Quick Facts

• Split purchases into 3 equal payments with 0% interest
• Pay first instalment at checkout, next 2 on salary dates
• Late payment fee: R145 per missed payment (max 25% of purchase)
• Must be 18+ with SA ID and debit/credit card
• Available at 2,700+ stores across South Africa

What is PayJustNow?

PayJustNow is a Buy Now Pay Later service in South Africa. It lets you buy things today and pay in instalments. You do not pay interest if you pay on time.

The company started in South Africa a few years ago. It now has over 1.5 million users. More than 2,700 stores accept PayJustNow.

Two payment options available:

• Pay in 3: Split your purchase into 3 equal payments. No interest. No fees if paid on time.
• Pay in 12 (PayStretch): Spread payments over 12 months. Small interest fee applies. Good for bigger purchases.

Most people use the Pay in 3 option. This guide focuses on this option.

How PayJustNow Works

PayJustNow splits your purchase into three equal parts. You pay one third now. The other two thirds are paid later.

Important points:

• You get your items immediately after first payment
• Payments come off automatically on your payday
• You choose your payday when signing up
• No interest charges if you pay on time
• Late fees apply if payments are missed

✅ Who Can Use PayJustNow?

To use PayJustNow, you must meet these requirements:

Requirement	Details
Age	18 years or older
Residency	South African citizen or permanent resident
ID Document	Valid South African ID number
Bank Card	Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card
Contact Details	Valid email address and mobile number
Employment	Employed or self-employed
Debt Status	Not under debt review or administration

⚠️ Costs and Fees Breakdown

PayJustNow says it is “interest-free and fee-free.” This is true only if you pay on time. Late payments cost money.

When You Pay on Time:

Fee Type	Cost
Sign-up Fee	R0
Monthly Fee	R0
Interest on Pay in 3	0%
Early Payment Fee	R0

When You Pay Late:

Situation	Fee
Late Payment Fee	R145 per attempt
How Often Charged	Every week they try again
Maximum Total Late Fees	25% of purchase price

How to Sign Up and Use PayJustNow

Step 1: Download the App

Go to Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Search for “PayJustNow”. Download and install the app. You can also visit payjustnow.com on your computer.

Step 2: Create Your Account

1. Enter your name and surname (as on ID)
2. Enter your mobile number
3. Enter your SA ID number
4. Enter your email address
5. Create a password

Step 3: Verify Your Identity

Take a selfie or use Face ID. PayJustNow uses this to verify you are a real person. This protects against fraud.

Step 4: Add Your Bank Card

Enter your debit or credit card details. Card must be Visa or Mastercard. Card must be issued by a South African bank. Card must be in your name.

Step 5: Set Your Payday

Choose the date you get paid each month. This becomes your payment date. PayJustNow will debit your card on this date.

Step 6: Get Approved

PayJustNow reviews your information. Approval usually happens within minutes. You will see your spend limit. You can now start shopping.

Step 7: Shop and Pay

1. Shop at any PayJustNow partner store
2. Add items to your cart as normal
3. At checkout, select PayJustNow as payment method
4. Choose your payment dates
5. Pay the first instalment (1/3 of total)
6. Your order is processed immediately
7. Remaining payments debit automatically

Where Can You Use PayJustNow?

Over 2,700 stores accept PayJustNow in South Africa. Both online and in-store. Here are popular categories:

Fashion and Footwear:

• Superbalist
• Zando
• Steve Madden
• Adidas
• Puma
• Levi’s
• Vans
• Timberland

Electronics and Appliances:

• Makro
• Game
• Samsung
• CTM

Home and Furniture:

• Coricraft
• Canvas and More

Beauty and Wellness:

• Isabella Garcia
• Hey Gorgeous South Africa
• Supple Skin

Travel:

• Alternative Airlines (flights)
• Fly N Pay Later

🚨 Important Warnings and Risks

Danger 1: Not Covered by National Credit Act

PayJustNow operates in a “regulatory grey area.” It is not covered by the National Credit Act. This means:

• No affordability checks are done
• Not registered with National Credit Regulator
• May not appear on your credit report
• Limited consumer protections
• No access to debt counselling for PayJustNow debt

Danger 2: Easy to Over-Spend

PayJustNow makes buying too easy. You can have multiple PayJustNow purchases at once. This adds up quickly. Many people forget what they owe.

Danger 3: Late Fees Add Up Fast

The R145 late fee seems small. But it is charged every week. On a R1,500 purchase, you could pay R375 extra. That is 25% more than you borrowed.

Danger 4: Using for Essentials

People now use PayJustNow for groceries, electricity, and airtime. This is dangerous. It means you cannot afford basic living costs. This is a sign of financial trouble.

Danger 5: Multiple BNPL Accounts

You can use PayJustNow, PayFlex, and other BNPL services at the same time. They do not share information. You could have debts at multiple places. This leads to over-indebtedness.

Danger 6: Customer Service Issues

Some users report poor customer service. Long wait times on phone. Chat kicks you out if phone screen turns off. Difficult to resolve payment problems.

Red Flags – Stop Using PayJustNow If:

• You use it for groceries or bills every month
• You cannot afford full price items without it
• You have missed payments before
• You use multiple BNPL services
• You buy things you do not need
• You pay late fees regularly
• Your PayJustNow limit is always maxed out

Your Consumer Rights

What PayJustNow Must Do:

• Tell you clearly what you will pay
• Send reminders before payment dates
• Keep your personal information safe
• Process returns according to store policy
• Not share your data with third parties

What You Can Do:

• Pay off instalments early with no penalty
• Return items according to store policy
• Update your card details anytime
• Close your account if needed
• Request your payment history

How to Handle Returns:

1. Return item to the store (not PayJustNow)
2. Follow the store’s normal return policy
3. Store approves the return
4. PayJustNow adjusts or refunds your instalments
5. Money goes to your PayJustNow Wallet
6. Use wallet balance for next purchase

Where to Get Help:

Organisation	Contact	When to Use
PayJustNow Support	In-app chat or support@payjustnow.com	Payment issues, account questions
National Credit Regulator	0860 627 627	Credit complaints (limited for BNPL)
Financial Sector Conduct Authority	0800 110 443 www.fsca.co.za	Financial misconduct
National Consumer Commission	0860 003 600	General consumer complaints
SABRIC (fraud)	0860 123 333	Fraud or scam reports

Better Alternatives to Consider

1. Save First, Buy Later

Put aside money each month. When you have enough, buy the item. No interest. No debt. No late fees. No stress.

2. Lay-By at Stores

Pay in instalments before taking the item. Common at Pep, Ackermans, and other stores. You only get item when fully paid. Safer than BNPL.

3. Store Credit Accounts

Proper credit accounts are regulated. They check affordability. They appear on credit record. Better consumer protections. Examples: Woolworths, Truworths, Edgars.

4. Personal Loan (for big purchases)

For large purchases over R10,000. Get a proper personal loan from a bank. Regulated by NCA. Affordability assessment done. Fixed interest rate. Clear repayment plan.

5. Wait for Sales

Black Friday, Boxing Day, and monthly specials offer big discounts. Waiting can save 30% to 50%. Saves more than avoiding interest.

If You Must Use PayJustNow – Smart Tips:

• Only for needs, not wants: Use it for essential purchases you genuinely need
• One purchase at a time: Do not take multiple PayJustNow purchases
• Set calendar reminders: Remind yourself before payment dates
• Keep money aside: Put payment amount in savings when you buy
• Pay early if possible: No penalty for early payment
• Check account regularly: Monitor your upcoming payments in app
• Never for groceries: This is a warning sign of money trouble
• Calculate total cost: Make sure you can afford all 3 payments
• Keep card active: Ensure card has funds on payment dates
• Read terms carefully: Understand what you are agreeing to

PayJustNow can be useful in the right circumstances. It works well for one-off purchases you can afford. The zero interest makes it cheaper than credit cards if you pay on time.

But it is dangerous for regular use. It is not regulated properly. It makes over-spending too easy. Late fees are expensive. Customer service can be poor.

Best practice: Save money first and buy later. If you must use PayJustNow, use it rarely, for essentials only, and pay on time every time.

Warning signs: If you use PayJustNow for groceries, bills, or airtime – you have a serious money problem. Stop using it immediately. Seek help from a debt counsellor.

Remember: Just because you can buy something does not mean you should. The easiest payment to make is no payment at all.