This guide will show you how to enable Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), allowing your clients to spread the cost of their services or products with flexible payment options through Affirm.
Not Yet Fully Released
This feature is currently in early access and available only to a select group of businesses. When fully released, it may be limited to specific regions and Phorest subscription packages. We’ll let you know as soon as it becomes widely available.
This feature is currently only available in North America to businesses using a PhorestPay Card Terminal.
In this Article
What is Buy Now, Pay Later?
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) is a flexible payment option that lets your clients make purchases today and pay over time in scheduled installments. Through Affirm, clients can choose a repayment plan that suits their budget, making higher-value services more accessible while helping your business increase bookings and retail sales.
When a client chooses to pay with Affirm, your business still receives the full payment upfront, just as with a standard card payment.
Affirm then takes on the responsibility of collecting instalment payments directly from the client over time.
For Affirm's Payment Terms, click here.
How Much Does it Cost?
Buy Now, Pay Later with Affirm transactions are processed at 6% + $0.30 per transaction.
There will be a separate line on your PhorestPay (Stripe) invoice showing the fees you’ve paid for BNPL transactions.
How Does it Work?
BNPL can be used in two ways: for in-house purchases or for online Series/Course purchases.
By default, BNPL is only offered for purchases of $200 or higher. You can adjust the spend threshold (to a minimum of $50) if you like by going to Manager > PhorestPay > Settings, and clicking Edit Settings under the Flexible Payments section.
In-House Purchases
At checkout, your PhorestPay Card Terminal will display a Pay with Affirm button. After a client taps the button, they will be prompted to scan a QR code using their phone.
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After scanning the QR code, clients are brought to the Affirm site, where they can create an account (or log in to an existing one) and choose their payment plan for this purchase.
Once started, you cannot use your card terminal until the client completes the process. To speed things up, have clients create their account at https://www.affirm.com/user/signup before checkout. You can also click the QR code below and then print it for quick in-house scanning.
Affirm Signup QR Code
Online Series/Course Purchases
When purchasing a Series/Course online, clients can choose the Affirm payment method.
Clients are then brought to the Affirm site, where they can create an account (or log in to an existing one) and choose their payment plan to complete the purchase.
Refunding a BNPL Purchase
When processing a refund, select the Affirm payment method, then Complete payment.
This will trigger a request to Affirm to process the refund to your client's account.
Promoting Buy Now, Pay Later to Your Clients
Phorest has created several email marketing templates you can use to let your clients know about your new Buy Now, Pay Later service.
You'll find these templates under Marketing > Compose Email > Announcements.
Purchases Excluded from Buy Now, Pay Later
BNPL cannot currently be used to pay for:
- Deposits
- Membership fees
- Online Store purchases
- Online Gift Card/Voucher purchases
- Purchases within the Branded App
Enabling/Disabling Buy Now, Pay Later
To turn BNPL on or off, go to Manager > PhorestPay > Settings, and then update your preferences under Flexible Payments.
You can enable Buy Now, Pay Later for PhorestPay Terminal payments, Online Series/Course purchases, or both!
Minimum Spend Threshold Settings
If you'd like to change the minimum spend threshold, go to Edit Settings in the Flexible Payments settings section and update the Minimum Spend for PhorestPay Terminal payments, Online Series/Course purchases, or both.
Learn More About How Affirm Works
Because Affirm manages the financing, your business receives payment as normal, while the client completes their repayments directly with Affirm.
For full details on topics like plan options, eligibility, interest/APR, refunds, managing payments, or using the Affirm app, click here to visit the Affirm Help Center.