Layaway is a popular retail payment option where shoppers put down a deposit and the retailer holds an item until all payments are made.
While browsing the millions of products on Amazon, you may wonder does Amazon have layaway? I wanted to know about Amazon layaway too, and here are all the options I discovered!
Key Takeaways
Does Amazon Have Layaway In 2022?
Unfortunately, Amazon does not have a dedicated layaway program during the holiday season or at any time as of 2022. Instead, Amazon offers monthly payment plans on select items like Kindle e-readers, Fire tablets, and Alexa-enabled smart home devices. However, Amazon cardholders may receive special financing or an equal monthly payment offer on certain orders.
If you’re thinking about layaway, keep reading to learn about all the options available on Amazon, and other stores that may help you out!
Why Doesn’t Amazon Have Layaway Like Other Stores?
One of the key reasons why Amazon doesn’t do layaway is because it just simply doesn’t have the capacity in its warehouses.
While Amazon fulfillment centers are massive, they are carefully designed and managed to get the most efficient and effective use of the space. Unlike physical stores where there’s a designated layaway counter, Amazon has fluctuating stock levels that a layaway program would disrupt.
The good news about shopping with the world’s largest online retailer is that stock volume is much higher. While layaway makes sense at your local department store where only a limited number of products are in stock, with Amazon, items are regularly replenished.
For example, if you see something you want on Amazon for the holiday season but you’re not ready to buy it yet, chances are high it will still be available in a few weeks.
Of course, Amazon never guarantees stock availability or pricing, but generally, there’s a lot more to choose from on Amazon than other retailers with a limited in-store selection.
In addition to Amazon, Target, Costco, and Best Buy are a few other major retailers that don’t have exclusive layaway programs.
Does Amazon Have Monthly Payment Plans Instead?
If you want traditional layaway, it’s best to check out other stores that are known for their extensive layaway options, such as T.J. Maxx or Kmart.
However, just remember that although Amazon does not have layaway, it does have thousands of products in every category, so you’re likely to find your desired item or something very similar if you decide to wait.
There are a few popular items you could get a monthly payment plan for on Amazon. This includes Amazon devices such as Fire tablets, Amazon Fire TV, Kindle e-readers, and Alexa-enabled devices like Amazon Tap, Amazon Echo, and Echo Dot.
In most cases, the monthly payments option will be displayed on the product details page as applicable.
How Do Amazon Monthly Payments Work?
If you opt for the monthly payments option on qualifying items, it works similarly to layaway at a brick and mortar store in which you will have five payments. Once a payment plan is selected, the initial payment is due at the shipment date before the smart device is shipped to you.
From there, you have four equal monthly payments spread out at the 30, 60, 90, and 120-day mark from the shipment date. By agreeing to monthly payments, you authorize Amazon to charge your preferred payment method each month.
Additionally, customers can also prepay the next payment or cover the entire remaining balance at any time. Amazon does not issue interest or finance charges with monthly payments on its own devices, such as e-readers or Amazon Echo smart speakers.
How Can You Sign Up For An Amazon Store Card?
Another way to get around the lack of layaway options at Amazon is to apply for a store card. Promotional financing is available on qualifying purchases when you use an Amazon credit card.
You can apply for the Amazon store card online and once approved, link it to your account to see the additional benefits.
If your cart total or item eligibility meets the requirements for special promotional benefits, you will see the payment options and you can select how many monthly payments you would like to make.
Once the order is confirmed, you will see a reminder of the full payment schedule and the amount due each month.
To learn more about Amazon’s payment plans, you can also read our related posts on whether or not Amazon has payment plans, if Walmart has layaway, and if Sam’s Club has layaway.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, Amazon does not have a traditional layaway program like Walmart, Kmart, Sears, or T.J.Maxx. You may be able to get monthly payment plans on certain smart home devices and Kindle e-readers.
Otherwise, signing up for an Amazon.com store card gives you special financing and equal monthly payment options for some orders.