It may be that the company placed a block â or a hold â on your card for the estimated total of your bill. Merchants use blocks to make sure you have sufficient funds to pay your bill. If youâre near your credit limit or you have a low balance in your bank account when a block is placed, your card could be declined for additional purchases. To avoid surprises at the cash register, ask your card issuer and the merchant if they use blocking.
BID, contracts. A bid is an offer to pay a specified price for an article about to be sold at auction. The bidder has a right to withdraw his bid at any time before it is accepted, which acceptance is generally manifested by knocking down the hammer. 3 T. R. 148; Hardin's Rep. 181; Sugd.
Bid shopping is a term used in construction law, defined as revealing bid prices to subcontractors prior to the award of a contract to obtain a lower cost. It might also occur after a contract is awarded when a contractor shops for companies willing to do the subcontracting work more cheaply.