Black Friday shoppers are being warned of the dangers of "buy now, pay later" offers as record numbers seek help with shopping debts. With billions of pounds to spend over the coming weeks, more than one in three Britons plan to use this form of credit to spread their spending.
However, debt charities and experts say consumers should think carefully before using this temptation. Citizens Advice is helping "more people than ever before" with BNPL-related problems, urging people to take caution, especially if they are already struggling with bills.
The number of shoppers turning to BNPL has increased dramatically in recent years, with the use rising from 14% to 25% of UK adults over just 12 months. This credit allows consumers to spread payments for everyday items, often without interest or charges if kept up to date.
But regulators and consumer bodies have long warned that some people will struggle to repay loans on time, leading to charges, debt, and damaged credit scores. Last year, over 3 million customers missed payments, with some facing debt collectors.
As Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach, the BNPL industry is booming, with UK consumers expected to spend £6.4bn this year. The average transaction using BNPL is £114, with fashion accounting for almost half of all spending. However, experts say this form of credit should not be seen as a "quick solution" but rather a serious form of borrowing.
Debt charities warn that missing or late payments often come with fees, and debt can spiral before people realize the impact. From July 2026, BNPL loans will become regulated credit agreements, requiring lenders to carry out affordability checks on even the smallest loans. Until then, shoppers are being advised to be cautious of these tempting offers.
However, debt charities and experts say consumers should think carefully before using this temptation. Citizens Advice is helping "more people than ever before" with BNPL-related problems, urging people to take caution, especially if they are already struggling with bills.
The number of shoppers turning to BNPL has increased dramatically in recent years, with the use rising from 14% to 25% of UK adults over just 12 months. This credit allows consumers to spread payments for everyday items, often without interest or charges if kept up to date.
But regulators and consumer bodies have long warned that some people will struggle to repay loans on time, leading to charges, debt, and damaged credit scores. Last year, over 3 million customers missed payments, with some facing debt collectors.
As Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach, the BNPL industry is booming, with UK consumers expected to spend £6.4bn this year. The average transaction using BNPL is £114, with fashion accounting for almost half of all spending. However, experts say this form of credit should not be seen as a "quick solution" but rather a serious form of borrowing.
Debt charities warn that missing or late payments often come with fees, and debt can spiral before people realize the impact. From July 2026, BNPL loans will become regulated credit agreements, requiring lenders to carry out affordability checks on even the smallest loans. Until then, shoppers are being advised to be cautious of these tempting offers.
think about it if you're already struggling with bills adding more debt is not gonna help you out lol and the fees from missing payments are no joke 
so yeah let's all take a deep breath and be smart about this black friday shopping 
some people might be able to afford it but what about those who are already struggling to make ends meet? 
we need to be super careful when using these services and actually think about the consequences before clicking that buy now button 
it's defo tempting but trust me, it can get messy 
and its not just the fees, you gotta think about how hard it is to keep up with payments 
but r we really willing to risk our credit scores for it? 
. Like, who comes up with this stuff? It's just a way for lenders to make more money off people who can't afford it. And the fees they add on top of that? Forget about it 
. Meanwhile, people are struggling with debt and feeling guilty about it. It's just not right 
. Can't we just have some honesty about these deals? "This will cost you more in the end" or something like that? But no, instead we get all this fluff about how great it is to be able to spread payments 
. Give me a break 
.
maybe that'll help deter ppl from making these bad decisions. anyone else with me on this? 
but at the same time its like we gotta be real about bnpl... ppl r getting in over their heads and then theres all these fees that come with it. i mean, its not just the debt itself thats the problem, its the whole mental game of trying to keep up w/ payments and avoiding those nasty late fee charges 
but do we really need to be encouraged to take on more debt? 
my point is that its not just about impulse buys, its about being responsible with our finances. and yeah, those fees can add up quickly 
! And what's even more scary is that some people are missing payments or not being able to keep up with the payments, and that's when the real drama starts 
.
! Debt charities are right on point saying we need to be cautious and take our time to think about our spending habits 
. I mean, £6.4bn is a LOT of money to spend, especially when you consider that most people don't even budget for their monthly expenses 
.
! That's like, progress, right? But until then, we need to be aware and make smart choices 
. Don't be like me when I impulse-buy something on a whim, trust me 
!
it's like buying a new phone without thinking about the bill, or eating out every night because you feel like it... it adds up and can spiral out of control
but until then, let's all just take a deep breath and be mindful of our spending habits 
maybe that'll help people make wiser choices about their finances 
. I do hope regulators take steps to regulate this industry properly, starting with the introduction of affordability checks for all BNPL loans 
.