Turns out layaway is making a comeback. This year, holiday shoppers that are strapped for cash and leery of putting more purchases on their credit cards are turning to layaway as an option. It was a popular choice back in the 1970’s, before credit cards were found in just about every wallet. What is it? Layaway means the store sets aside something you want to purchase, as long as you give them a small portion of the money for it. Then, as you have money available to put towards the item, you give it to the store. But you don’t walk out with the item until it’s fully paid for.

So is layaway right for you? Here are a few questions you should ask the retailer before using this option, according to creditcards.com:

1. Do you provide full or partial refunds if the layaway is not completed?

2. Do you provide store credit toward future purchases if the layaway is not completed?

3. What is the payment amount?

4. When is it due?

5. How often must the payment be made — weekly, every other week or monthly?

6. Are any service or layaway charges added to the purchase price?

7. Are there additional charges, such as for shipping?

8. Will the layaway item be physically separated from other store merchandise, or marked “sold”?

9. If the item is not in stock and needs to be ordered, under what circumstance (such as once half the purchase price has been paid) will the order take place?

10. What are the product’s details (color, size, stock number, model number, trade name or manufacturer, etc.)?

Here is a list of some of the major retailers offering layaway:

Kmart: Gives you eight weeks to pay for your items and you must make payments every two weeks at your Kmart store.

Sears: You must put 15% or 20% down on the item in order to participate in the Sears layaway program. Cancellation fees apply.

Big Lots: Their layaway program is limited to bigger ticket items like furniture.

Burlington Coat Factory: The layaway policy here is that you must put 25% down and pay another 25% within two weeks. The total purchase must be paid for within 30 days. Cash refunds aren’t available on layaway purchases.