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Post by bigblow69 on Oct 28, 2014 15:23:11 GMT -8
How many of you use layaways at your hobby stores when buying model railroad products? I find it difficult to purchase more than a little at a time now. I'd say I try not to have more than $500 at any given time between my local shops.
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Post by valenciajim on Oct 28, 2014 15:49:04 GMT -8
I never use layaways.
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Post by ambluco on Oct 28, 2014 16:06:55 GMT -8
Never. I buy whatever I need, whenever.
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Post by riogrande on Oct 28, 2014 16:33:17 GMT -8
If layaway means you got to give them money ahead of deliver, no.
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Post by atsfan on Oct 28, 2014 16:59:58 GMT -8
What store even does that nowadays?
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Post by eh49 on Oct 28, 2014 17:03:37 GMT -8
Never. I get what I want when it comes in.
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Post by ambluco on Oct 28, 2014 17:18:41 GMT -8
If layaway means you got to give them money ahead of deliver, no. It means you see something in a store you want and have them set it aside and you pay a portion, usually on a schedule. When you have paid it off, they give it to you. it's a very old system but places still do it. Wal-Mart and K-Mart are mentioned every Christmas.
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Post by chessie77 on Oct 28, 2014 17:26:28 GMT -8
I use layaway at my local store. I don't have to put anything down until the item comes in, then it's 10% down to put it in layaway. Then you have 90 days to pay it off. This helps me because I can't afford to buy anything like a locomotive in one shot anymore. I currently have 2 Bowser C430s with DCC and sound on layaway. I should have them in December. I used to run a hobby shop and I had to go to asking for deposits on preorders because of the long lead times and availability of some models. I had too many customers order and item, then have to wait for months for it to show up and then they would cancel the order with me saying that they found another shop who guaranteed it would be in in a day or two. Then I would get a shipment that day or the next with their item on it. What I assumed happened was they got tired of waiting and went to another store, they checked with their distributor and it had just came in stock so it was available and they thought that I couldn't get it. But it had already came in at my distributor and had been shipped.
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Post by riogrande on Oct 28, 2014 17:59:58 GMT -8
It means you see something in a store you want and have them set it aside and you pay a portion, usually on a schedule. When you have paid it off, they give it to you. it's a very old system but places still do it. Wal-Mart and K-Mart are mentioned every Christmas. As I said, for trains I don't think I ever did it. I used it at Kmart about 12 or so years ago so I could reserve a bicycle for my daughters birthday because it was too big to hide from her. It was layaway for sure but I didn't work it like you described - i.e. pay it off on a schedule - just put money down to hold it until the birthday and then paid the balance. It was so popular for Christmas is because kids who were persistent would find out what Santa was bringing them well before the big day. I recall finding out in the 70's that my parents stored stuff at neighbors houses when we lived on Air Force bases back in the 60's and early 70's.
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Post by atsfan on Oct 28, 2014 18:01:40 GMT -8
It means you see something in a store you want and have them set it aside and you pay a portion, usually on a schedule. When you have paid it off, they give it to you. it's a very old system but places still do it. Wal-Mart and K-Mart are mentioned every Christmas. As I said, for trains I don't think I ever did it. I used it at Kmart about 12 or so years ago so I could reserve a bicycle for my daughters birthday because it was too big to hide from her. It was layaway for sure but I didn't work it like you described - i.e. pay it off on a schedule - just put money down to hold it until the birthday and then paid the balance. It was so popular for Christmas is because kids who were persistent would find out what Santa was bringing them well before the big day. I recall finding out in the 70's that my parents stored stuff at neighbors houses when we lived on Air Force bases back in the 60's and early 70's. Remember Christmas Club savings plans? Edit by Rio Grande: fixed my quote.
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Post by riogrande on Oct 28, 2014 18:06:43 GMT -8
A bank I worked at had one of those Christmas savings plans.
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Post by drolsen on Oct 28, 2014 18:09:58 GMT -8
What store even does that nowadays? M.B. Klein always offered it in the past (primarily to in store customers, of course). Not sure if they still do or not. Dave
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Post by MONSTERRAILROAD on Oct 28, 2014 18:45:21 GMT -8
I use Lawaway on most of my brass engine purchases from various sellers online and EVEN on Ebay. I just ask them if they will accept 3 equal payments 2 weeks apart and most sellers agree to it. The online dealers are cool with it and I have bought about 7 of my 11 OMI SD70ACe engines that way. Layaway is OFF THE HOOK! I HATE shelling out $750-850 in one pop for anything, especially an engine that is not really needed. I just WANT it and wants are far from needs. I do not own any credit cards at all and those are worse because you can buy a $750+ engine and end up paying on it forever because you are not forced to make just three payments without MUCH discipline in paying that amount monthly. I am NOT. so Layaway is the best for me. When I am done paying, I get the model. Simple.
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Post by WP 257 on Oct 28, 2014 19:16:09 GMT -8
Yes, I often have to do layaways.
One very good train store that I deal with still has a pretty lenient layaway policy. As long as I pay regularly, I could even go longer than 90 days, but I never have done that yet...always pay off within the 90 days. I had to do a layaway on 4 Rapido ACL coaches for my son that were pre-ordered...
I don't ever have more than about $160 cash for trains at any given time, so layaway is a fact of life for me.
I would not even be able to buy a brass model on layaway...would not be able to pay in 3 or 4 payments so large.
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Post by catt on Oct 29, 2014 3:12:20 GMT -8
I have used layaway but not for quite awhile.I don't really need or want anymore locos or rolling stock bad enough to pay the prices so any layaways that I would do now are buildings.My main store - Rider's in Grand Rapids has a 30 day policy on layaways unless it is a large purchase then it's a matter of regular payments till you get it paid for.They don't surcharge layaways either like some places.
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Post by iccn1000 on Oct 29, 2014 7:25:27 GMT -8
We have a 2 week grace period. Just get it out before we pay with bill... Rob Gruber www.dcctrain.com
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Post by upcsx on Oct 29, 2014 12:19:30 GMT -8
What store even does that nowadays? The Little Choo Choo shop in Spencer NC.
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Post by theengineshed on Oct 29, 2014 14:08:52 GMT -8
My folks did that too. I remember getting excited because I found a stash of toys, boy was I surprised when the kid down the street received them on Christmas Day.
There's really not a local hobby shop, so lay aways wouldn't be an option, mail order is the rule...
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2014 15:29:12 GMT -8
My LHS will hold the item for you for a reasonable amount of time, as long as you are a known customer. I've seen them do a few layaway items for a customer, but the store doesn't openly advertise the service. Again, only if you are a good, long time customer will they possibly entertain the idea.
You can't blame stores for not doing a layaway program. Things are just too expensive to be playing credit card company to your customers no matter how good. A few sound locomotives even at dealer cost can add up in a hurry. Plus, Horizon, Walthers, etc. don't care that a dealer is being a nice guy when the invoice for thousands of dollars is due.
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Post by bigb6flyer on Oct 30, 2014 3:42:00 GMT -8
What store even does that nowadays? The Little Choo Choo shop in Spencer NC. Wow, my lhs; didn't know that... brad
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Post by bnsf971 on Oct 30, 2014 4:54:10 GMT -8
The Little Choo Choo shop in Spencer NC. Wow, my lhs; didn't know that... brad Brad, just select the items you want, carry them to the counter, and ask them to put them on layaway. They like for you to "bail them out" within 90 days, but on bigger ticket items they will hold them longer.
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Post by bigb6flyer on Oct 30, 2014 9:44:11 GMT -8
Good/interesting to know. I too am the type, however, that will save up/pay for it now. Good option for some folks I'm sure though...
Thanks, Brad
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Post by Gary P on Oct 30, 2014 10:17:09 GMT -8
I can see this helping out both the buyer and seller, especially on a larger purchase, BUT, it needs to be kept to a reasonable amount of time. In my opinion, you can't really expect the seller to front it for more than a month or so....
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Post by grahamline on Oct 30, 2014 11:57:08 GMT -8
Ha. It takes so long to get a model some times that the money is lined up well before the item arrives. I'm 2/3 of the way to socking away enough cash for a pair of engines due in April 2015.
OTOH, one hobby dealer in town has a shelf full of layaway items that "buyers" haven't picked up. If they are there too long, and the buyers don't respond, they go out on the display shelves.
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Post by bigblow69 on Oct 30, 2014 14:48:03 GMT -8
Ha. It takes so long to get a model some times that the money is lined up well before the item arrives. I'm 2/3 of the way to socking away enough cash for a pair of engines due in April 2015. OTOH, one hobby dealer in town has a shelf full of layaway items that "buyers" haven't picked up. If they are there too long, and the buyers don't respond, they go out on the display shelves. Working in hobby shop I can attest to this firsthand. People appetites sometimes outweigh their pocketbooks.
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Post by jbilbrey on Oct 30, 2014 16:45:17 GMT -8
None of my LHS offer layaways. But, I would not take advantage of the program if they did. I'm not condemning those who have the ability to take advantage of the program. However, I like living my life owing as few people as possible. Hobbies are just that to me. My family's needs come first. If I don't have money for hobbies, then I am not going buy the item. After a rough 2013, I've probably sold more model railroad equipment than I bought. Even with the new Intermountain CSX ES44AC, I'm planning on selling a few locomotives this Saturday to pay for the purchase.
James Bilbrey LaVergne, TN
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Post by Spikre on Oct 30, 2014 18:17:10 GMT -8
have used Layaway on many items in the past. and am open to using it on todays loco prices. all that's need is a handy local shop now. Spikre
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