On-line Petition Urges Wal-Mart to Keep Layaway Program

[Mrs Behavin]

Some Wal-Mart customers say Santa`s bags may be significantly lighter when he visits their homes this Christmas, all because of what they`re calling a bad decision by the world`s largest retailer.
Layaway counters are set to close chain-wide on November 19th.
That`s put some families in crisis. So much so, that they`ve signed
an online petition designed to change the company`s new policy.
Here`s some of the almost 8,000 comments:
Tami Hiltunen says, "Please keep layaway at Wal-Mart. That is the only saving grace for our family during the holidays and before school starts."
Avie Bahling writes, "First you build beautiful new stores and entice people with low prices and layaway. Now you will discontinue layaway and bring in high end fashion and higher prices. Shame on you!"
Wal-Mart made the decision to do away with layaway earlier this month. They say that the demand for layaway service has declined steadily as consumers turn to other options, such as online shopping, gift cards and no-cost credit alternatives.
Customers will have until November 19th to place items in layaway and merchandise must be picked up by December 8th.
Wal-Mart executives say they`re working to offer customers new payment options.

KARK News

 

[Maulds]

I think it sucks. I don't use it much anyway, but this is their way of trying to push their credit cards on those who were sticking to layaway. Of course, throw it on your credit card, then you can pay more for it. I think this will hurt some low income families that used layaway for Christmas buying and maybe cant get approved for a card. I don't like Wal-Mart anyway. I'll be glad when they build the Target here in my town and Wally World can kiss my ass.

 

[White2000GT]

I remember when I worked for K Mart. The layaway was used and abused by the customers. Some people would come in and put hundreds of dollars worth of stuff in layaway, make the initial deposit on it, then let it sit until the layaway expired and never pay it off. So all that merchandise could have been out on display that whole time, and probably would have been bought. But instead, it sat in the layaway storage collecting dust. Oh, and guess who had to restock it?
I don't think they should do away with it totally. Maybe they should just update the standards a bit. Have it set to where a certain amount has to be paid each week or two. And if a payment is missed, the stuff gets restocked. No questions asked.

 

[OUZBnd]

I completely understand them getting rid of layoway. It cost the company money, lots of money at that. (Not that i agree with walmarts business pratice, but I am referring to any dept. store) Besides, whats the point of a layoway? Just take your money that you would be paying on the stuff, save it, and purchase the product later.

 

[SilentEyz]

I think it sucks. I don't use it much anyway, but this is their way of trying to push their credit cards on those who were sticking to layaway. Of course, throw it on your credit card, then you can pay more for it. I think this will hurt some low income families that used layaway for Christmas buying and maybe cant get approved for a card. I don't like Wal-Mart anyway. I'll be glad when they build the Target here in my town and Wally World can kiss my ass.

Sadly, I think that is probably the entire point of doing it, Have you looked around Wal-mart Latly, They are trying to rid themselves of their prior image, They are the Dept store for the low to middle income, They are trying to upgrade thier customer base so as to be more competiton with stores Such as Target, They want their customers to be middle to high class.( like that will happen) Hence the reason their clothing line is becoming more business professional as opposed to casual professional as it used to be.

 

[hhayes]

i've never used layaway. i've had friends to use it when they see things they want for their kids for a holiday or something but don't have the money right then. it helped them out alot

 

[Mrs Behavin]

About the only times I have ever used layaway was to put school clothes on layaway before the girls started the next school year.