Is Afterpay Declined Your First Order?
When you’re excited about a purchase and decide to use Afterpay to spread out the payment, it can be incredibly frustrating to have your first order declined.
Afterpay is a popular “buy now, pay later” service that allows consumers to make a purchase immediately and pay it off in four equal instalments, due every two weeks.
However, like any financial service, Afterpay has its policies and criteria for approving transactions.
Here’s a detailed look at some common reasons why Afterpay might decline an order, especially if it’s your first time using the service.
Understand The Afterpay’s Decline Messages
When you’re trying to make a purchase with Afterpay and it’s declined, it’s crucial to understand what the messages mean to resolve the issue efficiently.
Common Decline Messages and Their Meanings
Here’s a brief overview of what some common decline messages could indicate:
| Decline Message on AfterPay | Potential Meaning |
|---|---|
| The account has not been charged | Your account may have restrictions due to newness or spending behaviour. |
| Payment cannot be processed | Possible issue with your card or bank. |
| Transaction declined. Try another card | The card linked to your account may be expired or invalid. |
Eligibility Criteria for Afterpay Orders
If you’re new to Afterpay, you may be limited in the number of purchases you can make, as the company often has tighter restrictions for new customers.
When attempting to make a purchase with Afterpay, your eligibility is based on specific criteria. Understanding these can help you determine why your order might be declined and how to proceed.
Account Requirements
To use Afterpay, you need to meet certain account-related requirements:
- Age: You must be over 18 years old.
- Account Setup: A functioning Afterpay account is necessary, which you can create on their website or app.
- New Customer Status: If your account is newer than 6 weeks, you could face limitations on the number of purchases allowed.
Why is Afterpay Declining The First Order?
1. Insufficient Funds in Your Account
If the funds aren’t available for the first instalment, Afterpay will not approve the transaction. So it is advised to Maintain a good track record with Afterpay and Ensure all your payments to Afterpay are made on time to create a good record history.
2. New Afterpay Account with No History
If you’re new to Afterpay and have no history with the service, your spending limit is generally lower. Afterpay uses an automated system to determine how much you can spend. Without a positive history, your initial spending limit might be lower than the cost of your first purchase.
3. Order Value Is Too High
If the value of your first order is too high, Afterpay may decline the transaction. Starting with smaller purchases can help build your transaction history and potentially increase your spending limit over time.
4. Overdue Payments on Another Order
If you’ve made a previous purchase with Afterpay and have overdue payments, this could affect the approval of your new order. Afterpay encourages responsible spending and may limit your ability to use the service if you fall behind on payments.
5. Technical Issues or Incorrect Information
Sometimes, an order might be declined due to technical issues or incorrect information. Double-check that all your account details are accurate, including your payment information. Make sure you’re also using the latest version of the Afterpay app or website.
6. AfterPay’s Risk Assessment
Afterpay uses a proprietary risk management system to decide which orders to approve. This system takes into account several factors, including the amount of the order, the time of day, and the merchant where the purchase is being made. If your order is deemed too risky, it may be declined.
How To Minimize the Chance Of Afterpay Declining First Order?
If you’ve attempted to make a purchase and your order has been declined, here are a few key things you should check regarding your card:
1. Ensure Sufficient Funds
Afterpay requires you to have at least 25% of the order’s total cost available in your account at the time of purchase. This amount is immediately charged as the first instalment of your payment plan.
For instance, if you’re making a $80 purchase, you must have at least $20 available in your account for the order to be approved.
2. Verify Card Status
Ensure that your card is active and has no restrictions that could prevent transactions. Sometimes, a bank may block a card due to suspicious activity, expired details, or an overdrawn account.
3. Build Your Repayment History
By starting with smaller orders and making repayments on time, you’re can make to Afterpay that you’re a reliable customer. This positive repayment history can gradually increase your spending limit.
4. Start With Small
It’s advisable to start with smaller purchases. Lowering your order amount isn’t a foolproof guarantee that your order will be approved, but it does align with Afterpay’s risk management practices and increases the likelihood of a successful transaction.
5. Extend Due Date Before 24 hr Of Due Time
If you cannot pay on time, Afterpay provides a feature in its app that may allow you to extend the due date of payment to a bit more time.
To use this feature:
- Open the Afterpay App and navigate to the ‘Payments’ section.
- Select the order for which you’d like to extend the payment.
- Choose the option to “extend the due date” and follow the prompts to select a new date from the available options.
Contact Customer Support: If you’re unable to extend the due date through the app, Afterpay encourages you to get in touch with their customer service team at least 24 hours before your payment is due.
