助贷大搞分期商城，价差最高达80%，利率远超24%

Core Viewpoint - The introduction of new lending regulations has significantly compressed the survival space for the industry, prompting the emergence of a new business model known as "installment shopping malls," which effectively operates as a lending service under the guise of consumer financing [1]. Group 1: Business Model Characteristics - The mainstream installment malls create their own online shopping environments, embedding lending and installment payment options within the product transaction process [2]. - These new installment malls focus on standardized products with transparent and easily liquidated second-hand market prices, such as investment gold bars and brand-name smartphones, often pricing these items significantly higher than conventional e-commerce platforms [2]. - For example, the "柚优品" app lists an iPhone 16 Pro Max at 11,118 yuan, with a total repayment amount of 11,909.1 yuan under a six-month installment plan, reflecting a nominal annualized interest rate of 24% [3]. Group 2: Price Discrepancies - Price comparisons reveal significant markups; for instance, the same iPhone model is priced at 9,599 yuan on JD.com, indicating a price difference of approximately 15.8% [5]. - Other platforms exhibit similar pricing strategies, with marked-up prices for gold bars and smartphones ranging from 16.16% to as high as 80% compared to market rates [7]. - The core logic of these installment malls is to generate high profits through inflated prices and a 24% service fee, effectively circumventing regulatory limits on nominal interest rates [8]. Group 3: Industry Trends and Risks - The entry of more lending players into the installment mall sector has been noted, with companies actively recruiting for related operational roles, indicating a shift towards financial products disguised as consumer goods [9]. - The emergence of these platforms raises concerns about high interest rates, inflated product prices, and potential consumer risks such as privacy breaches and aggressive debt collection practices [14]. - Complaints from users highlight issues such as excessive fees, receiving refurbished products, and experiencing harassment over repayments, suggesting a systemic erosion of consumer rights within this business model [20][21].