The French pay better than their European neighbors. According to a study* carried out for the collection company Intrum, three quarters of French consumers (74%) make sure they pay their bills on time. There is still a quarter of respondents (25%) who report not having paid at least one invoice on time during the year, a lower proportion than in Spain (27%), Italy (28%) and Germany (30%). . ) or even in Denmark (47%).
Having paid their bills and essential purchases as a priority, 63% of French people prefer to reduce the budget allocated to leisure and holidays and 74% decide to reduce their secondary purchases, such as gifts or outings to restaurants. Thus, according to the study, 81% of French consumers surveyed have at least one month’s salary to cover unforeseen expenses, compared to 74% in Spain, 66% in Germany, 65% in Belgium or even 61 % in Italy.
Drowning in digital subscriptions
However, these good figures hide a “change in perception” of some French consumers regarding the payment of bills, notes Intrum. According to the study, 26% of French people surveyed say they feel less guilty about not paying a bill today than they did a few years ago. Furthermore, 40% of French people declare themselves convinced that a company facing non-payment of an invoice will not take any action.
Among French people who have not paid at least one of their bills, if forgetfulness is cited by a third of them (33%), lack of money is the main reason mentioned (43%). The study points out in particular the proliferation of subscriptions and deferred payments, which disrupt consumers’ budget management. Nearly half of respondents (46%) say they are surprised by their subscriptions piling up without realizing it.
Streaming platforms, warranty service, payment in three or four installments, Internet access… One in two consumers (52%) believes they do not have visibility of the number of subscriptions they have contracted and, therefore, the total amount collected at the end of the year. the month. And the first affected by this lack of visibility are the youngest consumers.
Thus, 64% of consumers between 18 and 21 years old say they do not have visibility in their subscribed subscriptions, compared to 57% of those between 22 and 37 years old, 45% of those between 38 and 44 years old, 36% of those from 55 to 64 years old. and 20% for those over 65 years of age.
*Study conducted between July 19 and September 1, 2023 among 20,000 respondents in 20 European countries, including 1,000 in France, aimed at men and women who are at least 18 years old and who are mainly or partially responsible for budget management in their country. home.
Source: BFM TV
