Really? Because Amazon has done the same thing (in a different context) and I haven't heard so much as a whimper.

Don't know about Amazon since they are irrelevant in my country but Klarna has gotten a lot of heat for this here in Sweden. Maybe the American market does not care but there are markets where pay day loans will hurt your reputation a lot.

These are not pay day loans. It is unsecured debt the same as a credit card. For a more specific example, this to me is no different than a Department store (e.g., Macy’s, Target, Sears, etc.) asking if you want to sign up for their store card when checking out. This isn’t new, at least in the US. It is just taking place via a new medium (it’s really not, but it’s new for Microsoft at least).

That feels very much like an ivory tower opinion. Payday loans, layaway plans, etc are very popular for many who live paycheck to paycheck.

layaway is just stupid. if you can afford to make a monthly payment and get it in six months you can save the money for six months and collect the interest. living pay check to pay check doesn't enter into it. if you cant afford it you can't afford it.

And they're still bad. What's your point?