7 Things You Should Never Do at IKEA

With 480 IKEA stores globally, there’s a good chance you’ve shopped at one. Whether you are looking for a sofa, wardrobe, or a brand-new kitchen, this Scandinavian treasure trove sells just about everything. But, with an average size of 300,000 square feet and a maze-like layout, shopping there can certainly be overwhelming for many people. So, it’s easy to make a mistake. 

From general faux pas to tips to know before you go, here are seven things you should never do in IKEA stores, according to employees on various Reddit threads.

Lie Down in the Beds

IKEA is a great place to buy affordable mattresses and you should definitely try before you buy, but it’s best to lie on top of the beds to get a feel, and not inside.

One employee wrote in an Ask Me Anything thread, “Yes, I’ve seen plenty of people nap in a bed and/or couch, usually when waiting for people they’re shopping with. I would always recommend lying on the beds or sofas if you are looking to buy, but keep it to a minimum. We rarely wash the sofa covers and bed sheets seen in display rooms. If you want to try a mattress don’t get under the sheets but go to the mattress section and try the open ones. They are a lot cleaner.”

So, while you might be tempted to take a nap after a long day of shopping, it’s probably a smarter move to take a break instead and get a cup of coffee at the cafe. Then come back to the mattress section once you are feeling more refreshed. 

Not Understanding the Return Policy

IKEA offers a generous 365-day return policy, so be sure to check your receipt or credit card statement before attempting to return older items to the retailer. If you believe you need an exception, it’s best to be kind to employees, one Redditor recommends.

They wrote: “This guy, again at a returns desk, trying to return something he bought 3 years ago. IKEA has a 365-day returns policy, so we could literally do nothing for him. Now the the flat pack furniture had glass shelves in the box, and they were so smashed they were basically sand. The more we kept saying we can’t help the more irate he got. He then proceeded to open the box and dump all the broken glass on the desk “ Yikes!

Return Used Pillows

Keep in mind that there are some exceptions to IKEA’s return policy. For example, one employee shared that returning used pillows is a big no.

The employee wrote, “One day a woman comes to the counter trying to return some pillows. Generally speaking, they didn’t take returns on pillows for sanitary reasons. She also didn’t have a receipt and the pillows were clearly used and absolutely disgusting. […] Our return policy states we only accept products within 30 days of purchase, with the receipt, and unused in the original packaging.”

Ask Employees to Remove Things that Require A Forklift

According to an employee in a thread about the worst IKEA meltdowns, safety is crucial and some rules cannot be broken. This especially applies to moving items located on those nearly sky-high shelves. 

“A guy came in and wanted something that we only had ‘in the air’ so it would require a forklift to get the product down, which we don’t do with people in the store for fairly obvious safety reasons. I told him we could get it down right after the store closed for him but that was not an acceptable answer,” they write.

They continue, “As this is happening, his wife and two small children walk up. I say, ‘Well sir, just imagine that your children are in the aisle when the forklift comes out and an accident occurs, your children could be crushed by a falling pallet, the arms of the lift, or any other number of possibly fatal incidents.’”

If you’re planning to purchase something that can’t easily be loaded onto a cart, be prepared to wait until closing time or politely speak with a manager or employee to find a solution.

Forget to Take a Number While Waiting for Customer Service

Waiting in line at customer service is one of the least enjoyable aspects of shopping at IKEA. These lines can get quite busy, so the stores use a number system to help prevent confusion. Although large signs inform customers of this policy, they are sometimes overlooked, which can result in chaos revealed another user in the same meltdown thread.

They write, “We had giant signs notifying customers to take a number, and you would be called when the next coworker is available. Well, this couple was sitting there for approximately 30 minutes when the lady just screams, ‘Are you kidding me? I needed to grab a number?’ Somehow she missed the signs or the fact that for 30 minutes, we had been calling people up via a number queueing system similar to the DMV.”

Improperly Secure Large Items in Your Car

Many people don’t have vehicles large enough to transport items like sofas, making it essential to plan ahead or arrange for delivery. One Redditor shared a story about a customer who attempted to game the system by switching the price tag on a sofa to pay less than its actual value and then carried it out of the store. Unsurprisingly, the plan backfired, proving that crime doesn’t pay.

According to them, “The person loaded the couch onto their truck and got out of there as fast as they could. IKEA is right along the freeway, and as soon as they got on the freeway, the couch fell out and onto the road. It completely destroyed the couch.”

And if you were wondering: When he went back into the store and asked for a refund, he was refused.

Being Afraid to Ask Employees for Help

While many employees tell stories on Reddit about customers being rude (to put it mildly), one expressed the importance of simply asking for help to avoid a stressful situation.

They write, “A few minutes before closing time I come back, and lo and behold it is the same couple trying to figure out how to fit a sectional into their Jeep. There are things being tossed and words being shouted, but I try not to listen. I walk across strewn boxes and wrapping plastic they have torn apart in an attempt to get everything to fit and ask them politely if they would like some help. They make eye contact and realize it is me but graciously accept… an excellent move.”