#SHSI Episode 39 - FACT: THE BUY NOW PAY LATER INDUSTRY IS HERE TO GET YOU INTO MORE DEBT!
Description
What is seductive simplicity? Well, picture this: You're scrolling through your favorite online store, eyeing that perfect pair of sneakers or even that latest tech gadget that you know you don’t need. You check your bank account, and there is dololo in there—nothing, nada, zero. But wait, there’s a little button at checkout that whispers, "Yes" you can afford it—just pay in 3 interest-free installments. No credit checks, no paperwork; you can be approved in seconds. Well, my dear South African, you have just entered the world of the Buy Now Pay Later revolution, a world that's reshaping South Africa's financial landscape for the good if you're a company offering these services and not so great if you’re the impulse buyer taking the deal.See, the thing is that beneath this frictionless façade of ease of payment lies a very complex web of regulatory grey zones, mounting SA credit consumer debt, and a question that's becoming increasingly urgent: Are BNPL credit service providers empowering consumers or quietly indebting an entire generation?Well, I’m not going to answer this for you, but I’m going to rather unpack a few key observations and facts, and you can be the judge.