How to fund purchase - pay outright or credit?

Hi There,

I've got a purchase to make - about £3k - and I don't know if it's 'better' to buy outright (bonus money from work in the bank) or to use some form of credit (0% for x time) and pay off gradually.

If I financed it, then if be paying it from the saved sum each month, as I'd rather not absorb the monthly cost into standard expenses.. But that of course brings slightly more risk in both if something happens and this fund looks useful, it could be used, or worse, it burns a hole in someone's pocket.

I'm interested to the general ways you all would do this sort of purchase, so opening the floor to your pros, cons or alternatives.

Thanks!