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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think Ikea was created by the Devil to test relationships?

150 replies

BowieFan · 14/10/2016 13:57

Me and DP both had a rare day off together today. We decided (foolishly) that we would finally and go and pick out a new bed for our bedroom which we've just finished redecorating.

4 hours and some meatballs later and we finally left Ikea with the bed (not the one we wanted but I refused to leave empty handed).

DP has just finished putting it together. There's 4 screws left over, a bolt of some kind and several plastic things. I am terrified to sit on the bed in case it collapses under the slightest weight.

AIBU to think Ikea is actually hell and was created to see how strong a relationship is? It isn't even DP's fault and I wanted to murder him before we left.

OP posts:
AmeliaJack · 14/10/2016 14:59

I think there's a great photography/psychology project just waiting for someone.

Two sets of pictures: couples on the way in and couples in the till queues bickering

I reckon that's why the ice cream is past the tills, to keep hope alive in your hearts.

KC225 · 14/10/2016 15:06

I have had proper rows with DH in Ikea mostly the one in Croydon. And he is Swedish, can pronounce the product names and understand the instructions.

It's the same in Sweden too. Last year, gay best friend and his partner had a row in Ikea and partner stormed off and took the car. Friend, rang us to collect him as he knew we were also shopping in the area.

Purplehonesty · 14/10/2016 15:12

Oh we love Ikea. Love shopping, love assembling the furniture - I've obviously married the right man then!

Scribblegirl · 14/10/2016 15:12

DFiance and I have a silent agreement that We Do Not Mention the Squirrel Cushion. Whoever mentions it first has to pay the cancellation fee for our wedding venue Wink

Donatellalymanmoss · 14/10/2016 15:19

I fucking love Ikea and am weirdly obsessed with how good I am at putting together flat pack furniture. DH does not share my love and is scathing about my talent, I think he's jealous.

AudreyBradshaw · 14/10/2016 15:22

The last time I went to Ikea, it was full of pregnant couples hissing at each other

^^ that just made me snigger. Grin

I think I cracked it this week though, we went for the cot and decided to eat before going round! Dh blood sugar levels were acceptable and we did the whole place in 30 mins, i didn't have a breakdown when he drove the trolley into my ankle by accident and we even got a bonus bedside table that we hadn't banked on!

My dad's putting the stuff together on Tuesday though, I'm not daft. We aren't capable of assembling furniture together. That's the way madness and divorce lies.

Ldnmum2015 · 14/10/2016 15:26

There is def a knack to shopping at Ikea, find out where you item is located by checking the website, then go into the store backwards as it were, get what you want in 5 mins, go to self service checkout and we are out in about 29mins. You don't have to traipse around the store or stop for meatballs (unless you enjoy watching people try to put their purchases into their cars!) Online delivery can be as low as £7.50 depending on weight and length. The reason I go with Ikea is it is easy to assemble, saves costs and is functional. I would be more peed off with you partner who couldn't put a flat pack together (especially if I could do a better job myself) than upset with the shop that sold it to you.

Ldnmum2015 · 14/10/2016 15:38

Also about your bed, most of the beds only have 4-8 screw bolts, so yes if there are screws or bolts left over don't sleep on it as it will put too much weight/pressure on the remaining screws, which could rip out breaking the frame in the process. I personally would send him down the shop, get the instructions out and take it apart and start again, it took me about 20mins to do my bed, but you need to make sure you have enough space to work.

Nuggy2013 · 14/10/2016 15:42

YANBU. IKEA was the place I drove off and left DH mid meatballs (with no way of getting home) to contemplate his choices in life. Despite only buying blinds, we chose our imaginary future kitchen (this was years ago and we had a kitchen we couldn't afford to replace). His imaginary kitchen was awful and this was enough to nearly end our marriage.
IKEA is designed to make people question their relationships future.

Original poster
BowieFan · 14/10/2016 15:43

Scribblegirl

Me and DP once had a proper blazing row in Ikea over a couch that neither of us even liked. I absolutely hated it and DP was indifferent. Obviously, we couldn't be on the same side of the argument so DP ended up deciding it was the best couch he'd ever seen and it would be lifechanging to buy it.

We bought it, took it home, lived with it for less than 24 hours and took it back after he saw sense. I still bring that up to him 15 years later.

OP posts:
Original poster
BowieFan · 14/10/2016 15:44

Update: DP has sent for his dad's help and to bring "the big drill". I fully expect that it will take another 9 hours before we even get back to Square 1.

OP posts:
Original poster
BowieFan · 14/10/2016 15:46

Nuggy2013

That's like me and DP when we argue about our hypothetical yacht. He wants wood panelling everywhere, which I find disgusting.

We are not buying a yacht.

He says I have, in the past, had a row with him over something he did in a dream, which is quite possible. As you can see, we are perfectly suited to each other.

OP posts:
Elfontheedge · 14/10/2016 15:51

I love a trip to IKEA. So does DP.

Boom!

Clawdy · 14/10/2016 15:53

We went to Ikea last week to get plastic clips for food bags, a set of plastic cutting boards, and tealight holders.We staggered out with loads of bits and pieces and a bill of £68.

Ldnmum2015 · 14/10/2016 15:54

Op make him put those tools down NOW, the tools they give you are designed for the job, he dosent need another drill bit! You need to get him to come away now, have a break and read the instructions. Unpick it line up the parts so you can see them, check then against instructions, sometimes there may be a R or an L marked on the frames, this means left or right, sometime people try to fit the left part with the right frame. Also check out I there is a tutorial on you tube

Ldnmum2015 · 14/10/2016 15:59

Sorry should say; check if there is an instruction vid on youtube for your bed

melibu84 · 14/10/2016 16:07

DP hates going to Ikea with me, as I always want to try out all the beds and sofas, even if that's not what we're in there for LOL.

As for putting it all together, he's got all the tools and his dad was a builder, so I just let him get on with it :D

TheSconeOfStone · 14/10/2016 16:12

YANBU. Our nearest is 120 miles away so we usually go on the way to the in-laws which sends my stress levels rocketing for a start.

I lost DH in the kitchen section at 6 month pregnant and desperately tried phoning him but his phone was in the car. Was wondering around aimlessly on a dopey pregnant haze when he eventually found me. Had a blazing row as he had panicked I'd gone into labour and been rushed off in a an ambulance or something.

On our last visit we met the in-laws had the kids and we were so excited about being on our own we did the whole shop without shouting, mumbling under our breath at each other or getting huffy. I think we've grown as a couple.

TheSconeOfStone · 14/10/2016 16:14

Just remembered I one saw a couple with quads (well they had a double buggy each with same sized children) and thought baby quads in IKEA is a special kind of hell. They were glaring at each other in the market place.

chunkymum1 · 14/10/2016 16:17

He says I have, in the past, had a row with him over something he did in a dream, which is quite possible. As you can see, we are perfectly suited to each other.

This made me laugh. I have, on more than one occasion, woken up in a bad mood and been grumpy with DH for hours because of something he did in a dream- and not even something I think he would ever in a million years do in real life. Luckily he just humours me.

Scribblegirl · 14/10/2016 16:21

Hahahaha BowieFan. You're right though. Ikea is just built for arguments that end as such:

'....and you wanting to buy that clock is the PERFECT EXAMPLE of how you're a commitment phobic bastard who has no respect for me.'

Grin
Marynary · 14/10/2016 16:22

I love Ikea as do my children (teenagers). DH is not so keen so we often go on our own and buy things.

allegretto · 14/10/2016 16:26

I am the only one who puts the Ikea furniture together in this house so that avoids a lot of the arguments. I not great at it but 100% better than DH who I caught yesterday asking a handyman to come round to change a lightbulb! Needless to say, I put a stop to that.

GerdaLovesLili · 14/10/2016 16:26

I always thought that Ikea is a handy restaurant with a useful discount/damaged/as is "bits and pieces" shop for a browse on quiet mornings. I hate it when Beloved Spouse wants to come too. Ikea is my place.