You have not found a misprint–deals like this for Apple computers and Apple laptops do exist for zero percent interest. You have two options for obtaining this seemingly incredible bargain. One is a tried and true method: simply doing a layaway. The other method is to check out Apple Financing.

Barclay Financing’s Visa Card has made an agreement with Apple in order to facilitate sales of their computers by tapping into the pool of buyers who may want a computer but will not or cannot pony up the cash to purchase one. The idea these two companies hatched provides financing options that compete with any other offers available from other computer manufacturers.

The rather irresistible offer is 0 (zero) percent financing for customers who want an Apple computer. This offer is available currently. The offer comes in 6 month or 12 month repayment periods, according to the amount being financed. A purchase of $900 or more qualifies for 12 months with zero interest; if the amount financed is below $900 then the pay-off period in order to qualify for the free interest is six months. If the buyer keeps to the agreement and completes payments within the agreed time frames, he pays no interest and sweeter yet, no down payment required. The net result is a desktop or laptop computer that the buyer acquired for no payments down and no interest and up to 12 months to pay.

Barclay is not a non-profit institution. Their motivation is going to be whatever pleases their shareholders and their bottom line. So why this generosity to people who want to buy a computer? The financing at 0 percent interest includes the requirement to apply for a credit card, which automatically necessitates a credit inquiry to the credit bureaus. A favorable credit score will earn the applicant a Visa card with which to make their computer purchase, and this initial purchase qualifies for no interest.

Visa cards of course are accepted universally on line and off line. There are no sneaky costs such as annual fees. The credit verification does mean, unfortunately, that not everyone qualifies for this great offer. Those that do must be very careful they pay off their computer within the agreed time because interest will accumulate and then get added to the card if the terms are not adhered to.

The proliferation of credit cards has made the use of layaways for making purchases much less common. A credit card lets the buyer take immediate possession of their purchase, a big enticement to charge. Many stores still offer this service for customers who may not have credit or choose not to use it. The store may lose the sale if the person has no way to purchase an item that is in stock now but they do not need immediately. The store charges no interest; but they retain possession of the merchandise until the buyers pays for it in full. Stores do not like to keep merchandise off the floor where someone else could buy it, so usually limit the period of time the item can be kept on layaway to three months or so. Stores may want a down payment of 10 percent to ensure the buyer is serious about the purchase. The advantage is that the customer’s credit worthiness is not an issue since the store holds onto the merchandise until payment is complete and the purchase ends up being interest free.

So you can be the happy owner of a new Apple computer whether your credit rating is great or not-so-great. Check out your options with Barclay Bank’s Visa Card offer, or check whether any computer stores near you have layaway. There is never a charge for asking!