Layaway is one of the most helpful things that department stores have come up with yet. When you want something or need to get presents for Christmas, layaway is right there waiting for you to use it. The concept of layaway is a relatively simple concept to grasp. The customer, being you, decides what they want to purchase. You then take your purchase to layaway where it is held and you make a deposit on it and it remains there while you make payments on it. When you have finished paying for the item you can take it home. It is sort of like a loan only you get what you needed the money for after you have paid it off.
The first thing that users need to know is that once you put something on layaway you are responsible for it. This does not mean that you have to pay for it if you decide that you do not want it. If you follow the practices and rules of the store that you are using you should be able to get out of your layaway obligation if you have not started paying for the item.
Second, when you start making payments on something that you have put in layaway, you will most likely not be able to get those payments back without paying a penalty if you decide that you no longer want the item.
Third, you need to make sure that you read all the rules and regulations that go along with the layaway program that you are using. All programs will offer you literature on their fees, practices, and rules and you should read them to be sure you know what you are obligated to do when you sign your layaway agreement.
Fourth, if you put something on layaway and cannot pay in the allotted time you will be charged a fee and the item will be put back into circulation. You should be sure that you can pay for what you are putting on layaway.
Though layaway is not one of the most pressing commitments that you can enter into, it is an agreement and you are obligated to keep up your end of the bargain. Fifth, layaway is a great opportunity to get the gifts that you want when you do not have all the money up front. You are still paying what you are capable of paying and getting the gifts and things that you want but only as you can afford to purchase them. Layaway is a great opportunity to practice funds management and to get what you want when you have the means to purchase it.
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Kmart requires a 25 percent down payment and a $5 fee, and is one of the very last national retailers that offers layaway for most of the items it sells. Many analysts are predicting that sales this year will be some of the very worst of the past decades. This meaning, that in the long run, most of the sales will be generated from layaway and not the typical holiday sales. People just don't have the money to spend on splurge items all at one time, or may want to hold onto the bird they have in hand. The lay it away plan allows for you to put a small amount down and make periodic scheduled payments on your entire purchase. Kmart also has lots of savings via email and their website which consumers can sign up for online. What most people don't know is these percentage off coupons can be applied towards layaway purchases and clearance items in most cases. Following when Wal-Mart announced its plans to cancel layaway programs at its stores, Kmart made a statement reaffirming its "commitment to layaway," which it has offered for almost 40 years. Besides the 25 percent down, Kmart also charges a $5 service fee for using the layaway and requires you to pay for the items within an eight week period. There is a $5 cancellation fee as well. When you have made payments and later cancel, you can receive a refund for payments minus the service and cancellation fee. Not a steep price when compared with the average interest rate on most credit cards.
TJMaxx is another retail chain that offers layaway to shoppers. An initial deposit of 10% of the total is required along with a non-refundable service fee. Customers must pick up layaways and pay in full within thirty days. Jewelry and clearance merchandise seems to be the only restriction as far as items being put on the layaway plan. All of their store locations do not offer layaway, but there may be exceptions during holiday seasons.
^^來美國這麼多年, 昨天還是頭一次聽到這詞...哈哈..挺新鮮!^^
美國人想出這樣的'撈客'辦法, 真吊!
或多或少因這類文化, 美國經濟現陷入.....不能自拔的狀況...
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