Sears Layaway

Sept. 30, 2019 update: Despite corporate financial troubles, Sears is offering holiday layaway again this year. The eight-week program is available online and in-store, while the 12-week version is only in stores and requires a minimum $300 purchase. The downpayment, service fee, and cancellation fee are $10, $5, and $10 (respectively) for the eight-week program and $10, $10, and $20 for in-store layaway. No layaways can be cancelled online; you’ll need to visit a physical Sears store.

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: Sears is still offering layaway, with $10 or 10% down, whichever is greater. Purchases and payments can be managed online or in-store, but they seem to be pushing the online layaway option most strenuously.

Sept. 21, 2014 update: Sears continues to offer layaway during the 2014 holiday season. There’s a fee of $5 to set aside items for an 8-week peril, or $10 if you’d like to pay for them over 12 weeks, but the 12-week contract is only available for purchases of more than $400. A $15 cancellation fee is assessed. Items may be placed online via the Sears.com online interface, and payments can be made online as well.

Oct. 3, 2012 update: Sears is dropping its $5 to $10 layaway fee until Oct. 29, 2012 and from Nov. 2 through Dec. 3. The company also announced that it will ship customers’ online layaway purchases to their homes, if desired, starting Nov. 7.

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Sears, Roebuck and Co., which owns Kmart, also offers layaway at its stores, promoting the plan as “Shop Now, Pay Later.”

The company announced that starting Nov. 14, 2008, it would be bringing back its layaway program due to customer demand and the current economic climate, as well as the “tremendous” response to Kmart’s layaway plan. The down payment at Sears is $15 or 20 percent of the purchase price, whichever is greater.

The return of layaway was initially promoted for Christmas shopping, but on Jan. 15, 2009, Sears announced that due to the popularity of layaway during the 2008 holiday season (customers told them the program “saved Christmas”), it would be reinstating its layaway program year-round. Items must be picked up within 90 days.

Excluded are: home electronics, home appliances, cell phones, personal computers, gift cards, magazines, live plants, photo studio portraits, “Doorbuster” and early-open sale items, chemicals and anything flammable. During the holiday season, items must be picked up by Dec. 23. There’s a cancellation fee of $10. The nonrefundable service fee is $5, except in Maryland, where it’s $1. (Summer 2010 update: Sears’ rules apparently no longer exclude personal computers. Shoppers are advised to look online and see if the product they want has a little “layaway” icon next to it.)

A press release stated: “Merchandise from a wide selection of Craftsman tools and storage, lawn & garden equipment, and patio furniture for spring and summer, as well as the well-respected Lands’ End and Ty Pennington lines, along with jewelry and fitness equipment to fit every need are eligible for layaway.”

The program is available in Sears Full Line, Sears Hardware, Sears Grands and Sears Essential Stores, but not Automotive, Dealer, Outlet Stores, or on Sears.com.

Since 1989, only a few Sears stores had accepted items for layaway, and only on fine jewelry, reported the Associated Press. The existing fine jewelry layaway program, which has terms of six to 12 months, will remain in place.

32 Responses to “Sears Layaway”

  1. Dawn Sneed says:

    Good Afternoon,

    I’m looking to buy some exercise equipment and would like to know if I can do that using layaway.

  2. admin says:

    Hi. Most Sears offer layaway, and that should include exercise equipment. However, you could call your local Sears to be sure.

  3. Adam says:

    Does Sears have game consoles, like Playstation 3? And if so, are they available for layaway?

  4. admin says:

    Most Sears locations carry Playstation, Xbox, Wii and Nintendo DS consoles. They should be able to be placed on layaway, because Sears doesn’t list them among the “unauthorized merchandise” that can’t be put on layaway, such as: clearance, automotive, Doorbusters, optical center products, alcohol, flammable products, food, plants, chemicals, photos, magazines and cell phones.

  5. Erica says:

    Am I reading correct on that no computers can be put on lay-away, including laptops? What about tvs? Is this the same for kmart as well?

    Thanks!

  6. admin says:

    While Sears listed personal computers among the excluded items in its press release in the 2009 holiday season, the current Sears information sheet about layaway exclusions doesn’t mention computers. You should be able to shop online and see if the product you want has the little “layaway” icon next to it. Here’s a link to Sears’ layaway factsheet: http://c.sears.com/ue/home/SearsFastFacts_v2.pdf And it looks like Kmart’s rules are almost exactly the same: http://c.kmart.com/ue/home/KmartLayawayQuickFacts_v2.pdf

  7. admin says:

    Actually, I see now that Kmart lists personal computers among the excluded items. TVs and many other electronics should be fine, though. I searched for a bit on both the Sears and Kmart sites and didn’t find any laptop or desktop computers listed as “eligible for layaway.” I did see the Wii on there, though. You might just need to call your local store, or the toll-free number.

  8. Denise says:

    Was wondering if Sears offered layaway on washers, dryers, & refrigerators? Also, where is the layaway icon located if it is available for a particular item?

  9. admin says:

    According to Sears’ official layaway policy, appliances should be included. The layaway icon is a little blue dollar sign on a notepad, displayed to the right of the online listing, but if you don’t see it next to an item on which layaway should be allowed, ask Sears staff.

  10. i WOULD LIKE TO PUT AN REFRGERTER IN LAYAWAY

  11. Maryland mom says:

    My son placed a toolbox on layaway and when he made his second payment the clerk keyed in the figure off by 1 penny (the store told him this, it is not something he is thinking happened). At any rate they cancelled his layaway because of it because it looked like he did not make a payment. Ten weeks have gone by and he is completely getting the runaround about getting his money back which is around $179. Does anyone have any ideas? The store is saying it is an accounts payable problems and states they can do nothing for him at all but give him a number which he calls and someone did actually acknowledge that he was due a refund and it was mailed out but in trying to find out further now that he has never received the refund he is being told there is no information in the computer about him. He has all his original paperwork and receipts. Thank you.

  12. B says:

    According to there T.V. Adds washers dryers etc are up for lay a way. Call your local store they should tell you.

  13. E M says:

    Does anyone know if Land’s End merchandise IN store is able to be put on layaway?

  14. Ericka says:

    Can wedding ring sets be put on layaway?

  15. admin says:

    Sears’ layaway policy does not seem to exclude jewelry: http://c.sears.com/ue/home/SearsFastFacts_v2.pdf

  16. bob says:

    can a 32″ flat screen tv be put on layaway?

  17. Christine says:

    I assume all clothing is ok for layaway. What about video games and a xbox360 console? Thank you

  18. admin says:

    Clothing, TVs and video consoles should all be part of the layaway program, as they are not listed as included in the Sears policy here: http://c.sears.com/ue/home/SearsFastFacts_v2.pdf

  19. debra says:

    I am soooo happy that Sears has a layaway program. In the 80’s layaway was the way to go to make large purchases, not credit cards. Layaway kept a lot of people out of debt but gave them the ability to buy TV’s and furniture.

    Last year I used layaway to buy Christmas presents. Interest free.

    Thanks Sears!

  20. Rhonda Fleeman says:

    how much you have to put down on layway

  21. admin says:

    The down payment at Sears is $15 or 20 percent of the purchase price, whichever is greater.

  22. Christina says:

    I have used layaway at Sears. At my sears they do not allow you to do layaway on electronics or lawn mowers or washers and dryers or refrigerators or dishwashers. You can only do layaway on clothing, jewelry, toys, and misc small items.

  23. Mike Morales says:

    can I make layaway payments online

  24. admin says:

    You should be able to make payments online by going to Sears.com, choosing Manage My Layaway and then “Make Payment.” You will need your contract number. Here’s a link: https://www.sears.com/shc/s/LayawayLogin?storeId=10153&WcUseHttps=true&catalogId=126055%2f&i_cntr=1290653064393

  25. Mark says:

    I’ve made 4 payments on my layaway using Sears.com. One payment was made using my credit and the payment shows up as being made. I also made 3 payments using my Paypal account and none of those 3 payments are showing on my account. Paypal shows them as being paid to Sears Holding Co. I spoke to 8 different people today at Sears and no one can seem to find my payments. What is up with this?

  26. admin says:

    You could try Sears’ Executive Customer Service and see if they’re more help: http://consumerist.com/2008/10/reach-sears-executive-customer-service.html

  27. Cindy Svenhard says:

    I tried over and over to make my layaway payment online . I never cohld .no links from this or other websites led me to that . The other websites ended in does not respond

  28. admin says:

    The link earlier in the comments should work: Go to Sears.com, choose Manage My Layaway and then “Make Payment.” You will need your contract number. Here’s a link: https://www.sears.com/shc/s/LayawayLogin?storeId=10153&WcUseHttps=true&catalogId=126055%2f&i_cntr=1290653064393

  29. jo roark says:

    does sears have a lay a away for everything or is it just app? Now that kmart has closed.

  30. Bonnie Crookshire says:

    Layaway will be a big help for back to shool clothes for my Grand children

  31. Lynda says:

    I have just one more payment to make on a refrigerator and stove I saw in the contract that I have a seven day grace period however I may need an extra three days with that seven. I have tried contacting the store and with no luck..so I am wondering if I half I what I owe on the last payment will they hold the items for me a little longer on just gladly refund me close to $1500.00 I would think they are in the business of making money

  32. tv guy says:

    I put an expensive tv on layaway $3300.

    I am having trouble with last payment.

    Guy at store said I would get refund minus 15%.

    Is this correct? Seven day left. Any help.

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