Walmart to have Christmas layaway!!

[tikilyn]

This is exciting!! I thought the budget board would like to hear this.

http://walmartstores.com/pressroom/news/10687.aspx

Walmart to Offer Special Layaway Option this Christmas


Families Can Shop Their Wish Lists Early and Pay Later

Attention Journalists: Broadcast quality b-roll available for download
Broadcast quality soundbites available for download
Broadcast quality video news release available for download

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Sept. 8, 2011 – To help families deliver a big Christmas this year, Walmart announced today that it will offer a Christmas layaway program for two of the season’s most popular gift categories, electronics and toys. Available at all stores nationwide, the program will kick off on Oct. 17 and run through Dec. 16, with plenty of time for the gifts to take their rightful place under the Christmas tree.

Walmart announced the news to its nearly 9 million Facebook fans, many whom have expressed their desire for Walmart’s layaway service. Customers have indicated that they are most interested in layaway for toys and electronics, and that during the holidays is when they need layaway the most.

“We’re always looking for ways to ease budget strain for our customers, and we know this holiday season in particular brings with it additional financial pressure,” said Duncan Mac Naughton, chief merchandising officer, Walmart. “Our layaway program for Christmas, along with our every day low prices and great variety of gifts, will provide a worry-free way for our customers to fulfill their families’ Christmas wish lists.”

Walmart’s Christmas layaway program will enable customers to make payments when they want and for how much they want on the hottest Christmas gifts. Toy and electronic gifts with a retail price of $15 or more will be eligible*, including dozens of toys on Rollback to $15 starting Sept. 12, such as Leapfrog Scribble and Write, Disney Princess Toddler Dolls, Transformers 3 Mechtech and select Lego playsets. Other great gifts at an every day low price included in the Christmas layaway program are bicycles, HDTVs, and video games.

“Our customers told us they want a hassle-free layaway option during the holiday season,” said Mac Naughton. “With our Christmas layaway program, they can focus on what’s important to them during the Christmas season instead of stressing over mandated payments or how to tuck money away for gifts.”

Layaway payments can be made at any register. Putting an item on layaway and picking up layaway orders is done at the Walmart.com counter in the majority of stores. Pick up hours are 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. local time. Layaway orders and pick up will not be accepted on the day after Thanksgiving.

For more information on Walmart’s holiday layaway program, please visit www.walmart.com/Layaway.

* In order to participate, each item must have a price of $15 or more, customers must have a total minimum layaway purchase of $50, make a 10% down payment on the total purchase, and pay a one-time non-refundable $5 service fee. Items put on layaway must be paid in full and picked up on or before Dec. 16. There is a $10 cancellation fee for any orders not picked up by that date or cancelled by the customer. Cancellation fees and service fees may vary by state. Contract wireless phones are not eligible for the layaway program.

About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 9,600 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

 

[eliza61]

Very cool. I loved laway and remember when quite a number of stores allowed you to do this.

 

[mrseace711]

This is really awesome =) I remember when they use to have it

 

[crazelion]

Awesome. Now I have decide on do I want a android tablet or ipod touch decisions decisions.

 

[mkstlowe]

THIS IS AWESOME NEWS!! I used Kmart last year. Their prices are higher. Excited!!!!

 

[SandrA9810]

I loved using layaway in high school. It's so much better than offering a credit card to some one. If they don't pay, they don't get the item.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

So glad to hear it... Layaway is an excellent reason to shop at Walmart now.

 

[Janet Hill]

I used to love layaway when you had until 12/24 to pick up the items. 12/16 is a little too soon for me.

My primary reason for layaway is so I don't have to deal with the "where do I hide this stuff".

 

[luvmy3]

I used to love layaway when you had until 12/24 to pick up the items. 12/16 is a little too soon for me.

My primary reason for layaway is so I don't have to deal with the "where do I hide this stuff".

Thats exactly what I was thinking. I don't mind the 12/16 date though, I'm an early shopper so not having to hide something for a couple months works for me. I was thinking about getting my youngest a new bike, and as long as the weatehr is nice and he is still going back in the shed I have no where to put it, this will be great for "hiding" that!

 

[ceemys]

Very cool!!!

 

[Mkaz]

We are looking into buying two laptops this year. This will be a huge help!

 

[happygirl]

This is going to help a lot of people this year with Christmas

 

[kim929]

They never should of done away with them. Layaways have always been a great way for most people to buy something they want or needvbut don't have the full amount at the time it goes on sale etc. Guess they figured they lost a lot of money to Kmart last year. Glad they are bringing it back for Christmas....

 

[herewego1]

I have never done layaway, but my daughters want those Figit Friends things this year! Ugh! What happens if I buy them now on layaway and they go on sale from now until Christmas?

Thanks!

 

[DawnM]

I wish you could make payments online. Layaway is a big fat hassle unless you frequent that store regularly anyway.

Dawn

 

[librarygal]

I wish you could make payments online. Layaway is a big fat hassle unless you frequent that store regularly anyway.

Dawn

I think that is the whole idea. In order to make a payment you have to walk to the back of the store past tempting items and will probably spend allot more at Wal-Mart. Personally I think if you don't have an emergency cushion in your bank account you should not be buying any electronics.

 

[NYEmomma]

I might be an idiot, but could someone explain the benefits of layaway to me? I understand it being a better alternative than using a credit card and accruing interest, but with a $5 to do it, isn't it better to just save up your money in a savings account in advance, then go shopping??

 

[Stephaniesue]

I think that is the whole idea. In order to make a payment you have to walk to the back of the store past tempting items and will probably spend allot more at Wal-Mart. Personally I think if you don't have an emergency cushion in your bank account you should not be buying any electronics.

What does this have to do with anything? No one mentioned bank accounts.

I am happy Walmart is offering layaway for the holiday season. I doubt that I will use it, but it was very helpful to me when I was younger.

Some families just starting out will really appreciate it. Even if they don't plan to buy huge amounts of toys, this is a big help for the holidays. Everyone wants to see thier kids happy on Christmas!

 

[crashbb]

I might be an idiot, but could someone explain the benefits of layaway to me? I understand it being a better alternative than using a credit card and accruing interest, but with a $5 to do it, isn't it better to just save up your money in a savings account in advance, then go shopping??

The only thing that I can think of is sales. If something is on sale (and the savings is more than $5) and you do not have time to save up the money, layaway would be beneficial.

 

[TinkMomma]

I might be an idiot, but could someone explain the benefits of layaway to me? I understand it being a better alternative than using a credit card and accruing interest, but with a $5 to do it, isn't it better to just save up your money in a savings account in advance, then go shopping??

For us, that isn't an option. The money part is fine, whether we pay a little every couple of weeks or once and be done. The "convenience" for me, is that I know the items are safe and
*not in my house*. I have very snoopy kids, and there's not much space here anyway. I put up the tree on the 16th every year (DH's bday is the 15th, and he grew up in a house that "shared his bday with Christmas. I swore he would always have his birthday while I'm in charge!), so the presents come home, get wrapped, and are under the tree. I have room to hide Santa presents; just not everything for everyone. Haha. I usually go to kmart for this since they offer it year round - makes getting presents for birthdays easier too.

Anyway, just wanted to pass along another reason for layaway besides the "forced saving/spending" side.