Kmart Layaway
Oct. 21, 2022 update: There are not many Kmart stores remaining in the U.S., but the company continues to promote its layaway program. The terms are the same as mentioned earlier, and there’s now a feature to get updates on your layaway via text message.
Nov 2, 2020 update: Despite ongoing corporate financial issues, Kmart is again offering layaway for the 2020 holiday season, with the same terms as in recent years other than one significant change: 12-week layaways placed in-store are only available for total purchases exceeding $300.
Sept. 30, 2019 update: This year, Kmart is offering holiday layaway online, in-store, or via the Kmart app. The plans run eight or 12 weeks, and payments must be made at least every two weeks. The down payment, service fee, and cancellation fee are $10, $5, and $10 (respectively) for the eight-week plan and $10, $10, and $20 for the 12-week plan. You must visit a physical Kmart store to cancel your layaway, regardless of how you set it up.
Oct. 16, 2018 update: With the Oct. 16 bankruptcy filing by Sears Corp., people may be wondering about items they may have on layaway at Sears or Kmart locations. While the company states that layaway will “continue as normal,” it might be a good idea to consider paying off and picking up any items you have on layaway. Also, see if your local store is one of those slated for closure in the company’s latest cost-saving move.
Oct. 4, 2018 update: This year, Kmart has done away with the $1 down layaway program for Shop Your Way members, now requiring $10 down. But there are more payback options to choose from, along with a payment reminder system. You can open a layaway for an eight-week period or a 12-week period (The 12-week plan is only for total in-store purchases of $300 or more). In each case, payments are due every two weeks. But the fees vary. There’s a $5 service fee and a $10 cancellation fee on the 8-week plan and a $10 service fee and $20 cancellation fee on the 12-week plan. If you’d like to get a link to sign up to receive reminders for your layaway account, text “LAYAWAY” to Kmart at 56278. Payments can be made online or in-store.
Sept. 19, 2017 update: Kmart has launched its 2017 layaway season with a new $1 down layaway program for Shop Your Way members — a free-to-join card-type membership. (Those who don’t wish to join can still participate in the regular $10 down layaway plan.) There’s also a “Fab 15” list of hot toys that Kmart deems especially suited to layaway such as: Nerf guns, Barbies, Hatchimals, Hot Wheels sets, Imaginext Fisher Price toys, LOL Big Surprise dolls, FurReal stuffed animals, and an AirHogs drone.
Sept. 19, 2016 update: Again this year Kmart will offer layaway with no money down in-store, and a penny down online. The layaway program is available through Nov. 26. The terms are similar to last year, except the cancellation fee is always $10. Also, 25 percent of the original balance due must be paid every two weeks until it’s paid off.
Sept. 10, 2015 update: Kmart has announced two new payment options for the 2015 holiday season: no money down layaway, and a no money down leasing program. There is no minimum purchase for layaway. Online layaway will actually require buyers to put up one penny as a down payment. The “leasing” program, which has age and income requirements and sounds much like credit, lets buyers take home an item (from toys, electronics, furniture, and a few other categories), but they won’t need to make a payment right away. However, “lease” purchases must be paid off in 30, 60, or 90 days and Kmart will tack 5%, 8%, or 10% onto the price. Both programs will be available through Nov. 29, which includes Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. There are also coupons available for purchases set aside as part of a Kmart layaway contract. There is a cancellation fee of $10 to $20, and the service fee of $5 to $10 is still listed as a condition as well.
Dec. 17, 2014 update: There have been reports of Kmart, and perhaps Sears, canceling shoppers’ layaway purchases because the stores failed to physically hold back the selected items and now they are out of stock. Now, some customers are having to wait days or longer to get their already-made payments and fees refunded so they can have that cash to purchase replacement gifts — if they can even find them in stock. It’s frustrating, as reported in a post on Consumerist.
Sept. 21, 2014 update: Kmart has announced “no money down” layaway for the 2014 holiday season. Kmart’s layaway policy is similar to that of Sears, though the cancellation fee is lower at $10 and the value threshold for 12-week contracts is lower ($300). Eight-week layaway is also available. Payments must be made biweekly, but customers may pay online.
Sept. 12, 2012 update: Following closely in the footsteps of Wal-Mart and Toys R Us, Kmart announced Sept. 6 that it will drop layaway fees for a limited time, and is expanding the categories of items that may be placed on layaway.
Kmart will waive its usual layaway fee ($5 for 8-week layaway; $10 for 12-week) through Nov. 17, 2012, and company leaders are considering extending it even further, Sears’ Holdings VP Jai Holtz told USA Today. The $10 penalty for cancelling a layaway purchase still applies. Twelve-week layaway is only available for purchases over $300. So far, Sears is only waiving layaway fees for a one-week period ending Sept. 15.
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Unlike Walmart, which did away with layaway in fall 2006, Kmart, which is owned by Sears, Roebuck and Co., has embraced the concept for more than 40 years. The company is even making layaway a major part of its 2008 holiday season advertising campaign, promoted by mascot Mr. Blue Light.
The program originally re-launched with a layaway term of eight weeks, but in 2010 a 12-week option was added. Buyers must put 10 percent of the purchase price down (minimum $10 2010 update: It’s now $15), plus pay a $5 nonrefundable service fee ($10 for 12-week layaway). There is also a $10 cancellation fee assessed ($20 for 12-week) if you decide not to buy the items after all. The payment schedule is biweekly and the payments are for 25 percent of the original balance due. “Price adjustments” are limited to one per layaway term, and prices may not be changed for holiday merchandise.
As of October 2010, the terms for 8-week layaway are: $5 service fee, $10 cancellation fee, $15 or 10% down — whichever is greater. Payments are made in four installments, based on the balance due after down payment. The terms for 12-week layaway are: $10 service fee, $20 cancellation fee and $30 or 10% down. There are six payments on the 12-week plan.
Holiday decorations must be paid for or returned to the sales floor by Dec. 5. Home electronics costing more than $200 can’t be placed on layaway after Nov. 16. No new items may be placed on layaway between Dec. 12, 2008 and Jan. 2, 2009. (In future years, similar restrictions are presumed to apply.)
Some items can’t be placed on layaway, such as personal computers, food, plants, magazines, prescription drugs, cell phones and processed photos or Portrait Studio pictures. (Summer 2010 update: While Kmart’s rules still exclude personal computers, Sears does not list those products on its list of items that can’t be placed on layaway. Shoppers are advised to look online and see if the product they want has a little “layaway” icon next to it.)
You can read the Kmart layaway policy in full at the store’s Web site.
can’t find how to make layaway payments on line.
Hi. Go to http://www.kmart.com. At the lower right is a link to Layaway. It’s green. Then it will take you to another screen where the middle option is “make payments/manage my contract.” You’ll need to sign up there. You also need to have your layaway contract number handy (it’s on your receipt.)
I went to my local K-mart and was told that at this point they are only doing a normal layaway which is 8 weeks. If I ordered today I would get the item in the middle of October. The problem I have is I have 3 kids to buy for and would rather buy more stuff from 1 store and make more payments and not have to store (hide) the items for a 6+weeks. Some company needs to come up with a plan that I can buy everything at 1 time and be able to spread it out.
Jennifer
I went into K Mart yesterday and placed items for my kids Christmas. I was also told that it was eight weeks. When we arrived to the counter they informed me and my husband that it’s actually twelve weeks. We had the option to do eight but we took the twelve. If anyone is having problems with storing the stuff dont put anything on layaway until a later date. We have three kids also.
I could not fnd the link to pay my layaway payment. I think it should be easier to find the link.
Hide gifts @ a relative’s house…
Go here and click on Manage My Contract for the Kmart online layaway payment: http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/dap_10151_10104_DAP_Kmart+Layaway
I love the concept of on-line layaway at Sears and Kmart Stores, only it is extremely frustrating trying to locate the few items available for layaway. Because the site is sometimes slow this adds to the frustration. It would be nice if they had a drop-down list or default layaway option in order to easily locate those items available for layaway. Would also be nice to have the option to put items on on-line layaway and have have them shipped to your home. This would allow more items to be added to layaway and the consumer would not be restricted to items in stock at a local store.
This layaway is not set up right to make a payment online with paypal like they said I could I have sent several letter to help@customerservicekmart,com and they are just ignorring them. Now my 1st payment never could get made because the sight doesn’t work and I don’t know what is happening with my layaway. I did go to my pay pal and have a payment for kmart and they aren’t taking it. kmart could email me and tell me whats going on but I have not heard anything from anyone!! Thanks, Betsy
There has got to be somebody that works at Kmart that knows a little bit about computers. This site is sad and need a face lift. How are you guys planning to be good or with this type of set up. Hire an 8 year old to fik this probelm so this company can gather more business. Layway link?
I have tried to make a payment and I clicked on the link mentioned above but cannot find a place to pay online. What is going on?
@George
Sure, the site could be done better, but the Layaway link was easy to find.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and look at the side scrolling navigation menu. It starts with the “Shop Your Way Rewards”. You’ll see the ugly pea green Kmart Layaway icon.
Saving you the trouble of looking through that nonsense for a lousy icon, here’s the URL
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/dap_10151_10101_DAP_Kmart+Layaway?adcell=layawayscrollbanner&adCell=W6
What if I paid off the item before the eight weeks are up, can I pick up the item early?
Yes. You can pick it up as soon as it’s fully paid for.
I could not make it back to the store in time to pay on my layaway. The layaway was put back and I was charged $30.00 for nothing. Feel like I was robbed. I will not be shopping at Kmart the rest of the season.
Can you actually place things on layaway from home on the computer or is it only that you can pay on your layaway? Shopping at home and being able to place it on layaway from home would be awesome.
debbie- oh yes you can place it on layaway online and pay it online. i did it yesterday.. it is awesome!
I wish that KMart had a 3 month plan. For example I’m trying to budget and save up money for a TV or computer and I find it hard to save cash at home without spending it. Same goes if I keep it in my bank account. If I put something on layaway and pay on it gradually then within 3 months I can own it outright. Great for those who don’t have credit cards or cards with a spending limit, also for those (like I said) who are trying to save up for something but have a hard time saving : )
Kmart does have a 12-week layaway option, but only on items over $300, and with six payments. http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/dap_10151_10104_DAP_Kmart+Layaway
DO NOT PAY WITH PAYPAL! I made my final payment on Dec 12th, it’s now Dec 19th and they still haven’t accepted the payment. I have spke to everyone under the sun and still no answers. If it’s not accepted by tomorrow, I’m cancelling the layaway, and taking my business elsewhere.
I hate this can find the icon to make my layaway payment….I think they should’ve made it easier to make a payment…..HElp!!!!!!!
did they ever except the paypal ?? i need to know so i can get my kids bikes off layaway for easter??
I put a 4 piece outdoor furniture set on layaway Thuurs. That afternoon I found the exact 6 peice set for $120.00 cheaper at Bed Bath and Beyond. The store manager in Martinez GA told me on the phone it would be a $10.00 cancellation fee. When I got to the store, he charged me $20.00 and was extreemly rude (and wrong ). I called the number on the website and made a complaint. So far nothing has been done. My family and our co workers are no longer KMART or Sears consumers.
It stinks
Please bringa Kmart back to Humble tx or Spring tx we MISS YOU OH SO MUCH i NEVER KNEW HOW MUCH I LOVED YOUR STORE UNTILL YOU TOOK IT AWAYS …..i HAVE TO DRIVE AT LEAST AN HR TO GO TO YOUR STORE PLEASE TELL ME YOU WILL COME BACK SOON….
Very frustrated at this point. My layaway payment was due on 8/31 but I’m on vacation in florida. Called my local kmart and asked if I could make my payment over the phone with my debit card. She said no but I could go to my kmart.com and pay online. I thought awesome. I tried for 30 minutes trying to locate where you go to do this. I called back to the store and asked the lady where I go, she said she wasnt sure
but she took my phone number and said she would call me back – she never did. I went back to the websight and left a help me message on the contact link. Still no one has helped
Oh, I also tried that link in the above comments and it just gives me an error message
I also tried paying a layaway online I just get that error message, come on kmart whats really going on?
I called several of my local Kmarts to make sure I could place a layaway for 12 weeks for xmas presents….I explained to them that there website said as long as I purchased over $300 i could…but they had NO IDEA what I was talking about and continued to say they will only do 8 weeks even tho the website said that the specific store I was calling would do 12 weeks!! Very Frustrating!! It would be nice to have the employees know there website to be able to help the customers out!! I will be doing my business some where else. It would have worked out perfect for christmas being that it is exactly 12 weeks until xmas is here and had planned on spending well over $500.
The layaway payment site NEVER works!!! Kmart needs a much better tech support, because the current one sucks!!!!!!
I was able to use the online site easily, and wanted to put a TV on layaway, but none of the TVs – even the ones going on sale today – appear to be in the store and available for pickup, so of course I can’t lay them away. My option is to pay $100 for shipping and pay in full to have the item shipped from the warehouse…or go to the store and layaway, so I guess that’s what I’ll do, since we only have one Kmart left here in Southern Arizona.
It’s really a shame, because when they have a customer that’s online, ready to spend money right then, they should make it as easy as possible, not turn it into a frustrating experience and a lost sale, because I may just change my mind and go elsewhere, find a better deal.
Can’t get the on line pay to work
Don’t order anything or place on layaway. When it comes time for delivery, they call and say it will be delivered on the specified date, someone needs to be there to sign for it. Arrangement made to have someone there and fine out at 10:00 the day it was to be delivered that they rescheduled it for 3 days later. No help other than a gift card to spend more at their store. 3 numbers called, multiply people talked to and still get no help. NOT A WAY TO DO BUSINESS.!!!!!