HotStock AutoBuy FAQ

Auto-checkout your item when it's back in stock... fast!

Why AutoBuy?

When a high-demand item comes in stock, it can be at an inconvenient time, and sold out in seconds! This can be due to a reseller bot buying up hundreds whilst you're still trying to fill out all checkout steps in time.

AutoBuy levels the playing field by putting the fans back in the game in the fight against reseller bots...

How do I get AutoBuy?

AutoBuy is for iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android devices...

It is an add-on subscription that can be purchased via the HotStock app left menu > Upgrade HotStock

AutoBuy subscription features

AutoBuy is fast - it not only checks out much faster than a human can react, it's faster than other bots
Checkout while you sleep/work/play - leave this app running on your iPhone/iPad (any page in this app) while charging, and it'll buy your item for you; after all, it's common for retailers to release stock overnight
Hyper-local stock - resulting in more drops detected for your region. Choose supported stores, and AutoBuy buys stock local to you
For the fans who want to get what they love. Each item's quantity is limited to buying 1 at a time to combat resellers who aim to buy multiple
An accessibility-aid for those with motor-impairments
Auto-verification option for sites that require it (e.g. Best Buy)

Supported retailers

Currently Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada, Best Buy US, Target US, Walmart US and Game UK are supported and more will come...

Is AutoBuy safe?

AutoBuy is private & secure - your personal credentials you enter as part of the AutoBuy set up process, such as your logins and passwords to retailer sites, are stored only on your device and never sent to HotStock servers. For example, even if you mistakenly share your HotStock account login password with someone else, it's not possible for them to buy anything from your retailer accounts.
Once you're done, you can easily unlink & logout of the retailer account entirely.
AutoBuy will force you to enter a price limit ahead of time, to ensure no unexpected fees.
AutoBuy will display a message once it has successfully purchased your item, and automatically switch itself to the OFF position to prevent duplicate purchases. The retailer will also email you, and it will show up in their Orders section like normal. If you change your mind about a product you've purchased, just cancel it asap via the retailer's site before it ships.

Getting started with AutoBuy

Once you've subscribed, go to your My Alerts, select a product, then tap AutoBuy at the top. You'll be asked to login to a supported retailer to set things up.
We recommend you keep the HotStock app running in the foreground while using AutoBuy for unattended checkout. This will significantly increase your chances of success. For example, it is common for stores to release only 1 item per drop (when someone's payment method fails, they automatically relist it at a later date, even in the night) so there will be others trying to buy the same item at once and it will naturally be sold out quickly: speed is paramount, and the time it takes your device to unlock your screen, load the retailer app, etc adds an undesirable delay. Note: your device will use more battery when it is kept running, so we recommend keeping it powered. If you're not able to, consider keeping it open and running on another iPhone/iPad instead.
Stock is often regional - in stock at different times at different places. AutoBuy will only be able to purchase if it's in stock for your location, based on the store/ZIP you've set in your retailer account settings. AutoBuy will display your currently set location on the main AutoBuy page, just below the retailer's name.
When your item's next in stock, AutoBuy will kick into action and double check it's available at your store/location...
We recommend keeping the app open & running in the foreground as the mobile operating system prevents apps fully running in the background (or when screen is locked)...
If you're leaving the HotStock app running in the foreground, there's no need to tap the alert when it comes - AutoBuy will detect it itself and display a Blue popup stating it's attempting purchase (Note: tapping this Blue popup does nothing other than dismiss the message)
However, we understand that that is not always possible as people use their devices for many things - therefore, if the app is not running in the foreground, you can tap the notification which will wake up AutoBuy to attempt purchase. This method takes a little longer to boot up, which is why is it not recommended for hard-to-get items that are only in stock for seconds. Note: It may seem like the app is running in the background because of the way the mobile OS displays all your recent apps in swipeable 'tabs' - however this is not the case, as all those apps are actually paused in the background. This is a common misconception between how the mobile OS actually manages it's apps and what people expect from it.
When purchasing, AutoBuy will use the same product links that are listed on the product page. Therefore, before enabling AutoBuy on an item, we recommend tapping these links to ensure they are for the item you wish to buy. If you spot an erroneous listing, contact us to let us know.
AutoBuy supports standard credit/debit cards as payment. Your mileage may vary with credit/points.
AutoBuy will only purchase from official sellers - this is especially true for marketplaces such as Amazon & Walmart.
AutoBuy will beep to alert you if the retailer requires your attention (e.g. if they require payment authorization). This is especially true of Best Buy and Game, for example. We recommend keeping your device unmuted.
AutoBuy will display a message once it has successfully purchased your item. The retailer will also email you, and it will show up in their Orders section like normal. If you change your mind about a product you've purchased, be sure to cancel it asap via the retailer's site before it ships.
AutoBuy is for the fans. It will not allow a user to enter more than 1 quantity for a drop for good reason; it is not intended to be used for exploiting, e.g. for buying a product multiple times for reselling. Also, retailers will often cancel an order that breach their terms based on reuse of your payment method, delivery address, IP address, etc.

Connecting your retailer account

AutoBuy is private & secure - your personal credentials you enter as part of the AutoBuy set up process, such as your logins and passwords to retailer sites, are stored only on your device and never sent to HotStock servers. For example, even if you mistakenly share your HotStock account login password with someone else, it's not possible for them to buy anything from your retailer accounts.
For simplicity when connecting your retailer account to AutoBuy, be sure to use an existing retailer account that is fully set up with your delivery/payment preferences pre-set to enable AutoBuy to speed through checkout. Use a retailer account that you have previously created e.g. on your computer/browser (as opposed to creating a new retailer account via AutoBuy).
If you are passionate about your retailer account, we recommend using a secondary retailer account with AutoBuy, should the retailer wish to put a stop to automated transactions in future.

Trouble getting a retailer account 'Ready' for AutoBuy?

If you're having difficulties getting a retailer set up in AutoBuy...

There is often a simpler method to get set up; go to the retailer site & buy something cheap, as it will ensure your address/payment info is saved for your account. Often you can cancel these purchases immediately after a successful transaction.
For Target, for example, if AutoBuy displays a "Missing default payment/address" error, then try deleting your payment/address from your Target a/c and then try to buy an item (which will ask you to re-enter your CC/address again). Then in AutoBuy, tap the 'Retry' button and it should change to 'Ready' state again.
If AutoBuy continues to report an error with Target, try another payment method/address/IP address/Target account.
If AutoBuy continues to report an error with another retailer, there may be something unique about your account; try creating a new retailer account via their website on your computer/browser, ensure your payment & address are pre-set and also set as 'Default', and then try to connect it to AutoBuy.
In your device's Settings app ensure your top-most Preferred Language is set to English and then try again. You can find this setting here: Settings app > General > Language & Region. You may also need to set your retailer's website to English. Other languages will be supported in future.
If the login window auto-closes when you attempt to Login via the HotStock app's Settings > AutoBuy menu, connect to the retailer the other way: go to your desired product in your My Alerts list, and tap the floating 'AutoBuy' button, and login to your retailer there. If not, deep-clean the cache by choosing "Logout of stores" in the HotStock app's Settings > AutoBuy menu, then try this method via the floating 'AutoBuy' button again.
Try switching your connection from WiFi to Data, then try again.
Alternatively, perform a deep-clean of AutoBuy cache by going to the Hotstock left menu > Settings > Autobuy > "Logout of stores" - then when that’s done try again.

Amazon

Additional info relating to using AutoBuy with Amazon:

Use a regular (or Prime) Amazon account - "Amazon Business" accounts are not yet supported
When you're setting up Amazon with AutoBuy, you may immediately receive a security email/alert from Amazon stating someone signed into your Amazon account - not to worry, this is a pre-caution & is expected behavior when connecting AutoBuy with your Amazon account.
Use a valid payment method that you've used before. If you use an international card, for example, Amazon may put a temporary hold on your account until they can confirm your purchase was intentional.
If AutoBuy reports an invalid address/payment method, go to Amazon's website on your company/browser and check: 1) the address that is set in the top-left "Deliver to" is correct, and 2) the address in your Amazon Account settings is also correct
AutoBuy will only purchase from official sellers - e.g. from Amazon themselves, as opposed to expensive 3rd-party sellers that also list stock on Amazon's marketplace)
Ensure your device's primary language (in your Settings app) is set to English. You can find this setting here: Settings app > General > Language & Region. You may also need to set your retailer's website to English. Other languages will be supported in future. (A common error for non-English languages is a "Fast checkout disabled" error message)
if you're on iOS, your default browser is set to Safari (as opposed to Chrome for example)

Best Buy

Additional info relating to using AutoBuy with Best Buy:

If you're unable to login to Best Buy because of a login/password error, just go to the HotStock app left menu > Settings > Autobuy > and choose "Logout of stores" to deep-clean the cache, then try again. If this continues, reboot and try these steps again.
For added automation/speed, you can enable Auto-verification for Best Buy. On the AutoBuy page, tap Best Buy, then tap the 'Enable Auto-Verification' option at the bottom, then follow the steps. Bear in mind; once you're done and have successfully purchased your product, be sure to disable 2-Step Verification in Best Buy's site Settings before you disable/remove HotStock - this will ensure you can still log in to your Best Buy account, without needing to use HotStock for 2-Step Verification
AutoBuy will beep to alert you if Best Buy requires your attention while checking out (e.g. if they require payment authorization). We recommend keeping your device unmuted.
If Best Buy states your login info is not recognised or "something went wrong" when you try to login via AutoBuy, instead of logging in choose the "Forgot password" option in that same window and follow the steps.
Ensure your device's primary language (in your Settings app) is set to English. You can find this setting here: Settings app > General > Language & Region. You may also need to set your retailer's website to English.
Best Buy credit cards (those that only work with Best Buy, aka "closed-loop" store cards) are not yet supported. Please use a regular card that has a CVV.

Target

Additional info relating to using AutoBuy with Target:

If you're unable to login to Target because of a login/password error, just go to the HotStock app left menu > Settings > Autobuy > and choose "Logout of stores" to deep-clean the cache, then try again. If this continues, reboot and try these steps again.
If AutoBuy displays a "Missing default payment/address" error, then try deleting your payment/address from your Target a/c and then try to buy an item (which will ask you to re-enter your CC/address again). Then in AutoBuy, tap the 'Retry' button and it should change to 'Ready' state again.
If AutoBuy continues to report an error with Target, try another payment method/address/IP address/Target account
Ensure your device's primary language (in your Settings app) is set to English. You can find this setting here: Settings app > General > Language & Region. You may also need to set your retailer's website to English.
Use a regular card (e.g. a regular bank card/CC with a CVV number). Store-specific cards (e.g. Target Circle debit card) are not yet supported. Please use a regular card that has a CVV
In your Target account, the recommendation is to ensure your billing address is the same as your shipping address
Does Target keep asking you for your CVC/card number? To prevent Target from asking for your CVC/card number repeatedly, many users have reported success with making a few test purchases from Target's website/app until it stops asking for it (you can cancel the orders before they ship), and then resync AutoBuy with your Target account (choose "Logout of Target" in AutoBuy, then log back in)
For an added piece-of-mind, we recommend you do a test purchase (actually get AutoBuy to buy another/cheap item that's already in stock, and then cancel it from your Target Orders if you wish) and to prompt Target to ask for your CVV payment number ahead of time, which will then be remembered for when your desired product comes back in stock without manual entry, for overnight purchase for example.

Walmart

Additional info relating to using AutoBuy with Walmart:

AutoBuy will only purchase from official sellers - e.g. from Walmart themselves, as opposed to expensive 3rd-party sellers that also list stock on Walmart's marketplace)
If AutoBuy continues to report an error when attempting to connect with Walmart, there may be an unsupported setting in your account; therefore, try creating a new Walmart account via their website on your computer/browser, then ensure your payment & address are pre-set and also set as 'Default', and finally try to connect it in AutoBuy.

GAME

Additional info relating to using AutoBuy with Game.co.uk:

AutoBuy will beep to alert you if GAME requires your attention while checking out (e.g. when they require payment authorization). We recommend keeping your device unmuted.

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