To feel that IKEA is just a joke?

[TeaCake5]

What is the deal with general shit service from IKEA, lets excuse the fact for a moment about the stupid layout, shit food and divorce inducing stress of a trip there.

I wanted to pick up an item today - I go on-line to check - yes listed as being in stock. Go to the showroom part, staff member gives me code as it was missing from item - checks computer showing "4 in stock". Go to collection part - none on shelf, out of stock label placed.

Approach staff member at desk - tells me there are four in stock, rolls eyes when I tell him none and shelf, asks are you checking the right place? Much muttering and sighing then takes me to place - sure enough, out of stock as I knew! When shown the website on my phone showing "in stock" (as their system did) just shrugged, walked off said "pop in another day". Could have thrown a "billy" bookcase at him the surly bastard.

Well fuck off IKEA, never again. Why to people rave about this place? If I wanted this 30 quid item delivered then it would be £35 delivery charge.

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

Just the layout and the requirement to do a 2 mile walk to buy one item is enough to give me the rage!

[SoupDragon]

Stock availability is updated every 30 minutes. It's not live.

[Andrewofgg]

it has its moments.

DW and I used to go to IKEA just to eat (all right, call us sad now) which at our branch is on the first floor overlooking the car park.

And there was a magical occasion when we watched a couple trying to get purchases which were too big into a car which was too small, configuring the seats this way and that and getting more and more stressed with each other.

And then they made it, by which time there were twenty people at the window watching them in silence - broken by cheering and applause and hammering on the window which they heard.

And he looked up and waved, and she looked even more angry. Oh to have been a fly on the inside of that car as they left . . .

[Andrewofgg]

And yes, IKEA is owned by a secret consortium of divorce lawyers and cardiologists.

[ILikeSalmon]

Ooh I can't agree here I bloody love Ikea.
The breakfast is nice and mega cheap
The dinners are also nice and mega cheap (love those meatballs)
The knick knacks you can buy for your home are cheap and useful
The build your own wardrobes are extreme value for money.

I bum Ikea

[forceslover]

YABU, I love ikea. It is fab for reasonably priced goods, I detour to go there!

[ruddynorah]

A customer could pick up those 4 items and walk around for two hours with them. The till doesn't know they've been sold so they won't be deleted from the stock system.

[elQuintoConyo]

You 'bum' Ikea ILikeSalnon ?

DH and I have never argued there. What are we doing wrongly?

Love the meatballs. Our Klippan sofa has lasted 12 years and counting. I know all the shortcuts so i can easily bypass kitchens

I bum Ikea

[glueandstick]

I love IKEA so much.

[EweAreHere]

I love Ikea.

You would be amazed at how much we've managed to get in/on the car, and with children!

[BeIIatrix]

Could have thrown a "billy" bookcase at him the surly bastard
lol

No, YANBU, It was a waste of time for you and not everyone enjoys shopping. I hate it so am in a bad mood before I get into any busy shop on the weekend

[ElspethFlashman]

I luff it.

But I treat it like military operation. I pick out what I like online, I go in the back lift to the warehouse, pick from the shelves and get the fuck out.

If I go into the showroom I'll spend 4 hours in there and emerge with eleventy billion small plastic things.

I do always do a quick dash and grab into Marketplace for my vanilla tea lights, but I zoom in and out without pausing. Pausing is DEADLY.

[BreakfastAtSquiffanys]

I love IKEA

Unfortunately, IKEA hates me

[TeaCake5]

ruddy yes that's what I would do, pick up something heavy in the storage part then trolley it back through the store for two hours ?

[mrsBeverleygoldberg]

I love the fun of fitting it in the car and making it. I hate waking endlessly around with my dcs wanting to sit or lie on everything. Dh gets hot, then thirsty then strangely explosively angry. I get confused as there is so much stuff and so many people.

[HappyFlappy]

Andrew

[skankingpiglet]

YY to Ruddy

I'm another in the love camp. I often take the toddler and baby for a wander around and dinner there. You need to learn the shortcuts OP!

[SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower]

Haha, oh dear.

I go to ikea for fun. Never on the weekend though, screw that madness.

Stock levels generally better mid week.

Also, it wasn't the staff members fault that the item wasn't in stock, was it.

[butterfly990]

I would say that until the computer system knows that there aren't 4 in stock (manual update by staff) the stock will not be replenished.

I love Ikea, I also used to work for them. The concept of the store is "a family day out"

They are a lovely company to work for!

[BertieBotts]

I love it! The secret is to go with a Plan, or go to browse. Never, ever, attempt to combine the two. Be really strict with each other about not getting distracted.

Look up the shortcuts and use them, or you'll burn out before the end.

Stop in the cafe at the end of the first floor, not the beginning, so it serves as a break in the middle.

[Lesley1980]

I have a 1 year old & a 4 year old so tend to have a buggy. The returns section is behind all those bollards stopping people taking the trollies out of the car park so I have to walk through Ikea (kitchen, rugs, storage,photo frames, warehouse & tills) to return an item & ive been stopped twice for going through the till without paying for something as the return section is behind the payment till. The no purchase exit isn't wide enough for a pram so I have to ask everyone in a queue to move whilst I squeeze past.

[fullofhope03]

I feel for you teacake, but dammit I LOVE IKEA TOO! Sorry ;-) xx

[BertieBotts]

And, don't go unless you've got enough spare cash to spend at least twice what you expected. They are sneaky.

[TheFirstMrsDV]

I love Ikea.
I live a five minute drive from my one.
Before Ikea I couldn't afford new furniture.

Mind you, I get to go on my own so no stress from kids or OH.

[JoJoSM2]

I suppose it's equivalent to shopping at Lidl or Primark. A totally awful experience and never expect more but end up going back for a bargain....