Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rising trend of installment shopping malls, highlighting their pricing strategies and the impact of regulatory changes on the lending industry [1][2][3]. Group 1: Installment Shopping Malls - Installment shopping malls generally sell products at a price that is over 30% higher than the market price, combined with a service fee rate of up to 24% per annum, which forms their primary profit model [1][3]. - Some installment malls have established a closed-loop system from shopping to recycling, allowing users to purchase high-priced items and then sell them back to recycling partners at a discount of 50% to 70% [1][3]. Group 2: Impact of Regulatory Changes - The implementation of new regulations by the National Financial Regulatory Administration has significantly affected the lending business, with some companies reporting a reduction in loan volumes by half [2]. - Smaller platforms, particularly those with outstanding receivables below 10 billion yuan, are facing severe challenges, leading to layoffs of 20% to 30% in some cases [2]. Group 3: Transition of Lending Companies - Many small lending companies are transitioning to installment shopping mall models, targeting customers who are unable to obtain credit from major platforms or are familiar with the installment shopping "tricks" [2][3]. - A specific example is the "Peach More" installment mall, which is operated by a third-party lending company and aims to provide a one-stop borrowing platform with various financial services [5][7]. Group 4: Pricing Discrepancies - The article provides examples of significant price discrepancies between products sold on installment malls and their prices on major e-commerce platforms, with some items being sold at prices that are more than double their market value [6][10]. - For instance, an Apple iPad Air is priced at 8,156 yuan on the installment mall, while it is available for 4,199 yuan on JD.com, indicating a substantial markup [6]. Group 5: Consumer Complaints - There are numerous complaints against installment malls like "Peach More" and "Little Elephant Premium," with issues ranging from high product prices to aggressive debt collection practices [14][15]. - The complaints highlight a pattern of users feeling misled about the true costs of products and the terms of repayment, with some users reporting that they were charged significantly more than the market price for items [14][15].