{"id":766,"date":"2021-09-01T14:44:16","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T14:44:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paylaterguide.com\/?page_id=766"},"modified":"2022-05-11T20:11:45","modified_gmt":"2022-05-11T20:11:45","slug":"klarna","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/paylaterguide.com\/klarna\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Klarna and How Does It Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Klarna is a BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) financing service. Through a mobile app, Klarna allows its users to purchase from retailers without paying upfront. Customers can purchase from retailers like Apple, Sephora, and Macy\u2019s with little to no interest, making it easier to pay for big-ticket items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main selling point of Klarna is that it offers great user flexibility when it comes to online shopping. It also empowers users to purchase larger items without having to worry much about paying huge amounts immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Online shopping has made the BNPL model more popular because of the ease it offers users in their shopping experience. It\u2019s also easy to get started with Klarna as there is no account sign-up required, just a credit or debit card and information so that Klarna can perform a credit check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various studies show that 70% of online shoppers abandon their carts and do not proceed to check out. Options like Klarna make it easier for shoppers to push through with their purchases with flexible payment plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Klarna financing is provided in concurrence with WebBank. Fees and charges are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Klarna\u2019s BNPL model claims to be a better option for consumers than credit cards because it prevents people from getting into deep debt. Sebastian Siemi\u0105tkowski, CEO of Klarna<\/a> says that Klarna offers an alternative to credit cards with fees and high interest rates through their in-shopping feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another key differentiator is the way Klarna gives credit on a per-purchase basis, as opposed to credit card companies that offer big borrowing limits. Companies like Klarna also perform \u2018soft\u2019 affordability checks, which means that these checks do not affect a person\u2019s credit score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is also not visible to other lenders. The consequence for failing to pay in BNPL models is that companies like Klarna can reject a delinquent payer in future transactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, there are rising concerns over the lack of regulation of BNPL models. Some are also concerned that the \u2018ease of payment\u2019 selling point may eventually cause shoppers to unwittingly fall into debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, Klarna is a legit and safe option<\/a> for the following scenarios:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a credit card but would want a higher credit limit, a Klarna loan may be a good alternative to maxing out your card, which can lower your credit score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you do not qualify for a credit card or are still new to credit, Klarna may be easier to qualify for. Although Klarna considers your credit score, they only perform a \u2018soft\u2019 affordability check and there is no minimum credit score required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Klarna is a great option for larger purchases that you would rather not pay the full price upon checkout. You can benefit from it if you can save enough to pay on time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other hand, Klarna may not be the best option for you if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Klarna does not report to credit bureaus when payments are made on time. The only thing it reports is if you miss payments altogether. As such, you cannot use your track record to build your credit score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you currently do not have the budget to pay your credit card bills, then it is not a good option to take out another loan even if it is BNPL, especially for impulse buys or nonessentials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Klarna automatically bills your debit or credit card the moment you choose your payment plan. If you have a hard time monitoring your balance, then overdrawing is a risk. If their charge to your account is unsuccessful, you could either be charged a fee or your loan could be automatically in default.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To maximize your Klarna usage, here are some things to keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n No, there is no credit limit on Klarna. Decisions are made on a purchase-by-purchase basis and are usually based on the following factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may find that your Klarna purchase is declined for one of these reasons, for more information read our guide on how to avoid getting declined on Klarna<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Klarna does not report payments made on time, so it cannot be used to build up your credit score. However, if you miss payments or default on an agreement, it will be reported. Your account may also be assigned to a debt collection agency. So in these scenarios, your credit score will be negatively affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There have been reports of people<\/a> being declined when applying for mortgages because of their history of using BNPL services. Even if a customer has not missed any repayments, they can still be declined when applying for mortgages because lenders look at these things when assessing affordability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No, you cannot pay bills with Klarna as it is currently designed only for shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Klarna does not charge interest under the \u2018Pay in 3\u2019 and \u2018Pay in 30 Days\u2019 options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, other financing options like month-to-month financing will incur interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are Klarna\u2019s Payment Plans according to their website:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Statistics from Klarna<\/a> show that consumers tend to spend relatively more when they have the option to pay on installments or via financing. As such, there is a concern that shoppers may take on a higher debt than they can afford to pay off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BNPL services like Klarna have become increasingly popular in recent years. Because of their flexible payment options, these services are more appealing to younger shoppers<\/a> who are willing to shop on credit in exchange for smoother shopping experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like most financing options, consumers must carefully weigh the pros and cons of using Klarna to determine if it is the right option for them at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Benefits of Klarna<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If You Don\u2019t Have a High Credit Limit<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
If You Do Not Qualify for a Credit Card<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Buying Big-Ticket Items<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Drawbacks of Klarna<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You Want to Build Credit<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>You Struggle With Credit Card Bills<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>You\u2019re Bad at Tracking Your Balance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Tips for Getting the Most Out of Klarna<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is There a Credit Limit on Klarna?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Does Klarna Affect Your Credit Score?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Does Klarna Affect Your Ability to Get a Mortgage?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Can You Pay Bills With Klarna?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Does Klarna Charge Interest?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What Payment Plans Can I Choose From?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Is There a Disadvantage to Paying Later?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
More Klarna Guides<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t