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The Amazon layaway payment option provides more flexibility for shoppers to lock in savings and deals, then pay over time, rather than ALL upfront. This can be a game-changer for some shoppers and worth investigating. Not all of Amazon’s products are eligible for layaway; however, for the eligible products, this can provide customers even more versatility in how they pay. Read on to learn exactly how Amazon layaway works and see if it’s right for you.
1. How Does Amazon Layaway Work?
Amazon layaway offers customers the opportunity to pay for qualifying orders over time without paying interest or fees.
Select products are on Amazon layaway where you can pay 20% of the total product price upfront to reserve the item.
Then, you pay 4 additional payments over 8 weeks. Every 2 weeks you’ll be automatically charged equal payments leading up to the 8-week mark.
You can cancel your Amazon layaway purchase at any time to receive a full refund.
2. Is Layaway Available in Every State?
No.
Unfortunately, Amazon Layaway is NOT available in these states: CT, DC, IL, MD, OH, PA, and ANYWHERE outside of the US.
3. How Do I Make a Purchase with Layaway?
To make an Amazon Layaway purchase, head to the Amazon Layaway Homepage for access to countless different layaway items.
Or, look to see if there is the “Reserve with Layaway” feature when trying to purchase on Amazon (not all Amazon items are eligible for layaway).
The option for layaway will be on the product page under Enhance Your Purchase.
Once you’ve selected your items on Amazon Layaway, you’ll have to pay 20% of the total cost, then 4 additional equal payments (2 weeks apart) over 8 weeks.
See Also: Here’s How to Find the Best Amazon Warehouse Deals
4. Are All Items Eligible?
No.
All Amazon products are NOT eligible for layaway.
Only products that have the “Reserve with Layaway” feature near the product name are eligible.
Your best bet is to start on the Layaway page and search products from there.
I had a really hard time finding eligible items at first, and after several phone calls to Amazon I was told that “I’m not eligible for Layaway” (even though I live in California).
Another rep told me that Layaway is “currently under maintenance” as they work feverishly to roll it out to all states in 2023.
I have ZERO idea what the real truth is….stay tuned as I try to figure out what is going on.
Ask the Reader: Have you recently been able to pay for items on Amazon using Layaway? If so, how’d you make it happen? Let me know in the comments, thanks!
5. Is the Price Locked In?
Yes.
Once you pay for the upfront cost of 20% of the total cost, the price will be locked in.
This means if the price were to ever go up for whatever reason while paying off your additional payments, you’ll only need to pay for how much the original price of the item was when you purchased it (not the additional price hike).
6. What is the Required Deposit?
You must pay at least 20% upfront to reserve the item and lock in the price.
Also, with Amazon Layaway, there are NO additional fees, interest, or credit checks.
7. Is Layaway Available Only to Prime Members?
Nope.
All Amazon shoppers, Prime members or not, can take advantage of the Amazon Layaway payment option.
See Also: Did You Know You Can Make an Amazon Return After 30 Days?
8. Can I Pay It Off Early?
Yes.
You absolutely can pay off your Amazon items early and receive them earlier and NOT pay an early payment penalty.
If you want your layaway items delivered by Christmas (and not pay them off early), you’ll need to add all items to layaway by October 23rd.
9. Can I Change My Payment Date?
No.
Once you’ve placed your order you cannot change your payment date.
You will automatically be charged every two weeks over an 8-week time period.
However, you can again pay off the cost early. This is beneficial if you want to receive your purchase faster.
10. What Happens If I Miss a Payment?
If you miss your scheduled payment, Amazon will send you an email informing you that your Amazon Layaway payment is overdue.
During this time when your payment is overdue, you will be unable to open any additional layaway items until your payment is provided for your current overdue item.
You’ll have until the next scheduled payment cycle to pay for the outstanding balance.
If you pay for the overdue balance by the next payment cycle, you will then be able to make other layaway purchases again.
However, if you are unable to pay for the overdue payment before the next scheduled payment cycle, your order will automatically be canceled by Amazon.
This means you will no longer receive your order, but you will be refunded for the entire amount you’ve paid for the order up until that point.
You are not charged any additional fees for the cancellation of your Amazon Layaway order.
Ask the Reader: Have you ever used Amazon layaway, especially around Christmas time? Was it worth it or more hassle than it’s worth?
By Kyle James
