I worked at IKEA – secrets only employees know, including the rough way the food is prepared

AN EX-IKEA employee has shared some of the store’s secrets she learned on the job – including a little-known returns trick.

TikTok user Allie used to work at the Swedish furniture chain and has shared some surprising details from her time there, from why the store is laid out like a maze to how the food is prepared.

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“I used to work at IKEA,” Allie said. “The rumors are true: they make a maze out of it so you can’t get out.

“You can return almost anything and they won’t stop you,” she continued.

“All the food in the restaurant is in a bag and is just being reheated,” she continued.

“And you can always get free coffee and sign up for the IKEA card,” she concluded.

Her video has been viewed almost 100,000 times, with one commenter acknowledging the chain’s generous return policy.

When another commenter asked if they could even return a seven-year bookshelf, Allie said that they might be able to with a receipt.

Earlier this month, Homes to Love IKEA superfans compiled a list of shopping secrets that can save you time in the store and money at the checkout.

One of the most intimidating aspects of an IKEA trip is the maze of aisles, marked by directional arrows that guide the shopper through the product maze.

While ex-employee Allie says this is done on purpose to get people lost – and spend more time in the store – Home to Love says it doesn’t really need to traverse the entire store to go from department to department walk.

In fact, the store provides you with the shortcuts if you know where to look.

“If you look at the back of your IKEA shopping list, you’ll see a map that shows faster routes between departments,” the experts explain.

Even if you bring your own grocery list to the store, grab one of the lists the company provides when you enter so you can keep the “secret passages” in mind.

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Keep an eye out for the As-is section on your way to checkout – they’re home to some of the best discounts in the entire store.

“Bargains that are slightly damaged, greatly reduced or ready for a ‘second life’ after being returned can be snagged as buy-back items,” the pros advise.

Also mentioned in Allie’s TikTok video, this buyback program allows customers to return certain used furniture items.

Eligible furniture must still be usable, meaning no parts that you’ve completely worn out—or damaged in a half-baked DIY attempt.

“Provided it’s in reasonably good condition, IKEA will give you up to 50 percent of the item’s original value,” the home pros wrote.

You will receive your refund on a gift card that can be used in store.