Return policy comparison · 2026
FastGrowingTrees.com vs IKEA
Policy data verified July 24, 2026 (FastGrowingTrees.com) and April 17, 2026 (IKEA)
FastGrowingTrees.com
B+
3.5 / 5.0 · Good
Winner
IKEA
A
4.5 / 5.0 · Excellent
The verdict
IKEA has the more generous return policy in 2026, grading A (4.5/5.0) against FastGrowingTrees.com's B+ (3.5/5.0). It wins 2 of 5 scoring axes; the biggest gap is the return shipping: free in-store; mail may cost versus customer pays return shipping.
Score breakdown
Five axes, 5.0 points total — the same deterministic grader behind every Thrifle policy page.
FastGrowingTrees.comIKEA
Return window · worth 2.0
Restocking fee · worth 1.0
Return shipping · worth 1.0
Holiday window · worth 0.5
Transparency · worth 0.5
Key terms side-by-side
| FastGrowingTrees.com | IKEA | |
|---|---|---|
| Return window | 1 year (Alive & Thrive Guarantee, one-time replacement) | 365 days (unopened); 180 days (opened) |
| Free returns | No - fee deducted | ✓ Yes (in-store free) |
| Restocking fee | None | None |
| Return shipping | Customer pays all shipping costs and taxes on the replacement plant | Buyer pays mail shipping |
| Holiday extension | None published | ✓ Not specifically extended |
| Non-returnable | Garden supplies, grass seed, annuals, Gardenuity products, tabletop/desktop plants, holiday plants, plants planted outside their recommended growing zone | Custom countertops, cut fabric, as-is items, plants, food, mattresses (separate 90-day exchange) |
| Watch-out items | Fungus, disease, or insect damage must be reported within 4 weeks of arrival to be covered | Mattress 90-day comfort exchange |
FastGrowingTrees.com tip
This is a replacement guarantee, not a refund policy — you only get store credit instead of a new plant if your replacement is out of stock, so don't expect cash back in most cases.
IKEA tip
You CAN return assembled IKEA furniture in-store — no need to disassemble. Mattress gets 90-day exchange policy.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the better return policy, FastGrowingTrees.com or IKEA?
IKEA has the more generous return policy in 2026, grading A (4.5/5.0) against FastGrowingTrees.com's B+ (3.5/5.0). It wins 2 of 5 scoring axes; the biggest gap is the return shipping: free in-store; mail may cost versus customer pays return shipping.
What is FastGrowingTrees.com's return window?
FastGrowingTrees.com's return window is 1 year (Alive & Thrive Guarantee, one-time replacement).
What is IKEA's return window?
IKEA's return window is 365 days (unopened); 180 days (opened).
Does FastGrowingTrees.com or IKEA offer free returns?
FastGrowingTrees.com: No - fee deducted. IKEA: Yes (in-store free).