Deferred payment hidden fees, credit reporting without consent, and aggressive collection tactics. I analyze the terms that can turn convenient payments into financial traps.
Side-by-side comparison of consumer fairness scores across major Buy Now Pay Later services.
| Service | Score | Grade | Key Gotcha | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A
Affirm
Best in Category
|
58 | C+ | Reports all loans to credit bureaus | View Review → |
|
A
Afterpay
|
50 | C | Late fees stack up, account freezes | View Review → |
|
K
Klarna
|
45 | C- | Hidden fees, aggressive marketing, credit checks | View Review → |
|
S
Sezzle
Lowest in Category
|
40 | C- | Reschedule fees, credit reporting, account holds | View Review → |
Most BNPL services now report to credit bureaus, often without clear disclosure. Late payments can damage your credit score significantly.
Late fees can add up quickly across multiple installments. What starts as a small purchase can balloon into significant debt.
Failed automatic payments can trigger account holds, preventing new purchases and sometimes freezing existing payment plans.
Unpaid balances are often sent to collections agencies. Some services pursue collections even for small amounts.
Click through for complete analysis of each BNPL service's terms of service.
If you're dealing with unfair collection practices, credit reporting errors, or excessive fees from BNPL services, we have resources to help you understand your rights.
Need help understanding your rights or resolving a BNPL dispute?