I read recently an article claiming that layaway is making a comeback, and googling ‘layaway making a comeback’ shows a lot of articles on the subject. Here are some excerpts –

• “I think a lot of people are watching their money, they’re trying to avoid the high interest rates on their credit cards,” says Tampa Kmart store manager Mark Swafford.
• Layaway is a shopping strategy that University of South Florida marketing professor, Carol Osbourne says helps consumers learn to budget. “Rather than swiping a credit cards; because that’s like funny money,” Osbourne says.
• Osbourne believes people will still spend this holiday season, but will adapt their shopping habits to the economy. “People were spending and spending and living beyond their means so layaway is actually a good alternative,” Osbourne says.
• This season, Kmart is heavily marketing their layaway program. But, it’s available at a variety of other stores including Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Burlington Coat Factory. Sears and Walmart also offer layaway on fine jewelry.
• Ms. Kasanthian Austin says she primarily uses it to buy toys and clothes and Megatar musical instruments for her kids, making a happy holiday an affordable one. “I can get my bills paid and still try and get things done for Christmas for my kids,” Austin says.

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK?

WOULD A LAYAWAY PLAN HELP YOU TO GET YOUR MEGATAR?

Here’s what I’m imagining (though we’re open to hearing about other ideas) …

• To start up a Layaway Plan for yourself, you’d choose a model, with any of our custom features that you wish us to build. (All instruments are built to order, like always.)
• You would initially invest 30% or $400 whichever is larger to start the plan. (“Initial Payment”)
• You would send 4% or $60 whichever is larger each month. (‘Standard payment’)
• You would make a monthly commitment; because making that commitment is what makes it happen.
• Committment is what actually causes you to get the Megatar that you want.
• You would agree to send the same amount each month. (This is like paying off a credit-card, except that there are no big interest charges, because *all* your money goes toward your Megatar.)
• Whenever you wish, you can send any additional funds.
• We ask only that we don’t have to chase you, that you honor your commitment each month.
• You will probably discover that, once you start, and *intend* to have the Megatar you want, new opportunities will appear, and you’ll probably close out the deal earlier, and start playing music quicker than you’d thought possible.
• What would the monthly fee be for a typical instrument?
• At current prices (Nov 2009, on Millennium promo pricing),  TrueTapper Eclipse, Dragon, or Storm would be only $60 per month.
• At current prices (Nov 2009, on Millennium promo pricing), a MaxTapper would be $64/month, or a ToneWeaver only $80/month.
• NOTE: The Meg-Millennium special pricing Ends on December 31, 2009 at Midnight pacific time. Pricing then returns to standard prices as shown on pricelist, and these monthly amounts will then change to reflect standard pricing instead of promo pricing.
• Along the way, you can pay ahead any time you wish, and you can pay it off whenever you like.
• You can send funds via personal check, cashier’s check, or money order.
• Or you can transfer funds using paypal.
• Or you can use your credit or debit card over the phone or through our secure server.
• When the balance is 90% paid, we’ll put the job order into the shop queue for building and setting up your instrument.
• Generally that means that when your balance is paid up, we can ship immediately.
• As long as the schedule is maintained, your price is locked in, even if we have increased any prices in the meantime.
• If you simply send a check each month, there’s no credit-card interest to pay, which at 12% or even 18%, this can be a substantial savings for you.
• We will not charge any interest, nor add any fee.  In fact …
• As a bonus, we’ll pay *you*, like getting interest on your money …
• Assuming you’ve been on the plan at least six months, and as long as the schedule is maintained, your last standard payment, will be … free

WOULD THIS HELP YOU TO GET A MEGATAR?

And do you have any suggestions that might make the proposed plan more flexible or useful for you?

Or do you have any questions about what is being sketched here?

Is it adequately clear? Does it sound useful?

WHEN DO YOU WISH US TO SHIP YOUR MEGATAR?

Of course, we’re still happy to accept your order the usual way, and credit-cards are still welcome.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR OPINION AND SUGGESTIONS

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And in the Comment Box, please enter your thoughts.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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This promotional offer gives hundreds of dollars of discounts on Mobius instruments, between November 15, and December 31 of 2008.

All Mobius Megatar instruments have huge savings available, from the simple Eclipse to the astounding Hammer of Thor.

MaxTappers, ToneWeavers, Storms, Dragons, MidiTappers, PiezoTappers, and customizing to your hearts content, huge discounts available on all instruments and configurations … if you act quickly.

Very probably, you will also find the Holiday Cheer page entertaining, and informative. The posted information shows you how to save money three ways, plus free gifts just for signing up. No obligation, no cost. It’s like free money.

LIMITED TIME

>>> This limited time offer ends New Years Eve at Midnight.  <<<

HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IN DISCOUNTS

Hundreds of dollars of discounts are available on all Mobius instruments, free $90 factory-installed edgedots will be given to the first ten who claim these prizes, and there are also free gifts just for signing up in the club.

FREE GIFTS JUST FOR SIGNING UP …

http://megatar.com/promo/holiday-cheer/

But please remember, limited offer ends Midnight December 31, 2008.

———-

PS: For a bit of fun, go over to Tappistry.Org, and describe what the page looks like when it first appears in your browser … To see the Tappistry.Org discussion thread, please CLICK HERE.

After a few people have looked and then posted there, you’ll see what I mean …

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