on the installment plan,in installments or on installment

[ostap77]

Do I buy a new computer on installment or in installments?

I guess I can pay either in installments or on installment. Would "on the installment plan" be formal?

 

[freezeframe]

Do I buy a new computer on installment or in installments?

I guess I can pay either in installments or on installment. Would "on the installment plan" be formal?

You buy the computer "on the installment plan". That is, you get the whole computer (you don't get parts of it in installments!) at once and then you pay "in installments."

 

[ostap77]

You buy the computer "on the installment plan". That is, you get the whole computer (you don't get parts of it in installments!) at once and then you pay "in installments."

"[count] US : a way of paying for something by making a series of small payments over a long time."

Could it be that it's a plan of paiments that's has been devloped to attract customers? You can't pay in full at once but would like to pay during four months? What about "on installment"?

 

[riquecohen]

"[count] US : a way of paying for something by making a series of small payments over a long time."

Could it be that it's a plan of paiments that's has been devloped to attract customers? Probably. You can't pay in full at once but would like to pay during four months? Yes. What about "on installment"? No.

 

[ostap77]

So what's the difference between "in installmets", "on installment" and "on the istallment plan"?

 

[riquecohen]

So what's the difference between "in installmets", "on installment" and "on the istallment plan"?

Hasn't freezeframe already answered this in post #2?
We do not say "on installment."

 

[ostap77]

Hasn't freezeframe already answered this in post #2?
We do not say "on installment."

Where would guys who wrote a dictionary get it from?

"[noncount] ▪ (US) We are paying on installment."

 

[freezeframe]

I love how these threads unfold. Provide a bit of information, wait for the answer, then bring out some more info to argue about the answer, wait for the next answer, then bring out the big guns... Why not just put all the information you're asking about in the original post?

Can you also, please, link the dictionary you're quoting?

"We are paying on installment" doesn't mean much to me. You pay in installments. Maybe somewhere else some other people would say that.

Unless they mean "We are paying [for this] on installment [plan]."

 

[nyota]

Also:
Buy this ring on layaway? L.A.-based Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers sold a similar three-carat ring for $36,500 on installment payments. CNN Money

And BrE:
Hire Purchase (H.P.) is a popular way of buying expensive goods. Using H.P. you usually pay a deposit first and the remainder by monthly instalments. Goods normally cost more on hire purchase. BBC Bitesize


This one's interesting, no idea if it's actually used though:
We bought a car on the 'never-never' (installment plan). The free dictionary


:arrow: For those who might've missed it: AmE - installment, BrE - instalment