Got some old Ikea Billy bookcases gathering dust in the garage? Well, now, as part of the Ikea Buy Back initiative, you can return your used Ikea furniture to the store for up to 50% of the value back in your pocket.
Our home is probably 90% designed by Ikea and because our furniture is so affordable, we tend to mix things up pretty regularly. We must have changed our dining table at least three times in the past year. Previously, I’ve failed to flog the used furniture on Marketplace and have landed up either giving it away or even resorting to chopping it up and putting it in the garbage bin. What as waste, as these pieces are generally in excellent condition.
I’m ecstatic to find out that with Ikea’s Buy Back scheme, there is now a chance for a new lease on life for our old Ikea furniture – plus I’ll be getting money back to put towards a design refresh.
Get Money For Your Pre-Loved Furniture
The little-known Buy Back service has actually been in place in Ikea Australia since October last year, in a bid to prolong the life of products for reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling.
“Furniture we buy-back and resell in our AS-IS area provides an even more affordable option for many people. It’s this kind of approach and way of thinking that will help us achieve our goals of becoming a circular business and people and planet positive,” IKEA said in a statement.
The scheme will now be introduced globally to 27 different countries and previously-loved items will be used by Ikea for resale, recycling or donation to community projects.
How Buy Back Works
Customers simply need to head to the BUY BACK page on the Ikea website. They can then get an estimate of your furniture’s buy-back value. Then all you need to do is bring your assembled Ikea furniture, together with your estimate, to your preferred Ikea store.
An Ikea team member will then assess the furniture in person, then give you the final agreed value as an Ikea refund card.
Your furniture will then be resold to a new home via the Ikea AS-IS department.
Later this year Ikea is planning on opening its first second-hand store in a Stockholm shopping centre and if this is successful, this could expand to other locations.
What Is Not Included
It’s important to take note that not all Ikea products are included in the Buy Back scheme.
These items are not included:
- Non-Ikea products
- Home furnishing accessories including Lighting and Textiles
- Add on units, and componentry
- Products that have been used outside including outdoor furniture
- Mattresses & Bed Textiles (such as Blankets and Mattress toppers)
- Kitchens including bench tops, cabinets and fronts
- Modular Wardrobes and accessories
- Electrical Appliances
- Children’s and Baby products (such as cots, mattresses and change tables)
Will I still get money back on badly worn Ikea items?
“Unfortunately, we are not able to give very worn furniture a second life,” says Ikea.
“If it’s time to retire your furniture, please consider other recycling options to donate to charity”.
How Much Will I Get Back?
The Ikea Buy Back scheme stipulates that items need to be clean, unmodified and completely assembled.
“As new” items, with no scratches, will get 50% of the original price, “very good” items, with minor scratches, will get 40% and “well used”, with several scratches, will get 30%.
That Billy bookcase in our garage will fetch me around $45, as long as it is in excellent condition. Or you can pocket $240 for a good quality sofa or $224 for a previously loved chair.
It’s a great deal!
What do you think of the Ikea Buy Back scheme? What do you generally do with your pre-loved furniture? Tell us in the comments below.
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