RE: layaway program ?
See, that is what I mentioned before.
If you want the seller to hold on to it, make a down payment. When the time is up and you can't come up with the payment, it's gone.
Nothing wrong with a reasonable amount.
And it's a hobby, if you can't pay for it, do not buy it.
There will always be guys who sign their life away and in the end they have to get bailed out by the taxpayer / honest customers...