Have you thought about buying things on lay-away?

[joshuagraham]

I understand that merchants are now bringing this back to move the merchandise to poor credit risks like us.

Something I've never really understood about lay-away is that if the customer is not going to take possession of an item until it is paid off in full, why wouldn't he just save up and buy the item when he has the cash? I could understand if the item is some type of limited product - or is on really super-duper sale, but how many items are really like that?

[tobee43]

i know that lay away has been around for many many MANY years. it's just a good way to be able to shop early for xmas especially when you have no hiding places in your house for the kids also, you can get make that purchase and pay where it doesn't hurt your wallet that much. nor, cause a huge charge bill the following month where you are paying it off for years. i think it's a good way to go for many that just don't have it and lets them have an opportunity to get something for the kids or something they are striving for as a reward for themselves.

also, shopping early for the holidays relieves a ton of stress for many and so i can see that point as well. or they know there tv is going and has a short life this way it will not hit their household budget that badly. lets face it, anything put on layaway is a want and usually not a "need".

personally, i have never done it, but i know of those that have and that seems to be their mind set and it makes good sense in many ways.

[LadyInTheRed]

Something I've never really understood about lay-away is that if the customer is not going to take possession of an item until it is paid off in full, why wouldn't he just save up and buy the item when he has the cash?

Because he knows he doesn't have the dicipline to save the cash.

[SMinGA2]

I did layaway a few times at Walmart - they had a policy that if the item went on sale for a better price, you got the better price. And for large items, it can be better than finding a place to store (hide) them!

[frogger]

Lay-a-way was the original financing plan and was a win/win for everyone involved. The merchant retains possession of item until paid for, the purchaser pays no interest on the purchase. The merchandise is there when you are ready to pay it off, and you don't have to worry about it being out of stock or no longer available.

Lay-a-way is making a comeback and that's a good thing.

[tobee43]

SMinGA2 good deal right!!!!

i agree frogger it's a win win for all involved and i for one am glad to see it making a comeback. although places like walmart never stopped having layaway.

[karm43]

You put it on layaway when its on sale. I use it all the time now. I shop at the salavation army for clothes heck Wed half off. I buy my food at Aldi except meat. Also yard sale, its the only way I could make it. Itd called rethinking. Thats why people in debt they want it now.

[MSbklawyer]

Lay-a-way was the original financing plan and was a win/win for everyone involved. The merchant retains possession of item until paid for, the purchaser pays no interest on the purchase. The merchandise is there when you are ready to pay it off, and you don't have to worry about it being out of stock or no longer available.

Lay-a-way is making a comeback and that's a good thing.

I agree with Frogger as well. Before Chase and Cap1 et al. started sending credit cards to everyone with an address and a pulse, layaway was what people did to purchase items they couldn't afford on a one-shot basis.