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What is Sezzle? Complete Guide to Buy Now Pay Later

Everything you need to know about Sezzle's buy now, pay later service — from how it works to whether it's right for you.

Sezzle Explained Simply

Sezzle is a buy now, pay later (BNPL) service that allows you to split your purchases into four equal, interest-free payments over six weeks. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Sezzle has grown to serve millions of shoppers across the United States and Canada.

When you use Sezzle at checkout, you pay only 25% of your total purchase upfront. The remaining 75% is automatically charged to your payment method in three equal installments, every two weeks, until your purchase is paid off.

Quick Facts About Sezzle

Founded: 2016 | Headquarters: Minneapolis, MN | Publicly Traded: NASDAQ: SEZL | Partner Stores: 47,000+ | Users: Millions worldwide

How Sezzle Makes Money

You might wonder how Sezzle can offer interest-free payments. Here's how their business model works:

Merchant Fees

Sezzle charges retailers a small percentage of each transaction (similar to credit card processing fees). Merchants are willing to pay this because Sezzle shoppers tend to spend more and convert at higher rates.

Late Fees

While Sezzle doesn't charge interest, they do charge late fees if you miss a payment. These fees can be up to $10 per missed payment. However, you can reschedule payments once for free to avoid late fees.

Premium Services

Sezzle offers optional premium features like Sezzle Premium (unlimited reschedules) and Sezzle Up (credit building) for a monthly fee.

Is Sezzle Safe and Legit?

Yes, Sezzle is a legitimate, safe company. Here's why you can trust them:

  • Publicly Traded: Sezzle is listed on NASDAQ (SEZL), which means they're subject to strict financial regulations and transparency requirements.
  • BBB Accredited: Sezzle has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
  • Bank-Level Security: They use 256-bit SSL encryption to protect your personal and financial information.
  • Millions of Users: Sezzle has processed millions of transactions since 2016.
  • Partner Verification: All merchant partners are vetted before joining the Sezzle network.

⚠️ Important Considerations

While Sezzle is safe, remember that buy now pay later services can lead to overspending if not used responsibly. Only purchase what you can afford to pay back, and always make your payments on time to avoid fees.

Who Can Use Sezzle?

Sezzle has relatively straightforward eligibility requirements:

Basic Requirements

  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must be a US or Canadian resident
  • Must have a valid debit or credit card
  • Must have a valid mobile phone number
  • Must have a valid email address

Credit Requirements

Sezzle performs a soft credit check during the approval process. This means checking your eligibility won't impact your credit score. There's no minimum credit score required, making Sezzle accessible to people with limited or no credit history.

What Affects Your Approval

  • Your payment history with Sezzle (if you've used it before)
  • The purchase amount relative to your spending limit
  • Your account verification status
  • The merchant and order details

Sezzle Requirements Checklist

Before signing up for Sezzle, make sure you have:

  • ✓ A valid government-issued ID (for verification)
  • ✓ A US or Canadian phone number
  • ✓ A valid email address
  • ✓ A debit card or credit card with available funds
  • ✓ A US or Canadian shipping address

💡 Pro Tip

Using a debit card linked to a checking account with sufficient funds is recommended. This helps ensure your automatic payments go through without issues.

FAQ: What is Sezzle?

No, Sezzle is not a credit card. It's a buy now, pay later service that splits your purchase into installments. Unlike credit cards, Sezzle doesn't charge interest (when you pay on time) and doesn't require a credit application that affects your credit score.

Signing up for Sezzle involves only a soft credit check, which doesn't affect your score. However, if you enroll in Sezzle Up (optional credit-building program), your payment history will be reported to credit bureaus, which can help or hurt your score depending on your payment behavior.

If you return an item, the refund process depends on the merchant's return policy. Once the merchant processes your return, Sezzle will refund any payments you've made. Pending installments will be cancelled. Refunds typically take 5-10 business days to appear.

Minimum purchase amounts vary by merchant, but typically start around $35. Maximum amounts depend on your personal Sezzle spending limit, which can range from $50 to several thousand dollars based on your account history and other factors.

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