Ikea tightens returns policy for New Zealand and Australia consumers

Ikea is tightening its returns policy, allowing 60 days for assembled products to be returned. Photo / Corey Fleming

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ

Ikea is tightening its returns policy for Australia and New Zealand.

The homeware retailer told customers on Thursday that its “test and try” policy, which allows for products to be assembled and then returned, would only apply for 60 days after the date of purchase. The original packaging would need to be maintained.

It would only allow returns for up to 365 days for products that were unopened, unused and that could be resold.

In comparison, the company’s British website tells customers they can return open products for up to 365 days, even if they have been assembled.

An Ikea spokesperson said the changes to the way returns, cancellations and exchanges worked had been introduced in Australia and New Zealand.

“The changes have been made to continue to provide peace of mind and flexibility for our customers.

“The new Ikea ‘test and try’ policy gives customers a fair time period of 60 days for a change of mind if the product does not suit their life at home, with the ability to return an opened and assembled product in acceptable condition. Customers still have 365 days to return their product if it is unopened, unused and resealable.

“The changes were implemented as part of a planned update across both markets and are not related to the condition of goods being returned by customers.”

– RNZ