CORP/BIZ Walmart scrapping layaway, offering ‘buy now, pay later’ program instead

1911user

Veteran Member
Walmart scrapping layaway, offering ‘buy now, pay later’ program instead



by: Cris Belle, Nexstar Media Wire
Posted: Sep 25, 2021 / 02:17 PM CDT / Updated: Sep 25, 2021 / 02:17 PM CDT


(WJW) – Planning your holiday shopping and how you’ll finance it?

Walmart recently announced that the company is scrapping its layaway plan just before the holiday shopping season, and instead switching to a “buy now, pay later” program in partnership with lending company Affirm.
The company, which recorded a total revenue of $559 billion in 2020, says this alternative to layaway allows customers to purchase products immediately and pay over time.

Which items can customers purchase under this new plan?
“We’ve learned a lot in the past year as our customers’ needs and shopping habits have changed,” a representative for Walmart said in a statement. “Last holiday season, we removed seasonal layaway from most of our stores with the exception of select jewelry items at select stores, and based on what we learned, we are confident that our payment options provide the right solutions for our customers.”

Eligible categories include electronics, toys and home; ineligible items are alcohol, gasoline and pet supplies. A complete list of categories eligible for financing is available at Walmart’s official site.

How long will customers have to pay it off?
Depending on what’s in the cart, shoppers can finance purchase for as little as 3 months or as long as 24 months. For cart totals between $144–$799.99, customers may be able to finance purchases over 3, 6, or 12 months. For carts between $800–$2,000, purchases can be paid over 12, 18, or 24 months. All payment options are subject to eligibility.
Payments can be made or scheduled at Affirm.com or in the Affirm app for iOS or Android.

How much is the annual percentage rate?
Zero-percent APR is the promotional financing for only certain Walmart.com products, and for a limited time. For other items, the APR rate is between 10–30%, depending customers’ credit. The rate will appear in the Affirm app upon checkout.
 

twobarkingdogs

Veteran Member
This doesn't impact walmart much at all other then to increase their sales. Plus this saves walmart the overhead of offering lay-a-way as they don't need to keep merchandise in the back of the store.

The credit to purchase stuff is being offered by a company called Affirm. Its basically a credit card type offer where you make payments over period of time until the purchase is paid off except it applies to a single purchase. I'm guessing that if you take advantage of this offer you'll be paying 20% interest on your purchase, or whatever the max your state allows, for the privilege of buying your item.

There are a lot of these low level finance companies out there chasing anyway to get higher returns on their money. Its a result of to much easy money in the system and no where to get decent returns on that money

tbd
 
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Ravekid

Veteran Member
Much of WM customer base is not credit worthy. Layaway was their only option. Could backfire on them. Oh well.

This is all about manufactures and retailers trying to keep a certain level of revenue coming in as more and more people start moving into the “can’t afford that anymore” camp.

This type of credit system is more focused though. Instead of a use wherever, whenever type revolving line of credit credit card, these accounts are normally for lower end purchases and is one and done. Affirm is a big name in this sort of financing. My guess is that if one fails to pay for one purchase, they get flagged and thus can’t use the program in the future.

If the credit worthiness is that bad, they will go back to layaway with Affirm lending. So now one is paying for a low cost retail item over time but now borrowing money to do it. Anything that will keep the quarterly revenue statements at current levels so the executive leaderships gets their bonuses and the stock price stays at ridiculous levels.
 

summer-texan

Contributing Member
Much of WM customer base is not credit worthy. Layaway was their only option. Could backfire on them. Oh well.
[quote="twobarkingdogs ]
This doesn't impact walmart much at all other then to increase their sales. Plus this saves walmart the overhead of offering lay-a-way as they don't need to keep merchandise in the back of the store.

[/quote]
in layaway, if someone pays, then misses payments, all goes back on shelves. i think the customer can get back their money.
in the new thing, after lets say, 3 months, i can't afford the 55 inch tv and cust stops paying, then what, affirm gets no more money and cust keeps product.
looks like the only loser is affirm.
right????
 
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fish hook

Deceased
Finances are only a part of why customers use layaway. It gives them a place to store gifts away from prying eyes. Many times i have seen customers use layaway that were well able to pay cash, just because prying spouses and kids would have to much time to plunder their gifts early. You can only keep so much in the trunk of your car for so long.
 

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
When I was first married I used layaway to buy Christmas for my kids and family. It helped us have a nice Christmas. Now its about the almighty dollar.
My mom did that too. It was always an exciting day when us kids heard the words “layaway” lol... we knew what it meant :)
 

WalknTrot

Veteran Member
Keeps Walmart away from the financial risk and management of customers who don't mind overextending themselves. Smart.
People using it OTOH? Stupid.
 

Weps

Veteran Member
It's a shame stamps and Christmas Clubs were done away with.

as they don't need to keep merchandise in the back of the store

It's all put into conex boxes they have brought in, so the overhead is rather extensive. When I worked for them, there wasn't much room to hold anything in the back; the "stockroom" is just to handle incoming non-grocery freight which arrives almost daily (Just-In-Time) and the overhead is where various displays/apparel racks/ect... and some of the larger freight-sized products that the store doesn't have salesfloor space to display more than one or two of (futons, tables, loungers, ect...).

With all the stuff they offer now like Walmart+ and Pickup Today it must be pure insanity in the back.
 

pauldingbabe

The Great Cat
The way Affirm works and places like Fingerhut that extend credit to people that really can't afford it is by the time their trinket is paid for they pay 3X as much as the item is worth. Walmart isn't doing people any favors here.


Zulily does the same through Synchronicity (sp?) Bank.

Zulily is a closeout for Wayfair and QVC.
 

lakemom

Veteran Member
Every company-specific website I've used to order things from offers this now. In the order section there's an icon that tells you if you don't want to buy it now, you can pay it out at X rate for Y payments!!! It's a "thing" now for a lot of companies, not just Walmart.
 

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
It’s all about not having to store the stuff, or find it later when it’s paid-for. Also, more and more people are getting into a financial bind and can’t pay the stuff off. What happens then? The store has to find the items and put them back out for sale. But what about seasonal or discontinued items? What then? Just toss the stuff? I never understood layaway anyhow; it turns stores into de facto pawn shops. I understand why it was discontinued. It’s a relic of post-depression America, and has no place in the retail world today.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I've never understood why people don't just start their own Christmas fund, and pay cash for what they buy as gifts when the time comes. I was raised that way, and it's still how we do things. We only use credit in an extreme emergency. A mortgage or vehicle being the exceptions, unless you save for those, and pay in cash.
 

Millwright

Knuckle Dragger
_______________
I've never understood why people don't just start their own Christmas fund, and pay cash for what they buy as gifts when the time comes. I was raised that way, and it's still how we do things. We only use credit in an extreme emergency. A mortgage or vehicle being the exceptions, unless you save for those, and pay in cash.

Instant gratification.

It's the current operating principle and is being pushed from all directions.

This is a mindf*** designed to fleece the sheep.

Every time I hear a commercial with the line, "(the whatever), that you deserve"...it just chaps my ass.


Gold is the money of kings; silver is the money of gentlemen; barter is the money of peasants; but debt is the money of slaves.”
 
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CaryC

Has No Life - Lives on TB
It’s all about not having to store the stuff, or find it later when it’s paid-for. Also, more and more people are getting into a financial bind and can’t pay the stuff off. What happens then? The store has to find the items and put them back out for sale. But what about seasonal or discontinued items? What then? Just toss the stuff? I never understood layaway anyhow; it turns stores into de facto pawn shops. I understand why it was discontinued. It’s a relic of post-depression America, and has no place in the retail world today.
Well in some cases, you could put stuff on lay away that was on sale, and make payments without the interest.

It was how I got a deer rifle. They miss marked it bad, I got it put it on layaway, went back the next week and paid it off.

It was a good way for the stores to sell stuff for people with bad credit. And putting seasonal items back out, for places like walmart was no big deal to store them until the right time. They still do that with seasonal items. You don't really think they sell all their christmas stuff do you?

And it is usually lower cost stuff, it is walmart after all. Not like buying an MK hand bag.

But back in the old days, there were all kinds of Christmas Clubs to save for Christmas.
 

tiredude

Veteran Member
I've got no problem with this. It is smart on behalf of walmart but the consumer also has access to credit they may not have had before. Will they pay interest....yes. All involved need to be responsible. But this is not a bad thing. Not everyone in the world has 100,000 cash in the bank and a trailer full of saved food.....

eta: it is a financial tool.....no different than that hammer in your toolbox.......
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
We heard this on radio yesterday.

Did you catch it’s “up TO 30% interest rate”?!!!
Who, would do that!?
You would be surprised at how many people would go for that, my ex would for sure and then he would stop paying. One of the main reasons he's my ex.

God is good all the time

Judy
 

Faroe

Un-spun
I've used layaway at a couple local independent shops. They get the sale (they know from experience that I'm good for it), and I get the benefit of spaced out payments to secure a purchase on what is usually a one-of-a-kind item.

Doesn't make sense for WM anymore, as they aren't selling stuff you can't get elsewhere on credit. Even PayPal and Amazon offer credit.
 

Kathy in FL

Administrator
_______________
Most if not all walmarts stopped this last year. The only reason I know is that I overheard a woman asking and then complaining a couple of weeks ago.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I've got no problem with this. It is smart on behalf of walmart but the consumer also has access to credit they may not have had before. Will they pay interest....yes. All involved need to be responsible. But this is not a bad thing. Not everyone in the world has 100,000 cash in the bank and a trailer full of saved food.....

eta: it is a financial tool.....no different than that hammer in your toolbox.......

It's not a matter of how much money one has, or the amount of food stored. It's about living below one's means, being frugal, and not being caught up in consumerism. Most people want instant gratification, and aren't willing to do what it takes to stay out of debt.
 

Publius

TB Fanatic
From what I'm getting they are trying to charge a percentage of the total amount and after you paid it off then you can get the product or items you wanted and go home with it.
Sears & Roebuck made a lot of money doing layaways.
 
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Millwright

Knuckle Dragger
_______________
It's not a matter of how much money one has, or the amount of food stored. It's about living below one's means, being frugal, and not being caught up in consumerism. Most people want instant gratification, and aren't willing to do what it takes to stay out of debt.

Yes.

Emergency repairs are one thing, but gratuitous spending is not a reason to go in debt.
 

tiredude

Veteran Member
It's not a matter of how much money one has, or the amount of food stored. It's about living below one's means, being frugal, and not being caught up in consumerism. Most people want instant gratification, and aren't willing to do what it takes to stay out of debt.
I dont see it that way at all. For some it is called survival. IF you are lucky enough to have good credit you dont need to worry about it. It has nothing to do with preaching to people to save money and pay cash...... (im not trying to insult you) but you are still living in the past..... especially with thing like inflation coming up. Someone earlier mentioned 'why these people' would do that with all the problems in the world.....to me that is a great reason but truthfully I believe 'these people' just dont know what is going on.....

For the record....I will put a rifle on layaway.....I could pay cash....but I like paying 100 bucks every now and again and once I get enough.... bang..... new rifle! I didnt feel put out at all.
 

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
It was a good way for the stores to sell stuff for people with bad credit.
That was then, this is now. There are multiple ways for people to rebuild credit today.
And putting seasonal items back out, for places like walmart was no big deal to store them until the right time.
It is now. Storage space is essentially non-existent. We have Walmart employees who are members here. Post a thread and ASK THEM.
They still do that with seasonal items. You don't really think they sell all their christmas stuff do you?
I believe they’re shipped back to the big warehouses. Layaway requires LOCAL storage. Do you not understand that?
But back in the old days, there were all kinds of Christmas Clubs to save for Christmas.
Again, that was then, this is now.
 
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