What Is Layaway? – Pros, Cons & Tips | Napkin Finance

Layaway

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Layaway lets you spread out payments over time when you buy something. Buyers often use it for big-ticket items instead of credit cards or in-store financing, which charge interest.

How it works

When you use layaway, a store will put the item on hold until you pay off the balance. Here’s how it works:

Find an item you want.

Take it to customer service, a register, or another
appointed place at the store (sometimes, you can do this online).

Pay a deposit to hold the item.

Choose your payment term.

Make small payments over time.

Pick up the item once you’ve paid it off.

Unlike buying something with a credit card, which lets you take your item home now and pay for it later, buying something on layaway means you pay for it now and take it home later.

Pros and cons

Layaway is not always the best option, but it can be a more manageable option for people with limited income or who don’t qualify for a credit card.

Benefits Drawbacks
Lets you spread out large costs over time Might require a service fee
Can make large purchases accessible if you have low income  Deposits (usually a flat fee or percentage of the item’s cost) can be high
Lets you avoid paying interest Strict repayment terms; failing to meet them or cancelling your purchase could trigger extra fees
Easy to qualify Not available at all stores or for all products or times of the year
Layaway vs. credit cards

If you have a credit card, you might be wondering whether it makes sense to opt for layaway instead. Here’s what you should know:

Layaway Credit card
Pay interest? No Yes, if you carry a balance
Requires a credit check? No Yes
Does it affect your credit score? No Yes
When do I get the item? Once you pay off the balance Take it home the same day
Are there fees involved? There’s often a layaway fee plus additional fees if you change your mind or miss payments Only if you miss a payment 
Is a down payment required? Usually No
How do you make payments? Generally at the store in person (though sometimes online or by phone) Online, by mail, or through an app (from home in your pjs if you want)

Layaway could be the cheaper option depending on the fees charged by the store and your credit card interest rate. Crunch the numbers before you decide.

Tips

If you’re considering layaway, be sure to:

  • Get a copy of (and read) the store’s layaway policy.
  • Know when payments are due and how long you have to finish paying for the item.
  • Understand the deposit, fees, and any penalties you could face.
  • Figure out what happens if you change your mind or need to return the item.
Conclusion

Layaway lets you buy something at a store in installments and take the product home once the last payment is made. Not every store offers layaway, and it usually requires at least an up-front fee and a down payment. Layaway can be helpful for those with limited income or who don’t have a credit card, but it can also come with high fees and means you have to wait to take your purchase home.

Fun facts
  • Every year “Secret Santas” around the country visit stores, such as Walmart, to pay off layaway purchases for hundreds of strangers.
  • Pay Away the Layaway is a nonprofit group that pays off layaway debts at different retail locations every year. It’s funded through donations and covers thousands of dollars worth of gifts each year.
Key takeaways
  • Layaway can let you pay for a big-ticket item over time.
  • It can be useful for those with little disposable income but isn’t always the cheapest option due to fees.
  • Like a credit card, layaway lets you spread out payments. Unlike a credit card, it doesn’t result in interest charges or impact your credit score.
  • Before using a layaway program, it’s important to understand a store’s policies and all the potential fees involved.
Layaway: another way to pay for things you can’t afford. — Napkin Finance

References

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0128-using-layaway-plans
https://www.quickenloans.com/blog/layaway-programs-work
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/layaway.asp
https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/smart-money/8-essential-things-to-know-about-layaway/#slide=1
https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2014/11/06/what-to-consider-before-starting-a-layaway-plan
https://www.moneycrashers.com/stores-offer-layaway-plans-shopping/
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