What are your opinions on layaway?

I use layaway because I find it's easier for me. I have bought dolls instantly at full price, which is so nice for instant gratification needs, haha. However, for those times when there is a limited edition doll or event item which won't be around for a while, I think layaway is a great option.

 

I like lay away for the fact I can put a percentage down, and pay it off in a timely manner. I mostly prefer layaway when I have a steady income coming in. I would have already prepped an account or a certain amount of funds for that particular item. It's real easy to work a layaway into your budget. It's usually how I go about getting things in general.

I don't really shine up to layaway when my income is sketchy and I don't know if I can pay my dues by the time I need too. :'(

Like right now, I do not have a steady flow of income, so I am scrimping and saving, and putting a little aside for my next doll. This obviously is much harder and takes much longer, but I prefer having cash in the hand to get my next doll.

Also, should something come up, I won't feel too bad about taking that doll fund to cover an expense, then I would canceling a layaway that I put lots of monies into.

 

I think it is good to have it as an option, so long as you know you can meet your committed payment each month.

 

I'm happy that the layaway option is available because it makes things affordable but at the same time... I'm not.

Because there's always a chance that the next paycheck is not coming and I find that with layaway I rely on a system that may fail me depending on life circumstances. If I truly could not pay the rest because some issues came up, it would be an awkward and frustrating situation for both the seller/ dealer / company and I, and one position I would rather not be stuck in. Most notably, I know that Iplehouse had a problem with this recently and I would like to write it off as the whims of the flakey but I can't help sometimes thinking that maybe they were just people like me who felt safe at the time the promise was made.

But yeah, to sum it up, I like the idea of layaway but am wary of using it in fear of finding myself in debt for items that are not a necessity.

 

I like layaway. I have used it before and honestly it's been a lifesaver. It did make me a little nervous in the beginning, because I had the thought in the back of my mind about what would happen if something came up and I was unable to pay off my layaway and then I lost the doll and my money... but it's never happened to me.
I am always careful to work a little harder and take some overtime when I have a layaway going to get a little bit of extra income. I want to make sure I have enough money to pay it off in a timely fashion, or even early.
Although, I am very careful before deciding to do a layaway, too. If I am not sure I can make it work financially, I'd rather pass on it and save up for a while than try to force it to work and be nervous about it the whole time or even risk forfeiting the layaway.

 

I have done layaways all my life (ok, since I was in HS) so I've lots of experience w/them. I much prefer layaways to credit, as I'm not going to GET the item if I don't finish paying, & I will lose what I've already put on it.
So I've done MoC, Iplehouse, RingDoll, DenverDoll & DoA layaways w/great results! (OK, don't have that Kirin from RingDoll yet, but I've paid it in full!)
That said, I've never done any kind of layaway unless I had a steady paycheck, & I've always checked my budget to determine a reasonable monthly payment. Planning is very important I feel.
If your money comes in spurts, if your budget is so tight you worry about filling the gas tank sometimes, etc - then put the extra in a cookie jar or something & pay in full. Even if it means you might lose out on that limited doll! Chances are good you may miss a payment in those circumstances (I remember one year we had SUCH a tight budget I just handed my mother-in-law all the cash I could spare throughout the year, & she squirreled it away for me - no layaways that year!)

 

I plan on getting about 5/6 of the money I need and doing the longest layaway possible, (since you can pay it off early) but that's just me...

 

As a buyer, I hate using layaway because it leads to extra spending (for me, not people in general). At one time, I had four dolls on layaway at once, and it was very stressful. I'm not sure why I did something that makes no sense like that. I believe that if I'd paid for each doll as soon as I bought him, I wouldn't have bought so many around the same time. For people who don't have problems with impulse buying and know they can make the payments, I think layaway could be a great option (especially for limited or dolls on the MP), but I'll never do it again.

As a seller, I don't mind letting people do short layaways at all. The worst that could happen is that the person doesn't complete the payment. Assuming the deposit is nonrefundable and a second person eventually buys the doll, the seller could end up making even more money off the sale. However, if the layaway is quite long, the doll could drop in value and cause the seller to lose money.

 

Yeah... I couldn't get most of my dolls without layaway. I've got income coming in, but paying for a doll in one big chunk is just painful. It's much more comfortable to pay for it over a few month. I know doll companies are getting a lot more of my money due to layaways. Without them, I'd miss getting dolls and I'd have to think a lot harder about getting the dolls in the first place.

If you think for any reason that you might not be able to complete the payments-- definitely DON'T do it! Why lose the money? Just save up and try to find the doll later. I go into layaways knowing that I can pay them off... just not all at once!

But I think doll companies are crazy if they don't offer layaways. There are many fewer people who can come up with that much money all at once than people who can afford to do it over time.

 

I don't mind using layaway but I avoid it as much as I can because I'm not a very patient person, mostly when the company has communication issues.

I'd rather save the whole amount, even if it takes as long as the layaway per se, and buy the doll at once. I'd like the time from "check out" until the order comes to my place to be the shortest possible.

Now if it's a limited item and I can't afford it, I'll resort to layaway.

 

I never intended to use layaway for any of my dolls. I think it is wonderful for people who can't just pay in a single lump sum, but I tend to be paranoid. I would worry that something would go wrong the day I was to may my payment, and then I can't make the payment...

But with Dollshe discontinuing their sculpts, I decided to just jump in with the layaway. But I have been watching my funds and spending like a crazy hawk to ensure that I will have the money to make the payments and hope nothing comes up. Only got one more payment to make in a couple days, but after that, I don't plan to do layaway again.

 

I have only used layaway with Soom and had a wonderful experience. I would not have been able to afford those dolls without it so I really like the fact that the option exists. I am grateful that I was able to bring those dolls home.
It would be wonderful if all companies, especially those who sell limited dolls, had that option.

 

I LOVE layaway! No rush to gather up funds, no paying a huge chunk of money then waiting for months, getting the doll I want and still having money free to buy other things. It's great!

HOWEVER, that being said, if you don't have a secure job or steady source of income or if you have a hard time remembering to pay bills or other things on time, layaway could be a huge mess and really bad idea. Most companies, dealers and sellers consider deposits and some payments non-refundable. It would be pretty horrible to be near paying off a doll and not have the money for the last payment and lose your money and your doll.

 

I personally love layaway for my dolls. I have a steady, but small income. For me, if I know I need to buy something it's very easy to put the money aside and not touch it. However when I'm saving it's hard to resist when my siblings want some ice cream or what to rent a movie... Or see one, or we go shopping. And five and ten here and there really adds up. I don't mind treating my family-- but if a bill isn't an obligation it's very difficult for me to save up.

 

I'm one of those people who prefer saving up the total amount.

Don't get me wrong, layaway is great, but like the OP I'd bee too worried I wouldn't make the payments in time. Even if it takes me a solid year, I don't owe anything to anyone until I'm good and ready. I don't have to worry about taking a long time and falling out-of-love with it, either.

 

I am very gratefull to the companies that offer layway. without them I would not have my beloved collection of dolls. especially on my limited dolls like my Soom Amber which cost close to $1100 without layway I would not have had that amount laying around to pay in one go.

On my none limited dolls I do try not to use layway all the time, mostly i just try to safe up and then buy the doll.

 

lay away is the best thing ever for those who like me can't come up with gathering the whole amount without spending it on something else lol! iam bad on that part, i can't have a single dollar set aside like that or i will spend it XD. money has to be in the bank for me not to touch it. my savings account is sacred to me and my checking i abuse it after i've taken care of all my responsibilities. lay away works wonderful for me i write myself a payment schedule for the whole period, post it next to the computer screen and all that's left is to get online and send my electronic payments on time i always send my bills on time. however i do agree with the aforesaid that if u don't have a steady job lay away option might just turn into a nightmare instead than benefit u. but iam very grateful for the companies that offer it, because as long as i can i will use it, iam a very patient being, i can afford waiting a little longer for those dolls

 

I think layaway is an excellent alternative. I have used it in the past and may use it again in the future.

 

I am a big fan of layaway. I've purchased dolls with and without it, and I think each method has their advantages. I do agree with a lot of the posters that it's nice to pay a large purchase off all with one lump sum and not have to worry about any further payments.

On the other hand, there is no way I'd have been able to purchase some limited dolls without layaway, as ordering periods can be quite short and I'm not one to rush into selling off older possessions in order to fund new ones - I know I'll have the money coming in, so I'd rather have all my stuff, not make a choice. XD On other occasions, I could have paid a doll off all at once, but it was definitely more comfortable for me to pay over the course of a few months.

I also like that when I have a layaway, that money is earmarked for that purchase and is figured into my budget along with all my non-discretionary spending. I can be a bit (understatement) of an impulse shopper, and with layaway, I remove from myself that temptation to splurge and spend the money on something entirely different.