Join Ikea’s Loyalty Program
Like many stores, a major way to save at Ikea is by joining their loyalty program, Ikea Family. You’ll get discounts on certain menu items at the Ikea restaurant, as well as an extra 30 minutes in Smaland, the store’s supervised children’s play area. Arguably the biggest perk is members-only prices on a different department (say, artwork or office accessories) each month. Make sure you sign up for email alerts to stay in the loop. By the way, this is the best time to go to Ikea.
Shop the As-Is Section
Ikea’s as-is section is half clearance department, half-island of misfit toys. You’ll find returned, damaged and previously displayed items at steep discounts. Go on a Monday morning to get first dibs on items customers returned over the weekend. “Obviously, those items can’t be returned,” notes David Bakke, shopping expert at Money Crashers. So make sure you’re not making too many impulse buys. Don’t miss these other Ikea secrets employees won’t tell you.
Go In With a Plan
Because Ikea requires you to walk through the entire store before buying (although you can look out for shortcut signs if you’d like), it’s easy to pick up a few—or a ton—of items that weren’t on your original shopping list. Ignore those and stay on task. An extra $5 here and there adds up quickly. Here’s why your Ikea mugs have a chip at the bottom.
Tell Them You’re Moving
Even if you’re not, you’ll be able to get $25 off any $250 in-store purchase. Bring this coupon with you just in case. Once you’ve got your loot, try these Ikea furniture hacks to make your pieces look expensive.
Save Your Shopping Spree for a Tuesday
A trip to Ikea can be an hours-long affair. That means you and your crew are likely to get hungry while you’re there. Luckily, Ikea has you covered with its fantastic restaurant. And on Tuesdays, kids eat free. If you’re a member of Ikea Family, you’ll also get a free coffee or hot tea to keep you fueled. You’ll want to check out Ikea’s holiday collection!
Wait for the Kitchen Sale
Once you get your Ikea Family card, you’ll be in the know about the timing of major sales. One of the biggest to watch out for? The Ikea kitchen sale. This major event happens three to four times a year and runs for about six weeks. The discounts are insane: 15-20 percent off a kitchen purchase of $2,000 or more. If you’ve got a renovation coming up, it’s totally worth it. In fact, Ikea helped our Digital Director save $30,000 on her kitchen remodel.
Shop Ikea on Amazon
If you haven’t found your dream furniture at a discount or in the as-is section, try your luck elsewhere. “Ikea.com isn’t always where you will find the best deals,” says Sarah Hollenbeck, shopping and savings expert at Offers.com. “Many Ikea items can be found on Amazon for up to half off. Plus, if you are a prime member, you can cut Ikea’s usual shipping time down to just two days by selecting Prime shipping at checkout.”
Always Get the Sale Price
Ikea Family also guarantees you 90-day price protection. That means if an item you bought goes on sale within three months of your purchase date, you’ll get a refund for the difference. Did you know that Ikea has been named America’s favorite home furnishing store?
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Juliana LaBianca