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Does Walmart still have layaway for 2024? Here's the scoop on what to expect for this holiday season!
Walmart Layaway 2024 – Does Walmart Still Have Layaway?
Many of us are starting to think about our plans for Christmas and Christmas gifts this year. Back before 2019, you could use a standard layaway program at Walmart, but in 2020, they moved to a buy now, pay later program with Affirm.
With Walmart having some fantastic deals, it's always a place to grab gifts on HUGE discounts, but is there still anyway to use Walmart layaway?
Unfortunately, the standard Walmart layaway of the past is gone.
In 2024, Walmart is again partnering with Affirm – making the typical days of laying away your items in store then picking up later a thing of the past.
But is it a good idea to use a buy now, pay later service like Affirm for your layaway? And how does that actually work?
What replaced Walmart layaway?
In the past few years, Walmart has made a BIG change to their layaway services. Before 2019, you could take your items to customer service, pay a portion of your cart total, and then make payments at the store.
For 2024, we are again seeing Walmart no longer offering this in store service and you will need to use the buy now, pay later service called Affirm to pay for your items if you wish to use any form of Walmart's layaway program.
How to use Affirm at Walmart:
1 – If you're wanting to buy your items in store, you need to first go to Affirm.com/walmart and see if you will qualify for the amount you're expecting to spend. It doesn't hurt your credit score to have this checked, but it may affect your credit if you sign up and complete a loan through Affirm.
2 – If you are approved, you will pick your payment plan. This may vary from 3 – 24 months and you will likely be charged interest. We definitely don't advocate going into debt for Christmas, so if you can save for Christmas other ways, definitely use those!
3 – Next, you'll need to pick out your items in store, take them to the checkout, and then scan the barcode that Affirm provided you. You will need to make all of your payments online or through the Affirm app on your phone.
Looking for a more typical layaway service for your items? We were tickled to see that Burlington still offers traditional layaway!
Affirm Buy Now Pay Later are available for the following categories at Walmart:
- Media
- Gaming
- Cameras & Supplies
- Toys (check out the top 36 Walmart holiday toys from 2023!)
- Sporting Goods
- Automotive
- Cooking & Dining
- Home Decor
- Fabrics & Crafts
- Bedding
- Wireless (excludes wireless phones that require contracts)
- Jewelry
Now – the big question – Is Walmart Layaway with Affirm WORTH it?
We never advocate going into debt, especially for gifting. Occasionally with Affirm you may be offered a 0% interest rate, but even then, it is typically a limited time offer.
Walmart doesn't offer direct payments through other buy now, pay later services like Klarna or Zip Pay, but you can use a “ghost card” through those services if you'd prefer to use them. Remember that they're still likely going to charge interest and will not have as long as a pay back period as Affirm offers.
More deals today:
- Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens 14-Pack from $12.15 (These are the BEST Pens!)
- 10 FUN Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Men (No BORING Socks Here – The Multitool was a BEST SELLER Last Year!)
- Sour Patch Kids Theater Boxes $.81 Each (& More Candy Deals!)
- USPS Mail Truck Ride-On JUST $114.99! (Reg $200)
- Xbox Gaming Systems on SALE – Will Arrive by Christmas!
- Rechargeable Electric Lighters UNDER $4.50 Shipped! (FUN Stocking Stuffer)
- Plush Wearable Blanket Hoodie ONLY $15! (Reg $30)
We always waited to play Secret Santa on the last day to pay for your Layaway. We would talk to the department head and ask who has children’s gifts that would not be paying for their Layaways. Never knew their name but it would be a surprise for Christmas. Now we can’t do that! We’ll try at Target to keep the tradition going. What Walmart is doing is just shameful and profit motivated and hurts those in need!!!
That is such an amazing thing to do. Thank you for blessing so many families throughout the years! 🙂
Bill & Jill
From the bottom of my heart and my three wonderful children I want to thank you!!! As one of your recipients in the past I want to say how much of a blessing yall have been. It’s hard as a single parent and that year is a year I’ve always been grateful for and will never forget! Thank you again from the bottom of our ! Spread the love
This is horrible, what happened to the WalMart that helped the families in need, it is not there anymore. Very sad. The layaway program was a good thing for those families that needed the extra help to pay for the items for there loved ones. Very disappointed in the Walmart now.
This post is incorrect in calling Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) layway. BNPL is not layaway, and Walmart doesn’t call it layway. Lots of companies are moving toward BNPL, which is something folks need to be more informed about. It is credit, whereas layawawy was not credit. BNPL can impact your credit score, because it is effectively amounts to multiple mini loans, whereas layaway had zero impact on credit score. Those who are saying they’ll buy from someone like Amazon instead, because Amazon offers layway are incorrect. Amazon has Amazon monthly payments, which looks like traditional layaway, but instead of using a third part like Affirm, Amazon just charges your credit card. So, you are relying on your credit card rather than a BNPL provider like Affirm. Amazon does provide BNPL through Affirm, too.
Thank you for giving out this education to those who may not know. The thing about this new program is that you do need to have good credit to qualify and as some of my fellow low incomers out there can attest – we don’t make enough money to qualify for a Buy Now Pay Later plan – if we did we could probably just get a credit card or something similar which leads me to my next quarrel with this program – we don’t exactly have the best credit in the world. This new affirm thing has pretty much guaranteed that I can’t buy any of the ‘WOW! Thanks Mom and Dad’ gifts anymore for my little ones. I think the higher ups that decided on making this change forgot to take into consideration a portions of the layawayers did so because we simply don’t make enough money to qualify for these types of programs. It has really put a dampner on my holiday spirit having my angels ask for something with that glimmer in their eye and me having to gather all my courage to say “You should write Santa a letter sweetheart and ask if his elves can make you one.” all the while knowing that ‘Santa’ won’t be able to bring it, breaking my heart that their little wishes wont come true during the most magical time of the year when we try to convince them of the magic of Christmas! I hope WalMart may bring it back in the future but until then I will continue to fill their little cups full of Christmas magic the best we can! Happy Holidays everyone!
HORRIBLE!!!!!!!! If you were able to have credit you would not need Layaway. You are cutting out those that truly need it. How horrible to cut out the needy, those who are trying to have things for Christmas! A real all time low….SHAME!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree!!!!
I Agree. But not just for the needy. It’s helpfull cause if my child don’t want,need or misbehaved it can more easily be taken off instead of getting it and searching for a receipt to return it.
#BRINGBACKLAYAWAY
Agree
True
Agree. This is a valid point and some people just do not want to deal with economic trap of ‘credit’.
agree
.
Ditto!!!
I completely agree!
I agree
Layway wasn’t credit and it wasn’t/isn’t horrible. It was basically an envelop savings plan that allowed you to put money over time to make a purchase, without taking on debt or using credit. Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) is not layaway.
Exactly. Period. End of story.
You’re right, This is horrible.I have 2 children I’m considered middle class but I’m a single parent. I’ve used layaways services for years through, Ross, Kmart and Walmart. The fact I can literally buy whatever I needed and work my butt off from Sept-Dec 22 was such a blessing. Taking away this option is just not for low income families, this option for anyone who doesn’t have 6 grand to spend in one weekend. That’s literally my total paycheck in one month. Whoever said it doesn’t not affect your credit are idiots. I stress the urgency of anyone looking at this option to stay away. No one wants to
Do Buy Now, Pay Later. That’s “BUY NOW, BE AN IDIOTIC LATER OPTION” sorry ♀️
I AGREE
I agree!
The website says layaway will be available August 28 through December 14
yes it says that but if you keep reading below that it says something about the affirm credit have anyone call Walmart to see if they are doing the regular Christmas layaway this year for 2022.
I was just at Horseheads Walmart and they don’t have it and no one there has any idea when or if they would get it , it’s October 19th you would think they would have it by now if they were going to have it
Elisa, I saw the same thing, but if you read to the end it says 8/28/20 – 12/14/20…. 🙁 This makes it really hard for people who have less than perfect credit to finance Christmas for their family. Walmart, please bring back the traditional layaway plan!
Yes I agree will u…This really helped mr out shopping for my family..Cause everything else is so high just to go shopping and spend 400 to 500 at a times isn’t possible for me now…So tye kids gets less and family pls.bring back thr regular layaway 4 all of us….
I guess I will be shopping elsewhere again this year. Amazon is great, since Walmart has managed to put most places out of business, they have gotten out of control and not a good place to shop anymore. Customer satisfaction has gone down hill. I can’t wait for the next big store to come and put them out of business. A lot of low income families who can’t get credit for any reason rely on layaways at Christmas time for their children and family.
I totally agree with you! They have really gotten beyond them little selves and forgotten who pays their salaries (us consumers that’s who).
Right, I thought Walmart was a family store. So, help your family Walmart. Bring it back. What’s the Big Deal Walmart. We need Layaway Back!
Knowing we had it available; it was one less stress thing I had to worry about. So, my kids and family will be happy and that is a Merry Christmas to me. Right!
Me to
this is utter nonsense. Your argument is to buy from Amazon over Walmart, because you think Walmart put more places out of business? You do realize Amazon has a market capitalization 3 times more than Walmart, don’t you? How do you think that happened?
Changing the layaway is awful!!! I don’t understand why Walmart would do something so horrible.
Christmas is for kids. The big smile on their face Christmas morning. The excitement! Where did the Christmas spirit go ?
It doesn’t hurt Walmart by having Christmas layaway. Yes, you may need to hire more employees or do a little change, but isn’t kids worth it!
By this awful change. It’s gonna be harder for parents and grandparents to get presents for our precious family. I hope whoever decided this in the corporate world is happy. I hope they think of all the kids that he or she/ they have hurt.
Let’s think of the kids. They don’t understand.
What they will think is that they wasn’t good enough for Santa to give them a gift. So, thank you Walmart!!!! Thank you for letting our kids down !
The one time that means the world to them !
Thank you !!
Hopefully they will change it back to the old layaway next year!
Ever since old man Walmart died it’s going down hill fast it’s not a family store no more it’s all about the mighty dollar they can make they care less and less about their customers specially the kids and around Christmas time they should have layaway so everybody can afford it not only they wealthy
I think that is probably the problem. No one wants to work anymore. So they can’t get the help,
This new way to do layaway just sucks! Layaway was they way to buy things affordable and without fuss. Now we have to get financing?! I don’t think so!
It isn’t, ” layaway” anymore…
It’s all based on your credit score. I tried to get approved for $328.00,. I was denied, because of my credit score!
Seriously!!!
That is not the way “Layaway” works.
I’m nearly 60 years old layaway was and was a way of life for me and my family I had six children. Credit what’s that? Layaway saved our Christmases for years.
But corporate America could give a s***.
This sucks for so many people! Y’all try Paypal Pay In 4 @ checkout online. No credit checks!
Can’t Walmart Corporate office provide on web-site specific stores by state that are participating in Christmas 2021 layaway this year – I do not mind driving 50 miles to find a store; however, also do not have weeks to call every store; have the the phone ring at every store every time I call 20 times or more before someone finally answers and/or call gets disconnected so having a link to states participating would be helpful & convenient to customers especially since this is the only way many families can provide Christimas for their families – if many stores are not participating, knowing exactly who is, would be most helpful – can’t this amount of minimum customer service be provided?????
Well this really stinks because with layaway was how I could afford my kids presents. And with my low credit score I couldn’t get the loan. Thank you for this Christmas it will be the best.
Same. As a single mom broke mom
With bad credit. This was my only Christmas option for my son. Now he’s gonna have nothing.
Tractor supply doesn’t have the wide variety of toys, but they offer layaway year round.
Good to know Jennifer! 🙂
This is so true. It’s sad because not everyone qualifies for Affirm. It’s a very strict app/company. Smh
Hopefully they will go back to the traditional lay-a-way they used to have! 🙂
IF they were to go back to traditional lay-a-way, it wouldn’t be this year (2022) So what are the less fortunate parents & grandparents suppose to do dor this year. Wal-Mart & it’s families have the money to offer this service. They’re just being greedy.
SHAME ON THEM!!!
So true… I know I don’t..why mess with something that has worked great for yrs…everyone gets so less and it hurts my feelings to see the kids not have much just because I don’t approve for a credit card…Layaway easy the only way I can shop…Idk what to do now…♀️
The same for my house..
No layaway, absolutely no Christmas,!!!! Nobody else offers layaway in my small town so another year with no Christmas at all in my home….
So people on limited incone like me who look foward to lay-a-ways to be able to purchase items are now made to feel lower than we already feel about ouselfs. Gee Thank you sooo very much! So i applied and got some weird reply and was reading about this program and realized by it not creating an account for me it did me a favor. 10-30% intrest ? That is absolutely ridiculous! Someone needs to start a different retail store , one that helps even the poor and is what they portray. Thank you Wal-Mart for reminding me I’m poor and for helping to keep me there !
I agree
Yes this is utterly ridiculous no layaway so my granddaughter won’t have much for Christmas this year as well Icalways used the Walmart layaway now it really sucks for someone like me who lives off of a fixed income because I’m disabled! I had a return at Walmart the other day there I paid 20.00 for it the girl only wanted to give me 2.00 for my item and I told her no way give it back in which the first item she gave me the full amount I told her she wasn’t going to get that off no way just absurd for real. Walmart is going to the dogs for real. People that are poor doesn’t have a chance anymore. Prayers for each of you and God Bless
Try a toys for tots are your local church do gifts for kids thought the local schools.
Thanks so much for the suggestions Tina! 🙂
Toys for tots are for kids who dont have anyone or very little money and it is only 1 per kid. And these low income (not no income) family’s use the layaway for all of their Christmas gifts to the young and old…
Right they trying to Separate the poor people so we will know which category and I try to apply and it’s about my credit score was too low for a program try some other way or another payment made to target and Amazon will have my business if I’m gonna pay a higher interest I will pay the price of the day ask least you have three months to return it back
Walmart could have kept there layaway. Amazon been trying to get changes to Walmart for the longest. Changes coming from upper management
Does Affrim frankly just go by the phone number? That’s the only information I was asked. This is ridiculous. So many kids won’t get anything now thanks alot Walmart!
I think that affirm is for people with good credit are no credit . They tripping with this one.
Affirm is a great way for people to build credit, with easy teams and a simple payment process. Also, people looking forward to Lay away canalso just save their money and pay cash.
This is totally crazy, bad move Walmart. Going elsewhere for my lay-away.
I agree good for u. Christmas should be important to all department stores. But they don’t care
I’m not sure what’s the difference between layaway and saving the money.. Just make a list of the items you wish to purchase, and then instead of paying walmart, save it in your savings account and name the folder “Christmas funds” and pay into it like you would do if you was paying into your layaway account. Just save the money you would usually put towards the layaway and buy whatever you need all at once.
It may be a better option anyway, cause you may realize after you save up, it may be other options cheaper.
The things you want aren’t always there at the time you are all saved up
People use it so they can pick up a few weeks before Christmas so their kids don’t see their presents.
I don’t like Walmart and don’t shop there. Quit griping and save for a Xmas fund all year starting the very week after Xmas. If you can’t pay cash then don’t buy it. You don’t have to get your kids 20 presents! If u can’t afford it, don’t get it. The kids will live!
That’s all well and good but that way you are not guaranteed to get the items you want compared to laying them away you know you getting what they want.
The difference is you have the item on hold who no one else can buy it. If you save the money it will be gone.
Christmas will be bad this year with NO layaway at Walmart there are struggling single parents that depends on the layaways WHATS the problem POOR KIDS
Well it’s sucks the new plan. Interest is never good. This year was the first year to layaway for me but I guess that goes out the window. Happy holidays to you.
Wr have 4 kids and my husband is the only one working.. Layaway was the only way we could get our kids a good Christmas… I guess its gona be by a toy at a time and nothing big… They will be alot of kids not getting a Christmas this year…
So i guess the people NOT approved are not allowed layaway
I wasnt approved for 500$ as my credit score was WAY to low at 530 soooo i guess it back to buy a few at time for 3 kids and 5 nieces and nephews
I reached out to corporate and, irritatingly so, they responded with this bs about using affirm. NO THANK YOU! People use layaway because they don’t to end up paying more for their purchase than the for sale price, which is what interest is. If I’m going to pay interest on my purchase, I’ll get it off of Amazon. VERY DUMB MOVE WALMART. You lost a customer on this deal. Since I have to buy it outright now, Target gets my business.
I COMPLETELY AGREE!!!!
This not having no layaway in eastern Kentucky is really go to make it bad on people we need the Christmas layaway.So we can afford to buy things for Christmas. Some people just can’t go out and buy things. As Walmart don’t care because your rich . This layaway would have helped but no you had to take that away,
The Walmart’s in Chandler Arizona won’t be doing the layaway either. I think Covid has become a way to benefit financially and do less to help the community!!! It is a sad installment to a new world filled with depressing changes. It’s another way to force credit use.
This doesn’t have to do with Covid. It’s more about cutting the program to put the workers in other areas
Figures! Unfortunately, this will affect everyone & anyone who truly needs it! Back in the day layaway was the go to when families were having hard times, people losing their jobs, to get a head start on holidays as well as the satisfying peace of mind. Obviously it is much easier to shop all at once and have almost everything you need. Even though you owe money for the products or merchandise it is 1 huge burden and accomplishment off your shoulders at once! Nice to cross off the list getting closer to Christmas! Unfortunately, many stores stopped using the layaway plan due to many issues and then some people and customers ruining it for everyone. Bottom line Walmart turned out to be 1 of the good guys or stores, as you would! So the people rely or relied on their local Walmart. When the holidays start to get closer and closer you already have your plan and Christmas list set! In your mind you are going to go Christmas shopping conveniently at walmart!!!! However Walmart changed their policy. Figures they are so quick to jump the gun the minute they get the bright idea to make a fee more pennies doing it this way! It’s humorous & sad at the same time. Think about all the people that lost their careers & jobs due to the covid pandemic! Think about all of the babies, children, parents, family & friends that have suffered ,died & pushed through the covid situation! It is sickening & saddens me that out of all the times Walmart can change their policy they pick the absolute worst time in history! They are all about that money so don’t for 1 second think they actually care like their commercials & advertisements say! They are proving their worth and ours right now with their actions! People they don’t care! Walmarts gotta be worse then the grinch! So if this is the decision Walmart chose at least get on the television commercials and no need to sugar coat with that “afirm”. Just tell us all how it really is. Better yet try to “explain” to the kids why Santa couldn’t bring gifts or that many this year!!! Don’t forget how you want more money and less hassle!!!!!! You should be ashamed of yourselves!
So what if you don’t get approved by affirm? Then you’re screwed? Seems wrong for the people who use this all the time…
I agree Melissa,
I tried to get approved and it says my information don’t match what they have. If someone is using my information then they are screwed.
This is ridiculous!!!! Walmart just keeps getting worse and worse! I’m going to have to take my business elsewhere! There are so many out there that use the layaway every year because it is almost the only way they can afford Christmas for their children. I’m one of those people. I’m a single mom and Christmas is the only time of year my kids really get anything other than basic needs. I know the multi billionaires who run it could never understand how hard this is! Must be nice!
No layaway in Illinois either. Called all the way to Wisconsin.
I live in Atlanta, GA and I can not find any Walmart doing layaway so I called corporate and they said it’s not being offered this year.
Read the article again.
I live in Atlanta as well. So even with using Affirm, you still cannot get your items on layaway, per se? I think they may be saying no layaway because you must use the Affirm payment plan this year. At least you get your items the day you go to get them, then all you have to do is pay off over time. I would say do what the article mentions and see what happens.
The original idea of layaway was for those of us that have messed up in the past and don’t have the credit to do something like Affirm. I would be able to put money down on it and pay it off in 3 months. So if I was going to apply for credit with Affirm I would just go ahead and use a regular Visa or Mastercard that has a good percentage rate on it. Oh well! No layaway is no layaway!
Well I live in Indianapolis Indiana and they are not doing layaway here either why show it online and nobody has it
I live in PA and I was in my local Walmart today and was informed that no Walmart is doing layaway this year. I even called a few other Walmarts that weren’t that far from me and none of them are doing layaway. So I guess it is safe to say that Walmart Layaway 2021 will be a no go, which sucks cause that is a hell of a lot easier for me with 3 kids. If any one hears any different please let me know.
They didn’t have layaway in Oregon last year(that I could find) and it seems like they won’t this year either? This sucks. Where else can you do layaway? For a mother of 3, this was all I could do for my Christmas shopping.
They have the buy now pay later though i use it faithfully
Thanks for letting us know Kammy ~ good to know! 🙂
im sure that requires credit though, right?
Yes i just followed instructions and was denied so yeah christmas is going to suck for my family unless i find another option here in GA
With affirm or how?
I live in Fulton, NY and our Walmart isn’t doing it either. I called corporate and told them that if there will not be holiday layaway, their shouldn’t be jewelry layaway either. It’s not fair that they are doing that and not holiday layaway. I sure do hope they change their minds and open the holiday layaway.
Maybe everyone should boycott them just for a couple of days. Go to a different store for that 1 or 2 items you might need.
I was really looking forward to doing a layaway this year since I now have a third grandchild to buy for.
I live in Kentucky and was at walmart today 8/28/2021 and when i asked about lay-a-way was told that Walmart will NOT be offering this service this year due to covid.
Hi Shanda! Sadly, not all stores will be participating in the Layaway program this year ~ thanks for letting us know about your location!
I live in Colorado Springs CO on a military base and our local Walmarts aren’t doing layaway due to Covid this year either.
I live in Chandler, AZ and my location is sadly not doing it. I wish it did!
I live in Tyler Tx and only 1 has layaway in what seems to be all of East TX. And that Walmart is on the other side of and they do not have a good variety of items it is a smaller store.
Whomever came up with this idea has lost their minds, it makes no sense. Tyler is one of the larger towns in east TX and we have only one Walmart within what seems to be 50 to 100 miles that has a Walmart with layaway. Sounds crazy when you see it in print. I’m left with limited options so my Christmas list was just trimmed and I will be forced to take Walmart off of my list of places to shop for Christmas.
My store in Sparta, TN is NOT doing the layaway service, but Crossville, TN is. That’s about a 20 mile trip…not too far for me take advantage of this service! Thanks for posting this information!!
Unfortunately they aren’t doing it in my area either. The nearest store offering layaways is about 47 miles away. I was told it was due to “The Virus”. But I know for sure the Orlando area had and has a whole lot more cases than we do in Brevard.
You would think, they would have layaways BECAUSE of the virus. Even could’ve started them earlier. But it’s 2020 nothing is surprising anymore.
I live in Washington and our Arlington Walmart said they wouldn’t be doing layaway due to convid! People depend on layaway every year so they can have time to get their kids the gifts they want or to pay as they go! 2020 has been a crummy year because of this whole convid and now no layaway might as well announce to all the kids santa isn’t real either!
Hello PPP! I’m from the Florence Ky. area and just wanted to give the update that all of our walmart stores will be doing the walmart layaway until December 14th. Happy shopping!!