Here’s a good development for when you get into financial difficulties while grocery shopping: You can use Afterpay to pay off your supermarket purchases.
Using Afterpay to Pay for Groceries
Although supermarkets do not now provide Afterpay or other Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options, there is a less well-known workaround. Customers can buy Coles or Woolworths gift cards using the Afterpay app or website, then use them at the register to spread out their grocery bills across four payments over the course of a fortnight.
Although BNPL services are not directly offered in-store or online, Woolworths advises customers to select the payment options that best suit their financial situation.
We do not currently provide a Buy Now, Pay Later option as part of our in-store payment systems, a Woolworths. We are aware that some of our partners provide our gift cards to their subscribers for use with different payment apps. Customers are allowed to select the payment method that best fits their needs.
Gift Card for Woolworths Afterpay
It’s vital to remember that the Afterpay BNPL service only offers Platinum or Mint status PULSE loyalty members the chance to purchase gift cards. PULSE, Afterpay’s rewards programme, gives customers points for on-time payments rather than cash back on their purchases.
Members who take part in the rewards programme can exchange their points for a variety of advantages, such as the capacity to defer payments by up to seven days several times annually and buy gift cards from specific merchants, such as supermarkets.
When Afterpay announced its entry into the hospitality industry, allowing customers to pay for meals or beverages over four installments, there was recent backlash.
We put emphasises that while alternatives to Buy Now, Pay Later may offer relief right away, they may be detrimental to long-term finances. According to Birot, using these deferred payment alternatives for necessities like food, which are frequently recurring expenses, could push some people deeper into debt. “BNPL credit is a type of debt,” he warns.
Given that the average weekly grocery bill for Australians is $152, it’s important to understand that meeting installment deadlines may be difficult and could result in high late penalties.
Coles and Woolworths Payment Solutions offer Afterpay in their supermarkets.
Coles and Woolworths do not currently offer any Buy Now, Pay Later payment options.
Although it cannot be used to pay for goods, PayPal Pay in 4 can be used to buy gift cards at these supermarkets.
How to Purchase an Afterpay Gift Card
Gift cards can only be purchased through Afterpay by PULSE rewards programme members who are qualified and have attained Platinum or Mint status. By following payback schedules, members can advance through tiers and gain access to related advantages. 10 points are awarded for each timely payment.
The PULSE rewards programme has the following tiers:
0-99 points for gold.
Gold: 100–499 points
500 or more coins
Customers can sign up for Afterpay’s PULSE rewards programme for free. Members who qualify can buy gift cards, get early access to bargains and special programme offers, defer payments, and avoid upfront costs both in-person and online.
How to Use an Afterpay Gift Card
There are many different stores, online merchants, and services that accept Afterpay gift cards. Visit the Afterpay website for a complete list of places that accept the gift card. It’s vital to keep in mind that some of these retailers only take Afterpay online, while others do so as well.
Some of the businesses and services that accept the Afterpay gift card are highlighted below:
Woollies Coles
Markets at Harris Farm
Uber
Uber Eats.
Deliveroo
DoorDash Bunnings Airbnb
Harvey Norbert Ampol
Kmart
IKEA
Target
Apple
Amazon
Nintendo Network
eBay
Myer
Netflix
BINGE
Affordable Auto
Rebel Kayo Sports
Big W
Pandora
Restaurants’ Use of Afterpay
More establishments are accepting Afterpay as a form of payment. Before dining out, check the Afterpay website for participating establishments to confirm accuracy. Afterpay is being accepted by lots of chain restaurants, meal delivery companies, takeaway places, and delivery services. Examples comprise:
Burrito Bar at Pizza Hut
The Coffee Club (exclusively online store)
Dineamic
Youfoodz Jenny Craig
Deliveroo
Cons and Advantages of Afterpay
In times of limited resources, Afterpay is a useful tool. It does, however, have its own set of benefits and drawbacks, just like any other service. It offers immediate pleasure, interest-free purchases, a streamlined purchasing experience integrated with store checkouts, and quick gratification. Additional benefits include the app’s speedy approval and simplicity of use.
The disadvantages, however, include hefty late fees, the promotion of impulsive buying that has long-term financial ramifications, possible credit score consequences for late payments, and spending caps based on past behaviour.
It’s significant to remember that the account holder has 24 hours to settle the balance if an Afterpay payment is denied. If you don’t, there will be a $10 fee and an extra $7 for any unpaid balance that is still due after seven days. Orders that total $40 or more are exempt from late fees up to 25% of the original order total, or $68, whichever is less. Orders that are less than $40 are subject to a single $10 late fee.
