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Original poster

Have you been to Ikea on your own ...

72 replies

GoldenFlaps · 16/02/2019 16:42

... and if you bought stuff that you couldn't just carry to the car, who looked after your trolley while you went for your car? Or do you just leave it and hope for the best that no-one buggers off with your stuff?

OP posts:
AJPTaylor · 17/02/2019 02:20

Go to the one on Milton Keynes.not a problem . With decent traffic it's less than an hour from the he'll that is Wembley.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 17/02/2019 08:37

Anyone know the reason for the bollards?

BibbityBobbityEars · 17/02/2019 08:53

I assume it is to minimise staffing costs - no need to have staff in the car park collecting trollies all day?

WhatNow40 · 17/02/2019 09:02

@redexpat

I only bought small stuff that went in one bag.

Surely that's a lie? C'mon! Who manages to leave IKEA with one bag? Next you'll be saying you went with a list, and only bought what was on the list. Hmm

NotMeNoNo · 17/02/2019 10:01

True, Nottingham Ikea car park (my local too) is on quite a slope. A loaded trolley could end up in Decathlon or beyond. It might be safety related.

MeOldChina · 17/02/2019 10:03

I expect the bollards minimise damage to parked cars by people passing with overloaded trolleys. Or damage to items just paid for that fall off the trolleys.

BettyUnderswoob · 17/02/2019 10:12

I’d love a day in IKEA by myself. I don’t get days to myself.

OP, if you can’t take trolly to car, just ask a member of staff to help 🤷🏼‍♀️

Muddysnowdrop · 17/02/2019 10:15

I find it not too hard to get time to go to ikea by myself, as the other members of my family hate it so much. Though it can be handy to have one of them to wait by the trolley.

MrsCherry · 17/02/2019 10:25

I regularly go on my own and have my own little system! I always go at off peak times.

Step1: Avoid the showroom and go straight to marketplace/the other place with the numbered bays.

Step 2: At my IKEA once you have paid there is a service where a member of staff will help you to the car and will put it in the car for you. Or wait with your trolley while you go and get search for your car.

Step 3: When I get things home I unpack directly from the boot of the car if individual boxes are massive or heavy.

Step 4: All the cardboard and packaging is left in the car ready to go to the recycling centre.

I don't eat there or buy the foody bits at the end. It takes will power not to do this.
I couldn't do it if Step 2 wasn't an option.

EyUpOurKid · 17/02/2019 11:51

Love choosing whether to go to Manchester or Warrington IKEA. Warrington one we always take the trolley to the car.

Now I need more Kallax. And some lamps. And plants. And meatballs. And a tonne weight of mini daim bars.

Original poster
GoldenFlaps · 17/02/2019 16:55

Thank you all, it's sounding a lot less daunting now Smile

When would you say is the quietest time?

OP posts:
Roomba · 17/02/2019 17:06

I love going to IKEA on my own! No arguing or stress, no having to chase my kids round and tell them off. Bliss! I've asked staff to help me get stuff to the car before and it was fine (Warrington, though I think Leeds and Sheffield will also help if you need it).

WhatNow40 · 17/02/2019 17:17

I would guess a weekday afternoon is quiet. Weekends and evenings are couples in crisis recruitment meetings.

Mid morning to lunchtime is filled with kids and their carers making use of the very kid friendly cafe for play dates. They leave in time for the school run.

I'd say 2.30 - 4.pm is the sweet spot.

Steamfan · 17/02/2019 17:19

I've never been to Ikea Sad

Peridot1 · 17/02/2019 17:29

A friend of mine did the leaving the trolley thing at IKEA in Prague. Stuff was stolen. I’d forgotten some Ikeas were like that.

I’ve been to ikea and not bought anything. More than once! Went last week in Dublin with my sister but I like in uk. Am going to our nearest one this week. With a rough list.

gluteustothemaximus · 17/02/2019 17:37

I can't go to IKEA alone, as I would get lost.

Original poster
GoldenFlaps · 17/02/2019 18:16

Thank you, WhatNow Smile

OP posts:
pink412 · 17/02/2019 18:19

Never. And never going again the last time I had a panic attack and almost set off the firm alarms to get out of the evilnplace. Now if I need anything it’s all ordered online and delivered

Asta19 · 17/02/2019 18:20

I’m with you @pink412 I don’t like it at all. No windows, the stupid bloody arrows. It makes me panicky too.

redexpat · 17/02/2019 19:59

@WhatNow40

I only bought small stuff that went in one bag.

Surely that's a lie? C'mon! Who manages to leave IKEA with one bag? Next you'll be saying you went with a list, and only bought what was on the list. Hmm

Um, no - Guide's honour Grin
Me apparently.
Yes I did have a list, and bought 2 extra items. Some baubles and napkin holders.

I had a lovely time. Updated my bullet journal in the cafe and everything...

JustBeingJobless · 17/02/2019 20:39

@GrumpySausage they’ve changed it at Nottingham now and you can take the trolley to the car. I was there a couple of weeks ago.

SmarmyMrMime · 17/02/2019 22:32

The best time to go is when the motorway is shut so no-one can get there... apart from the 1hr round trip taking 5.5 hours... but there was no queue for hotdogs Grin
An empty IKEA carpark a few days before Christmas is a sight to behold!

The bollards used to be a right PITA for getting round with a pram as there was a long delay on the gate buzzer being activated.

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