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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hate the ikea shopping "experience?"

104 replies

toptramp · 28/12/2011 23:09

Went to Ikea today to get the trofast storage system as have decided it's probably the best storage system for me.

Havn't been for years and I can see why; horrid aircraft hanger -like store and hellish carpark. Piles of tacky shite piled high. I mean- how mant tea light holders does one need? Hardly any staff to help. I know it's self serve but I would like to be attended to. Staff were helpful when asked and when found. Then the awful self serve bit downstairs where one has to grab piles of flat pack shite oneself.

I hate most of the furniture. I like some of it but most of it is a bit tacky. I'm more of a Laura Ashley girl myself (althought tbh it's far too expensive and I like a bit of modern mixed with my shabby shite chic)

I like what I bought; trofast very useful storage, wine glasses and ultra cheap salad bowl but god I don't ever want to go back unless I'm desperate. I just wish they'd do more home delivery. It's so cheap as customer service is minimal.

Give me my local trading post (lovely second hand style curiosity shop) anyway.

OP posts:
RhondaGotStuckInTheChimneyRoo · 28/12/2011 23:11

Order online and then collect - no need to follow the horrendous one-way system, and you aren't left waiting in for a delivery van! Sorted.

(I live less than a mile from an Ikea and I go in once a year - usually because I temporarily forget how much I hate it!)

Original poster
toptramp · 28/12/2011 23:15

The system I wanted wasn't available online- dammit!

OP posts:
Original poster
toptramp · 28/12/2011 23:17

The ppoint is I don't want to collect; I want ikea to get their sodding act together and deliver online orders like every other big company. I don't want to anywhere near their horrid stores.

OP posts:
hiddenhome · 28/12/2011 23:19

Ikea is bloody marvellous Grin

We go all the time and have our lunch there too Grin

EauDeLaPoisson · 28/12/2011 23:20

Uhmm- dont go then?
And PMSL at someone in nearly 2012 liking Laura Ashley! boak

midori1999 · 28/12/2011 23:21

YABU, Ikea is fab! It's excellent quality for what you pay and the cafe is brilliant and very, very child friendly.

Their antelop high chairs alone make it brilliant!

SparkySparrow · 28/12/2011 23:22

I got lost in ikea Hmm went round twice! Needless to say dh was not impressed! Grin

543Ty1HappyNewYear · 28/12/2011 23:24

toptramp I also went Ikea for storage and bought the Trofast.
It was so busy, hellish. Even worse than when I have been on a saturday!

littleducks · 28/12/2011 23:25

I find ikea pretty easy, but only ever visit one store andknow all the shortcuts so dont actually do the whole one way thing. My kids ask to go there, as a day out and it's cheaper than their other request (legoland). They like the crèche, have done Easter crafts there, I like the free coffee and the iced marzipan tarts.

RhondaGotStuckInTheChimneyRoo · 28/12/2011 23:28

ooo Laura Ashley have some lovely stuff - well out of my price range. Not one for the clinical look of all the Ikea furniture. I have one of their tv units that is very nice, but wouldn't go for the whole Ikea 'look'.

Trofast storage is the way forward for my DD. Shame I can't be dragged to the hell-hole of a shop for love nor money or yummy meatballs

Grin
SesameSnapped · 28/12/2011 23:28

YABU. Ikea is sort of like soft play for adults. EauDeLaPoisson I like Laura Ashley!

Kelly281 · 28/12/2011 23:32

I'm so jealous, I'd love and Ikea shopping experience but they refuse to open a store or deliver to Aberdeen! Envy

GeriManda · 28/12/2011 23:32

You sound a snob OP. And a loon for going during the holidays

dontletthebellsend · 28/12/2011 23:38

I love Ikea but I'm not mad enough to go on the second day of the sale. You can just go in the exit then get your trofast and leave if you already know what you want.

Goolash · 28/12/2011 23:58

ok ok, you find their products tacky, I'm sure you also made sure there was no tat on your Christmas tree Grin

You went in the Jan sales? Crazy fool. The only way to do Ikea is mid week and term time. If you're feeling a bit crazy then early or very late at the weekend. Either way, look online for all the codes you require and head straight to the stock area. There's computers and staff down there to give the shelf location.

I don't hate or love Ikea, but I'm not a brand orientated person. If they have what I want, for the right price, I'll buy it from them. I do agree with you that it's often not the best shopping experience if you can't avoid crowd times. I've been lost before!

Get0rf · 29/12/2011 00:01

I HATE IT HATE IT.

I quite like the stuff, but loathe the whole experience.

Have you been to the Coventry one? It has a lift which leaves out whole floors, and by the time ypu have worked out its byzantine complexity you have given up the will to live.

And the gak they serve in those cafes isn't edible.

I will never go again.

CointreauHoHoHoVersial · 29/12/2011 00:08

I go between 7 and 10pm during the week - it's deserted, and you can snarf a plateful of gravadlax for £1.50 in the restaurant before you get started.

Like most people, I go for one item, then emerge with my yellow bag bulging with kitchen implements, candles, cushions etc etc.....

MrsDmitriTippensKrushnic · 29/12/2011 00:13

If IKEA start doing on line shopping then they'll have to increase prices in store to cover the cost of running it, then you'll complain about that

It's so cheap as customer service is minimal

Yes. It's designed that way. The stores will pare down staff costs before it considers raising prices because its credo is affordability.

NatashaBee · 29/12/2011 00:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

suzikettles · 29/12/2011 00:23

I love shopping in IKEA. I don't have to speak to anyone, just get my stuff and I'm away. Fantastic Grin

In fact, for a small consideration (say twenty quid and the price of a prawn & egg sandwich on rye?), I am willing to take your shopping list via email and deliver your goods.

I'll even assemble the stuff for you - god, I love flat pack and have a useful assortment of allen keys always handy.

Tis my spiritual home .

ViviPrudolf · 29/12/2011 00:23

YABU.

I love it so much I'm in the AW11 Ikea Live magazine so NER [pointstongueout]

ViviPrudolf · 29/12/2011 00:24

suzi I hear you. Fancy going into business together as IkeaAngels?

hatesponge · 29/12/2011 00:27

I love Ikea, sadly I don't drive so am reliant on friends to take pity on me give me a lift there, which doesnt happen half as often as I'd like!

MunchingNoPickles · 29/12/2011 00:28

A fab place, gives one ideas and is affordable that breakages don't cost the earth to replace and re nik Nanking in a new colour is very doable.

GetOrf the Coventry store is a strange one, as is Brent/Wembley as Bargain corner is buried in the bowels of the self service aisles.

MudAndGlitter · 29/12/2011 00:29

I've never been in ikea. I notice it on my way to asda and McDonald's and think I'd like to go there but never bother.