Kmart Layaway
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 layaway term is eight weeks. Buyers must put 10 percent of the purchase price down (minimum $10), plus pay a $5 nonrefundable service fee. There is also a $10 cancellation fee assessed 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.
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.
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