Over 30% of shoppers research online but ultimately make purchases in-store, a trend that highlights the growing importance of flexible in-person payment options. And let’s be clear: Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services aren’t just for online shopping anymore. With Sezzle, you can split your in-store purchases into four interest-free installments, making it easier to manage expenses without relying on high-interest loans or credit cards.
But if you’ve ever stood at a payment terminal and wondered, “How do I actually use Sezzle in stores?”—this guide is for you.
Here’s everything you need to know about setting up your Sezzle account, adding your virtual card to a digital wallet, and checking out smoothly.
Key Takeaways
- In-Store Ready: Sezzle Anywhere gives you a virtual card you can use at most payment terminals that accept Visa.
- Four Interest-Free Installments: Sezzle splits your total purchase into four payments, usually with the first due at checkout.
- Simple Setup: Add your Sezzle virtual card to Google Pay or Apple Pay for seamless in-store use.
- Stay on Track: Watch payment deadlines in the Sezzle app to avoid late fees or missed payments.
- Credit Impact: Sezzle operates with soft checks, but Sezzle Up reporting can positively or negatively affect your credit history.
Step 1: Create and Verify Your Sezzle Account
Before you can use Sezzle in-store, you need a verified Sezzle account. Signing up is simple:
- Download the Sezzle app and sign up using your bank account or debit card as your preferred payment method.
- Sezzle assumes you’ll make installment payments automatically, so you won’t need to swipe another payment card each time.
- The sign-up process involves only soft checks, not a hard credit check, so your credit score won’t drop just for applying.
Once your account is active, you can request access to the Sezzle Virtual Card, the key to in-store purchases.
Step 2: Get Your Sezzle Virtual Card
The Sezzle virtual card works like any other Visa payment card, except it’s tied to your Sezzle installment plan instead of revolving credit.
- Open the Sezzle app and select Sezzle Anywhere.
- Tap to add Sezzle Virtual Card details to your Apple Pay or Google Pay wallet.
- Once linked, your Sezzle virtual card becomes a payment option you can use in-store just like a debit or credit card.
If you don’t already have an active Sezzle plan, the card issued will be a single-use virtual card. That’s because Sezzle generates a unique card number tied to each approved order, ensuring you only borrow for specific purchases you’ve qualified for, rather than giving you an open line of credit.
This setup transforms Sezzle from something you’d use only with online retailers into a BNPL payment option that works at physical stores.
Step 3: Use Sezzle at Checkout In a Store
Here’s the step-by-step flow for making a purchase:
- Shop as Usual: Choose your items and head to the merchant’s checkout.
- Tap to Pay: At the payment terminal, hold your phone or smartwatch over the reader to use Apple Pay or Google Pay.
- Select Sezzle: Your Sezzle virtual card processes the total purchase, with the first of four payments due right away.
- Confirm: The receipt will show the full purchase amount, but Sezzle maintains the repayment schedule in your app.
It feels exactly like using Apple Pay or Google Pay with any other card, except you’ve automatically chosen a smarter way to split the cost into four interest-free installments.
Step 4: Track Your Payments in the Sezzle App
After you walk out of the store, Sezzle still has work to do. You’ll want to keep an eye on your Sezzle app to manage your repayment schedule.
- Four Payments: You’ll pay 25% of the total at checkout, with the following three installment payments automatically deducted every two weeks from your bank account.
- Due Dates: Sezzle shows clear due date reminders in the app. You can reschedule payments once per order if cash flow is tight.
- Missed Payments: If you miss a payment, late fees may be applied and can negatively impact your credit score.
Managing deadlines inside the app is key to keeping Sezzle a perfect solution for your short-term financial needs. See my experience with Sezzle in this review, and you’ll see what I mean.
Where Sezzle Works In Store
Sezzle works at most stores where Visa is accepted when you use the Sezzle virtual card through Apple Pay or Google Pay. Common categories include:
- Apparel and Footwear (PacSun, Carhartt, PUMA, Brooks Running)
- Food and Dining (Kentucky Fried Chicken, Five Guys, Zaxby’s, Red Robin)
- Electronics and Lifestyle (IKEA, Oakley, GlassesUSA, Topgolf)
- Beauty and Accessories (MAC Cosmetics, Zales, Lane Bryant, Halara)
- Travel and Experiences (Royal Caribbean, Chuck E. Cheese’s, Sparkle In Pink)
Final Thoughts
So, how do you use Sezzle in-store? Simple: set up your Sezzle account, activate the virtual card, add it to Apple Pay or Google Pay, and tap to pay at checkout. From there, your purchase is split into four interest-free installments, making Sezzle a convenient way to manage expenses without relying on high-APR credit cards or short-term loans. It’s extremely simple, and it was an easy way for me to ensure I had a stronger influx of cash over time.
Used responsibly, splitting payments with Sezzle gives you the flexibility to pay later while keeping your cash flow in check. Just remember: payment deadlines matter, and missed payments can carry late fees or credit consequences.
FAQs
Yes, with Sezzle Anywhere, you can use the virtual card at most payment terminals that accept Visa.
Yes, you’ll add your Sezzle virtual card to a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay to use it in-store.
Not by default. However, if you join Sezzle Up, on-time payments can help build credit history, while missed payments can hurt and lead to a low credit score.
Missed payments may lead to late fees and could negatively affect your credit score if reported to credit bureaus.
Yes, installment payments are interest-free. However, late fees or rescheduled payment charges may apply.
