So it’s layaway season again–and since I’m a “Walmart Mom”, they wanted me to help spread the word that this year it’s FREE to use their Layaway! That’s right, no opening fee or anything! Not only that, but they’ve expanded the departments/items that can be placed on layaway.
Before I go into all the nitty gritty details, I thought I’d address a basic question–Why use layaway? Why not just buy your gifts outright?
5 Great Reasons to Use Layaway this Christmas
1) Pay It Over Time
We’ve all got bills to pay, and only a limited amount of cash coming in. One big holiday shopping trip and the price tag attached to it can wreak havoc on the average household budget. And if you are a freelancer like me with a, well, uneven income stream it can be even harder to figure out exactly how to pay for it all without breaking the bank. With layaway, you can pay over time as you have the cash available.
2) Bad Credit Doesn’t Matter
Let’s face it, not everyone has a stellar credit rating. If your score isn’t the best, and credit card companies won’t talk to you, you can still conveniently pay over time with layaway. Or maybe you don’t use credit for philosophical reasons. Not to worry–with layaway there are no credit checks and no income requirements.
3) Avoid the January Credit Card Blues
Christmas is a joyous time of year. . . but opening your credit card bills in January can plunge you right into a depression. Of course I recommend that you make a holiday budget and try to stick to it, but by paying little bits over time with layaway, you can completely avoid the January credit card blues!
4) Get It While It’s Hot
Sometimes the season’s hottest gifts are in short supply. Have you ever passed on the “it” gift because you didn’t have the cash just then–only to find it sold out everywhere later? With layaway you can make sure you can grab that perfect gift while it’s in stock and pay for it later.
5) Ad Match the Easy Way
Holiday shopping can be a gamble. While we all love holiday sales, there is always the chance if we buy it now that it will cost less later. On the other hand, if you wait TOO long you might not be able to find it anywhere for any pric! While you can always use Walmart’s Ad Match Guarantee at the time of purchase, it’s even easier to use on something you’ve already put on layaway! You just stop by the Walmart.com service desk with a printed competitors add for the exact item and have your price adjusted. So you can buy now with peace of mind that you’ll be able to get the best price no matter what.
note: typically the Ad Match Guarantee does NOT apply to Black Friday sales.
So how does Walmart’s Free Layway work?
Layaway started on Sept. 13 and goes through through Dec. 13. There are no opening fees at all this year–it’s totally FREE!
To put an items on layaway they must be:
1) Eligible layaway items: electronics (but not cell phones), toys, jewelry, small appliances, select sporting goods, infant toys and automotive electronics such as speakers and stereos.
note: for customer convenience large items such as ride on toys have tear off tags to take to the Walmart.com service desk–so you don’t have to drag the large items back there, just the tag!
2) Cost at LEAST $15 per item
3) Total at LEAST $50 for all the items going on layaway.
When you open your layaway at the Walmart.com service desk, you will pay $10 or 10% of the total value in a down payment. Don’t worry–that money goes towards paying for your items–remember, there is NO fee for layaway this year!
Once your layaway is open, you can pay on it at any time at any of the registers in the store between Sept. 13 and Dec. 13, 2013. Walmart will also send payment reminders and status updates to customers via email. If you do not pay for and pick up your items by Dec 13th (or if you go in and cancel your layaway items), the items will be returned to the shelves and you will be charged a $10 cancellation fee. The remainder of any money you’ve paid will be refunded to you.
Kat says
Another good reason to use layaway is if you don’t have anywhere to hide gifts at home. By the middle of December they can be wrapped and put directly under the tree.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Very true Kat–but you will have to hide them from Dec 13 until Christmas 🙂
Joyce says
I agree with Kat. Now that my children are older, I don’t have that problem anymore. I can’t believe we are actually this close to Christmas. I love it. Hey Jenn, seen any of the four-letter S word yet? (snow)