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NGOs concerned about ‘buy now, pay later’ apps for online alcohol purchases

5 November 2022

More and more online liquor stores in the Netherlands use 'buy now, pay later' apps, such as Klarna or Riverty. 'Buy now, pay later' apps allow people to buy items and pay for them within 30 to 60 days.

Delayed payment encourages consumers to order more alcohol than they anticipated, prevention organizations such as the Trimbos Institute and the Dutch Institute for Alcohol Policy STAP told RTL News. They are surprised, because last year on July 1, 2022 the Netherlands implemented a new alcohol law. Among the improvements to the law was the elimination of price promotions of more than 25% discount. This law was adopted specifically since price affects purchases. "'Buy now, pay later' apps take the price factor out of the purchase, which can affect people’s purchasing habits.”

Delayed payment can be risky. "Especially with an addictive substance such as alcohol, lending is a worse idea", says Carmen Voogt, researcher on alcohol policy at the Trimbos Institute. Addiction care institution Jellinek fears that these apps will cause financial misery. "This can also lead to excessive users getting into debt and getting into financial problems," says prevention manager Floor van Bakkum. Wim van Dalen, director of STAP, also finds it irresponsible that liquor stores offer alcohol on credit. "It is legal from a legal point of view, but delayed payment goes directly against the spirit of the Alcohol Act."

Klarna denies that the purchasing behavior of alcoholic beverages is influenced by delayed payment. Riverty also does not recognize himself in the criticism. Liquor store chain Gall & Gall would like to hear more about the objections that prevention organizations have against delayed payment for online alcohol sales.

Source: rtlnieuws.nl.

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Dutch Institute for Alcohol Policy STAP
P.O. Box 9769
3506 GT Utrecht
The Netherlands
T: +31 (0)30-6565041
F: +31 (0)30-6565043
E: info@stap.nl