Wal-Mart Ending Its Layaway Program

[Kevin]

Only people who have mismanaged their own affairs can't get checking accounts/credit cards. They're not victims.

[33girl]

Well, and some people just like to deal strictly in cash. One of my uncles NEVER had a checking account. When he needed to send a gas bill or whatever, he got a money order. I hate that our society is forcing everyone into using plastic, whether it be a credit card or debit card.

-33
--It's the Mark of the Beast!!
---But seriously, sometimes it freaks me out.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Still BLUTANG

i don't get why it's so hard for people to understand that (1) some people use lay-a-way

I'm not having a hard time understanding that some people still use layaway. I'm surprised, but I understand. When someone here says they or someone they know uses layaway, I believe them.

But I think many here are expressing the idea that there are still viable alternatives to layaway, including some that Wal-Mart may put in place.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Well, and some people just like to deal strictly in cash. One of my uncles NEVER had a checking account. When he needed to send a gas bill or whatever, he got a money order.

But that's because he wanted it that way, not because he couldn't open a checking account.

[xo_kathy]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Only people who have mismanaged their own affairs can't get checking accounts/credit cards. They're not victims.

Mismanagement isn't always about spending your cash on booze, cars, and crap you don't really need.

My mother did exactly that when she was first divorced from my father and trying to raise two young kids while working full time. She racked up a credit card debt she couldn't afford so we could have clothes and food - silly her. (Disclaimer for my poor dad - he gave us child support. Mom was a little too proud perhaps and had him give less than required b/c she wanted to make it on her own).

So, because she couldn't (and shouldn't) get any more credit cards, she often used layaway at Kmart to get Christmas presents, school clothes, new towels and/or sheets we'd eventually need, etc.

There ARE people who use it for things they know they will need in the future - not just frivolous things. And as someone pointed out, my mom's situation is probably really similar to a lot of people in rural Arkansas who got Wal-Mart off the gorund in the first place.

[Dionysus]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Well, and some people just like to deal strictly in cash. One of my uncles NEVER had a checking account. When he needed to send a gas bill or whatever, he got a money order. I hate that our society is forcing everyone into using plastic, whether it be a credit card or debit card.

-33
--It's the Mark of the Beast!!
---But seriously, sometimes it freaks me out.

I dealt strictly with cash until a year ago. I've seen what credit card debt has done to people. I didn't trust myself with one, so I stuck with cash as long as I could. Then a year ago, I had to purchase something that only took plastic.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by xo_kathy

Mismanagement isn't always about spending your cash on booze, cars, and crap you don't really need.

My mother did exactly that when she was first divorced from my father and trying to raise two young kids while working full time. She racked up a credit card debt she couldn't afford so we could have clothes and food - silly her. (Disclaimer for my poor dad - he gave us child support. Mom was a little too proud perhaps and had him give less than required b/c she wanted to make it on her own).

So, because she couldn't (and shouldn't) get any more credit cards, she often used layaway at Kmart to get Christmas presents, school clothes, new towels and/or sheets we'd eventually need, etc.

There ARE people who use it for things they know they will need in the future - not just frivolous things. And as someone pointed out, my mom's situation is probably really similar to a lot of people in rural Arkansas who got Wal-Mart off the gorund in the first place.

Here's the thing, though - layaway is not some sort of service that cannot be replicated. You're simply putting the item in a different location and paying over time - you don't take it with you, right?

So in most cases, people could do the same thing by simply saving their own money, until they reach the entire purchase price - cut the company out of it, and effectively replace layaway. I don't get why we talk about layaway like it's some sort of necessary or singular service.

[Dionysus]

Originally Posted by xo_kathy

Mismanagement isn't always about spending your cash on booze, cars, and crap you don't really need.

My mother did exactly that when she was first divorced from my father and trying to raise two young kids while working full time. She racked up a credit card debt she couldn't afford so we could have clothes and food - silly her. (Disclaimer for my poor dad - he gave us child support. Mom was a little too proud perhaps and had him give less than required b/c she wanted to make it on her own).

So, because she couldn't (and shouldn't) get any more credit cards, she often used layaway at Kmart to get Christmas presents, school clothes, new towels and/or sheets we'd eventually need, etc.

There ARE people who use it for things they know they will need in the future - not just frivolous things. And as someone pointed out, my mom's situation is probably really similar to a lot of people in rural Arkansas who got Wal-Mart off the gorund in the first place.

But, aren't these people in the minority? Most of the people I know who are in debt, spent money and charged their credit cards on things they knew damn well they couldn't afford. These things were like expensive clothes, eating out everyday, and flatscreens. Also, some of them just HAD to live alone. It wasn't acceptable for them to live with roommates, the 'rents, or in the dorms. I knew a few people who had scholarships that paid for their room and board, and only lived there for like a semester or two.

[adpiucf]

I've never used layaway. I grew up poor. If we didn't have the money, we went without.

I'm so sad I never got a Bratz Hobag Dreamhouse....

If people live in areas that are so impoverished and poor... where they can't begin to afford basic necessities... doesn't it make sense to move somewhere where there are better job opportunities and resources?

[kstar]

Originally Posted by Kevin

When they downsized during the bankruptcy, they closed down a lot of stores which may not have been doing very well. It turned out that for some reason, that included nearly all of their stores in Oklahoma. I have heard rumors that we have a K-Mart out in Shawnee (if you know where that is) which is about 45 minutes East of Oklahoma City -- I'm pretty sure that's false though.

It could be that Wal-Mart is so popular here and K-Mart didn't like the competition (Oklahoma is a test bed for new Wal-Mart store concepts, I've heard they plan on opening 30 supercenters in the OKC metro area). I'm not sure how likely that is though. Target came behind K-Mart and opened locations near or at wherever K-Marts were located.

There is a K-Mart in Shawnee, which is only 20 minutes out I-40, or you can go to Tulsa.

NO more Walmarts in the Metro! They're ugly! Oh well, I haven't set foot in a Walmart in about 2 years now. I guess I don't really have a say other than I voted with my money.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by xo_kathy

Mismanagement isn't always about spending your cash on booze, cars, and crap you don't really need.

My mother did exactly that when she was first divorced from my father and trying to raise two young kids while working full time. She racked up a credit card debt she couldn't afford so we could have clothes and food - silly her. (Disclaimer for my poor dad - he gave us child support. Mom was a little too proud perhaps and had him give less than required b/c she wanted to make it on her own).

So, because she couldn't (and shouldn't) get any more credit cards, she often used layaway at Kmart to get Christmas presents, school clothes, new towels and/or sheets we'd eventually need, etc.

There ARE people who use it for things they know they will need in the future - not just frivolous things. And as someone pointed out, my mom's situation is probably really similar to a lot of people in rural Arkansas who got Wal-Mart off the gorund in the first place.

She turned down the child support, so I guess she's at least partially at fault, yes? Also, could she not have tried to find a better job?

Credit cards are not a must, but a bank account/debit card? Not too hard to come by. Yes, if you write hot checks, that could become a problem, but writing hot checks is pure mismanagement, don't you think?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Credit cards are not a must, but a bank account/debit card? Not too hard to come by. Yes, if you write hot checks, that could become a problem, but writing hot checks is pure mismanagement, don't you think?

Pssst.

If I'm not mistaken, xokathy is around my age - i.e. when she was a kidlet debit cards didn't exist. And not every place takes checks.

As for the better job comment I'll let that one go.

[Dionysus]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

I've never used layaway. I grew up poor. If we didn't have the money, we went without.

I'm so sad I never got a Bratz Hobag Dreamhouse....

If people live in areas that are so impoverished and poor... where they can't begin to afford basic necessities... doesn't it make sense to move somewhere where there are better job opportunities and resources?

It costs money to move. On the other hand, instead of buying a Bratz Hobag Dreamhouse, I guess they can save money for a down payment and rental trucks or whatever.

[AGDee]

I've used their layaway for my daughter's school clothes before. She wears a size that they only get a few of. If we find 3 pairs of jeans for her and I only have the cash for 2 of them that pay period, then I put one on layaway. If I wait two weeks, there is a good chance they won't be there anymore. Since she's so hard to shop for, it has been a good option. It is also nice for sales at Christmas when you know you're getting a bonus check (also, December is almost always a 3 paycheck month for us at my work, but I don't usually want to wait until December 15th until I do my shopping).

As for using a debit card for online purchases, it's more dicey. All the protections built in for regular credit cards are not always there for debit cards. Someone gets that debit card info and you could lose every penny of cash you have. With my debit card info, you can transfer every penny I have in savings, my kids' entire savings and wipe out my checking account in one fell swoop. With credit cards, you can only be held liable for $50 if the card is stolen.

Idiot me checked my online banking from the ex'es house earlier this week. My daughter ran a spyware/adware detection program at his house the next day and called me to ask what a keystroke logger was. I changed my banking password immediately! Check with your bank on their policies. You might not be as safe as you are with a standard credit card.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

I haven't used layaway. Many of those who use it at my job ( a small jewelry kiosk #1 in the region!) don't come back and pay,but a few do. If you truly want something you can't afford, need to hide from kids, can't afford to pay for all at once, layaway is a reasonable option and I do not disagree. If you need to use it for whatever reason, it is not my job to judge you. Lord knows I'm not rich myself by any means and I may have to use it to get something expensive myself one day too despite my debit card/checking account, etc.