Walmart Layaway

[Shellie722]

I work for Walmart and spend a large part of that time working in layway. I can easily see both sides of the equation since I both work in and use the department. Yes, layway use has declined in alot of areas and we do lose money for a large part of the year because people put things in and either never come back for them or they put seasonal merchandise in such as swimming pools then wait for them to go on clearance before picking it up. Then we end up taking a loss and a customer who really wanted the item or was willing to pay for it in full ends up missing out. However I don't think layway should be done away with entirely but should be revamped. I think 1)it should be open only seasonally for back-to-school and Christmas (those are the times when we actually do enough business to warant having layway open and staffed) and 2)there should be a fee for cancellations and abandonments of merchandise. This to me would benefit both the customer and the company. The Only way that Walmart will keep layway in any form other than the jewelry and optical special event layways will be if customers voice there opinions to the home office through calls, letters and emails. So anyone who wants to be able to have this option needs to voice their opinion. HTH!

 

[mandy200587]

We use layaway to hide our big items. We buy for up to 11 or 12 people and sometimes TV's are brought and there's not always a place to store them. I live in a small town where if you want electronics truly the only place you can get them reasonable price is walmart anymore. I can understand why walmart is doing this but it's not fair especially at holidays. Some of their biggest shopping days is Black friday up till Christmas I believe.

 

[minnieandme]

I've only used Walmart's layaway for Christmas items. It's my way to ensure that what I want to purchase for my kids, I will be able to get before that particular item is sold out. If I wait until Nov. to make my purchases for them, most of what I want is already sold out, so the earlier the better. I see both sides of the equation regarding the layaway policy, but think maybe they should make some changes to it. Either way. I'm sad to see it go away.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Steering myself to wage war to get the 4 disc Narnia dvd without layway as a backup

 

[summerrluvv]

I didn't take it as being judgemental. Layaway is just a crutch - you still have to have the money to pay for the item. Paying a little bit here and there or paying one lump sum after saving your money amounts to the same thing. If people cannot save money and put it aside without using it (which many people cannot do - with or without "money")- then instead of layaway invest in a Christmas fund.

The closer you get to Christmas, the harder it is to find the things you want to get your children for Christmas. Lawaway is a good option for getting those things 2 months before and paying it off over time.

I'm not sure why anyone is belittling those that use it. How many of you use ALL cash to pay for your Christmas gifts? I'm sure the majority don't. Even if you are using a credit card and paying it off a month later when the bill comes, that's no different than using lawaway and probably actually worse since you are using that "have to have it now mentality" whereas with lawaway you don't get your goods until you pay your bill in full.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

that is the way I feel.
I absolutely agree that layaway is a "crutch." Rather it program that allows customers go into the store, select items they wish to buy and pay them off a little bit at a time. After they've paid for the items, they get to take them home.

I even agree that some people are experts at working the rules in a manner that is detrimental to the store.

What I don't understand is the accusation that the people using layaway are not good stewards of their money. That "if they were better stewards, they wouldn't need to use layaway."

That's just a nasty slam that is really kind of illogical because financially, use of layaway is actually a financially sound method to pay cash for items, without incurring debt.

 

[MareQ]

The closer you get to Christmas, the harder it is to find the things you want to get your children for Christmas. Lawaway is a good option for getting those things 2 months before and paying it off over time.

I'm not sure why anyone is belittling those that use it. How many of you use ALL cash to pay for your Christmas gifts? I'm sure the majority don't. Even if you are using a credit card and paying it off a month later when the bill comes, that's no different than using lawaway and probably actually worse since you are using that "have to have it now mentality" whereas with lawaway you don't get your goods until you pay your bill in full.

Please find where I belittled anybody - I haven't.

 

[Pugdog007]

I was honestly unaware that people still did this. Everyone should have a major credit card... I guess I don't see the point. Seems like a good business decision to me.

 

[summerrluvv]

Please find where I belittled anybody - I haven't.

I wasn't talking about you.

 

[Nancy]

That's not always true. When my children were small, I used layaway as a way to hide the gifts until I could find a better (ie, move stuff around in the closets or check with neighbors) hiding place.

So true..that was me! I used Hills layaway and Kmarts layaway for toys for the kids for years. Kmart would let you keep them on layaway until Christmas Eve. I could stop in after work, get the box in the house and wrap everything after kids were sleeping. There was no peeking or accidently coming across the presents and I didn't have to search for good hiding spots. I used to keep the clothes for them locked in my cars trunk.

 

[Cool-Beans]

If people don't have money to put in a Christmas fund because all they can do is pay the essentials then they have no money to pay for things that they put in layaway either. If people however do layaway because they have a hard time coming up with more than a few dollars here and there at a time- then a Christsmas fund makes sense since laway is no longer an option for them.

Like I said, I had a reason and it worked out well fo me. Other people might, too.

It must feel really, really, super-nice to have life so perfectly well figured out for yourself that you have time to decide how others ought to live, though.

 

[LilyWDW]

How many of you use ALL cash to pay for your Christmas gifts

*raises her hand* I will be doing this this year... well, with a debit card because I HATE carrying money, but the cash is in the account. I have gotten into too much trouble with charging christmas gifts over the years. This way, I know how much I have to spend and that is it. Next weekend, I will be doing a big chunk of my shopping with money I have saved up ($10 here, $20 there... adds up pretty darn fast lol). If I can't afford someone's gift right then, oh well I will buy it when I have the little bit extra.

I am really surprised that layaway actually exists anymore. I know it costs the stores a ton of money due to staffing and loss of immediate income. None of the retail locations I have ever worked for have had it, and i have worked for companies that sell high priced items and who are big national names.

 

[Hannathy]

If it is costing the stores money (and I'm sure it was) then I am glad they got rid of it because as a customer I don't want to pay more so people can have a storage place, work the system or not plan ahead. Christmas isn't a surprise nor is start of school We are only talking about having a couple of months to pay it off. Get a credit card and save a few months ahead. Almost everyone can get a credit card, even my 8 yr old DS gets offers! Or if you have no self control get a Christmas club so you are set come November.

 

[Nancy]

Do banks even have Christmas Clubs anymore? None of mine do.

Not every one wants credit cards either. Layaway was a nice option for some us. I don't use it anymore, but I loved it when I did.

 

[MzDiz]

Wow, there are a couple people on this board that I'd love to see knocked down a peg. Not everyone has a major credit card, not everyone can get one. Not to mention that not everyone should be running them up at certain times of the year. Layaway is a courtesy to the customer, but making "good decisions for big business" is taking away all the customer oriented services.

 

[CarolA]

I think there is a cause and effect here.. Folks ABUSED the layaway.

I read several posts on the budget board last year where folks found out what the Black Friday sale items were, put them in layaway and then waltzed into WalMart around 9 to get their items out and get a "price reduction" WalMart did not intend layaway to be your "presale" holding area.....

I am sure Black Friday wasn't the only time this happend. Put that new coat on layaway so that when it goes on sale you can be sure you have your size for example.....

 

[Hannathy]

Yes back when customers were honest they could extend the couresy of layaway. And if you think busineeses haven't always been out to make money you have another thought coming.

 

[MzDiz]

Wow your posts typically surprise me with your "Holier than thou" attitude but this one might take the cake.

It also would have been a great opportunity for him to tell us how well off he is..... again.

 

[MzDiz]

I think there is a cause and effect here.. Folks ABUSED the layaway.

I read several posts on the budget board last year where folks found out what the Black Friday sale items were, put them in layaway and then waltzed into WalMart around 9 to get their items out and get a "price reduction" WalMart did not intend layaway to be your "presale" holding area.....

I am sure Black Friday wasn't the only time this happend. Put that new coat on layaway so that when it goes on sale you can be sure you have your size for example.....

Sure, but you can't tell me that computers can't solve this problem. If a customer agreed to pay X amount of dollars for something, then when they pick it up they can pay X amount of dollars - Problem solved. Instead, they want to charge interest by eliminating layaway and "offering" a credit card. It's not a scam, it's not illegal, but I think it's a little underhanded since WalMart knows who their customer base is.

 

[DISUNC]

I am suprised that Wal*Mart said to the Op that the Lay Away option is not much used anymore. EVERYTIME I am in my WalMart the Lay Away desk is always busy.

I started a thread about this a few months ago when Wal*Mart originally announced this!

One Poster then mentioned that maybe this is the 'shot in the arm" K-Mart needs!!!

As far as the 'crutch theory' on this thread goes. SO WHAT? If people with broken legs need crutches, why can't people with broken wallets use a financial crutch to have a nice holiday?

Using LayAway is NOT a BAD thing. Imagine people actually paying cash for things they want!!!! No one should be demeaned for using it!!!!!!!!!!