IKEA Buy Back Scheme UK: Is It Worth Your Time?
- The Penny Pincher Team
- Sep 8
- 6 min read
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IKEA's buy-back scheme promises to pay you up to 52% of your furniture's original value, but is it actually worth your time?
If you have IKEA furniture that you're thinking of replacing or upgrading, and it's still in decent condition, you can speed up the decluttering process and make it far less hassle by selling items back to IKEA for store credit rather than dealing with the uncertainty of private sales.
After testing the IKEA buyback scheme myself and comparing real prices against private sales, here's everything you need to know about whether the IKEA buyback and resell programme offers genuine value for money-conscious households.
What Is IKEA's Buy Back Scheme?
The IKEA buy-back scheme, officially called "Buyback & Resell," is a year-round programme where IKEA purchases your used furniture in exchange for store credit.
Since launching in 2021, IKEA has bought back furniture worth over £3.4 million through gift cards, with over 100,000 pieces of furniture getting a new life and an average buyback value of £53.
Unlike selling privately, you receive an IKEA refund card rather than cash. These cards never expire, making them useful for future purchases. Your returned furniture gets resold in IKEA's "Re-shop & Re-use" sections or recycled responsibly.
IKEA Family Membership: The 15% Bonus That Really Helps!
Here's the crucial detail many miss: IKEA Family membership increases buyback values by 15%. This free membership transforms the scheme from decent to genuinely worthwhile.
Standard buyback rates:
As new condition: 45% of the original price
Very good condition: 35% of the original price
Well-used condition: 25% of the original price
IKEA Family member rates (15% bonus):
As new condition: 52% of the original price
Very good condition: 40% of the original price
Well-used condition: 29% of the original price
On a £200 purchase, that 15% bonus adds an extra £27-31 to your payout.
IKEA Family membership is free and includes additional benefits like price protection for 90 days, exclusive discounts, and free weekday hot drinks.
How the IKEA Buy Back Process Works
The IKEA buyback process involves four straightforward steps:
Get an estimate using IKEA's online buyback estimator tool
Prepare your item - ensure it's clean, fully assembled, and unmodified
Visit your store within 30 days with the item and your quote
Receive your refund card after the staff inspection confirms the condition
The online estimate provides a good indication, but the final amount depends on in-store inspection. Items must be transported to the store fully assembled, which can be challenging for larger pieces.
What Furniture IKEA Will Buy Back
IKEA accepts a substantial range of furniture through their buyback scheme:
Eligible items include:
All bookcases and shelving units (including BILLY and KALLAX)
Desks and tables of all sizes
Storage furniture: dressers, sideboards, chest of drawers
Office furniture and drawer units
Multimedia furniture and TV stands
Non-upholstered chairs and stools
Children's furniture (excluding baby items)
PAX wardrobe accessories and internal fittings
Items NOT accepted:
Beds, mattresses, and textiles
Sofas, armchairs, and upholstered furniture
Complete kitchen units and worktops
Outdoor furniture and glass-heavy pieces
Appliances, electronics, and lighting
Baby products (cots, changing tables, etc.)
Modified or "hacked" IKEA items
IKEA Buy Back vs Private Sale: The Real Numbers
To determine if the IKEA buyback scheme offers fair value, I researched current market prices. One analysis found that for an "as new" IKEA desk originally costing £129, the buyback scheme offered £61, whilst suggesting you could potentially achieve around 70% of the original value through Facebook Marketplace for items in good condition.
The reality of private sales:
Higher potential returns (60-70% for desirable items)
Significant time investment in photography, listings, and buyer communication
Uncertainty about whether items will sell
Many sellers accept 20-30% below asking prices due to limited interest
Transport arrangements typically fall to buyers
The IKEA buyback advantage:
Guaranteed sale within 30 days
No photography, listings, or buyer negotiations required
Minimal time investment (15-20 minutes in-store)
Professional assessment rather than haggling
Convenient if you're planning future IKEA purchases
Current IKEA Buy Back Promotions (September 2025)
IKEA regularly enhances their buyback scheme with promotional bonuses. During their Black Friday alternative in November 2024, IKEA Family members received an additional 25% on top of their buyback amount.
Currently available offers include:
Kitchen and dining promotion: £10 off £50, £20 off £100, or £50 off £250 (code SECRETSAUCE50, valid until 28 September 2025)
Student discount: £10 off £75 or £20 off £150 for verified students (until 19 October 2025)
These promotions can be combined with buyback credits, effectively stretching your refund card value.
Shopping the Re-shop Section: Finding IKEA Buy Back Bargains
Items purchased through IKEA's buyback scheme get resold in dedicated "Re-shop & Re-use" sections. I discovered a £80 shoe storage unit here for £40 due to a minor scuff and incorrectly positioned screws. Staff provided free replacement parts and assistance, resulting in significant savings.
Peak periods for Re-shop stock occur before Christmas and spring cleaning seasons when people declutter most actively. These sections often contain discontinued items and display furniture alongside buyback returns.
Is the IKEA Buy Back Scheme Worth It?
The IKEA buyback scheme works best in these situations:
When it's worthwhile:
You're an IKEA Family member (essential for the 15% bonus)
Time is more valuable than maximising monetary return
You regularly shop at IKEA or plan future purchases
Items are difficult to transport privately
You want a guaranteed sale without listing hassles
When to consider alternatives:
You need cash rather than store credit
Items are rare, designer collaborations, or discontinued pieces
You have time for private sale processes
Storage space isn't an issue while attempting private sales
Seasonal Patterns and Timing Tips
Understanding usage patterns can help optimise your buyback experience:
Best times to sell back:
Just after peak decluttering seasons (January, late spring)
Weekdays when stores are less busy
Early in promotional periods, before stock builds up
Best times to shop Re-shop sections:
During and just after Christmas/spring, when return volumes peak
First thing in the mornin,g when new stock appears
Check online reservations for specific items
The Bottom Line: IKEA Buy Back Scheme
IKEA's buyback scheme offers genuine value for most situations, particularly with IKEA Family membership. The 52% return rate for items in "as new" condition is competitive when you factor in convenience and guaranteed sale.
The scheme's main limitation is receiving store credit rather than cash, but for households that regularly shop at IKEA, this becomes less significant.
Combined with current promotions and the ability to stack discounts, store credit often stretches beyond its face value.
The secondhand furniture market saw 85% growth in units sold by furniture brands in 2024, indicating strong demand. IKEA products already make up 10% of the second-hand home furnishing market, demonstrating their durability and desirability.
For money-conscious households looking to declutter whilst recouping value, IKEA's buyback scheme represents a practical middle ground between the effort of private sales and the minimal returns of disposal.
The convenience, guaranteed acceptance, and immediate processing make it particularly valuable for those prioritising time over maximum monetary return.
Maximising Your IKEA Buy Back Value: Advanced Stacking Tips
To squeeze every penny from your buyback credit, consider these money-saving strategies:
Cashback stacking: If your buyback credit doesn't cover your full purchase, you can use cashback services like JamDoughnut to buy IKEA gift cards for the remaining amount. This earns you cashback on top of your buyback savings. Learn more about how JamDoughnut works and maximises your cashback.
Student discount combination: Verified students can combine their buyback credit with IKEA's current student offers, potentially saving an additional £10-20 on top of their refund card value.
Promotional timing: Plan your buyback around IKEA's seasonal promotions to maximise the spending power of your refund card.
Frequently Asked Questions About IKEA Buy Back
How much can I get back through IKEA's buyback scheme? IKEA Family members can receive up to 52% of the original purchase price for items in "as new" condition, 40% for "very good" items, and 29% for "well used" furniture.
Does the IKEA buyback scheme give cash or vouchers? You receive IKEA refund cards (store credit) rather than cash. These cards never expire and can be used online or in-store for most purchases.
What furniture can I sell back to IKEA? IKEA accepts bookcases, tables, storage furniture, non-upholstered seating, and children's furniture. They don't accept beds, sofas, kitchen units, or modified items.
How long does the IKEA buyback process take? After getting your online estimate, you have 30 days to bring the item to the store. The in-store assessment and refund card issuance typically takes 15-20 minutes.
Can I use IKEA buyback without the IKEA Family membership? Yes, but you'll miss the crucial 15% bonus. Standard rates are 45%, 35%, and 25% respectively, for the three condition categories.
