Buy now pay later (BNPL) services have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way for consumers to purchase items and pay for them over time with installments. BNPL provides more flexible payment options compared to traditional financing or layaway programs. With major retailers like Target, Walmart and Amazon now offering BNPL payment options, consumers are wondering if popular ticket resale marketplace StubHub also offers this type of deferred payment plan.
What is buy now pay later?
Buy now pay later allows shoppers to purchase items immediately and pay the total cost back over a set time period, often interest-free. BNPL plans involve breaking up payments into multiple installments, such as four equal payments over six weeks. It provides an alternative to lump-sum credit card payments or applying for financing options.
BNPL offers several potential benefits for consumers:
- Avoid paying the full amount upfront – Spread costs over multiple pay periods
- Often no credit check required – Approval not based on credit score
- No interest – Many BNPL plans have 0% APR if paid on time
- More manageable payments – Smaller installments can ease budgeting
- Access to more purchases – Ability to buy bigger ticket items
Major BNPL providers include Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna and PayPal Pay in 4. These third-party services partner with retailers to offer installment payment options at checkout. Customers provide basic contact and payment details, then receive a loan to cover the purchase price that they repay to the BNPL company over their selected payment schedule.
Does StubHub offer buy now pay later?
Currently, StubHub does not directly offer any specific buy now pay later or installment payment options on its platform. StubHub also does not directly integrate any of the major BNPL providers like Affirm or Afterpay into its checkout process. This means customers cannot split up StubHub purchases into multiple payments over time through StubHub.
However, even though StubHub does not offer BNPL financing plans, customers can still utilize third-party BNPL services to make purchases and pay in installments. For example:
- Credit cards – Many major credit cards now offer installment plan options for large purchases as a benefit. Customers could use this to buy StubHub tickets and pay over time in set amounts.
- Retailer financing – Retailers like PayPal, Amazon and Target offer BNPL programs. Consumers could get financing through one of these retailers and then use those funds to make StubHub purchases.
- Virtual debit cards – Services like Privacy let you generate virtual one-time debit cards to use online. You could create a virtual debit card tied to a BNPL provider and use that to complete StubHub checkouts.
So StubHub does not directly facilitate installments, but customers still have options to buy tickets on the site and pay in multiple payments over time using external financing sources.
Why doesn’t StubHub offer buy now pay later?
There are a few possible reasons why StubHub currently does not offer direct buy now pay later payment options:
- Risk of nonpayment – StubHub deals with high-value event tickets, sometimes costing over $1,000 each. The risk of nonpayment could be much higher compared to lower-cost general retail BNPL programs.
- Logistical challenges – StubHub would need to build connections with BNPL providers and modify its checkout process to support installments.
- Lack of consumer demand – StubHub may not see enough interest from its customer base to justify implementing BNPL financing options within its platform.
- Profitability concerns – StubHub makes money on various fees, which third-party BNPL services could impact by diverting volume away from other payment methods.
Offering direct BNPL payment options involves both opportunity costs and risks for StubHub. The platform may assess that the potential rewards do not outweigh the inherent challenges of supporting buy now pay later financing at this time.
Will StubHub add buy now pay later options in the future?
While StubHub currently does not offer BNPL payment plans, it could potentially add support for installment financing through major providers in the future. As buy now pay later continues to grow in popularity and ubiquity, StubHub may reevaluate whether integrating these capabilities could attract more customers, increase sales and improve conversion rates on its platform.
Some signs that StubHub could implement BNPL in the future include:
- Partnerships with Affirm, Afterpay or Klarna – Striking a deal to add one of these would be a clear step.
- Updated online checkout process – Modify to split payment into installments.
- Promotional messaging – Announcing the addition of pay-over-time options.
- Employee hiring – Bringing on product managers or engineers with BNPL experience.
For now, StubHub seems to have decided the potential risks outweigh the possible benefits of offering direct on-site BNPL options. But as the deferred payment model continues to evolve and public adoption grows, StubHub could definitely reassess whether integrating these financing plans makes sense for its business and customers.
How to pay for StubHub purchases over time
Unless and until StubHub establishes its own official buy now pay later system, customers still have ways to purchase tickets on the site and pay in installments over several weeks or months. Alternatives include:
Credit card installment plans
Many major credit card providers like Chase, Citi and Capital One now offer installment plan options for larger purchases. For example, Citi Flex Pay allows cardholders to convert purchases over $100 into a payment plan with fixed monthly payments and a fixed APR. The same card could be used to buy StubHub tickets and then set up a plan to pay off the balance in set installments over time.
Retailer BNPL programs
Leading retailers that offer buy now pay later financing include:
Retailer | BNPL Provider | Key Details |
Amazon | Affirm | 3, 5 or 12 months interest-free |
Target | Sezzle | 4 interest-free installments |
Walmart | Affirm | 3, 6 or 12 month terms |
Consumers could get approved for one of these retail BNPL plans and then use the funds to complete purchases on StubHub. The installments would be managed through the retailer’s program.
Virtual debit cards
Privacy.com and other virtual card services let customers generate one-time debit card numbers to use for online transactions. This includes being able to tie a virtual card to a BNPL provider account and controlling the amount available on the card.
For example, a virtual Afterpay card could be created with the exact amount for a desired StubHub ticket purchase. This card would then be selected at StubHub checkout to enable splitting the payment into 4 interest-free installments managed through Afterpay.
Prepaid debit/gift cards
Consumers can purchase Visa, Mastercard or American Express branded prepaid debit cards at many retailers. These can be registered and loaded with a set amount of funds, then used to complete purchases up to the card’s balance. Prepaid debit cards do not require a credit check, so they provide a way to pay in installments by purchasing a new card each pay period until the full amount is satisfied.
Prepaid gift cards with a Visa/Mastercard logo would also work in the same manner. The key is the cards must be reloadable so funds can be continually added to make payments.
While not as seamless as integrated BNPL, these present options for paying for StubHub orders over time in fixed amounts when buy now pay later is not directly available.
Pros and cons of using BNPL for StubHub purchases
Below are some key advantages and disadvantages consumers should consider when deciding whether to utilize buy now pay later financing options for buying tickets and other items on StubHub:
Potential pros
- More affordable payments – BNPL spreads a purchase over multiple manageable installments.
- Avoid high upfront cost – Pay a little at a time versus one large lump sum.
- No interest – Many BNPL plans don’t charge interest if payments are made on time.
- Instant approval – Fast checkout process compared to traditional financing applications.
- Build credit – BNPL loan payments are often reported to credit bureaus.
Potential cons
- Missed payment fees – Late or missed BNPL payments can result in penalties or extra fees.
- Overspending risk – Easy access to financing may promote buying more than you can actually afford.
- Credit impact – Too many BNPL loans at once may negatively influence your credit score.
- Complex budgeting – Multiple installment plans can be confusing to manage.
Consumers should weigh these pros and cons according to their own financial situation when deciding if BNPL is right for them and if they want to use it for a particular purchase.
Tips for using BNPL wisely on StubHub
If you do opt to use buy now pay later financing for a StubHub ticket purchase, either directly through an integrated provider in the future or a third-party workaround for now, keep these tips in mind to ensure it’s financially responsible:
- Make a budget – Know exactly what amounts fit your pay periods and cash flow before checkout.
- Read terms closely – Understand time frames, any fees, interest, etc. to avoid surprises.
- Connect payment method – Pick a payment source you know will have sufficient funds when installments are due.
- Mark calendars – Note payment dates and set reminders to avoid missed payments.
- Start small – If new to BNPL, make a few smaller purchases to test them out first.
- Check impact – Periodically review credit reports/scores to detect any changes.
Used wisely, BNPL plans can offer more flexibility in purchasing major StubHub ticket items. But always evaluate your full financial picture carefully before committing to installment-based financing.
Conclusion
While StubHub currently does not directly integrate buy now pay later financing options within its ticket marketplace platform, consumers still have workarounds using third-party credit cards, retailer BNPL programs and virtual debit cards. As deferred payment models continue evolving and expanding, StubHub may revisit whether supporting integrated BNPL plans makes sense for its business and customers.
For now, consumers can still leverage external BNPL offers to purchase StubHub tickets in installments. But they should weigh the pros, cons and tips before utilizing this type of financing. With strategic planning, buy now pay later can offer more affordable access to major live entertainment and sporting events. But customers must ensure they use BNPL in a financially prudent manner aligned with their budgets.