In 1950, Diner’s Club established the first credit card that could be used in multiple establishments. Since then, Americans have had a love-hate relationship with credit. For some it’s a lifeline, for others it’s an emergency/big-ticket item use only; the remainder fall into the middle.
Today, most people do not have money saved for an emergency, noted Keri Kalshultz, sales manager at FTL Finance. She told 2022 AHR attendees Feb. 1 that people with cash-flow problems prefer to use some type of buy now, pay later (BNPL) plan.
“All demographics like this,” she said. “They’re easy to finance and usually have no or low interest.”
Personal loans are the fastest-growing debt category, she added.
When homeowners are faced with a large bill for replacing HVAC equipment, they may not have the cash to pay for it. Offering financing options may be the only way to make that sale.