What Does IKEA Do With Returned Items?

Whether you mismeasured a space or went home with an item that looked better in an IKEA showroom than in your own home, it's reassuring to know that the Swedish retailer has a generous return policy. You can return items up to 365 days after purchase with a receipt, depending on the condition of the unwanted item. New, unopened items are accepted for a full refund up to a year after purchase, while opened items are accepted for a full refund up to nearly half that — 180 days. 

But once the return is processed, you may be wondering — what happens to the item? For most brand-new and unopened items, employees say IKEA will inspect the product, ensuring all parts are there, and place it back on shelves for another IKEA shopper to pick up. Opened and assembled furniture, however, meets a different fate when brought back to IKEA. Returned items that meet the sellable criteria are resold at lower prices in IKEA's As-is section.

To qualify for a full refund and return, assembled items must be in new condition, clean, and contain all parts, including instruction manuals. After being checked for usability, cleanliness, and completeness, the item is placed in the As-is section. This section makes it possible for budget-conscious shoppers to save on big purchases when shopping at IKEA. It's available both in-store and online.

What about assembled furniture that is no longer in new condition, but has been gently used? A separate Buyback and Resell service offers store credit for these pre-loved items, including discontinued IKEA furniture and items bought from the As-is section. The returned item is sold at a discounted rate in the As-is section or a designated Re-shop and Re-use area. This sustainable service not only allows customers to essentially recycle their used goods, aiding in the retailer's goal to be environmentally friendly, but it also makes IKEA products more affordable and accessible.

Instead of offering a full refund back to the original form of payment, IKEA's Buyback and Resell service issues store credit. The amount is determined after IKEA receives the item and assesses it for quality and condition. When the return is processed and finalized, customers receive the credit via an IKEA refund card, which can then be applied to any future purchase.

This service is only available at participating IKEA retailers, which can be found on the IKEA website. While customers can return most pre-loved items so long as they're clean and in working condition, there are a few terms to the Buyback and Resell service. Items must be IKEA products, they must be fully assembled, and they must be unmodified and unaltered. Additionally, to use the service, customers must be an IKEA Family or an IKEA Business Network Member. This return program helps the company promote a circular economy, which aims to reduce waste by recycling and repurposing items as much as possible.