Guide to Shopping at IKEA — IKEA is one of those brands that has found its way into every area of life. From hipster cabinets and budget-restricted homeowners to build-your-own-furniture constructors and lovers of luxury. Homeowners who are within the distance of this store are lucky homeowners indeed!
However, if you’re new to the franchise, it’s safe to say that you’re going to feel overwhelmed and the whole experience is going to be daunting.
Your Complete Guide to Shopping at IKEA
To help you make the most of your IKEA adventure, here’s a complete guide to everything you need to know.
Why Shop at IKEA?
If you wanted to kit out your home or office with anything you can think of, be it furniture, décor, carpets, rugs or even pictures, IKEA has it all. There is everything you can imagine in all different styles and designs, so you’re sure to find something you like.
Mia Peterson, the CEO of Paper Fellows, shares her experiences, “When we first started our company, the first place we went for furniture was IKEA. The store is a godsend and has everything we could have ever wanted from desks and chairs to the vases that we put our flowers in the window. Don’t forget to bring your own bags or you’ll be paying for them at the checkout!”
Entering the Store
As soon as you enter your local IKEA store, there are a few things you’re going to need to do. Firstly, grab yourself a nearby catalogue from the stack by the door, if you don’t already have one from home. Although this is essential, for your first time, you’re going to need this.
If there are maps on offer, make sure you grab one of these as well because the chances are you’re going to get lost on your journey. Although also not essential, you may want to grab a notepad and a pen, a necessity for writing down what items you want when you’re going around the store and, of course, a bag or a cart for carrying your items.
Navigating the Store
Any given IKEA store, you’ll find that the store is split into four sections. These are the main showroom, the marketplace area, the self-serve warehouse and the main checkout area. Within the showroom, you’ll find a vast collection of some of IKEA’s best items; kind of like a furniture Disneyland for adults.
The marketplace is a little different and contains many décor-styled items, such as vases, pillows, dishes, rugs and anything you need to decorate your house. The other two areas are pretty self-explanatory. Feel free to explore at your own will, using the catalogue and the map you have to find exactly what you want. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, feel free to explore to see what can find!
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Things You Need to Know
There are some other things that you’re going to need to know as you go. For instance, don’t worry if you haven’t brought your own tape measure, IKEA will supply you with your own one! Another prime example of how this wonderland helps you are with their price tags.
On these price tags, you’ll find available colours, materials, product sizes and all the useful information that you’re going to need. If you’re taking your kids, there’s also places for them to play under supervision or they’ll find a tonne of enjoyment wandering around the store.
There’s also restaurants, both a self-serve and a bistro and a tonne of sales assistants hidden throughout the maze which is extremely clued up on where everything is and anything you want to know.
Lorraine Rine, a writer for Big Assignments and a diehard IKEA fan, exclaims. “The restaurant is by far one of the greatest parts of IKEA! Don’t forget to sample the delicious croissants!”
How to Save Money Shopping at IKEA
It’s easy to get carried away when shopping at IKEA, which can lead to a huge bill when you get to the checkout. However, there are a few things you can do to save you money, in addition to signing up for the IKEA Partner Program.
For example, if you’ve just moved to a new house, you’ll be able to sign up to their other Moving Program, nabbing yourself a $25 gift card. Also, on your way around, you may have noticed an AS-IS section. This is full of discounted items that were either returned or slightly damaged, leading to huge discounts if you don’t mind.
Thomas Frazier from Academized and a long-time shopper at IKEA, states, “Don’t forget to sign up for the IKEA Partner Program before you go so you can nab yourself some discounts in store!”
There are also plenty of other programs you can join, such as signing up for a Cash Rewards Card or even the IKEA Family card, giving you exclusive discounts and savings to bring your bill down every single shop.
Conclusion
Your first time in IKEA doesn’t have to be a mission where you find yourself lost and confused. Instead, follow this simple yet complete guide so you can have the best experience possible.
Author Bio
Brenda Berg is a professional with over 15 years of experience in business management, marketing and entrepreneurship. Consultant and tutor for college students and entrepreneurs at Oxessays. Brenda is a self-motivated results-driven individual who is encouraged to travel and share gained experience. She believes that constant learning is the only way to success. You can visit her personal blog at Letsgoandlearn.com
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