02.Lay-by at the big stores
Almost everything is available on layby, but toys seem to be the best-sellers, with big department stores marketing lay-by during the annual July toy sales and also offering extended or deposit free lay-bys for Christmas. Fashion is also popular. “You can lay-by goods you need later, for example, a dress for a wedding,” suggests Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the Australian Retailers Association.
As well as department stores, smaller stores such as bookstores also offer lay-by. You can even lay-by tickets for a cruise holiday. Special online lay-by stores also offer a wide range of items. Big-ticket items such as whitegoods and furniture aren’t offered on lay-by by all stores that carry them. David Jones and Myer, for example, exclude all appliances from lay-by, although you may be able to get them on an interest-free deal.