Introduction:
The
name itself provides a piece of information about it, Buy Now Pay Later is a
mechanism where you can buy the goods or services now but there is no need to
do the payment now, you can make it later. It is a micro-credit instrument
where the consumers can use as a credit card. BNPL users can bifurcate their
purchases in both online and offline purchases. They can do purchases with
partnering merchants at zero to low-interest rates or can repay the total
amount later according to the BNPL service provider’s terms and
conditions.
In fact, there is an indication that the Global market of Buy Now Pay Later will see exponential growth and is projected to surge by 400% from USD 89 billion in 2020 to USD 352 billion by 2025. This data reveals the huge potential and growth opportunities for this new instrument.
How BNPL works?
This
is a new age technology, and the demand for this mechanism is in an increasing
trend. With the help of advanced technologies, the BNPL service providers use
the latest hi-tech processes to evaluate the creditworthiness of any applicant.
This mechanism provides TWO major benefits to both the user and the service
provider:
- Faster
onboarding process
- Almost zero
documentation requirement
Supported
by the best-in-class technologies, the entire process, from application to transactions,
is digitally enabled and you can track each step of your onboarding process. You
only need a smart device (smartphone or computer) and internet connectivity.
Depending on the assessment of creditworthiness, income, and other financials of the applicant, the BNPL service provider offers a credit limit for making eligible purchases from the website or mobile application. Now do the signup and you can start using the BNPL facility as per your requirements.
Now let’s see how the payment cycle operates.
The
important part of this mechanism is that you need to pay the outstanding amount
within the stipulated deadline. All the service providers offer multiple
payment options like net banking, UPI payment, payment wallets, or other
payment gateways. There is also flexibility for the users to repay the total
outstanding amount all at a time or even you can select for zero-to-low
interest EMIs, as per the terms and conditions of the service provider.
You must keep in mind that late payments can attract a fixed penalty and affect your credit score adversely. Even in case of any delinquency, the service provider can report to the credit bureaus. Contrastingly, if you have a good track record of timely repayment and a no-fault situation, the BNPL service provider can offer you many attractive offers, starting from increasing credit limits to cashback or discounts.
What are the benefits of using BNPL?
This
mechanism is gaining popularity because of its amazing benefits. Let’s see one
by one.
- This is a
micro-credit instrument that provides hassle-free access to its users. You
can manage it through a single tap on your smartphone.
- This
mechanism helps its users by allowing them a few weeks of buffer for
repayment. People who have a crunch of money can manage their urgencies
through this instrument in a better way.
- In case of
any emergency, this can provide you breathing time to manage your
financials, without paying any extra amount as interest.
- The
onboarding process is faster and very little or no documentation is
required.
- Proper usage
and timely repayment can help you to grab many offers and benefits from
the service provider.
Conclusion:
BNPL
is a simplistic credit solution for its users and you can manage your
financials efficiently through this mechanism. But still keep in mind that it
is a loan and to avoid any adverse situation and penalties, you must repay it
on time in full. A disciplined usage with awareness is a must to get the most
benefit of it.