Money

PayPal's Pay in 4 lets you pay off purchases over time. Here's how it works

PayPal's new interest-free microloan service lets you pay off purchases of up to $600 in four installments. Here's how it works.

Stephen Beacham Senior Video Producer

I'm an award-winning Senior Video Producer and Host for CNET.com focusing on How-To videos, AI, and environmental technologies. I lead CNET's How-To video strategy for horizontal and vertical video formats on multiple platforms. I am responsible for managing and optimizing CNET's flagship YouTube channel by developing and implementing our publishing and subscriber growth strategies. I also serve as CNET's Live Events Producer and Live Streaming Engineer coordinating CNET's team coverage of big tech events since 2011. I come from an audio production background as a Music Producer, Audio Engineer, and Mixer and have worked with multi-platinum artists including Green Day, Smash Mouth, and Lenny Kravitz. Today, I continue to produce and mix records for artists and bands spanning a wide range of genres and have been building a list of credits sound designing and mixing short films.

Expertise How-To video, AI, Environmental Sustainability Credentials

Webby Award Winner for Best Environmental and Sustainability video (2023), 3-time Telly Award Winner (2019, 2020, 2022) 12 years experience producing videos, podcasts, and live events for CNET.

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Stephen Beacham

May 20, 2021 8:30 p.m. PT

2 min read

Is there something pricey on your wishlist that you want to buy now, but would rather pay off over time instead of upfront? PayPal recently introduced a new service called Pay In 4, which lets you make an online purchase between $30 and $600 and pay it off in four bi-weekly installments. According to PayPal, Pay in 4 doesn't affect your credit score, and there is 0% interest on the bi-weekly payments. Basically, it's like a low-risk microloan backed by PayPal to make purchasing larger items like a TV or laptop more manageable.

To use Pay in 4, you must have a valid PayPal account connected to a debit or credit card. When checking out online during a purchase, look for the Pay Later button under the usual PayPal Checkout button. You will then be prompted to login to PayPal and select your shipping and payment info. PayPal will then either approve or deny your use of Pay in 4.

To determine if you're eligible, PayPal says it runs a soft credit check that won't hurt your credit score. Your payment dates and the amounts owed on each date will be displayed before you make the purchase, so you know exactly when and how much your credit or debit card will be charged for each payment.

Your first payment is due at the time of purchase, followed by three installments every 15 days until the balance is automatically paid off. All you need to worry about is keeping your debit or credit card in good standing during the payoff period and managing your credit card payments as usual (unless you used a debit card, which would automatically withdraw funds from your bank account).

CNET's Stephen Beacham demonstrates how PayPal's Pay in 4 service works in the How To video embedded above on the How To Do It All YouTube Channel. Watch the video and make sure to like and subscribe for more How To videos from CNET. Also check out how to use PayPal's QR Codes to make purchases and get paid below.