Split Payments on Yandex Market: A Game Changer, But Be Aware of the Fine Print

Hey there!

I've been using split payments or partial payment options on the Yandex Market for over a year now. Sometimes you need to buy something, but you don't have the cash or the full amount. That's when I saw the ad for Yandex.Split - a system of partial payments, and I decided to give it a try.

Yandex.Split - system of partial paymentsWhat is it?

Split payment is essentially paying in installments. There are different options. If you choose a two-month plan, you pay every two weeks without any interest. The total amount is divided into four parts, and you have two months to pay it off. You can see the payment schedule right away in your personal account. No need to provide any documents or wait for the bank's decision.

There are also credit options for 4-6-12 months. The longer the term, the higher the interest rate. Some plans allow you to delay the first payment, but you'll need to provide access to your government services so the bank can check your credit history. If it's bad, you'll be rejected.

Split payments can also affect your credit history, at least for the plans that go through banks.

How do I sign up?

To use the two-month plan, simply add the item to your cart, check the total amount, and then select the split payment option. You'll need to agree to the terms and conditions. The system will send you a code via SMS, which you'll need to enter on the website. Then, you'll pay the first installment out of the four, and that's it.

I've only used the two-month plan, so I don't have experience with credits. I know in theory that you'll need to provide access to your government services and wait for the bank's decision. If they approve it, you can take out the desired installment loan, which doesn't require an initial payment. And if you manage to pay off the debt within a month, the interest won't be charged or will be refunded, somehow.

Yandex.Split - system of partial paymentsHow much can I spend?

It varies from person to person, and the amount can change. In my case, the initial amount was 100,000, then it increased to 150,000, and now it's stayed at that level.

In some cases, the split payment option disappears, usually if you don't pay on time. I've read about people who paid on time, but the split payment option still disappeared. I'm not sure what causes this.

Yandex.Split - a system of paying in installments

With the improved split, fewer funds are available:

Yandex.Split - a system of paying in installments

My impressions.

I've been using Yandex.Split, a system of paying in installments, for a couple of months now, and I have to say it's been a game-changer. It allows me to buy things even when I don't have the full amount upfront. Of course, there have been some hiccups along the way - like when the system wouldn't let me pay or would give me an error message. In those cases, the tech support team wasn't much help. They just told me to wait or try again from a different device. But that was only a handful of times over the past year and a half that I've been using the split.

What I love about Yandex.Split is the convenience, the transparency of payments, and the fact that I don't have to worry about interest rates or sending documents to the bank. That's why I've stuck with the shorter splits - two months or less. I've seen some promotions that offer longer splits, but they often come with a catch - like requiring me to send documents to the bank for verification. And let's be real, who wants to do that?

One thing to note is that some promotions do offer a 30% discount when you pay with an Alfa Bank card. And if you're paying with a Pэй card, you'll see the green price - but that's only if you're paying with that specific card. Otherwise, the price will be the black one. So, I'll have to wait and see what the actual price is when I add the item to my cart.

One thing I've noticed is that prices on Yandex Market are often higher than on other marketplaces - especially when it comes to tech, cosmetics, and pet supplies. So, I only use Yandex.Split when I really need to or can't find the item elsewhere. It's not the most cost-effective option, but it's convenient, and that's what matters to me.

When I've got the cash and the options, it's not a given that I'll go with Yandex in this case. I can pick the most interesting option and take it right away. Since psychologically, once you've opened a split, you want to close it ASAP. So, I try not to open too many, although I currently have three open and that's not the limit in my experience.

I also had the option of an improved split with conditions that didn't interest me, and I opted out of it, sticking with the standard split.

Yandex.Split - a system of paying in installmentsYandex.Split - a system of paying in installmentsThanks to the split, I was able to take a lot of stuff without interest for two months: for myself, for the house, for my cat, and even for my fish and mom. Otherwise, I'd have had to wait for my paycheck, and the item might have sold out or the discount expired. So, I think the split lets me buy all the necessary or desired items faster than I would have if I'd waited for my paycheck. For me, it's been convenient and easy to understand.

Can all items be taken in a split?

No, not all of them. Only if the seller has set up a special system and allowed it. From the seller's side, they get the entire amount on their account from the bank mentioned in the system right away, whether it's Yandex Bank for two months or the partner bank of Yandex Market for credit.

Since the seller gets the entire amount, they don't risk anything, so they're more likely to offer this option to customers. Customers are more likely to buy items, especially expensive tech, when they can split the payment.

You, on the other hand, pay the split or credit to the bank that lent you the money. Next to the item, you'll see a symbol and the text 'pay in installments,' along with the broken-down amount into four or more parts.

Yandex.Split - a system of paying in installmentsWhat happens if I don't pay the split?

I've seen this question asked a lot online. People say that nothing will happen if the amount is small and you took it for two months, but you won't be able to use the service again after that. The bank won't forgive large sums, in my opinion. I've never had to worry about this, but I've read the experiences of others out of curiosity. I try to pay off my debts as soon as I get the money and even before the due date. I wouldn't recommend trying not to pay the split - it's just not right, in my opinion.

The Verdict.

I've gotta say, Yandex.Split is a super convenient payment system that lets you buy stuff without paying interest for two whole months. And the best part? You don't need to provide any documents, and most products are eligible for split payments. Plus, you can pay off the balance ahead of time, before the due date. That being said, I do have a few gripes. For one, I don't like how the price on my Pэй card doesn't reflect the real deal. Sometimes there are delays when making payments, and customer support can't always help with that. And to be honest, I'm not entirely sure what determines when the credit limit changes. Overall, I'd definitely recommend Yandex.Split - it's a solid 4 out of 5 stars from me!

The Pros:

You can take out a lot of products on a payment plan.No need to provide any documents.No interest for two whole months.It's super convenient.You can pay off the balance ahead of time.

The Cons:

The 'green' price they show you only applies if you're using a Pэй card.There are sometimes delays when making payments.Customer support is basically useless when it comes to payment issues.The credit limit changes - but I'm not entirely sure why or how.