How to get the best deals at this IKEA section that has items up to 70% off

IKEA fans know that store layouts are designed to keep you moving along the path in one direction, like a labyrinthine amusement park. But the superfans also know that the greatest treasures are often to be found right at the end, in a special paradise for bargain hunters, DIY-ers and IKEA hackers.

Yes, we’re talking about the As-Is section.

Many’s the time we’ve gambolled through the store – not even stopping to inhale a meatball or two along the way – making a beeline for this area, usually located right by the checkout counters. This is where pre-loved items, not-so-loved items, or items that need a little lovin’ go to await good homes. “Take us as we are,” the As-Is goods seem to say. “We’re on discount.”

On any given day, you might find a cute couch, a pretty rug or a stack of decorative lanterns on offer, for a fraction of their regular price. Sure, they might have a little scratch or nick on them, but they’re perfectly serviceable. We’ve picked up outdoor lights, plant pots, jugs and even a limited-edition coffee table. The excitement is in never knowing what you’ll unearth with every visit.

How exactly, though, do products come to land up here? What’s their origin story?

They are made up of retired display pieces, returned items and items that have just been discontinued, revealed Kristof Cuppens, Deputy Store Manager, and Valein Grijaldo, Recovery Manager, of IKEA Singapore.

Display pieces from the showroom make up the bulk of them, Cuppens said. That’s why you’ll hardly find flat-packed furniture here – it’s already been assembled.

These pieces find their way to As-Is when displays are refreshed and updated.

The major shake-ups take place four times at year, when IKEA revitalises its ranges according to different campaign launches. At other times, parts of the showroom may also undergo rebuilding.

When this happens, products removed are sold at a discounted price of up to 70 per cent off in the As-Is section, depending on their condition.

A much smaller percentage of the As-Is section’s population consists of returned items (IKEA has a 365-day return policy with exceptions for products that can’t be returned for safety and hygiene reasons).

Returns are first checked to make sure they pose no safety issues and can function well. If they require additional parts, assembly or repackaging, staff work on them before taking them out to the shop floor. Those that are damaged and unsuitable for sale are recycled or scrapped.

Fun fact: In the "recovery room" at IKEA Tampines, there's an automated machine that serves as a "spare parts library". It's a collection of drawers full of nuts, bolts and other essential bits and bobs that might be needed to restore furniture and other products. Each spare part is called up by entering a code into the machine. This serves to save space as well as make the process more organised and efficient.

If you see a large quantity of the same item at As-Is, it’s something that has probably just been discontinued, or unsold stock from a previous range launch or seasonal festivity.

So, how can we make the most of our visit to this land of Swedish-designed bargain roulette?

On a day-to-day basis, the best time to hit up the As-Is section is after lunch, Cuppens revealed, as this is when the section is restocked with fresh pieces.

Items that enjoy the most popularity and get snapped up the fastest include faux plants, storage boxes, decor pieces and mattresses, Cuppens and Grijaldo shared. That means that if you see something you like, chances are, it won’t be there when you come back.

Another tip for scoring the best deals is to look past an item’s initial appearance and focus on its potential. For example, we spotted two identical coffee tables in the As-Is section, but one was priced lower because it had a line of sticky tape residue on it – something easily cleaned up at home.

When it comes to yearly occasions like Christmas or Raya, you can save money on festive decor by planning well ahead and shopping a year – well, 11 months, to be exact – in advance, provided you have the storage space at home, of course.

Just remember, As-Is items cannot be returned. Take them home and love them as they are. And feel smug that you scored a good deal.