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Who is Afterpay?
Afterpay is a financing company that offers point-of-sale (POS) loans. Shoppers can use these POS loans for online and in-store purchases at various retailers, such as Roots, American Eagle, and LUSH. They can then repay the loan in installments.
The firm originates from Sydney, Australia, where it was founded in 2014. Since going public in Australia in 2016, Afterpay has seen impressive growth, driven by consumers’ desire for alternative financing options in a market dominated by credit cards. The firm successfully expanded operations into New Zealand, the U.S, and the U.K. In August 2020, they made their debut in Canada.
Afterpay has been the go-to POS lender for tens of thousands of retailers and has provided loans to over 10 million customers.
How Does Afterpay Work?
Afterpay offers a payment plan called the Pay in 4, which allows you to divide payment for your purchase into four equal installments. The first installment is due at checkout, while the others are due every two weeks until the balance is paid in full.
In the meantime, Afterpay will forward funds to the merchant to settle the remaining balance. As a result, you can walk out the door with full ownership rights of your purchase.
Depending on how expensive your purchase is, you could elect to pay off a significant portion at checkout and defer the rest to bi-weekly installments. Once you establish a repayment history with no missed payments, Afterpay may permit you to make your first payment after two weeks rather than during checkout time.
Stores You Can Use Afterpay
- Sephora
- Foot Locker
- Aldo
- American Express
- NARS
- SHEIN
- Ardene
- Crocs
- Bed Bath & Beyond
- NK iMODE
- Livify
- Park & Fifth Co
- OAK +FORT
- Roots
- UGG
- lululemon
- Aritza
- Ubran Outfitters
- ad hoc
Benefits Of Afterpay
Afterpay offers numerous benefits for shoppers looking to finance purchases:
- No interest – Afterpay doesn’t levy interest charges on your outstanding balance as a typical loan would.
- Borrow only what your need – you have the flexibility to borrow only the amount you need at the time. For example, there may be an instance where you’re short on cash and require only a tiny amount to cover the balance at checkout. In this case, you can use Afterpay to finance your purchase partially.
- Quick application – Signing up for an account is easy and takes just a few minutes. Afterpay also doesn’t perform credit checks on applicants, so you can rest easy knowing your credit score won’t affect the status of your application.
- Automatic payments – installments are deducted automatically from your debit or credit card, so you don’t have to worry about missing a payment.
- Pay in advance – you have the option to repay the installments before the due dates.
- Part Payment feature – this feature gives you the flexibility to pay more or less than your pre-determined installment amount.
Costs Associated With Afterpay
Using Afterpay is like charging your purchase to a credit card. Eventually, you must pay the amount equal to the cost of your purchase.
Afterpay doesn’t levy interest charges on your balance. However, you’ll incur a late payment fee should you miss your payment deadline. A late payment fee of $8 is tacked onto your account ten days past the due date.
What Happens If You Need Help With Your Payments?
Suppose you find yourself unable to pay an upcoming installment. In that case, Afterpay will work with you to set up a new payment plan that fits your circumstances. You can initiate a conversation with an Afterpay agent by calling 1-833-386-0210 or creating a request using the “Get in Touch” form found here.
Afterpay also has a helpful feature called Part Payment, which allows you to pay less than the installment amount. To use this feature, follow these steps:
- Login into your Afterpay account
- Click on Payments Schedule
- Click on View Order
- Click on the “Make a payment” button
- In the new screen that appears, enter the amount you wish to repay. The payment schedule will be adjusted to reflect the amount you paid.
How To Shop Using Afterpay?
Signing up to use AfterPay is a quick and easy process, with no credit check involved.
The registration process begins once you make your first Afterpay purchase. At checkout, choose Afterpay as your payment method and enter the requested details, including your email and phone number.
Once you’re approved, Afterpay will set up your account, and you can proceed to make your first installment payment to complete the purchase.
The last step is to visit www.afterpay.com and create a password. Once complete, you’ll be able to use Afterpay for future purchases by inputting your login details at checkout.
Afterpay Eligibility Requirements
To be able to use Afterpay, you must meet these eligibility criteria:
- Be at least 18 years (or 19 in certain provinces)
- Reside in Canada
- Be capable of entering into a legal contract
- Have a valid email address and phone number
- Have a valid Canadian delivery address
- Be authorized to use a debit or credit card
Is Afterpay Right For You?
Afterpay is a POS lender whose service may or may not suit you, depending on your shopping habits and financial situation.
Right For You
- You’re looking for a straightforward POS loan – Afterpay offers only a single zero-interest loan divided up into four installments – that’s as complicated as it gets. The process is standard for every purchase at every retail store – you won’t face any abrupt changes to terms, conditions, or interest rates.
- You have bad credit – Unlike many POS lenders, Afterpay doesn’t perform a hard credit inquiry on your credit report. If your credit is less than perfect, Afterpay is one resource you can rely upon to finance your purchasing.
- You can automate your payments – If you’re naturally forgetful, you’ll be grateful for Afterpay’s automatic payment feature, which charges your debit or credit card on each due date.
Not Right For You
- You want to build credit – Afterpay generally doesn’t report your payments to credit bureaus, so using their service won’t help improve your credit score.
- You often miss payments – Afterpay charges an $8 fee for late payments. Though fees are limited to one per installment, they can add up quickly if you use the service frequently and consistently miss payment deadlines.
- You overspend – If you’re prone to overspending, using Afterpay can exacerbate your habit. Though Afterpay isn’t a credit card, it effectively functions like one since you’re deferring payment into the future. It’s wise to limit the number of credit accounts you have open if your goal is to curb your spending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Afterpay hurt my credit score?
Is Afterpay safe to use?
What credit score do I need to use Afterpay?
What happens if I want to return my item?
Conclusion
Afterpay is an easy-to-use POS service with flexible payment options. The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, and the lender has partnerships with a wide variety of retailers. The lack of double-digit interest charges is a welcome alternative, especially to shoppers looking to minimize their reliance on credit cards. And if your credit score is on the low end, you can still obtain financing since you won’t need to undergo a credit check when applying.
If you can keep up with your payments and spend responsibly, Afterpay’s unique form of financing can serve you well when you’re short on cash and credit.
