Turn Back The Clock: 'Layaway' Shopping Again An Option
NEW YORK (CBS 2) -- Call it old fashioned but the shopping payment option known as layaway is making a comeback.
And it's not the only shopping stigma consumers are ignoring to buy big.
There is a retail renaissance underway that is allowing people to buy what they want without killing their credit.
"No credit card debt. When I take it home it's mine," Yonkers resident Marthie Green told CBS 2's Hazel Sanchez.
Layaway, once a common way for people to make expensive purchases, lost popularity decades ago with the invention of the credit card.
"As individuals are getting, hopefully, more and more sensitive to having lots of debt, they're not comfortable using credit cards to make purchases on things they can't afford," said Alexa Von Tobel of learnvest.com.
So now shoppers are rediscovering the "easy way to pay" is layaway.
Stores like Kmart, Sears, Toys R Us and Burlington Coat Factory are inviting shoppers to put their items on hold for a small fee, until they pay for the products in full.
"They have an option of paying over eight or 12 weeks period and they find this very convenient," said Kmart assistant manager Nichelo Campbell.
"I didn't have to spend all that money at once to buy it," Co-Op City resident Aquela Marshall said.
"I started in September for Christmas, so I have layaways. I've done two layaways so far and I'll be doing another one," another shopper said.
It's definitely become trendy to be thrifty. Many shoppers by choice, and not necessity, are shopping at places like Goodwill for a good deal.
A designer jacket by BCBG would normally cost you a pretty penny, but at Goodwill it's just $8.49.
Some thrift store shoppers said they could afford to buy elsewhere, but why?
"You can really just go on one of those TV shopping sprees and walk away with your arms full of stuff and spend like $10," said Molly Purcell of Ridgewood, N.J.
"The price is definitely a big incentive to shop," another shopper said.
Wealthy or not, these days it's clearly fashionable to be frugal.
One warning about layaways: you could pay additional fees for late payments or cancellations.
