Ikea will buy back your old furniture when shops are allowed to reopen in April

IKEA’S new buy back scheme can finally launch in April when shops reopen.

The scheme will let shoppers trade unwanted furniture back to Ikea in exchange for gift cards.

Ikea is launching a new 'Buy Back' scheme for shoppers — Ikea is launching a new ‘Buy Back’ scheme for shoppersCredit: PA:Press Association

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

The “Buy Back” scheme was piloted in Edinburgh and Glasgow stores last year. Due to the pandemic the plan to launch it in all other Ikea UK and Ireland shops on November 27 was postponed.

It’s now aimed for the scheme to start up once IKEA stores are permitted to reopen as part of the lockdown roadmap.

An IKEA spokesperson told The Sun it’s committed to making sustainable living more simple and accessible.

They said: “Despite a delay, Buy Back will launch as soon as possible after restrictions have lifted, and our stores have safely reopened to customers across the UK and Ireland.”

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.

Here's what the Ikea 'Buy Back' website looks like — Here’s what the Ikea ‘Buy Back’ website looks like

Ikea shoppers will be asked to choose their item from a list

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.

Which items are eligible for the scheme?

Only IKEA products in a good resellable condition will be considered for the buy back scheme.

The furniture must be properly assembled, clean and unmodified. Items they’re accepting include:

All dressers, office drawer cabinets, small structures with drawers, display storage, sideboards, chests of drawers
Bookcases and shelf units
Small tables
Multimedia furniture
Cabinets
Dining tables and desks
Chairs and stools (not upholstered)

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