Contactless shopping: what are my payment options?
With some Aussie states in partial or full lockdown, many shoppers are looking for contactless ways to get what they need.
From groceries to furniture, makeup to clothing, there are plenty of ways to get your shopping to your door in a more convenient way.
Contactless options: what’s actually out there?
Whether you are required to stay at home and need delivery quick smart, or you just want to limit your time in store, Aussie retailers have introduced or ramped up contactless options. Here’s some examples of what’s on offer:
- Same or next day delivery: In some cases, online stores offer same or next day delivery on the items you purchase. Popular stores that offer this service include the Apple Store, BWS, Chemist Warehouse and The Good Guys. Bear in mind though, you may face additional charges by choosing this express option, and there may be spending or timing requirements (e.g before 12pm).
- Click and collect: Still able to head in-store but don’t want to fuss around the aisles? Click and collect could be the option for you. Generally speaking, retailers that offer click and collect allow customers to shop online for their goods and pick them up in-store on the same day (if not, within a day or two). Like you would with delivery, simply enter your items in the online checkout, enter your payment details and hit ‘Pay.’ However, remember to opt for ‘Click and Collect’ or ‘Store Pickup’ instead of home delivery. Some popular stores that offer this service include Kmart, Bunnings, Coles and Woollies.
- Contactless payments/digital wallets: If you simply want to ditch cash, choosing to pay via a contactless card is a great alternative. Whether it's via your physical credit or debit card, or via a digital wallet such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay or Google Pay, most retailers are equipped to accept this sort of payment. In fact, according to CommBank, more Aussies are embracing digital wallets in response to COVID-19 restrictions.
What are my payment options?
No matter if it's from the couch or at the checkout, there are plenty of ways you can pay for your contactless shopping. Take a look at these popular ways to pay:
Just like you may do in-store, you can easily use your credit card when shopping online, for delivery or click and collect. Simply enter your details at the checkout and the payment should be processed digitally.
Plus, most credit cards these days are equipped with tap and go, and can be added to a digital wallet - so you can pay with contactless straight from your phone.
Don’t have a credit card? No worries, you can use your debit card! Like a credit card, when shopping online all you need to do is enter your card details at the checkout.
Debit cards can also be used to tap and go and from a digital wallet if you wish.
Unlike credit and debit cards, using Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) at the checkout is a little different. Whether you are using Afterpay, Zip or Klarna (just to name a few), you’ll need to have signed up to the platform and created an account before you can start using it online and in store.
How does BNPL work? Well, it allows you to make purchases with minimal or no upfront cost. Then you simply pay off the price of the item you purchased in instalments - this could be fortnightly or monthly. For shopping online, when you hit the checkout you may be offered the option of choosing a BNPL service: all you need to do is click it and log in. For making purchases in store, you’ll likely have to show a barcode on your phone to be scanned.
Remember: Not all retailers offer every type of BNPL service. So double check that the store you intend to use BNPL with, partners with your particular service provider.
- PayPal
Prefer PayPal? In some cases, retailers will give you the option to make a purchase using your PayPal account when shopping online. Like BNPL, instead of entering card details at the checkout, you’ll need to hit the ‘PayPal’ option and log in to process the payment.
Digital payment safety tip: Avoid entering your credit card, debit card, BNPL or PayPal details into a website you do not recognise. Make sure you have done proper research of the site you are buying from to avoid online fraud.
Related article: Online shopping could make us cashless by 2021
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