Ikea’s furniture buy back scheme finally launches in stores today

IKEA’S new buy back scheme has finally launched in stores today – and shoppers can cash in up to £250 if they use it.

The scheme lets shoppers trade their unwanted Ikea furniture back to the Swedish retailer in exchange for gift cards and vouchers.

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The second-hand furniture sold will then be made available for other customers to purchase.

Ikea said customers could get up to £250 for their old homeware.

It will buy back furniture for up to 50% of the original price tag – we explain more below.

The scheme was originally supposed to have launched last year across Ikea’s shops in UK and Ireland on November 27.

But this date was pushed back due to the Covid crisis.

How does it work?

Products described “as new” and without scratches will be eligible for a voucher worth 50% of its original price.

This goes down to 40% for items that are “very good” – so minor scratches – or 30% for “well-used” goods with several scratches. 

The vouchers will have no expiry date to discourage shoppers from buying furniture that they don’t really need.

Shoppers are warned that they may be able to sell your items at a higher price than what your voucher would be worth through second-hand selling sites like eBay, Gumtree or Facebook selling pages.

Make sure you do your research online before you trade in any furniture.

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For items given back to Ikea, the Swedish retailer will set up “As-Is” areas in stores for other customers to buy the goods second-hand.

If it can’t sell any sold-back items, Ikea will recycle them.

To sell your old furniture, shoppers need to fill out a form on the new Ikea “Buy Back” page on its website.

In this form, choose which Ikea item you’re selling and confirm which condition it best fits into. You’ll then be given an estimated voucher price.

Staff will check that your item is as described when you return it, so make sure you’re accurate or you could end up with less money on your voucher.

The form allows you to enter multiple products in one go, although it’s not clear if there is a maximum amount you can sell back.

Once you’ve finished adding your items, choose which store you want to return your items to, as well as which date you’ll be visiting.

The website will give you an “estimation number” which staff will use to bring up your details, so remember to make a note of this.

There’s also a QR code which you can scan on your smartphone to bring up your order.

All products must be taken to the returns desk of Ikea stores – the retailer won’t arrange for someone to pick up your goods.

Items must also already be assembled and not modified in any way.

Not everything sold from Ikea is eligible for the “Buy Back” scheme, so if you can’t find your item listed on the website then it won’t be included.

Ikea has 27 stores in the UK – use the store finder tool to see where your nearest one is.

Ikea has shared the exact recipe for its meatballs and there are only six steps.

Plus, shoppers can get 20% off Ikea garden furniture with its loyalty scheme.

Its grand reopening following the coronavirus lockdown saw thousands of customers queuing for up to three hours to start shopping.