Klarna - buy now pay later. Thoughts?

[Hobbitsies]

So I see that this is growing significantly?

I'm from the UK and the first time I noticed klarna was on beautybay I think? Now it is everywhere and I could access it on most online websites that I use.

What are your opinions?
Do you use it? Why?
If you don't, why not?

Do we think this is dangerous?

Personally, it can have a place if someone is using if and they know they will pay it off but I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of people who use it don't.

 

[TruffleTrifle]

I use it because I like ordering multiples of sizes then I can send the ones that don’t fit back and not have to wait for the money to come back. I shop mostly with Asos as i pay for their next day delivery annually. I like their range of brands but as I’ve lost weight and I’m quite short I need to try things on! I don’t have an interest account I literally just pay it off within the 30 days or whatever. Most I’ve had on there is like £50 and I pay it off in one go once any returns are sorted. I can see how people get sucked into ordering loads and never paying it off though.

 

[Noname12345]

I think klarna can have a negative impact on one's credit score.

I don't shop online a lot, but I don't mind waiting few days for a refund.

 

[Web30]

Ive used it for hnm. I only used it as I couldn't be bothered to go and get my card

 

[lipsticktaser]

I use it when I order multiple items. I send back what I don’t want and then lay right away.
I’d never use it, if I couldn’t afford something. It’s mainly just so I can have a big order and not have the faff of the returns and refunds.
I can see how it would be dangerous though.

 

[Secretadmirer]

I don't really like things like Klarna as it can be sooo easy for people to get sucked into buying things they can't afford. I used it for H&M as there sizing is terrible I always used to pay monthly invoices with them so I could order lots and send stuff back. Used to for ASOS twice, had a problem with my order being cancelled and sent back to them - klarna didn't update the payment method and their customer service was terrible, basically told me they don't have the power to adjust the amount, couldn't do anything (I'd got proof from topshop, emails confirming refund and messages saying what was happening) so I had to report a problem with that order, escalate it all and wait absolutely ages for a response.
Won't be using them again now!

 

[Kissmeimirish]

Never used klarna but I love clearpay. Think it is something similar?

 

[Apple In My Pie]

Things like Klarna make me feel really uncomfortable because they seem to market themselves to people of my age group (early 20s) when you might not have the greatest credit score anyway, or you've just started uni and have student loans, and then it promotes the idea that you can buy whatever even if you can't afford it there and then, and get sucked into (even more) debt. I also think it promotes fast fashion which isn't good for the environment. I see it advertised a lot on Pretty Little Thing, ASOS, Boohoo, Missguided - sites like that, usually ones that are endorsed by Love Island stars. I can see why it's enticing though and suppose it IS useful if you use it sensibly!! just doesn't sit right with me

 

[AmberSpyglass]

I’ve ordered a few things and have been sensible with the amount of money I’ve spent but it is a slippery slope , no doubt.

 

[Kissmeimirish]

Well I am 35 and the reason i like clearpay is I feel the guilt for spending money on myself and not on my wee ones so if I buy makeup at £24.. £6 a fortnight seems so much better. (Sad feeling the mummy guilt for spending so little but I really do) I do see how it could spiral for some people though.

 

[Chablis1]

Never used klarna but I love clearpay. Think it is something similar?

I’ve used it for M&S. Like a previous poster I couldn’t be bothered to get my card - so used Clearpay

 

[erin182]

I’ve used klarna for over a year now but I’ve never bought anything for over £50. I’m weird cause I will only buy myself things (such as makeup) if I know I HAVE to pay it back next month

 

[Hobbitsies]

I use it because I like ordering multiples of sizes then I can send the ones that don’t fit back and not have to wait for the money to come back. I shop mostly with Asos as i pay for their next day delivery annually. I like their range of brands but as I’ve lost weight and I’m quite short I need to try things on! I don’t have an interest account I literally just pay it off within the 30 days or whatever. Most I’ve had on there is like £50 and I pay it off in one go once any returns are sorted. I can see how people get sucked into ordering loads and never paying it off though.

I can 100% see the benefit there. ASOS is terrible for sizing and I always find myself sending half of it back!

I think klarna can have a negative impact on one's credit score.

I don't shop online a lot, but I don't mind waiting few days for a refund.

Really? Does it show up as a negative like using a pay day leader or? I haven’t seen much about it.

Never used klarna but I love clearpay. Think it is something similar?

Yeah I think they are! Not sure how widespread clearpay is? I haven’t seen it widely at all. Klarna seems to be everywhere!

Things like Klarna make me feel really uncomfortable because they seem to market themselves to people of my age group (early 20s) when you might not have the greatest credit score anyway, or you've just started uni and have student loans, and then it promotes the idea that you can buy whatever even if you can't afford it there and then, and get sucked into (even more) debt. I also think it promotes fast fashion which isn't good for the environment. I see it advertised a lot on Pretty Little Thing, ASOS, Boohoo, Missguided - sites like that, usually ones that are endorsed by Love Island stars. I can see why it's enticing though and suppose it IS useful if you use it sensibly!! just doesn't sit right with me

Actually what inspired this questions was seeing so many influencers posting about it and thinking it was sketchy. So many young people (my ageish) and even teenagers seeing it without knowing the real complications that come with it.

Well I am 35 and the reason i like clearpay is I feel the guilt for spending money on myself and not on my wee ones so if I buy makeup at £24.. £6 a fortnight seems so much better. (Sad feeling the mummy guilt for spending so little but I really do) I do see how it could spiral for some people though.

My mum was like this when I was young, she would never buy stuff for herself as it meant me going without. So I 100% think that is a good way of using it.

 

[barrrlohflaughs]

I use it but it is very easy to spend way too much; especially if you use different email addresses for different websites as it creates a separate Klarna account.

I had to create a spreadsheet to keep track of what I owed and when it was due. I don’t think it affects your credit search unless you miss payments. They don’t do a check when you set up your account. It just asks for your email address and date of birth.

 

[Porkiepies]

I used Klarna a lot over Christmas. Just finished paying everything back. I found it useful and easy way to budget, I knew for 2 months I had to pay xx with no interest. If I had used my overdraft I'd of had a charge, if I used my credit card I'd have interest after 30 days so by using Klarna I saved a few ££.
I can see how easy it would be to abuse it though because I've tempted a few times to use it again in Schuh and H&M.

 

[Octopies]

Anything that normalises borrowing money to buy everyday items like clothes is pretty bleeping terrible in my eyes. It’s not about the amounts, it’s about normalising it. Great if you are one of those people who pay off it full, but for every one of those, there are a handful of people who will get into debt. Total slippery slope and I’m talking as someone who, in my early 20s, thought my Very account was basically free money

 

[GossBoss]

I use klarna all the time, mainly because I order different sizes and it's just so convenient. I have an app like thing on my phone, it updates instantly, the returns I log on there too and I pay in full for what I keep after 30 days. My credit score hasn't been affected at all by it but maybe it would if I didn't pay in full after the 30days etc ?

 

[SugarQueen]

I’ve just used Klarna for the first time last month for some new hair straighteners on ASOS, love it! And will probably use it again, but I’m quite sensible (boringly) and will not order anything until the 3 payments on my cloud nines are done

 

[Mums84]

I've used it to buy myself presents 'from my children' from cult beauty. Ridiculous and extravagant eyeshadows, mascara and foundation that I have no need for but wanted so much for my birthday. You can spread it over 3 payments too with cult beauty. Can see the danger in it but for only a few purchases i love it and it cut the guilt into 3 also.

 

[flamingo29]

I’ve think i’ve used it once on BeautyBay but probably wouldn’t use it again..
I often use Paypals ‘pay after delivery’ if it is an available option which takes the payment out 14 days later..
I budget all my money each month and rolling something into the next months pay means I can budget around it if that makes any sense