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From its inception in 1902, Target has grown to be one of the top retailers in the United States. Customers flock to Target stores to buy all kinds of items, making it one of the leading discount store companies, behind fellow giants Costco and Walmart.
In light of prevailing tough economic times, customers are looking for alternative options to complete purchases, away from cash and credit cards.
This has fueled the growth of layaway plans and Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services, where customers pay for commodities in installments over a specified period.
If you buy items at Target, you're probably wondering if they have a layaway plan you can leverage to stagger purchase payments over a set period. In this article, we’ll provide all you need to know about whether Target offers layaway and alternative layaway options.
Layaway is a method of purchasing goods where a buyer pays for them over an extended period. Usually, they pay a downpayment, and the store holds the item while they clear the balance in installments. They're allowed to pick up the goods once they pay up the whole amount.
It’s a good option for people with regular income who might want to make a more expensive purchase. Rather than saving up and then buying the item, they commit to buying the item and paying for it over a set period. This can help with planning and budgeting.
Stores that offer layaway plans have policies that govern their agreement with buyers. Important clauses in these policies include the repayment period options, the service fee, implications of late payment, and what you can buy through the plan.
A layaway program minimizes retailer risk since customers only pick the item up once they complete payments. It’s the responsibility of the customer to pay in good time. If they don’t, the seller can charge a penalty or put the item up for sale and refund part or whole of the amount paid by the customer.
Target doesn’t have a layaway plan as part of its payment options. However, this doesn’t imply that you only have to buy items in cash when shopping at Target. The store has alternative ways for customers who want to buy items and pay for them over an extended period.
Customers can pay for commodities at Target stores in multiple ways, including:
A huge chunk of Target customers buy through their online channels, i.e., the Target mobile app or target.com, and they can pay through:
Some of the payment methods that aren't accepted at Target include:
Target allows customers to use multiple payment methods per transaction, especially when using restricted ones such as EBT and WIC cards. These benefits are allowed for specific purchases, and you can pay for the other items using alternative payment methods.
With some of the payment methods available at Target listed here, you might be wondering what options are available for anyone looking to spread payments over an extended period.
Target accepts various Buy Now Pay Later payment options, which are similar to a layaway plan with one small difference.
Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services also allow customers to buy items and pay for them over a set period. They differ from layaway plans in that here, you take the item after making the first downpayment and then complete the balance over the stipulated period.
Since retailers are exposed to some risk here, some have late payment fees and might conduct a credit check to assess an applicant’s eligibility for the service.
Target partners with two BNPL service providers — Affirm and Sezzle to let customers buy items and pay for them later.
These providers are top players in the BNPL niche and offer a variety of options regarding payment plans, repayment periods, and late fees.
Affirm
Affirm is a BNPL plan that lets you buy items at Target and clear the balance in monthly payments for 3, 6, or 12 months.
You can make purchases with Affirm in-store and on the Target app. Affirm doesn't charge a fixed APR on the loan as it depends on the item you’re buying. Typical APR ranges from 10–30%.
There are no late fees, service fees, prepayment fees, or any hidden fees. You only pay for the price of the commodity and the interest. The loan attracts simple interest on the purchase price, and it doesn’t increase over time.
This way, you’ll get a clear indication of what you’ll pay and at what point before checkout. This helps you assess the loan and determine if it’s right for you or not.
Affirm runs a soft credit check on applicants before approving loans. You can sign up on their platform and check your eligibility before shopping.
Buying items at Target with Affirm is recommended for purchases over $100. Those under this amount have limited payment options.
To use Affirm, simply select it as the payment option at checkout. The page will show different payment options available differentiated by repayment period, so select one that works for you. If you’re eligible, check out and complete the purchase.
Sezzle
Sezzle is perfect for small purchases, owing to its shorter repayment period. When shopping at Target, consider using it for purchases below $100.
It works by creating a Sezzle Virtual Card that you use at checkout when shopping at target.com or on the Target app. The purchase price is split into four equal payments where the first 25% is due at the point of purchase, and the rest is charged every two weeks, interest-free.
Sezzle works for purchases above $35. To check your upper limit, log into your Sezzle account and confirm this to avoid any surprises when shopping.
To use Sezzle at Target, create an account on their page or sign up by clicking the Sezzle logo on the Beauty, Health, or Apparel categories product pages. You’ll get a virtual card and activate it before adding it to your Apple Pay or Google Pay wallet.
During checkout, use your mobile wallet just the way you use other credit cards. Sezzle will send an email confirmation with the payment schedule and the order details after you complete the purchase.
Paypal Pay in 4
PayPal doesn’t actually directly partner with Target on this BNPL service, but it’s available as a consequence of having Paypal as a payment method for shoppers at the store.
It's available to customers who hold a PayPal account in good standing and allows them to split purchase amounts into four equal payments.
The first installment is due at the point of purchase, and the remaining three are charged every two weeks.
The loan is interest-free and has no impact on your credit score.
To use it, select Paypal as the payment method at checkout and then tap Pay Later. You’ll get the Pay in 4 option and be able to review the schedule before purchasing. Pay the first installment and clear the remaining three later on the app or online.
Other BNPL services
You’re not limited to these three providers if you want to buy items at Target and pay for them over time. Other providers like Klarna, Afterpay, and Zip allow you to shop at select stores, including Target.
The process of using them is different since you won't find them as a payment option when checking out at Target.
First, you’ll need to sign up at either platform and check their terms and conditions. They offer a virtual credit card that you can add to your mobile wallet and then use as payment.
The adoption of BNPL plans has rendered layaway plans almost obsolete. The downside of buying an item on layaway, where you have to pay the whole amount before taking it, pushes customers towards BNPL services.
However, some stores that still offer layaway plans include—
If you’re planning on making a purchase using a layaway plan, what else do you need to consider?
Acceptance threshold
Layaway plans are designed to protect retailers from risk. They only release the item once you complete payments, so have minimal chance of ending up on the losing end of the deal. As such, the acceptance threshold is quite low since you have the responsibility of paying the balance.
Most plans don’t require credit checks, and as long as you have an ID and the deposit, you’ll be accepted.
Keep high-demand items
Layaway plans allow you to hold high-demand items for some time, especially for specialty items that might run out by the time you raise the whole purchase amount.
This particularly applies to holiday season sales events where items run out fast. By paying the deposit, the retailer holds the item in their store for you until the balance is cleared.
Additional buying option
Layaway plans are additional buying options, especially for people who have trouble saving. They're better and straightforward than credit cards since they are tailored to a specific purchase.
Fees
Layaway fees vary by retailer, and some are expensive. This mostly applies to small purchases, where the fees can turn out to be a huge percentage of the total purchase amount. For instance, paying a $10 service fee on a $50 purchase is 20% extra above the purchase amount, which is high.
Check with your specific layaway plan to see if the fees work for you, as some could be very expensive. Additionally, beware of hidden fees.
Payment schedule
Layaway plans have different payment schedules, and some can be inconvenient. A plan that requires you to make payments every couple of weeks might be bad if your income isn't regular or you’re only paid monthly. The better ones allow you to make payments throughout the period, as long as you clear the balance within the specified time.
The items remain with the retailer
The major downside of layaway plans is that you cannot get the items until you clear the balance. This is poor compared to BNPL services that let you take the item and pay for it as you use it.
Layaway plans are being phased out, and BNPL plans are taking over. The latter has a huge advantage as customers can take the goods as they pay for them. Besides, they’re mainly geared towards purchases at online stores, which is what customers prefer today.
Target has no layaway but has a couple of BNPL options you can leverage to stagger your purchases over an extended period. Additionally, you can use a few tips and tricks to save money on purchases at Target.
When making those purchases, leverage CouponFollow to get discounts and promo codes that reduce the amount you pay for them.