IKEA is taking on Vinted as it enters the increasingly popular world of buying and selling second-hand products via the internet.
As people continue to become addicted to buying and selling used clothes online, they can now expect to be trading in kitchen tables, sofas and work desks.
The Swedish retail giant has taken a page out of Vinted and eBay’s books, hoping to give its customers greater access to ‘affordable’ products.
IKEA has claimed that its new online second-hand marketplace will be exclusively for its furniture and homeware.
Those looking to redecorate their home can expect prices on the new platform to be as much as 60% lower than those for new items, creating a brand new alternative for its customers.
This comes amid the rising popularity of apps like Vinted and Depop, which allow for the buying and selling of second-hand clothing on a similar online platform.
The Swedish retail giant has explained that sellers on the platform can scan their eligible items to create a listing.
The website will then recommend a price, produce product photography, accurate measurements, assembly instructions, and product descriptions.
However, in what may end up being the biggest draw for the platform, buyers will be able to order new spare parts for free. Meaning those pesky restraint brackets and misplaced hinges can now be easily replaced.
The price recommendation slapped on pre-owned items is a percentage of the original cost but is also adjusted based on the item’s condition. However, IKEA has stressed that sellers can manually set their own price.
Those offloading their unwanted furniture will be able to receive cash or an IKEA gift card when they sell an item; however, there will be a 15% top-up, according to the Daily Mail.
The retailer has explained that a Buyers Protection Fee will be free at launch, and it will be ‘clear and transparent when that changes and it represents a cost to customers’.
Speaking on the new platform, Greg Lucas, sustainability manager at IKEA UK and Ireland, said: ‘The way people furnish their homes has changed.’
‘Whether they are moving, redecorating or looking for a particular piece, more customers are considering pre-owned furniture alongside new and are actively searching for items that can help create a home that feels personal to them
‘IKEA products are designed to be used, maintained and enjoyed over time, and the second-hand marketplace, as well as our in-store buyback service, gives people a straightforward way to pass on items as their needs change, with the practical information they need to buy and sell with confidence.’
