Yes, most major retailers offer payment plans for rowing machines
Rowing machines typically cost between $300 and $3,000 depending on the model and brand, which is why many retailers have added payment plan options. Dick's Sporting Goods, Amazon, Rogue Fitness, Concept2, and WaterRower all offer some form of financing. The specifics vary: some use their own in-house plans, others partner with third-party lenders like Affirm or Klarna, and a few offer both options depending on your purchase amount and location.
The key difference between retailers matters because it affects your approval timeline, interest rates, and what happens if you miss a payment. A store credit card plan works differently than a buy-now-pay-later service, which works differently than a traditional installment loan through a bank partner. Before you choose a retailer, check which payment method they use—it determines your actual cost and your obligations.
Key Takeaways
- Dick's Sporting Goods, Amazon, Rogue Fitness, Concept2, and WaterRower all offer payment plans, but the lender and terms vary by retailer and sometimes by purchase amount.
- Buy-now-pay-later services like Affirm and Klarna typically charge no interest if you pay on time, while store credit cards and bank financing may charge 15% to 29% APR depending on your creditworthiness.
- Most retailers require a credit check, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points, and approval decisions usually come within minutes to a few hours.
- Missing a payment on a store card or bank plan damages your credit and may trigger late fees, while missing a buy-now-pay-later payment may result in collection action without affecting your credit immediately.
Where to find payment plans by retailer
Dick's Sporting Goods offers its own store credit card through Comenity Bank. Purchases over $99 typically may have access to for promotional financing—often 12 months interest-free if you pay in full by the end of the term. If you don't pay in full, interest accrues from the original purchase date at rates between 18% and 29% APR depending on your credit. You can apply in-store or online at checkout.
Amazon uses both its own store card and Affirm. The Amazon Store Card offers 12 months interest-free on purchases over $100 if paid in full. Affirm appears as an option at checkout and lets you split the cost into 3, 6, or 12 monthly payments with interest rates ranging from 0% to 30% depending on your credit and the lender's assessment. Affirm's approval is instant, and you see your rate before confirming the purchase.
Rogue Fitness partners with Affirm and also offers a Rogue Fitness credit card through Comenity Bank. The card offers promotional financing on larger purchases, typically 12 months interest-free on orders over $500. Affirm is available at checkout for smaller purchases and offers transparent pricing upfront.
Concept2, which makes the gold-standard indoor rowing machine, offers financing through Affirm only. You can split purchases into 3, 6, or 12 monthly payments at checkout. Concept2 does not offer a store credit card.
WaterRower uses Affirm for payment plans and does not offer a proprietary credit card. Their higher-end models often may have access to for 12-month plans.
How interest and fees work across different plan types
Buy-now-pay-later services like Affirm and Klarna charge 0% interest if you make all payments on time. Your monthly payment is simply the total cost divided by the number of months. If you miss a payment, late fees typically range from $7 to $35 per missed payment, and the lender may pursue collection action. Your credit score is not immediately affected by a missed payment, but if the debt goes to a collection agency, it will appear on your credit report.
Store credit cards and bank-issued financing charge interest only if you don't pay the full balance by the end of the promotional period. If you owe $1,500 on a 12-month interest-free plan and pay $1,400 by month 12, the remaining $100 plus all accrued interest from the original purchase date becomes due immediately. This retroactive interest can be substantial—on a $1,500 purchase at 24% APR, that's roughly $180 in interest charges.
Late payments on store cards and bank plans damage your credit score immediately and may trigger late fees of $25 to $40. After 30 days late, the lender reports the delinquency to credit bureaus. After 120 days, the account may be sent to a collection agency.
What happens during the approval process
All payment plans require a credit check. Affirm and Klarna use a soft pull initially, which does not affect your credit score, but if you accept the offer, they may do a hard pull that temporarily lowers your score by 5 to 10 points. Store credit cards and bank financing always use a hard pull, which has the same effect. The impact is temporary and usually recovers within 3 to 6 months if you make on-time payments.
Approval timelines vary. Affirm and Klarna typically approve or decline within seconds to minutes at checkout. Store credit cards may take a few minutes to a few hours if you apply online, or instantly if you apply in-store. Bank financing through partners like Comenity can take up to 24 hours, though most decisions come within a few hours.
You will need to provide your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and income information. Some lenders ask for employment details; others do not. If you are declined, you can usually reapply after 30 days, though multiple applications in a short period can lower your credit score further.
Comparing total cost across payment methods
| Payment Method | Interest Rate | Typical Term | Example: $1,500 Rowing Machine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy-now-pay-later (0% APR) | 0% if on time | 3, 6, or 12 months | $125/month for 12 months; $0 interest if paid on time |
| Store card (promotional 0%) | 0% for term, then 18–29% APR | 12 months | $125/month for 12 months; $0 interest if paid in full by month 12 |
| Store card (standard APR) | 18–29% APR | Ongoing | $125/month; ~$180–$360 interest per year if balance remains |
| Bank installment loan | 8–25% APR (varies by credit) | 12–60 months | $125/month for 12 months; ~$90–$225 interest depending on rate |
The cheapest option is always buy-now-pay-later at 0% APR, provided you make every payment on time. Store card promotional financing is equally cheap if you pay the full balance before the term ends. The risk with both is that missing even one payment or failing to pay in full can trigger substantial interest charges retroactively.
If you cannot pay in full within 12 months, a bank installment loan with a longer term (24, 36, or 60 months) may have a lower monthly payment, though you will pay more interest overall. Compare the total interest cost, not just the monthly payment, before choosing a term length.
What to watch for when choosing a plan
Read the fine print on promotional financing offers. The exact terms—whether interest accrues retroactively, what the APR is after the promotional period, and whether there are prepayment penalties—vary by retailer and lender. Some offers exclude shipping or taxes from the promotional period; others include them. Call the retailer's customer service line if the terms are unclear before you commit.
Check whether the retailer allows early repayment without penalty. Most do, but some store cards charge a fee if you pay off the balance early. If you plan to pay faster than the stated term, confirm there is no penalty first.
Verify the return policy while you are under a payment plan. If you return the rowing machine after 30 days, the refund goes back to the lender, not to you directly. You remain responsible for any remaining balance if the refund does not cover it. Some retailers waive this if the machine is defective; others do not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple payment plans to buy a rowing machine?
No. You can only use one payment method per purchase. However, you can use one plan to buy the machine and a separate plan to buy accessories like a monitor upgrade or mat. Each purchase is a separate transaction with its own approval and terms.
What if I want to return the machine but I still owe money on the payment plan?
The refund is applied to your outstanding balance. If the refund covers the full amount owed, you are done. If it does not—for example, if you already made some payments—you still owe the difference. If you return the machine and the refund exceeds what you owe, the excess is credited back to your payment method, not paid to you as cash.
Do I need good credit to get approved for a rowing machine payment plan?
No, but your credit score affects your interest rate and approval odds. Buy-now-pay-later services approve people with fair to poor credit more often than traditional lenders. Store cards and bank financing typically require fair credit (650+) for approval. If you are declined, try Affirm or Klarna first, as they have more lenient approval criteria.
What happens if I miss a payment on a buy-now-pay-later plan?
Late fees of $7 to $35 are charged per missed payment. The lender may pause your account and pursue collection action. Your credit score is not immediately affected, but if the debt goes unpaid for several months, it may be sold to a collection agency, which will then report it to credit bureaus and damage your score.
Can I transfer a rowing machine purchase to a different payment plan if I change my mind?
No. Once you complete a purchase with one lender, you cannot transfer the debt to another. Your only option is to pay off the original plan in full and then purchase again using a different method, which requires a new credit check and approval.