11 Genius IKEA Shopping Hacks You’ve Needed All Your Life

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For many people, IKEA is the land of dreams. You can find anything from a bamboo plant to your entire living room furniture set in this metropolis. Walking through the store can be a lot of fun, but sometimes it’s a lot to handle. These 11 IKEA hacks will make your shopping experience infinitely easier and help you maintain your sanity.

1. Never cry over missing parts again.

The last thing you want to do after buying that complicated dresser set is contact IKEA to report there’s ONE  screw missing. It’s worth doing though, and it’s free. All you have to do is email the company with your information and the part will be sent to you ASAP.

2. You can get paid if you’re moving (seriously).

If you sign up for IKEA’s moving program, you’re eligible to get $25 back if you spend over $250, or if you purchase two or more items.

3. Get a member card.

It’s seriously worth it. You can swipe your card every time you’re at the store (or shop online) for a chance to win $100.

4. Bring your kid to eat for free on Tuesdays.

Disregard this if you want nothing to do with kids. But if you happen to have a few tykes in tow, you can feast on IKEA’s famous Swedish meatballs with your kids eating for free.

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5. Opt to get money back for what you buy within 90 days of purchase.

Yep, you can request a price adjustment for your purchase for up to 90 days after the transaction. That means if your lamp goes on sale a week after you buy it at full price, you can get a discount.

6. Check out the “as is” section.

You might find some seriously damaged stuff in there, but you also might find a gem. A piece of furniture with the tiniest of flaws could be your’s for a fraction of its original price.

7. Enter through the “exit” to save time.

If you’re not there to browse and you came prepared with a list of items you know you want, go through the exit to get the job done quicker. This trick works especially well for those who are easily distracted by all the pretty things the IKEA showroom has to offer.

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8. Look for the yellow tags.

Products with a yellow tag are “last chance” items, which means they’re on the verge of being discontinued — both in the store and online. If you like it, buy it before it’s gone.

9. Pre-order as much as possible.

Pre-ordering online could save you one hell of a headache if you’re planning to purchase big furniture. You can drive right up to the loading dock when you’re ready to pick up your products and get out in a matter of minutes.

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10. Do yourself a huge favor and avoid IKEA in August.

This might seem like a stretch, but just remember that there are thousands of incoming college freshmen also going to IKEA looking to make their dorms the **best ever**. If you want to keep your sanity, keep away from IKEA stores around the end of the summer.

11. Keep track of your possible purchases by taking photos of the items instead.

You’re most likely used to just writing down item numbers of the pieces you’re interested in. But doesn’t it suck when you get to the end and you can’t remember what those numbers even relate to? Take photos of the items instead to keep your list straight.