LONDON, Canada, Jan. 31 -- Western University issued the following news: * * * Expert explainer: The real cost of buy now, pay later Convenience and ease of spread-out payments drive increased spending * At first glance, buy now, pay later (BNPL) sounds like a win-win: lower upfront costs for shoppers, higher conversion rates for retailers. No interest. No pressure. Just flexibility. But is BNPL - also known as an installment payment plan - really a gentler form of credit? Or is it simply   more