • Bank fraud protection — unusual purchase pattern triggered a hold
  • Card expiration — expired card or new card not yet activated
  • CVV mismatch — 3-digit code on the back (4 digits on Amex front) entered incorrectly
  • International billing address — some US-only cards block international addresses

How to Fix It

  1. Double-check your billing address matches your card statement exactly
  2. Verify the CVV and expiration date
  3. Call your card issuer (number on the back of your card) — they can pre-approve the BowlersMart charge
  4. Try a different payment method (PayPal, Apple Pay, or another card)
  5. If everything looks right and it still declines, contact us at 1-256-579-1039

⏸️ Why Is My Order On Hold?

Some orders go on hold for verification before shipping. This is usually quick (1 business day) but can sometimes take longer. Common hold reasons:

Verification Holds

  • Address verification — billing and shipping addresses don't match, or shipping to a high-risk area
  • First-time customer with high-value order — we may verify identity for orders over $500
  • Payment method mismatch — name on card doesn't match shipping name
  • International shipping verification — additional fraud screening

Inventory Holds

  • Item out of stock after order placement — we'll contact you with options
  • Drilled ball waiting on specs — we need additional drilling info
  • Backorder — item is on its way to our warehouse

What to Do

If your order is on hold, you'll receive an email asking for verification or providing options. Reply quickly to avoid further delay. To check the status, contact us at 1-256-579-1039 with your order number.

💰 Double Charges & Pending Authorizations

Pending Authorizations (Most Common)

When you place an order, your bank places a temporary "authorization hold" on your account for the order amount. This is NOT a charge — it just reserves the funds. The actual charge only happens when your order ships.

If your order is delayed or split into multiple shipments, you may see:

  • The original authorization (which expires in 5–7 days)
  • A new authorization for each shipment
  • The actual charge when each shipment goes out

Result: You may temporarily see what looks like double charges. The original holds drop off automatically — no action needed.

Actual Double Charges (Rare)

If you've been charged twice for the same shipment after 7 business days, contact us with:

  • Your order number
  • The two charge dates and amounts from your bank statement
  • Your bank statement showing both charges (screenshot is fine)

We'll investigate and refund the duplicate within 3–5 business days.

⏱️ Refund Timing

How Long Refunds Take

Payment Method Refund Timing
Credit card 3–5 business days after we process the refund
Debit card 5–10 business days
PayPal 1–3 business days
Afterpay / Klarna / Affirm 1–3 business days; payment plan auto-adjusts
Gift card / store credit Same day, back to original gift card or store credit

🎁 Gift Cards & Store Credit

Gift Cards

  • Available in any amount from $25 to $500
  • Delivered by email to the recipient (digital) or by mail (physical card, $5 fee)
  • Never expire
  • Can be combined with other payment methods at checkout
  • Cannot be used to purchase other gift cards

Store Credit

Store credit issued from returns or service credits is applied automatically to your account. Sign in at checkout and select "Use Store Credit" to apply it.

Need Help?

📞 Customer Excellence Team

  • Phone: 1-256-579-1039
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM EST
  • Email: support@bowlersmart.com

Related Articles

BowlersMart Gift Cards

MAP Pricing & Discount Restrictions

Buy Now, Pay Later (Afterpay, Klarna & Affirm)

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