July 10, 2017
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By Kirakiraouji (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
If you're fortunate enough to have an IKEA in your drivable area, you probably know how great it is to shop there. You also probably know just how extremely massive this big, blue store is. It's filled with everything you can imagine to fill your home - kitchen, bedroom, living room, bathroom, even the inside of your fridge (comment on this post if you love IKEA's Swedish meatballs!). Although IKEA's prices are fair, there are shopping hacks that can help you save even more. Keep reading to see what we mean.
It's your lucky day because a rare IKEA coupon has emerged. From Friday, July 14 to Sunday, July 16, bring this coupon into your local IKEA store and get $25 off your purchase of $150 or more.
- Screenshot your Pinterest boards, because the Wi-Fi is slow, and at times, non-existent. You didn’t spend four Saturday nights in a row pinning your dream kitchen not to have it!
- Moving soon? Of course, you are. Sign-up for their moving program and receive $25 towards a future purchase of $250 or more.
- Price-check! Making a larger purchase? Check the IKEA Offers page and online prices. You can make sure you’re getting the best price (even if it’s not advertised).
- Join IKEA Family. “But I don’t have a family. I still eat Ramen….and buy furniture at IKEA!” But one day, whether by new roommates or new family members, your household will grow. And your bank account may not follow. Think ahead. You can easily join IKEA Family for free and every month, you get access to special member-only prices as well as a free in-home visit and a detailed kitchen plan from a professional planner. IKEA Family members also get free coffee or tea every time they visit.
- Shop the As-Is section first. One man’s trash is another (handy) man’s treasure. The beauty of the “As Is” section is most of the things there are pre-assembled from the last soul who gave up on their craftsmanship. Half the work, half the price.
Bonus hack: The best day to shop IKEA's As-Is on a Monday. Want to know why? We have a blog post all about it here.
- Pre-order online. You can order what you need, and pick it up at the loading dock. Life hack: Do this at EVERY store possible. Never create more work, walking or small talk than you have to.
- Avoid IKEA in July and August, especially on the weekends, LIKE THE PLAGUE. College freshman will be fighting you for desk chairs and mattresses. According to Brett Graff, the leading expert on home economics at TheHomeEconomist.com, "[household] furnishings are least expensive in December, same with cookware and tableware. They're most expensive in May and June."
- Missing parts? Do NOT buy their replacements? Simply let the store know (have the part’s number), and they will hook you up!
- Call an Uber or Lyft. Delivery fees start at $59 and it only grows with the more you need to be delivered. You shouldn’t inflict that kind of pain upon yourself.
- Download the IKEA Catalog app. It's their augmented reality app that lets you test how actual IKEA products will look in your home. The selection of products is minimal, but the app has some great features like the ability to save your favorite products for later, save of the image of your room layout with the IKEA product, and more. We checked it out and shared our likes and dislikes, so you can read all about it here. Click here to download IKEA Catalog from the iTunes Store or Google Play Store.
- IKEA carries twine, tape, and more moving materials! Take advantage of that, and save the extra bucks to buy some of their glorious menu items.
- Glorious menu items. For the cheap, especially if you're an IKEA Family member and can score member pricing. I wouldn't mind breakfast, lunch, and dinner here.
- Verify the article number for each item. Seems easy enough, but it’s a common mistake. (That I’ve made.) Don’t just grab and go just because you’re in the right aisle and found the right bin. Notice how there are these red arrows that go Up and Down. Pay attention to this because many of the packages are similarly shaped.
- Having trouble assembling an item and want a return? Only make returns at 10 A.M. Or expect to wait in line for hours a return can very easily turn into an interrogation.
- Measure twice and buy once. At least that is the goal. Refer to IKEA by Size to help you look for items that fit your space perfectly. Don't forget to measure the car, doorways used and paths you’ll carry the furniture through.
- Check the local page. Your area may be having special sales! (Spoiler alert: They almost always are, and they’re good sales!)
- Taking a nice long walk at IKEA? Make a playlist. I recommend Hall and Oates.
- BYOB: Bring Your Own Bag! (Though beer would be great because shopping is hard guys.) IKEA doesn’t supply plastic bags, and you’re going to need help carrying everything to your car!
- If (500) Days of Summer taught us anything, shopping trips can double as dates.
- Go prepared! Have a list of everything you want, and seriously, download or make a map of where you plan to go in chronological order! If you come prepared, you can avoid the designated path that may lead you to sections where you'll be tempted to buy things that aren't on your list. Follow the shortcuts noted on the columns throughout the store to get to where you need to be and you'll be in and out before you know it.
- Browse online before you head to the actual store. IKEA is huge and sometimes overwhelming. If you take a look at what's available online, you might get a better idea of what to look for and what to expect. The online selection is not as vast as the selection in-store, but it is a good start. They also have an IKEA Store Shopping App (download it from the iTunes Store here or from the Google Play Store here) so you can access your uniquely curated smart shopping list.
- Lost the assembly instructions for your product? IKEA was nice enough to produce and share Assembling with IKEA videos for their most popular products. Check them out here.
- Utilize all the resources available, like the IKEA Home Planner. This feature lets you plan and design your kitchen, bathroom, or office. Once you design it, you will receive a detailed report of all the products you used with the prices included. You can easily create a profile to save your designs.
- Check out the annual IKEA Catalog. If you don't get it in the mail, you can see it online, and they'll even tell you until when the prices are valid. The current 2017 IKEA Catalog has prices that are valid until July 31, 2017.
- Did you know IKEA has a registry? If you didn't, now you do! You can find, create, or manage a registry for a wedding, a new baby, a new home, or whatever the occasion may be.
- Start shopping at the Exit. Yes, you read that correctly. When you enter IKEA through the Exit, you automatically end up at the warehouse where prices are slashed. You can still easily access the rest of the store, but you may save some money by the end of your shopping excursion.
- If you need to make a return, you don't have to walk through the entire store. Customer service representative Algren, who has reportedly worked at the Swedish IKEA for over a year and a half, started an Ask Me Anything thread on Reddit and shared this secret. When you walk intot he store, after being greeted by the Welcome Host desk (the person handing out the yellow bags), you should be able to find a shortcut that will lead you directly to the Customer Returns department. Although he is from the U.K., he said most U.S. locations have similar store layouts so keep your eyes peeled.
What are your tried and true hacks for shopping at IKEA? Share them with us in the comments below!
