Eighty-eight percent of people who asked to have a buy now, pay later late fee waived got it reduced

Four in 10 people paid late on buy now, pay later loans in the past year, according to a new LendingTree survey. Missing a payment can trigger late fees and potentially harm a person’s credit. But 88% of those who asked to have a BNPL late fee waived were successful in at least getting it reduced. Norfolk resident Becca Bailey first used Afterpay while shopping for clothes online, drawn in by the ability to get what she wanted without paying upfront. She managed the BNPL payments, but credit cards became her downfall—racking up debt during life changes by using them as short-term fixes with long-term consequences. She eventually sought help from Money Management International, where she’s now on a five-year plan to become debt-free. Her experience underscores a broader reality: while BNPL services can be manageable, they require discipline—and relief may be possible when lapses occur.