Compare
Three ways to spread the cost, compared
They all let you take something home now and pay over time. Here's how differently they work for someone with a damaged credit history.
| Revolving catalogue | Buy now pay later | Fixed plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Ongoing balance, like a store card | Pay later or in a few parts | Set number of equal payments |
| Credit check | Usually a hard search | Often a soft check, can be hard | Often affordability-led |
| Balance can grow? | Yes, with interest | Late fees possible | No, it's fixed from day one |
| Good for bad credit? | Rarely | Sometimes, for small amounts | Most likely |
Our take
If your file is damaged, a fixed plan with an affordability check gives you the best chance of a yes. You also always know exactly when you'll have paid it off.