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Comment by mixedbit | Hacker News Reader

IKEA should make it easy to buy replacement parts for their furniture. Currently even for models still in sale it is usually impossible to get parts. You can go to an IKEA store 'used' section, if they happen to have this model returned by some customer, they will sell you parts, but most likely you will return empty-handed.

Recycling large furniture, such as sofas, just because they have one tiny part responsible for folding broken, is not really an eco friendly way to go.

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> Recycling large furniture, such as sofas, just because they have one tiny part responsible for folding broken is not really a eco friendly way to go.

How is that any different for large furniture from larger vendors like Macys?

Not sure about Macys, it doesn't operate in my country, but smaller furniture makers commonly use off-the-shelf mechanisms. For example, there are a couple popular spring mechanism for folding sofas, so if your sofa breaks, you can easily buy a replacement even if the furniture manufacturer is already out of business. IKEA has all these mechanisms custom.

While not necessarily a store like Macy's themselves, I know I've reached out to manufacturers when I needed a replacement handle or foot that was lost or broken. Heck, often right inside the package you'll see a piece of paper that says "STOP! Do not return to the store! Call us"

Large vendors like Macys generally sell furniture which can be moved or disassembled without breaking said furniture.

IKEAs around here will give you any spare bolts, screws etc.

It's nice they offer screws and washers. I've definitely taken them up on that. I'm pretty sure the parent is referring to parts. When moving a couch one time I had to remove the feet to fit it through a doorway and lost one of them. It was years ago, so I don't remember the details, but I ended up stacking some 2x4 to prop it up because I was unable to get a replacement.

I don't know if they have every single part, but some IKEAs have vending machines with spares of at least the common parts.

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