How Easy-Pay Layaway Helps You Buy Pre-Owned Without the Guilt (or the Debt)

Buying pre-owned is the kinder choice for your wallet and the planet. But even a bargain can be awkward to find in one go, and nobody wants to sign up for a credit agreement just to get a decent phone or a games console. That's what Easy-Pay is for. Here's how it works, and why it fits so well with buying second-hand.

What is Easy-Pay?

Easy-Pay is layaway, done properly. You pick the item you want, pay a 20% deposit, and we put it aside for you. Then you pay off the rest over up to 12 weeks, in whatever amounts suit you. When the last payment is made, the item is yours to take home.

It's the old-fashioned way of doing things, and it still works. The item is reserved for you, you pay as you go, and you collect it once it's fully paid. In our Blackpool and Fleetwood stores, you can use it on the pre-owned items we have on the shelves.

Is it credit? Do you do a credit check?

No credit check, and it isn't a credit agreement. You're simply paying for something in stages before you take it home. That means there's nothing to apply for, nothing to be approved for, and nothing that shows up on your credit file.

We'll take a few details in store and set it up there and then. It takes minutes, not days.

Are there any extra charges?

None. The price you see is the price you pay. Your deposit plus your payments add up to exactly the shop price on the ticket, with no extra fees added on top. There's no small print to hunt through, because we'd rather explain the whole deal upfront.

How does it work in practice?

Say you've spotted a Grade A pre-owned phone you like. It's a good price, but not a spur-of-the-moment one. Here's what you'd do:

• Choose your item in our Blackpool or Fleetwood store.
• Pay the 20% deposit and we'll keep it safe for you.
• Pay the rest over up to 12 weeks. Pay a bit more each time and you'll clear it sooner.
• Collect it once it's fully paid.

Why does Easy-Pay suit pre-owned shopping so well?

Pre-owned items are already a good bit cheaper than new. We often see savings of 30% or more, which we dug into in our post on how much you really save buying pre-owned. Spreading what's left over a few weeks makes it easier again, and it's a much calmer way to buy than putting it on a card and worrying about it later.

It also keeps good things in use. Every phone, console or ring that finds a second owner is one less new item that has to be made, shipped and sold. If you'd like the bigger picture, our guide to why buying pre-owned is one of the easiest ways to live more sustainably goes into it in more detail.

What if my plans change?

Life happens, and we'd rather be upfront about it. If you decide to cancel, the 20% deposit isn't refunded. Any payments you've made after the deposit are refunded, or you can take them as store credit, whichever you prefer. Knowing that from the start means there are no surprises later.

Easy-Pay and the Christmas rush

With Christmas not far off, a lot of us are thinking about presents. A console for the kids, a phone for a family member, or a piece of jewellery that's been on the wish list for a while. Easy-Pay lets you reserve it now and pay over the weeks ahead, so you're not stretched in December. It's also a lovely way to give a gift that's already had a first life, with a warranty to back it.

Who is Easy-Pay for?

Pretty much anyone who'd like to spread the cost of something they've set their heart on. Students saving for a laptop, parents sorting out a games console, or someone treating themselves to a watch they've had their eye on. If you'd rather pay a bit at a time than hand it all over in one go, it's worth a conversation with us.

Why shop with us?

We're a local, independent shop, trading in Blackpool and Fleetwood since 1995, and every pre-owned item we sell carries a 12-month warranty. We're two shops with one team, so you can talk to real people about what's right for you, and you can see exactly what you're paying for before you commit.

Ready to find something you like? Read how Easy-Pay works, then pop into our Blackpool or Fleetwood store and ask us to set one up for you.