{"id":676139,"date":"2026-05-17T05:36:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T05:36:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/676139\/"},"modified":"2026-05-17T05:36:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T05:36:13","slug":"ikea-shoppers-trick-to-get-85-item-for-12-complete-game-changer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/676139\/","title":{"rendered":"IKEA shopper’s trick to get $85 item for $12: ‘Complete game-changer’"},"content":{"rendered":"

IKEA’s layout is unlike any other<\/a> in the retail sector, with its carefully designed map that shoppers must follow<\/a> to get from one section to another.<\/p>\n

It’s all curated to seamlessly go from bedroom to kitchen to living area to bathroom<\/a>, and all the products are on show to illustrate what they’d look like in your home.<\/p>\n

But there is

recent trip to IKEA<\/a> and couldn’t believe what was on offer.<\/p>\n

While the rest of the store was packed for a Sunday browse, the As Is section was virtually empty.<\/p>\n

\"IKEA<\/p>\n

IKEA has a little-known section in its stores where you can find massive discounts. Source: Yahoo Lifestyle\/Getty<\/p>\n

What is IKEA’s As Is section?<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The items can range from a ladle to a fully built standing desk, and some may be brand new.<\/p>\n

You can find bathroom products, outdoor furniture, lighting, baby items, and home electronics.<\/p>\n

The Swedish homewares and furniture juggernaut said the As Is area is meant to give second-hand items “a new life”.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story? Email stew.perrie@yahooinc.com<\/p>\n

Why the As Is section at IKEA is great<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Because all the items are second-hand or discontinued, they are heavily discounted.<\/p>\n

When I visited the Melbourne IKEA in Richmond, the biggest markdown was 85 per cent off a beige drawer.<\/p>\n

You’d normally have to pay $85, but the one available at As Is was only $12.75.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"This<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

They were just some of the 121 items that were available at that store that day.<\/p>\n

There was nothing wrong with any of these items, and they could slot into any home without anyone knowing it was second-hand.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"You<\/p>\n

You can get rugs, furniture, and fully built items like desks at the IKEA As Is section. Source: Yahoo Lifestyle<\/p>\n

The reservation will only last for 48 hours.<\/p>\n

IKEA’s website will also explain why the item is in the As Is section and its condition.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

But IKEA’s As Is section is a complete game-changer if you don’t want to buy something new.<\/p>\n

Are there any downsides to IKEA’s As Is section?<\/p>\n

If you only have one IKEA in your city, then you’ll be stuck with whatever that store has.<\/p>\n

IKEA is also the flat-pack icon, making it very easy to transport your newly purchased items from the store to your home.<\/p>\n

But for furniture that’s already been constructed, it might be tricky to wedge a standing desk into the back of your car.<\/p>\n

IKEA also recently changed its returns policy after shoppers were “misusing” the generous offer.<\/p>\n

Shoppers in Australia and New Zealand used to be able to bring something back up to 365 days after purchase.<\/p>\n

But that will now only apply to unopened, unused and resaleable products.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Want the latest lifestyle and entertainment news? Make sure to follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram, <\/a>and TikTok<\/a>. <\/p>\n