Have you ever put anything on layaway?

[SilentPanda]

Layaway.

It seems like such a foreign concept to me now, but I remember putting a few things on layaway in the late 90's. I don't even know of any stores that offer it anymore. K-Mart maybe still but I'm pretty confident I'll never step foot in one of those again.

It's kind of like credit cards except you get the item after you pay for it and generally there is no interest or fee.

 

[ucfgrad93]

Never done it myself. I didn't think that it was still around.

 

[squeeks]

I put my wife's $3k engagement ring on lay-a-way, just becuase I didnt need it at the time, and why have it all hit the credit card at once?

 

[Tomorrow]

^^ Same - I bought my now-wife's engagement ring on layaway.

Credit charges you interest; layaway doesn't. Makes it quite attractive in certain cases.

 

[RawBert]

That's so much better than charging something and getting into debt.
It should be more widely used.
I just saw a sign about two weeks ago at Target for lay away and pointed out to the wife that there was a Dreyers ice cream container there.

 

[grapes911]

My mother did this years ago with Christmas presents. I actually didn't know it was still around. I could see it being useful at times, but credit cards make it so much easier. With credit cards you get the item right away so you don't need to go back for it. Plus, layaway doesn't build credit. I just couldn't see myself ever putting anything on layaway, but I guess it has a place.

 

[Sun Baked]

Yes, but she called me a cheapskate John and ran off to her next date.

 

[SilentPanda]

Plus, layaway doesn't build credit.

Layaway also doesn't build debt...

I forgot about jewelers. I could see them still using it. I'm guessing these days, at least in the US, companies make money off the credit card interest and would rather have you do that then put stuff on layaway.

 

[grapes911]

Layaway also doesn't build debt...

True, but I'd guess (hope?) the people that are smart enough to recognize that are also the people smart enough to properly manage their credit cards.

 

[mariahrg]

when i was a child, i remember picking out school clothes, shoes, supplies, and then leaving the store (kmart) empty handed. i hated layaway! evil layaway!

 

[MusicEnthusiast]

I remember hearing the automated intercom message "Customer service is needed in layaway. Customer service is needed in layaway." in K-Mart when I was a kid. Good times.