[queerrep]

Bill Me Later gives online customers what they’ve been waiting for — a super quick, easy and secure way to pay. Offered with Deferred Billing that allows customers to buy now and pay later, Bill Me Later is an unbeatable combination — the best way for consumers to pay and merchants to profit.

I heard about this quite some time ago, but at that time they were only selecting large e-commerce websites (i.e. Apple Store) to test it. Now it looks like anyone can apply, but they are very selective about new partners in order to control their rate of growth.

Has anybody tried to apply? I'm thinking about calling them today to see if I would even come close to qualifying.

Here's the website: http://billmelatersolutions.com/

 

[splathead]

I have seen it before on websites and assumed it was an inhouse finance arrangement from the merchant.

What i wonder is this:

1. What info does the buyer have to enter to get approved? It's gotta be a social security number, right? If as they say buyers may be reluctant to enter in a credit card number, wouldn't they be more reluctant to enter a SSN?

2. It seems the only benefit the buyer gets is not having to pay his bill until 25 days after the purchase. But They get that with a credit card too.

3. Who pays for the privilege of the deferred billing, you or the buyer?

Sometimes I think more options you have for payment on your site (credit card, paypal, google, and now this one) the more confused the buyer becomes. A confused buyer is not a buying buyer, if you know what i mean.

 

[limey16]

Yep, it,s effectively an online finance company, Ebay's Paypal announced on Monday they had bought the company and would be merging it's operations into the Paypal/Ebay portfolio. This will no doubt remove many consumers misgivings about using the site, as it is now part of the Ebay family.

 

[queerrep]

1. What info does the buyer have to enter to get approved? It's gotta be a social security number, right? If as they say buyers may be reluctant to enter in a credit card number, wouldn't they be more reluctant to enter a SSN?

They have to enter their date of birth and the last 4 of their social. Supposedly they will receive approval within 3 seconds.

2. It seems the only benefit the buyer gets is not having to pay his bill until 25 days after the purchase. But They get that with a credit card too.

True. According to the little video I just watched, one of the benefits is not having to use a credit card and risk your information being stolen.

3. Who pays for the privilege of the deferred billing, you or the buyer?

I assume that the buyer does but that's one of the questions I have.

Sometimes I think more options you have for payment on your site (credit card, paypal, google, and now this one) the more confused the buyer becomes. A confused buyer is not a buying buyer, if you know what i mean.

Also true, but I'm thinking this might prompt somebody with no credit cards and who may not get paid for another two weeks to go ahead and buy ... versus leaving and never coming back.

I just went to one of the e-commerce sites that offers it and went through the check out process just to see what it's all about. This is what comes up when you click on the Bill Me Later button:

 

[Rodney]

Also true, but I'm thinking this might prompt somebody with no credit cards and who may not get paid for another two weeks to go ahead and buy ... versus leaving and never coming back.

Are you thinking like on single t-shirt orders ($15-$25) transactions?

 

[Binary01]

keep it simple...... easy clicks to buy/etc......

too many options and people wont decide......

 

[queerrep]

Are you thinking like on single t-shirt orders ($15-$25) transactions?

Not really because most people buy at least two ... but I guess it is rather silly to want (or need) deferred payments on t-shirts. But I also have a bunch of wholesalers that buy through the website.

I never got around to calling and probably won't even qualify anyways.