你应该先买后付吗?

当资金紧张时, the flexible payment options available with Buy Now, 支付后 (BNPL) loan programs can be a financial lifesaver. 这些无息, short-term installment loans let you buy clothes, 家具, and other needed items from well-known retailers now, 以后再付钱.

But there are risks to entering in to what sounds like a financial wonderland. Consider the pros and cons of using a BNPL loan to pay for your next purchase.

BNPL的工作原理

If you've been shopping online recently, you may have noticed that some retailers are offering something new at checkout. 除了标准的付款方式, 你可以选择立即购买, 支付后, which allows you to pay for a portion of your purchase at checkout and pay off the rest over several weeks or months.

To get started, you simply respond yes to a soft credit check. You'll receive an approval or denial within seconds. 如果你被批准了, the retailer will ship your order, and the entire purchase should be in your hands before the next payment due date.

例如, if the BNPL program offers a four-payment installment plan, you make your first payment immediately so the retailer can process the order. The remaining three payments are due at regular intervals over the next six weeks.

如果BNPL请求被拒绝, and you still want to buy the items in your cart, you must pay for them in full through one of the website's other payment options.

BNPL优点

A zero- or low-interest rate BNPL loan allows you to get what you need now instead of waiting to save for it or using a high-interest rate credit card to cover the expense. Plus, other reasons make BNPL an attractive option:

• You don't need good credit to qualify. Approval is easier compared to traditional credit applications. 最低要求各不相同, but you're likely to receive an approval despite having bad credit or no credit history.
•  Applying has little effect on your credit score. When you apply for a loan or a credit card, a hard inquiry is made on your credit report. This causes a temporary dip in your credit score. When you apply for a BNPL program, the provider performs a 软信贷查询, which does not affect your score.
• You choose how to pay the balance. Most BNPL programs allow you to choose between manual payments and automatic deductions from your debit card or credit card. Some allow payment by check or online bill pay through your financial institution.

BNPL缺点

While a zero- or low-interest rate BNPL loan is an attractive payment option, there are several disadvantages that could affect your ability to achieve other financial 目标s. 一些包括:

• On-time payments aren't reflected on your credit reports. 与传统贷款不同, good credit behavior related to BNPL loans isn't reported to the major credit-reporting bureaus. This is a missed opportunity to record positive credit behaviors and possibly boost your credit score.
• Missed or late payments do appear on your credit reports. As with traditional loans, poor credit behavior is reported to the major credit-reporting bureaus. In addition, failing to make payments as agreed could result in late fees and penalty charges.
• Inability to earn credit card rewards. If you're trying to rack up reward points for a special trip or expense, choosing BNPL could delay the achievement of your 目标.
• 购买限制. Not all online retailers participate in BNPL programs. 截至2021年12月， 30零售商 提供了这个选项. There may also be a dollar limit to how much you can finance at checkout with the program.
• 更大、更频繁的付款. If you always pay the minimum on your credit card, a BNPL repayment schedule may shock your budget. 然而, the larger payments allow you to pay off the item in a shorter time frame and escape the potential problems associated with lingering debt.

BNPL适合我吗?

While the flexibility of most BNPL programs is undeniable, this payment option isn't for everyone. If the dollar amount and frequent payment due dates don't fit your budget, BNPL可能会损害你的财务状况. Remember, late payments could result in fees and leave a negative mark on your credit history report. Read the terms and conditions of the loan you're considering before signing on the dotted line. Program details vary by provider.