In the pursuit of a better way to buy now pay later—without paying a lot more later in the form of interest and fees, people are paying Zilch for everything from groceries to electronics.
What’s driving this new Tap to Pay option’s popularity among responsible consumers? Can it really save you money while also letting buy now pay later? Here’s what we found out.
How Does Zilch Work?
It’s a payment method with special perks every time you use it. You download the app onto your smartphone to sign up. Then make it your preferred method of payment on Tap to Pay.
It works with all of the popular Tap to Pay options (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay)
Use it online or in-store just as you would any other method of payment. However, even though it’s technically a mastercard, what happens next is a little different. And that’s what makes Zilch so popular.
Buy Now Pay Later
When you use Zilch you activate a 6-week payment schedule that includes 4 easy payments. You make the first payment when you buy the item. This initial payment is 25%. Then, over the next 6 weeks, you’ll make 3 more payments totaling 75%.
So at the end of 6 weeks you’ve paid 100% for the item and not a pence more. So it’s easy, flexible and saves you money compared using a traditional credit card.
As long as you use a Zilch Partner this Buy Now Pay Later transaction is 100% free. And Zilch has gone to great lengths to partner with most of the brands and retailers you want to–or need to– shop, including groceries, electronics, and even travel.
Do you shop Apple, Amazon, eBay, or Nike? These are all partners.
You Can Still Pay Zilch with Non-Partners
You can easily browse the ZIltch app to find partners and pay Zilch. But you can also use this payment method with non-partners and buy now pay later. You’ll simply pay a miniscule fee, which is up to £2.50, or 11.5% APR.
You see, we found out that Zilch partners pay this fee on your behalf, so you don’t have to. They want you to buy from them, so it’s worth the small fee. If you use a non-partner, you pay your own fee.
Zilch doesn’t charge any annual fees, so stay with partners and you’ll always pay Zilch.
Plus, there are the rewards.
Get Rewarded for Paying Zilch
You get 100 Zilch rewards for every £1 you spend. Plus, you get 2% cashback when you pay Zilch and then pay off the whole purchase balance at once. Use these rewards to buy more stuff.
Either configure the app to deduct points automatically next time you buy now pay later. Or save, save, save, so you can spend them on a grand holiday later. You can buy now pay later on that as well!
Only UK residents can currently use Zilch app. Don’t forget to read the T&C as you would with any financial decision. And start paying Zilch.
