IKEA’s layout is unlike any other in the retail sector, with its carefully designed map that shoppers must follow to get from one section to another.
It’s all curated to seamlessly go from bedroom to kitchen to living area to bathroom, and all the products are on show to illustrate what they’d look like in your home.
But there is one section hidden from most shoppers’ gaze that has an incredible combination of items at ridiculously low prices.
It’s the ‘As Is’ area, and it’s typically found tucked off to one side near the payment area.
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This Yahoo Lifestyle reporter checked out the section during a recent trip to IKEA and couldn’t believe what was on offer.
While the rest of the store was packed for a Sunday browse, the As Is section was virtually empty.
IKEA has a little-known section in its stores where you can find massive discounts. Source: Yahoo Lifestyle/Getty
What is IKEA’s As Is section?
It’s a collection of items that have either been returned by shoppers who changed their minds, ex-showroom products that were likely manhandled by countless customers, or discontinued stuff.
The items can range from a ladle to a fully built standing desk, and some may be brand new.
You can find bathroom products, outdoor furniture, lighting, baby items, and home electronics.
The Swedish homewares and furniture juggernaut said the As Is area is meant to give second-hand items “a new life”.
Do you have a story? Email stew.perrie@yahooinc.com
Why the As Is section at IKEA is great
If you’ve ever perused the aisles of IKEA and thought, “Gosh, that’s out of our budget”, the As Is section is for you.
Because all the items are second-hand or discontinued, they are heavily discounted.
When I visited the Melbourne IKEA in Richmond, the biggest markdown was 85 per cent off a beige drawer.
You’d normally have to pay $85, but the one available at As Is was only $12.75.
I also saw a customer-returned $69 130cm rug advertised for $44.85, a $24.99 ex-showroom three-piece bathroom set for $15, and a $1,399 four-seater couch for just $799.
This three-piece set was nearly 40 per cent off for no other reason other than it was an ex-showroom model. Source: Yahoo Lifestyle
They were just some of the 121 items that were available at that store that day.
There was nothing wrong with any of these items, and they could slot into any home without anyone knowing it was second-hand.
What’s even better is that you don’t have to wander into your local IKEA and get a surprise at what you’ll find.
IKEA has catalogued every item available at each store, and you can browse the website and reserve a product to make sure no one else gets their hands on it.
You can get rugs, furniture, and fully built items like desks at the IKEA As Is section. Source: Yahoo Lifestyle
The reservation will only last for 48 hours.
IKEA’s website will also explain why the item is in the As Is section and its condition.
If you’ve ever bought something from Facebook Marketplace, you’ll know how painful it can be to chase the seller and make sure they don’t give it to someone else.
But IKEA’s As Is section is a complete game-changer if you don’t want to buy something new.
Are there any downsides to IKEA’s As Is section?
If you only have one IKEA in your city, then you’ll be stuck with whatever that store has.
IKEA is also the flat-pack icon, making it very easy to transport your newly purchased items from the store to your home.
But for furniture that’s already been constructed, it might be tricky to wedge a standing desk into the back of your car.
IKEA also recently changed its returns policy after shoppers were “misusing” the generous offer.
Shoppers in Australia and New Zealand used to be able to bring something back up to 365 days after purchase.
But that will now only apply to unopened, unused and resaleable products.
Opened or assembled items must now be returned within 60 days. Customers will be eligible for store credit, rather than a refund, for change of mind returns
This could impact how many items get returned and wind up in the As Is section, but it could take many months for that possible issue to filter through.
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