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Original poster

Help! IKEA has let me down

77 replies

jellybean30 · 01/11/2021 21:27

I ordered a kitchen from IKEA recently and they took payment for all but the sink, and said they'd take payment for the sink this week once it's back in stock. Now they're saying they don't know when the sink will be back in stock. It's the Havsen 62x48 ceramic sink.

I feel very stuck as we've purchased the kitchen and it's ready to be installed. The builders are waiting. We can't get a sink elsewhere because it's a specific size, and even if we did find the right size, we can't get it because the worktop from IKEA is only compatible with the IKEA sink.

This is stressing me out so much. The kitchen planner allocated to me is utterly useless and doesn't reply half the time. She keeps telling me the Greenwich store has it in stock but I don't have a car and can't get there easily.

Is there any recourse for me? Anyone with insight into IKEA's stocking problems? Long shot but help! Thank you.

OP posts:
Daughterpanic · 01/11/2021 21:58

It would be interesting to see what they did if you asked for an refund and cancel the whole thing??

EvilRingahBitch · 01/11/2021 22:00

I don't think you can ring them and get them to deliver, but you may be able to buy in store and get delivered from there if you're in their delivery radius. Or ask around for anyone you know who has a car, fancies a trip to IKEA Greenwich and is willing to do you an enormous favour, possibly in return for money.

friskybivalves · 01/11/2021 22:00

You might even find that Milton Keynes is an easier trip. Further in mileage terms but less traffic - depending on whereabouts you are in N London. And agree with courier option. Do firms like Task Rabbit also pick up from IKEA as well as put their stuff together?

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Home improvement
BackAwayFatty · 01/11/2021 22:06

Lots of supply issues just now & would recommend getting your chosen sink ASAP before it sells out from store stock also. Especially if it's integral to the fitting of your kitchen.

You most likely won't be able to buy from the store over the phone, for delivery. Do they have click & collect? Some stores offer that so could try that option if you wanted to get a taxi home.

You can go to the store & buy then have delivered. Ask customer service for reimbursement or compensation for the inconvenience of having to source yourself.

Could also use task rabbit which is owned partly by IKEA. Can pay someone to pick it up & deliver to you. Again, ask for reimbursement.

Original poster
jellybean30 · 01/11/2021 22:07

Oh god 24.5kg. I'd have to get a taxi back then. The kitchen person is speaking to her manager but the manager has had all day and hasn't responded. Maybe me going this week and getting it and taxiing back is better than stressing further? I don't have many friends with cars, and this would be a huge favour as well.

OP posts:
BackAwayFatty · 01/11/2021 22:14

IKEA don't usually exchange stock between stores so relies on the kitchen manager pulling strings of some sort to have it brought over. I was an employee for customer service a wee while ago so have some insight but no way of knowing for sure what connections there are between stores without having worked in them :-(

WaltzingBetty · 01/11/2021 22:17

I don't understand how the worktop has been cut already?

My IKEA worktop arrived whole and was cut on site to fit the kitchen and appliances
If they cannot provide the sink they've cut it for, they need to provide a new worktop

BackAwayFatty · 01/11/2021 22:19

You can buy custom made worktops which are pre cut

incognitodorrito · 01/11/2021 22:20

You can order it online via click and collect at the store, collect it, then take it round to home delivery. You’ll need to pay for delivery but that’s likely cheaper and easier than trying to carry a sink home / renting a car / taking a taxi.

Original poster
jellybean30 · 01/11/2021 22:23

It hasn't been cut yet. The templating happens first, then it's cut and fitted. The templating can't happen until the kitchen has been fitted, so this lack of sink is holding everything up.

@incognitodorrito I can't seem to do click and collect for this sink. Maybe because it's out of stock centrally?

OP posts:
LastToBePicked · 01/11/2021 22:33

I would also suggest using a man + van / task rabbit type service and then try arguing for the cost to be reimbursed.

I’d also caution that I have been caught out a couple of times recently with items which were in stock according to the website but out of stock in store, so don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Original poster
jellybean30 · 01/11/2021 22:36

That's my fear too, that the online status is out of date. But this is really my only basket!

OP posts:
momamama · 01/11/2021 22:39

The 1.5 sink size is in stock, could you make that work with your kitchen design?

nameychange · 01/11/2021 22:43

Do you know anyone with a festival trolley that you could put it in and wheel it about?

Do the tube stations you need yo Sue have lifts?

Or could you buy one of those parcel trolleys from eBay and move it that way?

Original poster
jellybean30 · 01/11/2021 22:46

The 1.5 sink is too big sadly. And thanks for the transportation ideas but I'm not sure they will work!

I've had a very kind mumsnetter who's going to the Greenwich store tomorrow night who might be able to help - so that's another basket for my eggs.

If anyone is from IKEA HQ or sits on their board please let me know 🙃 so cross with them right now, and likely won't buy a kitchen from them again!

OP posts:
catscatscurrantscurrants · 01/11/2021 23:09

I used to be a kitchen planner at IKEA. Items being out of stock, particularly ceramic sinks, was a huge problem when I worked there. Staff were often put in an awkward position with no answers for frustrated customers - each store is a separate entity and we couldn't request that a different store sent an item over to us if we had no stock. Going to physically get the sink yourself really is the best bet. As others have said - public transport there and a cab back, or ask a friend with a car to take you. Good luck OP!

Clymene · 01/11/2021 23:09

Fwiw their stock listings are 100% accurate. They update the minute something with that barcode goes through checkout.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 01/11/2021 23:14

Go and get it yourself and check it's not damaged before you leave the store. I've had to return two which were chipped when they came out of the packaging. The Uber will be far cheaper than keeping kitchen fitters waiting.

Original poster
jellybean30 · 01/11/2021 23:17

Do stores deliver if you call up and pay over the phone?

Failing that, do they deliver if you buy it in person and then ask them to deliver?

OP posts:
Original poster
jellybean30 · 01/11/2021 23:18

@catscatscurrantscurrants thanks for your insight! Should I be asking for reimbursement of costs?

OP posts:
gofg · 01/11/2021 23:26

If they have your sink in another store they should get it sent to you - that is what usually happens. Their customer service sounds dreadful.

EvilRingahBitch · 01/11/2021 23:27

@jellybean30

Do stores deliver if you call up and pay over the phone?

Failing that, do they deliver if you buy it in person and then ask them to deliver?

Yes they can deliver to you once you've bought it in store- if you're within their delivery area - it comes under London Delivery via Task Rabbit.

I can't work out how to find out whether you're within their area though.
www.ikea.com/gb/en/customer-service/services/delivery/#

BackAwayFatty · 01/11/2021 23:28

They don't deliver if you call up. Calls are answered by a call centre so no option to order & pay.

Some items aren't available for click & collect so not necessarily that it is out of stock.

You can go in person, pick up, pay & then have it delivered.

100% request reimbursement of the delivery. They will prob say to wait until all of the kitchen is fitted before discussing reimbursement/comp.

I previously assessed cases for compensation after IKEA kitchen installation. A fair request to be made whole & not be out of pocket 🙂

gofg · 01/11/2021 23:28

each store is a separate entity and we couldn't request that a different store sent an item over to us if we had no stock.

Whoops - I've just read this. What appalling service, thank goodness we don't have IKEA in my country is all I can say!