Big W has revived an old-school retail hack with its annual toy sale, offering free extended lay-by to help families save hundreds of dollars. The sale kicked off today and runs until early July, giving parents a chance to lock in bargain prices on popular toys without the immediate financial burden.
Lay-by: A Forgotten Gem
In an era dominated by buy now, pay later (BNPL) apps, experts are urging shoppers to reconsider lay-by as a smarter alternative. Bargain Boss Amanda Dean explains, "This definitely gives you that opportunity to start planning early, spacing out payments. We're all feeling the pinch, and finding a huge amount of money in one go isn't easy for many of us. With lay-by, you can put aside $5 or $10 a week, which is much more manageable."
How Big W's Lay-by Works
Shoppers pay a 10% deposit and then have up to 21 weeks to pay off their items, with the final payment due in early November. This extended period is significantly longer than typical BNPL terms, which often require full payment within six to eight weeks. The lay-by also includes free storage, so parents don't have to worry about hiding gifts from curious kids.
Dean adds, "I've had to rebuy presents because my kids found them. With lay-by, that worry is gone." She recommends using lay-by year-round, not just for Christmas. "I keep a gift cupboard stocked with age-appropriate toys for birthdays and last-minute parties. It saves me from paying full price later."
Why Lay-by Beats BNPL
Dominic Beattie from savings.com.au highlights the advantages: "Lay-by is not a credit product, so no credit checks, late fees, or interest charges. Big W's 21-week period far exceeds Afterpay's six to eight weeks. This means families have more money in their pockets during expensive times."
Beattie also notes that lay-by locks in sale prices before seasonal price increases. "You're not paying the full amount upfront, so you can keep money in savings earning interest or in a mortgage offset account, saving you even more."
A Lesson in Delayed Gratification
Lay-by can also teach children valuable financial lessons. "It's a fun way to show kids delayed gratification," Beattie says. "Encourage your child to lay-by a toy with their own pocket money. They gradually pay it down, and during that time, they may lose interest in other toys, focusing on their goal."
The Big W toy sale is now on, with free extended lay-by available. Experts believe this hack is underutilized and could help many families save hundreds of dollars in the lead-up to Christmas.
