BNPL services leverage several behavioral triggers that fundamentally alter how people spend:
: Shoppers often judge the cost based on the lower installment number (e.g., "$15 today") rather than the total price (e.g., "$60 total"), making purchases feel more affordable than they are. buy now pay later offers
: By breaking a large total into four small installments, BNPL minimizes the immediate cognitive resistance to spending. buy now pay later offers
While marketed as interest-free, there are significant risks for the unwary: buy now pay later offers
: Adoption of BNPL has been shown to increase purchase likelihood from 17% to 26% , with basket sizes often growing by 10% or more . Risks and "Hidden" Costs