Retailers to Customers: "Fork Over Your Holiday Dollars"

Down at Pacific Place, just about every store has been visited by the "Two for One" fairy, which is upmarket speak for 50-percent-off, a phrasing that smells of downmarket desperation. That would never do for Seattle's internet jewelers Blue Nile, so they're offering a Bill Me Later Plan (a six-month, no-interest loan) for purchases of over $500 (h/t to TechFlash); the only issue there is whether the relationship will outlast the six months. Once we're well past keeping up appearances, then we'll probably turn to the holiday season's new savior: layaway plans. MSNBC says layaway can turn your red ink into the new black; KMart, TJ Maxx Corp., Goody’s Family Clothing Inc., Marshalls Inc., and Burlington Coat Factory Direct are reportedly jumping on the installment bandwagon.