NO MORE LAYAWAYS AT WALMART!!!!

When I heard this news on our news this morning, "i said they can't be talking about our walmarts"...and sure enough it is for ALL the walmarts. They are doing away with layaways. I was completely shocked and alittle sadened by this news as this how my girls get some of there higher priced items for christmas and b-days etc...How are us people that don't have the money all at onced supposed to get these things now....Are my girls supposed to do without....the thought of it ....lol OH WELL i will somehow get through it.

So what do you all think about Walmart doing away with there layaway???


Char

Omg...I am shocked! I can't believe that! Do you know how much their Christmas sales will go down? Many people can not afford to outright buy a large amount and depend on that lay-away.....I know when my kids were younger, I did. Only reason I don't do it as much now is because their likes have changed from toys to other things. Wow....Wal-Mart with no layaway.....unbelievable!

My husband just called wal-mart at 1-800-wal-mart and they said that the call volume was higher then normal...I suppose it would be...so if everyone calls maybe it will help....

Char

Another example of disappearing customer service by big box stores. I don't use layaway but I did when I was a teenager. I was so proud of myself when that jacket or special skirt was finally paid for and I could take it home. New Mexico is a very poor state and layaway gives many low-income people here the opportunity to buy for their families in a responsible, respectable way. Seeing that disappear is very sad. I'm going to let Wal-Mart know how I feel.

The Christmas clubs at your local banks are good.. You can add as much or as little as you like every week. even just your spare change daily....Even a few cents a week over a years time adds up..Just have to plan a little further ahead than usual.. I am surprised at Wal-Mart..

Larkie

Oh my gosh. I'm like you June. When I was a teen I put my prom dress in layaway. And...that groovy leather jacket. I think it is just horrible that layaways are disappearing. If I had small children at home (and WHEN I had small children at home) layaway would BE Santa.

It seems selfish that they are no longer. I don't happen to need layaway at the moment but that could change any day. I know that the big box stores have brought prices down for a lot of items but they don't seem to care about PEOPLE. And if you think New Mexico is poor, take a trip to Louisiana. It's like the third world.

Things like this make me want to move to the middle of nowhere and live on roots and berries.

Wal Mart's decision to give up layaway probably makes Martha do
the happy dance. K-Mart is going to have a whopper of a season
no doubt. There are folks out there who would have no holiday gifts
were it not for layaway.

So sad.

Hmmmm, I just read an article in the NY Times that give a different perspective on layaway in today's world of instant gratification. They state that fewer people are using layaway and stores no longer feel it's something they need to offer. By the time the layaway would be paid for, a newer style or newer model has appeared, and people stop paying the layaways, and even forfeit what they've already paid on it. I was willing as a teenager to wait for my items, and NematanthusNut was willing to wait for her prom dress. We actually owned them at the end of the layaway. Today, people want everything RIGHT NOW. Kids see things on tv and parents for some reason feel obligated to provide them instantly and most likely put them on a credit card which is never paid off, even long after the items are discarded. Credit card debt is astronomical in this country, and savings are very low, even in high income families. Teens have incredible spending power (where do they get all that money??) and apparently not having the latest cell/camera phone is equivalent to going to school with holes in your shoes. There is enormous peer pressure these days, both among kids and adults, and I believe that with it has come a diminished sense of values in life and family. For low income families, this surely creates a nightmare of struggling to provide the basics and then feeling guilty about not being able to provide "cool stuff" for their children.

I'm in my late 50s and came from a family that was modestly comfortable financially and very practical. Debt was frowned upon, other than a house mortgage. We never "did without" but we used things until they needed replacement, not just until a newer flashier model appeared. I had a small allowance but did babysitting to pay for my layaways and other things I wanted. My mother always had a Christmas Club and she had the discipline to make the deposits into it. We donated to charities and to church, and felt good about doing it. It was a different, less frantic consciousness in those days, and I'm glad that experience still affects me today. I'm just as guilty about often wanting the latest "stuff" but try to consider its level of importance in my life.

Perhaps the demise of layaway is more a commentary on our society than on the stores. I find that sad. And that's my rant for today!

A big change! The philosophy behind this move, so says Walmart, is that 50 percent of layaways that are made, are canceled. Also, the company believes that because most payments are small with a large final payment and (alot by credit card) that most people use layaway as a means of storing their purchases at Christmastime.This is an expensive service for the company in manhours, cost of storage space, etc. It will be a loss for some, but just an inconvienience for most. Hey, remember when Sears dropped catalog sales! Things change. I personally don't deal with change so well, but in the grand scheme of things, this aint so bad.

Interesting thread! I have never used Layaway in my life and don't plan to. I have always believed that if I can't afford it, I have to wait until I can pay for all of it. We have friends that were in financial dodo because of their payments for furniture and guns and clothes and the list went on and on. We use debit cards because DH would put too much on a credit card. :) We have house and vehicle loans, that's it. I still miss drooling over the Sears catalog! lol

Really I am surprised too no more layaway from WalMart "if" it does here well then will have to start to saving the $$$ to buy the most of it or buy each week better than nothing.
I really never use layaway for years but I know others will need it but that disappointed to everyone who the habit to put layaway.
I was wondering how come no more layaway??? Why???

This message was edited Sep 17, 2006 11:17 AM

Okay I have to ask ;o))
What on earth is layaway?

you make a purchase....they hold the merchandise and you pay in increments till you pay off the item

I love layaway, I actually have some mp3 players on layaway for my daughters for christmas. I can't believe they are doing away with it...but my friend and her husband come up with a good idea...they are just gonna start putting like $20 on a gift card each week like they would be paying on layaway, that way by the end of the year it would have lots of money on there. So that is what i am gonna start doing, as well


Char

june, I don't think that's correct. Layways are not allowed to stay there for months on end. So there is no time for the styles to change.
At the beginning of the season each year, I usually get several things. If I don't, then I can't get the best selections by waiting for sales. This means I have to use layaway. I usually pay them off within a month.
kooger, if a lot of people wait until they can afford an item, it won't be available. Sometimes you must get something right away and pay for it on time. Layaway avoids expensive interest payments a la credit cards, too.
zest. with layaway, you pick out an item you want but can't afford to pay for all at once. you take it to the layaway department and put down a deposit on it, usually a minimum of 10%. They hold the item in storage (lay it away) for you until you pay if off and then they bring it out to you and give you a paid receipt.


This message was edited Sep 22, 2006 9:01 PM

This message was edited Sep 22, 2006 9:59 PM

June,

I was thinking they were cutting layaway at Wal-mart for the very reasons you read about. They wouldn't do it if it didn't provide them some benefit/profit. I to was thrilled to use it twice (once at a Kmart) as a teen and feeling so proud that I had worked and saved for what I needed. It's nice because you can lock in a sales price as well. But poor or rich everyone seems to be buying on CREDIT these days and not using the layaways. I'll just have to do what my grandparents did....save up my money in the savings account then go buy what I want....I'll miss having the option to have layaway though.

No Kmart stores around me. Only seen a few in Texas....1 in El Paso, couple in the valley.

The layaway around is for 90 days, after that it will be returned to the shelf and if you dont go back for you money then your loss...

I will sorely miss layaway to..as i put school clothes/supplies and christmas stuff in layaway.

Char

90 days? Really? Not at my Walmart. I think the clothes at K-mart are a little better quality anyway, so I will be using them

Wood,

I always thought that about Kmart clothes myself! I still have a couple dresses and a pair of sandels and 1 pair of pj pants I bought at a Kmart like 10 years ago that are still just as nice looking as when I bought them! I've already tossed some of my Wal-mart versions.

Our news said all Wal-Mart layaways will go out the week before Thanksgiving...in fact, think they said the day before the BIGGEST shopping day of the year. I know it was our method to getting the big gifts growing up....

Face it folks..Walmart is NOT the Mom and Pop store that Mr. Walton started and nurtured. It has become another of the conglomerate dog eat dog..out for the might dollar....looking after their OWN interests companies! I ditched them long ago! Kmart it is!!..

Oh I see, we don`t have that here, and you are right that most people do buy on credit.
Turbos, last year I read an article about wallmart, and how they treat the employees. Found that very scary.
Been to the us many times, you don`t see Kmarts to often?

Well I don't know all that much about how they treat their employees, but I have a few friends that work that there and they seem to like it, one has been there 5 yrs and and they other longer...the one that has been 5 yrs is treated pretty good, she is loyal to them and they are opening up a new super center here and offered her the hours she would like and to be the head of her own department. Now whether this is good or bad to some I don't have a choice to shop at WM or KM as i live in a little town where there is only one Walmart, a Pebbles, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollar General...those are the only departement stores around here unless i want to travel to get my stuff. We have two grocery stores a Food Lion and SavAlot. I don't have many choices so i tend to stay between Food Lion and WM..
So i am sad that WM is discontinueing there layaway...I have started to put money on a gift card...my husband and i each put $20 from our paydays on there to help us out.
I hope i don't step on anyones toes at this is just my opinion.


Char

You have absolutely step on my all my toes!
No, sorry just joking here LOL
Nice to hear that it is not all the WM that are like that,
and that your friends are happy to work there :o))

I think it's more about the space. Lots of Wal-Mart stores are being remodeled now to try to make the most out of every inch of space. There is just no room for items that are not paid for yet.

I do hope they keep the restrooms by layaway though, they are less crowded than the ones in the front.

Oh gosh guys, I've really got to hand it to Wal-mart! They've been in the papers several days now for some great strides they are making to change the way they do business. They are going to require their product suppliers to use like 80% less emissions in producing their products and packaging by 2008...they want to start buying 15% of their product from American run companies....increasing over the years to 50%.....and they've done SO MUCH lately to build stores more energy efficient themselves.


I am all for capitalism and Wal-Marts just been the top dog in getting consumers in the door. It is nice to see the way they are making changes now though.

Walmart is pushing gift cards like every other store and credit card use. I was in the other day looking for a new camera and they are ending their layaway the first of November. The lady in layaway dept. said they have seen a decline in layaways over the years so they wont offer it any more. It's a shame.

Susan

I have never had a credit card & I don't use layaways at any store, I have never believed in credit cards & when someone at the check out asks if i want to put it on a credit card I tell them put me on your easy payment plan!!! 100% down & no further payments,
(cash)
Jerry.

Applause to Jerry!

Even more applause to Larkie for the suggestion of a Christmas club.

An actual savings account at a bank or credit union would be a great habit and would be a great role model for any children.

I've never used Layaway. I never spent more on my son at Christmas or birthday than I could afford to pay immediately at the time. I didn't layaway or charge gifts. I always saved all my change in a jar, and when it was time for presents, I would cash in my change. I wanted my son to understand that gift giving was about the thought, about caring, not about getting everything you want or getting the most expensive stuff. He understood we didn't have a lot of money to spend on luxuries and he learned to work for what he really wanted. And I hope I instilled in him the "pay as you go" mentality. It will save him a lot of worries later in life.

Most people these days use credit cards. I can see Walmart's point. People want it right here and now. And with advancements in technology, things quickly become obsolete. So Walmart ends up storing items for months that people have abandoned. And now the items are no longer as sellable as they were when they were put in layaway.

If you're a layaway user, it might be time to be a credit card user or just find a way to save your nickels and dimes through the year and skip all the finance charges.

I used lay-a-way before becoming a newlywed once to stash away items I figured we'd need but wanted to pick certain styles in addition to registering for gifts.

Another time was to put furniture on a lay-a-way plan vs credit. It sure gets paid up a lot faster than putting something on credit!

Jerry: way to go! We'd NEVER do a store credit card...the rates are ridiculous.

This is "inside rumor" only from my sister who works in administration at a Walmart disribution center. Contenders for Walmart customers such as Target have plans in the works to begin layaway. Seems the problem with layaway is with electronic items and big ticket items such as computers, etc. because the customer eliminates not only high-interest credit card charges but also get free storage. Plus, when one orders big items online the S&H is a profitable plus. Don't know. I don't think I have ever used layaway except when I was moving and bought appliances that I could not have delivered at the time I bought them.

I pay cash for evrything. Even had over 50% of the money in cash when we bought our farm! We save in a little cash box at home. 3 weeks ago our riding lawn mower decided it had been doing it long enough. (I think we bought it new in the early 90's. Oh, by the way it wasn't a fancy name brand, maybe that's why it lasted so long.) Anyway, went to our little saving chest, took out $1000.00, went & bought a new mower. Another non-name brand, hope it lasts 15 years.
We are building a new 24' x 40' cabinet shop. Another cash project. I have had 2 vehicles bought on loan in my life.
One was a 1966 Olds Cutlass I bought new, the other a used van for our business. Made last payment this summer. Never again.
We paid cash for our car, a 1992 Caddilac, in Jan 2000. Still gets us there very nicely. Speedometer says 228,350 miles. We put a new engine in it one time, otherwise nothing major. A while back, I figured what it cost me to own this car. It was under $300 a month, counting original cost & the new motor. That amount goes down as each month goes by.
By the way, I only darken Wal-Marts door if I absolutly can't find it elseware. I am willing to pay more just to stay out of there. I shopped K-Mart all the time, of course Wal-Mart ran them out of town. We have K-Mart's in two towns, each about 20 miles away. I go there for clothes, or Sears.

Red princess, how "small" of a town do you have to only have that "few" stores to pick from ?
Our closet town is 250 people, next two nearest are 2500 & 3000.
To find a "beloved" Wal-Mart, we need to drive 35 miles.

Have a great day!
Bernie

I think that might have been the blessing of lay-a-way for many folks...the ability to save and pay cash but everything's converted to this credit card system....and many folks aren't as disciplined to save. I'm glad I've learned to be a saver!