As an avid crafter and savvy shopper, I know all too well the temptation of filling up a cart with exciting new art supplies at Hobby Lobby, only to hesitate at the register when you see the total. We‘ve all been there – eyeing that gorgeous fabric, furniture piece, or framing project that would be perfect for our space, but not quite ready to drop hundreds of dollars all at once.
In these situations, layaway can seem like the answer to your crafting prayers. Put a little money down, pay over time, and bring home your treasures without breaking the bank. But does Hobby Lobby actually offer layaway? I did some digging to get to the bottom of this common question.
Layaway 101: The Basics
Before we dive into Hobby Lobby‘s policies, let‘s make sure we‘re all on the same page about how layaway works. When a retailer offers layaway, it means you can reserve an item and pay for it in installments over a set period of time (often 8-12 weeks). The store typically holds the merchandise for you until you‘ve completed your payments.
Layaway can be a good alternative to credit cards because:
- There‘s usually no credit check required
- Plans may be interest-free (though there are often service fees)
- You can "lock in" sale prices even if you can‘t pay in full yet
However, layaway isn‘t totally cost-free. Most stores charge a small non-refundable service fee (around $5-10) to open a layaway plan. If you cancel the plan or miss a payment, you may face additional fees. And of course, you‘ll have to wait to take home your items until the plan is paid in full.
So how common is layaway these days? The short answer: not very. According to a 2019 study by CreditCards.com, only 7% of retailers offer year-round layaway programs, down from 14% in 2015. Another 4% offer seasonal layaway (usually for holiday shopping).
Several major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon have discontinued their layaway programs in recent years, often replacing them with buy now, pay later partnerships. It seems the rise of digital BNPL options and credit cards have made traditional layaway less popular. But some stores do still offer it, especially for big-ticket items like jewelry, furniture, and electronics.
Hobby Lobby‘s Layaway Policy
Now, for the moment of truth: Does Hobby Lobby have layaway? I‘m afraid the answer is no. As of 2023, Hobby Lobby does not offer a layaway program in stores or online. I checked the retailer‘s official website, reached out to customer service, and even spoke to a few store managers – layaway is simply not an option at Hobby Lobby.
So what are your options if you find a must-have item at Hobby Lobby but can‘t pay in full? You‘ll need to use one of the following accepted payment methods:
- Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express)
- Debit cards
- Hobby Lobby gift cards
- PayPal (online only)
- Cash or personal check (in-store only)
Hobby Lobby also offers a co-branded credit card through U.S. Bank, which gives you 5% off purchases and exclusive cardholder coupons. However, this is a traditional credit card that requires an application and credit check, not a payment plan.
Zip: Hobby Lobby‘s Quasi-Layaway Partner
While Hobby Lobby may not have a traditional layaway program, they do offer one alternative for paying over time: Zip (formerly Quadpay). Zip is a buy now, pay later service that allows you to split your purchase into four interest-free payments over six weeks.
To use Zip at Hobby Lobby, you‘ll need to:
- Download the Zip app and create an account
- At checkout, select "Pay with Zip" and enter your total purchase amount
- If approved (based on a soft credit check), Zip will charge your linked card for 25% of the total immediately
- The remaining three 25% payments will be charged to your card every 2 weeks automatically
- Use the virtual card number provided by Zip at online or in-store checkout
One nice thing about Zip is that it‘s accepted anywhere Visa is, so you can use it for both online and brick-and-mortar Hobby Lobby purchases. However, Zip does have some fees and limitations to be aware of:
- You must be 18+ and have a valid debit or credit card to apply
- Not everyone will be approved based on Zip‘s proprietary credit criteria
- Late payments incur a $5, $7, or $10 fee (based on your state)
- Transaction limits apply (typically $1500 per order)
While Zip can be a convenient option for stretching out payments, it‘s important to remember that it‘s still a form of debt. Make sure you have a plan and budget for paying off your installments on time to avoid fees. And if you‘re not approved for Zip, you‘ll need to find another way to pay for your Hobby Lobby haul.
The Layaway Landscape: How Hobby Lobby Compares
Just for fun, I did some research on layaway options at a few other popular arts and crafts retailers. Here‘s how they stack up:
| Store | Layaway Program? | Layaway Terms | Other Financing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michaels | No | N/A | Zip/Quadpay |
| JOANN Fabrics | No | N/A | Zip/Quadpay, store credit card |
| Blick Art Materials | Limited (framing/furniture only) | $150 min, $15 fee, 60 days | Afterpay (online only) |
| AC Moore | No | N/A | Zip/Quadpay |
As you can see, layaway is fairly uncommon in the arts and crafts retail space. Like Hobby Lobby, most of these stores have opted for third-party BNPL partnerships rather than traditional layaway programs. The exception is Blick Art Materials, which offers limited layaway for framing and furniture orders over $150 (with a $15 service fee and 60 day payment window).
So why the lack of layaway love? As a retail expert, I suspect it comes down to changing consumer preferences and the operational costs of running a layaway program. With the rise of digital BNPL options that let customers pay over time instantly, layaway may simply be less appealing for both shoppers and stores.
Layaway requires retailers to dedicate storage space, track payments, and manage unclaimed inventory – all of which can be a drain on resources. For stores like Hobby Lobby that already offer frequent sales and discounts, layaway may not make financial sense. They‘d rather sell items at a slight discount and get paid immediately than deal with the complexities of layaway.
Savvy Strategies for Affording Craft Supplies
As someone who‘s been shopping at Hobby Lobby for years – and who may have put a few too many impulse buys on a credit card! – I understand the disappointment of discovering the store doesn‘t offer layaway. But don‘t despair, my crafty friends. There are still plenty of smart ways to save on supplies and make room in your budget for those big project purchases.
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Shop the sales: Hobby Lobby has sales on specific departments literally every week. You can always find a 50%-off category, from home decor to jewelry making. Check the weekly ad (in store or online) and time your shopping to get the deepest discounts.
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Use coupons strategically: Hobby Lobby offers a weekly 40% off coupon for one regular-priced item. You can snag it on their website or in the mobile app. If you have a big purchase, consider splitting it into multiple transactions and using a 40% coupon on each full-price item.
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Stock up during seasonal sales: In addition to weekly deals, Hobby Lobby has a few big seasonal sales each year where you can really clean up. The best is the twice-annual clearance event, usually in January and July, with markdowns up to 90% off. Spring Shop and Christmas Shop sales are also prime times for bargain-hunting.
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Check for price adjustments: If you buy something at Hobby Lobby and it goes on sale within two weeks, you can get a price adjustment and refund for the difference. Just bring in your receipt and they‘ll credit you back the savings.
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Join the rewards program: Hobby Lobby Rewards is a free loyalty program that gives you points for every purchase, which can eventually be redeemed for store credit. You‘ll also get exclusive offers, birthday perks, and access to bonus point events. Sign up online or in the app.
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Save your gift cards: Whenever you receive a Hobby Lobby gift card, resist the urge to spend it right away on small splurges. Instead, save up gift cards to help offset the cost of big purchases that you would have otherwise put on layaway.
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Set a crafting budget: To avoid overspending, give yourself a monthly or per-project craft budget and stick to it. Keep an eye out for sales on items you know you‘ll need, and don‘t be tempted by deals on supplies you won‘t really use. A little planning can help you keep your wallet happy and still complete those dream projects.
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Try a DIY layaway: If you really have your heart set on a big-ticket Hobby Lobby item, create your own "layaway" plan. Set aside a little money each week in a savings account until you can pay for the item in full. This requires some delayed gratification, but it‘s a great way to stay motivated and avoid craft supply debt.
The Bottom Line
So, does Hobby Lobby have layaway? Unfortunately, no. The arts and crafts superstore does not currently offer a layaway program, either in stores or online. Customers need to pay for purchases in full using a credit card, debit card, PayPal, gift card, cash, or check.
However, Hobby Lobby does partner with the buy now, pay later service Zip (formerly Quadpay), which allows you to split your total into four interest-free installments paid over six weeks. To use Zip, you‘ll need to download the app, apply for approval, and use the generated virtual card number at checkout.
If you don‘t qualify for Zip or prefer not to use it, don‘t worry – there are still plenty of ways to save on arts and crafts supplies at Hobby Lobby and make room in your budget for special purchases. Leverage the store‘s frequent sales and coupons, join the rewards program, and consider setting up your own DIY "layaway" savings plan for big-ticket items.
As a lifelong crafter and deal hunter myself, I know the thrill of finding the perfect art supplies to make your creative visions a reality – and the challenge of affording all those tempting goodies! While layaway would be a helpful budget tool, I‘ve learned that with a little strategy and willpower, you can still get everything on your crafting wish list without compromising your financial goals.
I hope this guide has given you a comprehensive look at Hobby Lobby‘s layaway policy and payment options, as well as some fresh ideas for saving money on craft supplies. No matter what project you‘re working on, I wish you happy crafting – and savvy shopping!
