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.

I love it, but then I have never had the experience you describe. Sometimes we go just because, even if we don't really need anything from there (our kids love Smaland). Always come out having bought something!

Verity the one near us has to have the bloody police controlling the traffic its so ridiculous on a weekend

Me and DP have made a pact to never go again after our last visit

Spent 30 miners queuing to get in and watched a whole documentary on his phone in the car on the way out (I was driving (sitting in my car for 15 hours), he was holding the phone.

Oh and the kitchen saga... bought a £10k kitchen off them, promise if 1 month wait, 3 home visits, 3 months of chasing, no kitchen. Chose them as we both work full time and wanted a full service, ended up being the middle man between ikea and their suppliers... cost me £1200 in time off work.

DP sent a LONG, but polite and articulate detail email, why we where cancelling, customer services cunt rings back

CSC: didn't read your wholeemail, it was too long, so do you want a refund?
DP: well yeah, but are you fucking kidding me...

I love Ikea, and I can't believe no one has so far mentioned the free crèche. I sometimes only go to put little Ted for the free hour, nip around the store for my must buy tea lights, grab a coffee, and use the wifi to catch up on mumsnet, perfect.

1.5 hours, not 15! That would be a long queue indeed!

I love IKEA but I can't drive and I can only persuade DH to take me once every ten years or so. I'm due another trip in about 2023 .

I get that it was irritating that the staff member wouldn't take your word for it that it wasn't in the right place and insisted on going and looking for himself but if you've ever worked in a public-facing job (or parented a teenager ) you should know that you should never take the customer's word for it. Speaking as a former librarian here. Roughly 75% of all Mysteries of the Absent Book were solved by going to the Dewey Decimal location that the customer insisted it was missing from, sticking out my hand, picking up the volume and handing it over without comment:

I like the idea of IKEA but I hate the reality. I end up going stupidly early to try and beat the crowds, armed with the warehouse location codes of the items I want. I never browse.

I bum IKEA too.

I work near IKEA on Mondays so often pop in for lunch and a browse. It's definitely better experienced alone.

When the dcs were little and we lived just around the corner IKEA was my lifesaver! Kids in crèche, free coffee and a browse for me. Perfect day!

We only ever go after the school run so get there about 3.45 (2 junctions down the M4) I feed the dc, in the store closest you don't need to go through the show room, we go up the escalator, eat then down the stairs into the 'market place' through to the warehouse where we've got a list of locations, pay get the dc and ice cream and into the car. All before rush hour. (Smug emoticon)

I bum Ikea too.

A few weeks ago I went there with my dad and sister, did a full browse with a coffee stop halfway, then met up with DH and our kids and did the full lap again with them, including a stop off for meatballs. I Ikea'd TWICE IN ONE DAY.

I slept the whole 100km home.

I love it. Chips and meatballs- food of the gods.

They've discontinued a lot of my favourite things recently though (sad teacher).

Oh, and we couldn't leave the kids in Smaland because (despite being 6 and 5) they're petrified of it.

I love IKEA!

Cheap stuff
Fun stuff
Great meatballs
Free crèche

OP
You are being very unfair. There is a method to IKEA. Online, family day, spouses? No way. You go to ikea ALONE. You don't do shopping from a list though a random list is helpful. If you don't follow the protocol, ikea is not for you.
I am writing this from the most comfy bed I have ever used.

I bum ikea sometimes.....and other times I certainly do not! Depends what mood I'm in, how busy it is, and what I need (e.g. Am I walking round the whole shop? Because if yes, then all is aok. But if i want one specific thing and am on a tight schedule....nope)

Sorry. The bed is from IKEA.

There was a huge fire across my city today and rumours at first were it was the IKEA store

The panic I felt

Luckily it was some scrap yard

They're ok as long as you don't need to bother any of the people that work there.

I have never been in an ikea.

I am saving it as a premarriage test for me and dp. If we make it out without a fight I might marry him eventually.

We fought round tescos today though so it's probably not gonna result in a big frock and bunfight at the local

We've had similar op, very frustrating. Apparently the stock was in the 'sky' and the staff should have triggered refilling the self service shelves. They can only get the stock from the 'sky' when the store is closed. Took 4 visits to finally get the stock replenished!
YANBU, I generally find ikea frustrating and irritating if I need to buy something. However if I take my toddler there for an adventure, generally manage to buy quite a bit of stuff and we all have a good time.

Mmmm... IKEA.

Next time DS gets offloaded onto the grandparents for the day I won't be coming home to sleep or getting a massage and a haircut, I'll be going to IKEA to have breakfast, have a leisurely stroll around, eat some meatballs for lunch, buy some tat and maybe a coffee table and a pot plant and definitely a scented candle. Heaven

I LOVE Ikea!! Dp rushes me around it though. You need at least 3 hours to stand around staring at things.

Am I literally the only person to have never set foot in IKEA?!
And I'm 27. Do I need to go there to lead a fulfilling life?

We love IKEA; our house has lots of IKEA stuff. the kids love it too; it's a treat out for us; shopping and meatballs - what's not too love. (btw we only go on a weekday evening though; would never attempt on weekend or BH!)