Does Amazon Accept Sezzle in 2023?
No, Amazon does not directly accept Sezzle as a payment method as of 2023. However, there are some workarounds and alternative BNPL services you can use to split up costs for Amazon purchases.
As an experienced Amazon seller, I‘ll explain everything potential buyers need to know about using virtual payment cards like Sezzle, Affirm, Klarna, and more on Amazon from a seller‘s perspective.
Overview of Sezzle and Other BNPL Services
Before getting into the specifics on Amazon, let‘s quickly recap what Sezzle and other "buy-now-pay-later" (BNPL) financing options are.
What is Sezzle?
Sezzle is a virtual credit card that lets you split purchases into 4 interest-free payments over 6 weeks. Here‘s how it works:
- You pay 25% of the total upfront when checking out. This acts as a down payment.
- The remaining 75% balance gets split into 3 equal installments charged every 2 weeks.
- Sezzle does a soft credit check that has no impact on your score.
- It‘s completely free to use with 0% APR and no hidden fees.
Sezzle aims to promote responsible spending habits and help consumers avoid high-interest credit card debt. It appeals to younger shoppers and those with limited credit history.
Other Major BNPL Providers
Sezzle competes with several other fast-growing virtual card services:
- Affirm – 3-48 month payment plans. A major partner for larger retailers.
- Afterpay – Pay 25% upfront and 25% every 2 weeks.
- Klarna – Pay 30 days after delivery or 4 interest-free installments.
- Quadpay – 4 interest-free installments every 2 weeks.
- Zip (formerly Quadpay) – Pay over 6 weeks with flexible plans.
The BNPL industry continues to expand as both retailers and consumers show increasing interest in alternative flexible financing.
Can You Use Sezzle on Amazon?
Now that we‘ve covered the basics, let‘s get back to the main question – does Amazon take Sezzle?
The short answer is no, Amazon does not directly accept Sezzle as a payment method yet.
However, there are some other options shoppers can use to achieve similar "pay later" flexibility for Amazon orders:
- Use Sezzle/BNPL services at other retailers like Target, then purchase Amazon gift cards.
- Take advantage of Amazon‘s Affirm financing partnership.
- Shop via the Klarna app and redeem rewards points for Amazon credit.
- Consider an Amazon Prime credit card for 5% back and financing.
- Sign up for an Amazon Store Card for special financing offers.
While not as direct as Sezzle acceptance, these workarounds give shoppers ways to split costs on Amazon. Let‘s explore them in more detail.
Indirect Ways to Use Sezzle for Amazon
If you have a Sezzle virtual card, here are some creative tips to leverage it for Amazon purchases:
1. Buy Amazon Gift Cards with Sezzle
Although Amazon doesn‘t accept Sezzle directly, you can use your Sezzle account to purchase Amazon gift cards from supporting retailers.
For example, you can buy e-gift cards for Amazon at:
- Target
- Walmart
- Best Buy
- Sam‘s Club
- Office Depot
Once you have Amazon credit funded by Sezzle, you can then spend it as you normally would on the Amazon website or app.
This is an easy 2-step workaround to get the Sezzle installment payment flexibility when ordering from Amazon.
2. Use Sezzle First, Amazon Second
Another option is to use Sezzle when shopping at all the supported stores except for Amazon.
Reserve your regular credit or debit card just for Amazon purchases.
By dedicating your Sezzle virtual account to other online and in-person retailers, you can save your normal payment methods for Amazon and avoid overspending limits.
It takes some budgeting to keep purchases separate, but gives you access to Sezzle‘s offerings everywhere that you can.
3. Redeem Klarna Rewards for Amazon Credit
If you use Klarna, you can earn rewards points from purchases made in the Klarna app that are redeemable for Amazon gift cards.
To start:
- Download the Klarna app and add your debit/credit card.
- Shop from the app‘s integrated stores and pay using Klarna.
- You‘ll earn points for each dollar spent through Klarna.
- When you have 2,000 points, redeem them for a $20 Amazon e-gift card.
So while Klarna isn‘t directly offered at Amazon checkout, you can still use rewards from Klarna purchases towards Amazon credit.
What BNPL Services Does Amazon Accept?
Now let‘s look at which flexible payment options are available directly through Amazon‘s checkout.
Amazon and Affirm
The only major buy-now-pay-later provider that Amazon currently integrates with is Affirm.
However, there are some limitations:
- Only available for select Amazon customers.
- Minimum purchase amount is $50.
- Completing an Affirm application and credit check is required.
If approved, you can split eligible purchases of $50 or more into 3-48 month payment schedules. Affirm offers 0% APR for 3-6 month plans based on the total order amount.
For example, a $200 purchase could be split into 4 monthly payments of $50. A $600 order could qualify for 12 months of $50 installments.
It provides an option for larger, long-term financing on Amazon orders. But the restrictions make Affirm less practical for smaller everyday purchases.
Amazon Store Card Financing
Amazon‘s own Store Card also allows financing on orders of $100 or more, with no annual fee.
Benefits include:
- Special financing offers like no interest if paid in full within 6-24 months.
- 5% back on all Amazon purchases as Amazon Rewards points.
- No extra cost to join Prime and access deals.
- Checkout faster with 1-Click ordering.
The Amazon Store Card can be a compelling choice if you shop on Amazon frequently and want easy financing with rewards. However, it is still a credit card, so you‘ll need to consider overall limits, impacts on credit score, interest rates after the promo period ends, etc.
Will Amazon Add Sezzle in the Future?
Based on the BNPL industry growth trends, there is a good chance Amazon adds support for Sezzle and other services eventually.
BNPL Adoption Is Rising
Buy-now-pay-later has exploded in popularity among online shoppers, especially younger generations:
Year | BNPL User Growth |
---|---|
2018 | 11.2 million users |
2020 | 33.2 million users |
2021 | 45.7 million users |
Source: PYMNTS
With almost 50 million Americans now using BNPL services, retailer adoption is rising to meet customer demand.
Retail Competition Is Adopting BNPL
Major retailers like Target and Walmart accepting Sezzle also increases the pressure for Amazon to offer flexible payment options.
They need to remain competitive in the BNPL space against key rivals. The same benefits and incentives apply to Amazon:
- Tap into growing BNPL demographic.
- Remove price friction and increase purchase rates.
- Capture larger share of younger shoppers.
- Keep pace with changing fintech payment trends.
Once practices like Sezzle gain enough widespread traction with top competitors, Amazon will likely test and add support.
The Bottom Line on Amazon and Sezzle
There are clearly challenges and hurdles still ahead for Amazon and Sezzle to partner directly.
But based on current ecommerce and consumer financing trends, Sezzle support in 2023 or beyond seems very plausible.
For now, shoppers have alternative options to enjoy the benefits of installment payments for Amazon orders. And the range of choices will likely continue improving over time.
Tips for Amazon Sellers on Sezzle and BNPL
As an experienced Amazon seller, here are my top recommendations for other sellers when it comes to Sezzle, Affirm, Klarna, and other buy-now-pay-later services:
Understand the BNPL Demographic
The typical BNPL user tends to be younger, tech-savvy, and often price-conscious. They rely on reviews and value when making purchases.
Ensure your Amazon listings appeal to this group with:
- Detailed product information and images.
- Competitive pricing strategies.
- Positive customer feedback and ratings.
- Responsive customer service.
Catering to the BNPL audience can help convert and retain more customers.
Consider Offering Sezzle Directly
If you sell products or services on your own ecommerce site, look into integrating Sezzle or other BNPL options directly.
This allows customers to select installment payments at checkout on your website, rather than having to go through Amazon.
Direct integration means:
- You retain full control of the buyer experience.
- Can build customer loyalty to your brand.
- Avoid Amazon fees and restrictions.
- Appeal to BNPL-motivated shoppers.
Drive traffic to your own site by promoting it on packaging, emails, and social media.
Analyze BNPL Data in Seller Central
Dig into your Amazon Seller Central dashboard for insights on BNPL usage:
- Filter order reports by various payment methods.
- See if BNPL shoppers have different purchase patterns.
- Check if BNPL conversions differ by product, price, etc.
- Use data to optimize listings for BNPL audience.
Analytics will help you gauge if supporting BNPL providers is beneficial for your Amazon seller business.
Weigh the Pros and Cons
As with any new payment method, there are both advantages and drawbacks to supporting BNPL services as a seller:
Potential benefits:
- Reach new customer demographics.
- Remove price barriers and increase sales.
- Offer financing where regular credit is limited.
- Keep up with the latest ecommerce payment trends.
Possible downsides:
- Transaction fees may cut into margins.
- Higher return rates if customers overspend budgets.
- Longer collection periods compared to upfront payments.
- Account approval challenges due to credit or eligibility issues.
Think strategically about whether the overall benefits outweigh the risks or costs for your specific products and business model.
The Takeaway: Amazon, Sezzle, and BNPL
Here are the key points for shoppers and sellers on whether Amazon takes Sezzle in 2023:
- Amazon currently does not directly accept Sezzle payments.
- But shoppers can buy Amazon gift cards from retailers that offer Sezzle.
- Amazon does partner with Affirm for select purchases over $50.
- Klarna is another option allowing users to earn Amazon rewards indirectly.
- There is a strong chance Amazon adds Sezzle support in the future as BNPL grows.
- Sellers should understand the BNPL demographic and make data-driven decisions.
While full end-to-end Sezzle integration remains pending, buyers and sellers can still enjoy the flexibility of installment payments for Amazon orders now.
I hope this comprehensive guide provides the Amazon and Sezzle payment insights, tips, and workarounds you need as a savvy shopper or seller. Let me know if you have any other questions!