Buy now pay later small print can take up to an hour to read

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The buy now pay later small print that can take up to an hour for shoppers to read

By Fiona Parker For The Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

Buy now pay later small print is so long and complicated it could take up to an hour for shoppers to read.

The average word count is 8,673, which would take 36 minutes to read, according to analysis by personal finance website NerdWallet.

Klarna, which has more than 12 million UK customers, has the longest terms and conditions at 13,637 words and would take 57 minutes to read. 

Buy now pay later app Klarna, which has more than 12 million UK customers, has the longest terms and conditions at 13,637 words and would take 57 minutes to read

Of 11 firms, the popular Swedish lender’s small print was also ranked second worst for how easy it is to understand. 

Only Manchester-based Payl8r’s 9,788-word terms for spreading purchase costs were found to be more complicated.

Experts have raised concerns that customers, typically in women in their 20s, are being encouraged to spend more than they can afford. 

A Klarna spokesman says: ‘We set out responsibilities clearly before you click buy.’ Payl8r did not comment.

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