The availability of Equated Monthly Installment (EMI) schemes has made purchasing high-value items much more convenient for customers. EMI schemes allow customers to pay for the product over an extended period of time, rather than paying the full amount upfront. However, this convenience can also lead to impulsive buying behavior, where customers make purchases without fully considering the financial impact of the EMI payments.
Participants in the thread share their personal experiences with EMI schemes and impulsive buying behaviour and provide tips for avoiding impulsive purchases. The discussion highlights the need for customers to be mindful of their spending habits and to make informed decisions when considering EMI schemes.
What is EMI?
To attract more customers and increase sales, merchant outlets and credit card companies in India offer Equated Monthly Installment (EMI) payment schemes. This is particularly helpful for customers who may not have the immediate funds to make a purchase but can afford to pay in instalments over a period of time. EMI is a popular payment option for electronic appliances, mobiles, laptops, and other gadgets, where customers can buy the product and start using it immediately while paying for it in smaller instalments spread over a longer duration. EMI stands for Equated Monthly Installment. It is a fixed amount of money that a borrower pays to a lender on a monthly basis, usually for a loan or credit card payment. The EMI includes both the principal amount and the interest charged on the loan. EMI is commonly used for payments related to loans for personal expenses, education, vehicles, homes, and other assets.
What is Impulsive Buying?
Impulsive buying is the act of making a purchase without prior planning or consideration, often based on emotions, desires, or immediate needs rather than careful evaluation of the product or service. Impulsive buyers tend to make quick purchasing decisions without fully considering the long-term consequences or benefits of the purchase. This behavior is often driven by factors such as advertisements, peer pressure, discounts, and emotions like excitement or stress. Impulsive buying can lead to overspending, financial stress, and buyerâs remorse, particularly when the purchased item turns out to be unnecessary or of low quality.
So here are some of the questions for the community friends:
Have you ever made a purchase using an EMI scheme?
If so, What was the first product you purchased on EMI?
Which EMI plan do you prefer the most (3 months, 6 months etc etcâŚ24 months)?
Have you ever faced any difficulties after purchasing for friends or family members using EMI? (like missed payments:rofl:)
In your opinion, does the availability of EMI options lead to impulsive buying behaviour?
Your observation on EMI making high value purchases is spot on. However, the impulsive buying is more to do with an individualâs financial prudence. And I say this from experience. I did make that mistake which punched me real hard and then i realised pick up something only if you know you will be able to pay for. Donât plan for the payment after youâve made that purchase.
Sir, I accidentally hit the publish button while typing the entire topic. However, I have completed the article now. Please review it and provide your valuable suggestions and experiences.
Have you ever made a purchase using an EMI scheme? - Yes.
If so, What was the first product you purchased on EMI? - An AC.
Which EMI plan do you prefer the most? - I more of a credit card user. Hence, i am happy using their EMI plans.
Have you ever faced any difficulties after purchasing for friends or family members using EMI? (like missed payments:rofl:) - With a friend No, with a family member yes
In your opinion, does the availability of EMI options lead to impulsive buying behaviour? - Depends on the financial prudence one follows. Plan for the EMI before you make the purchase and not vice versa
The very first product I bought using an EMI scheme was a Xiaomi Mi A3 with Zestmoney, which I purchased as a gift for my brother-in-law. ZestMoney provided me with a credit limit of around 35,000 rupees when I initially registered with them (however, this limit was wiped out abruptly after the COVID pandemic, and now itâs zero). Generally, I prefer EMI plans with a duration of 6-9 months, as I donât like longer tenures. However, when purchasing products for friends using my Bajaj EMI card, I have encountered a lot of difficulties since no one transfers the EMI amount on time.
Dear Alan bro, You can always try out options like Flipkart PayLater, Flipkart EMI, and Amazon PayLater, or download apps like Simpl or Lazypay. These options can easily turn you into an impulsive buyer like many
Is paylater same as EMI scheme?..i thought that both are differentâŚI use flipkart paylater and i have a credit limit of 45k there And i also use amazon paylater too bcz they are usefulâŚI have paytm postpaid also but they take convenience fees at the monthend acc. to our spends.So i use the others except paytm postpaid
And also paylater will help in getting jewels âŚi will place an order using paylater and will clear it using my jupiter debit cardâŚIts working in the case of amazon paylater
My strategy for any purchase is âSave First, Buy Laterâ. This helps me to avoid any impulse purchases and ensure that I have enough resources to cover my needs and goals.
Itâs important to note that not all Paylater facilities are eligible for Equated Monthly Installments (EMI). However, Flipkart does provide a specific service called FLIPKART EMI, which is separate from Flipkart Paylater. You can view your EMI purchase limit along with your Paylater balance. Similarly, Simpl also allows certain purchases to be converted into three equal payments, although this option may not be available for all purchases. Then there is Snapmint, which also offers 3 equal payments.
Yes. They charge some additional fees on the monthly statement. Maybe you got âescapedâ from those charges by clearing your dues as soon as you use.
The only aspect I disliked about Paytm Postpaid was their lack of reminders regarding payment dues. Instead of sending reminders, they only call after the due date has passed. They send the monthly statement on Day 1, and thatâs all. Unfortunately, this caused me to miss a payment, which was my first missed pay-later or EMI payment. So be very very cautious when using it.
