17 Secrets IKEA Employees Won’t Tell You

Insider IKEA shopping secrets

You know the ins and outs of shopping at IKEA. You’ve got the IKEA shopping route (and shortcuts) etched on your palm. Or so it seems. Well, it’s been revealed there are secrets IKEA co-workers have been hiding from us.

In a Reader’s Digest article (yes, my old favourite mag), IKEA employees share 17 “IKEA shopping secrets”. I use the quote marks because some, like the fact they have shortcuts and free coffee (with unlimited refill, I might add) is no secret to many of us. And, if you didn’t know this, what else have you been missing out? Read on to find out.

Insider IKEA shopping secrets
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One I found surprising was the ability to buy IKEA items online and pick it up from the store, for a fee of $5. (I found the fee surprising, not the online purchase and store pick-up) Granted online purchase of IKEA items isn’t available where I live, so this doesn’t apply.

Next, they give out free diapers in the family bathrooms! Wow. I never knew since I’ve never needed to change a baby. But this definitely motivates me to check out the family bathrooms to see if this is true at IKEA Malaysia.

Insider IKEA shopping secrets
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And once you join IKEA Family, you have a 90-day price protection. If the item you just bought goes on sale within three months of your purchase date, IKEA refunds you the price difference. Hmm … this is interesting. Has anyone tried this?


Related: IKEA names and their meaning, finally!


Another secret is they keep a schedule. Depending on the store, the As-Is section might only be restocked once or twice a week. Once you know that day, you might score the best items if you can make it in when the newest items were added.

Insider IKEA shopping secrets

Less well-kept secrets include the ability to try before you buy via the IKEA Place app. The app lets you upload a photo of your home and then place IKEA items in the space so you can see how well it fits before you commit to lugging the flatpack home.

Sadly, not all of these perks are available worldwide. Why oh why?

Click here for all 17 secrets and find out if you’ve always known them all.

Sources: IKEA design spokesperson Janice Simonsen; former IKEA employee Marie