Now “coupon hoarding” seems to have become a new way of everyone’s consumption life. For example, you can use the platform’s coupons when shopping online, buy package coupons from stores in groups when going out, and use the takeaway coupons you grab when ordering takeout.

In the past two years, after e-commerce platforms have successively launched the “use now, pay later” model, online travel booking platforms have also successively tested the “stock up now, pay later” model in hotel package products. According to the platform, the new payment method drives product sales, but it also reminds that some products also have time, quantity and refund restrictions.

Is this model cost-effective for consumers? What are the possible risks?

Purchasing a hotel room-night package at a preferential price in advance, and then choosing a check-in time according to your needs, is called “hoarding rooms.”

Consumer Ms. Gu had the experience of not being able to move in as planned after hoarding a house, being unable to get a full refund, and losing several hundred yuan.

Ms. Gu: Its terms will be written very clearly. If it is not confirmed how many days in advance, 80% will be refunded, and then 70% may be refunded at a closer date. I finally found out on the last day that I really couldn’t live in the hotel, so they only refunded 70% of my money.

To avoid such an experience, many online travel booking platforms have launched “full refund” products. In the past two years, some platforms have relied on their credit payment systems to further test the waters of “stock up now, pay later”, also known as “Hoarding without loss”. Ms. Chen, a consumer who likes to travel, has stocked up on many such hotel packages.

Ms. Chen: For previous products, for example, if you place an order today, you have to repay this amount whether you use a credit card or other payment methods. But “no loss storage” means that as long as I haven’t written off the hotel or stayed in it, for example, it is valid for one year, and I may want to stay in August next year, then I don’t need to return it until I actually stay in August. money. I think this is the biggest advantage of “lossless storage”. It does not take up any of your funds in advance. For me, it is a highlight that attracts me to buy hotels.

According to platform customer service, this year there has been an increase in the number of users choosing the “stock up now, pay later” method to book hotel packages.

Customer service of a certain platform: Buy a lot because they may find it more convenient. Another reason is that there are discounts for first-time users, so some customers will be willing to buy it.

The reporter tested on the platform page and found that the relevant business relies on the platform’s credit payment system and needs to first activate credit payment, verify identity, fill in credit card and other payment methods so that the platform can deduct money in a timely manner. According to customer service, except for the different payment methods, the product content of the hotel package itself is basically the same as the previous booking method.

Customer service of a certain platform: It’s all the same. You can reserve the hotel reservation first and wait until the customer has a suitable time and a room is available. But it also depends on whether the hotel where the customer wants to stay has rooms at this time. Because the price will be relatively low, there are not many rooms in the hotel.

Customer service reminds us that in addition to popular dates that may not be available, some hotel packages may not be fully refundable after being partially used.

Customer service of a certain platform: For example, the most basic package is a two-night stay. In the case of a two-night stay that cannot be split, if it is not used, it can be expired and returned at any time; there is also a two-night stay that can be split, but if it is used up on one night, it will not be available for the second night. Once the time is right, it will be difficult to cancel if you want to apply for cancellation. However, when booking, it will be displayed on the page that some coupons do not support partial refunds.

Consumer Ms. Chen said that “stock up now and pay later” will make her less worried when choosing and make it easier to place an order. But I will also remind myself to consume rationally. At the same time, in order to avoid risks such as affecting credit reporting, credit payments will not be easily enabled.

Ms. Chen: Consumption has increased, but it is relative. I will not blindly stock up. I will consider whether the destination is included in my travel plan. I will not open more functions. As a consumer, I am not willing to open a new function in terms of experience, not to mention that it is a function of advance payment with credit.