The Pitfalls of Buy Now, Pay Later: Convenience Conceals Concerns and Consumer Frustration

The Pitfalls of Buy Now, Pay Later: Convenience Conceals Concerns and Consumer FrustrationThe "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) payment method has rapidly gained popularity in recent years, offering undeniable convenience to many consumers. However, this convenience masks significant consumer traps, particularly impacting the elderly and those unfamiliar with online shopping, sparking widespread social concern and alarm

The Pitfalls of Buy Now, Pay Later: Convenience Conceals Concerns and Consumer Frustration

The "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) payment method has rapidly gained popularity in recent years, offering undeniable convenience to many consumers. However, this convenience masks significant consumer traps, particularly impacting the elderly and those unfamiliar with online shopping, sparking widespread social concern and alarm. Numerous consumer complaints and continuous media coverage reveal the inherent risks of this model.

Recently, media platforms such as Xinhua Net have received numerous user submissions detailing how the BNPL function on mobile shopping platforms is enabled by default, ensnaring many elderly users and leading to widespread complaints. Frequently reported cases, such as children accidentally purchasing large quantities of goods, highlight the potential dangers of "passwordless payments" and BNPL features. The convenience lies in the ease of ordering no passwords or verification codes are required; a simple tap completes the purchase. However, this convenience also fuels impulsive spending for many consumers.

Even more concerning, many consumers report difficulty, or even impossibility, in disabling "passwordless payments" and BNPL functions. Users lament the perversion of a well-intentioned feature, questioning why BNPL is the default setting if standard payment options are available. This default setting not only obscures the added items but also deprives consumers of their autonomy. Consumers overwhelmingly believe that the choice should rest with them, not predetermined by the platform.

To investigate further, reporters conducted extensive market research. Mr. Wang from Harbin, Heilongjiang, recounted his father's predicament with BNPL. His father, due to the platform's default BNPL setting, inadvertently purchased over a dozen items without any password or verification. Mr. Wang's father claimed no recollection of these purchases. Subsequently, Mr. Wang discovered that BNPL was the default payment method in his father's shopping app. His father, unfamiliar with smartphone operation, couldn't disable the function. To make matters worse, most items lacked shipping insurance, leaving Mr. Wang to absorb the losses.

Mr. Wang's experience is not unique. Intended for convenience, this feature has caused significant distress for many elderly individuals. The ease of activation coupled with the difficulty of deactivation creates an insurmountable hurdle for the digitally less-savvy, forcing them to endure the BNPL payment mode. Many netizens express outrage, labeling these practices as "thuggish rules" and "consumer traps," calling for authorities to crack down on such behavior, comparing it to the predatory lending targeting students and demanding severe punishment.

On social media platforms like Weibo, opinions on BNPL are mixed. Many report being inexplicably switched to BNPL without notification, becoming the default payment method with a hidden off switch, forcing manual selection of alternative payment methods. This design is particularly unfriendly to the elderly. Some users even report that disabling BNPL requires confirming receipt and payment, or even returning goods, a complex and unfriendly process for older users.

Mr. Wu from Jiangsu faced similar difficulties. Initially declining the platform's BNPL offer, he later discovered his system inexplicably defaulted to this payment mode, receiving unwanted goods without any password entry or confirmation. These items mysteriously appeared at his doorstep.

The increasing complaints and criticisms surrounding shopping platforms BNPL and "zero-down-payment" schemes have caught the attention of relevant departments. Some users worry that inability to repay on time at the end of the month would exacerbate financial difficulties. Features like "tap-to-pay" while seemingly convenient, obscure the actual payment amount, leading to overspending.

Many users report that since enabling "zero-down-payment," spending feels uncontrolled; they buy without consideration, only realizing later that their money has vanished. The Shanghai Consumers' Association (Shanghai Consumers' Council) issued a consumer advisory on BNPL, urging caution, especially among elderly consumers.

BNPL and similar "zero-down-payment" models aren't confined to shopping platforms; many food delivery and short video platforms offer similar monthly payment options. Activation is simple, but deactivation is exceptionally difficult; some users report that even after deactivation, the function mysteriously reactivates.

Shanghai Consumers' Council staff investigated various platform systems, finding that BNPL deactivation options are highly concealed and extremely unfriendly to elderly users. These unreasonable rules have prompted consumers to denounce them as "thuggish rules" and "consumer traps."

However, BNPL's initial intention was positive, offering considerable convenience to frequent online shoppers. But excessive ease leads to users falling prey to impulsive buying without the restraint of the actual payment process. The lack of a tangible payment experience makes impulsive online shopping easier.

The core issue lies in balancing convenience and security. Adding a verification code step to the BNPL process might compromise convenience slightly but significantly enhance security, preventing unnecessary losses.

In conclusion, BNPL implementation should prioritize consumer consent. Enabling this feature only with explicit user agreement avoids contradicting its original purpose and truly serves the public's benefit. Platforms must improve design, enhancing transparency and controllability, ensuring consumers have adequate choice and informed consent, preventing consumer traps and protecting consumer rights.

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