LET'S SET THE SCENE

It's October 2001, we just survived Y2K, and Britney Spears was at the top of her game. You walk into Walmart and see the bicycle of your dreams but your mom says they can't afford it right now- bummer.

However, the next day your mom secretly goes back to the Walmart, picks out the bike you wanted, and rolls it to customer service. Back then there was no "buy now pay later", Affirm, or After Pay; no, back before it all, 'Layaway" was the OG payment plan.

HOW LAYAWAY WORKED

attachment-Porch Pumpkins Facebook (9)
loading...

For those too young to remember, or those whose memory of layaway might be a bit hazy, this is how layaway worked:

  • Find an item you love but can't quite afford at that moment.
  • Head to customer service.
  • Put the item on layaway.
  • Make small payments little by little until the balance is paid off.
  • Receive your item from the back after your final payment is made.
Q92 logo
Get our free mobile app

It was a glorious system, especially around the holidays. Retailers saw their layaway departments buzzing with eager shoppers securing that year's hot items. Whether it took you three weeks or three months, your item would be stored in the back, eagerly waiting to be taken home the moment your last payment was finalized.

IS LAYAWAY STILL AROUND

Many big retailers still offer layaway, however, that option is typically overlooked since the arrival of buy now pay later options. Interestingly, Walmart no longer has a layaway option after partnering with Affirm.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at the top 10 items that dominated layaway lists in the early 2000s.

10 MOST POPULAR ITEMS PUT ON LAYAWAY

More From Q92