IKEA

[Delmont St Xavier]

I usually have a few problems with building flat packs - I hate reading instructions (perhaps something to do with my dyslexia) but has anyone here encountered problems with IKEA flat packs and accessories. I know that they are clear but sometimes even in their clarity, they can be hellish to assemble or is it just me?

I have built MFI, Homebase, Focus and other flat packs from other stores but when it comes to IKEA I want to throw the thing (I always get it eventually) but I persist, mind you I swear a lot.

What's your worst experience?

[bcuk10]

No Its not just you the problem we had was that bits were missing, a side panel was missing and out of the 10 sets of drawers left in Ikea which the girl opened to check only one set had the 2 sides in it and the girl said they were selling well that day i wonder how many came back the next day. And the crappy bed struts (bed bases) with different sizes was an other problem we had

[Roxburgh]

I usually end up with a few bits left over when I build an Ikea kit

[Caltonboy]

I went for an interview there but couldnt assemble the chair, standing for half an hour trying to sell myself was murder....

[wee minxy]

I went for an interview there but couldnt assemble the chair, standing for half an hour trying to sell myself was murder....

Ikea jus love to be different..even their beds are longer than all the others, so you have to buy their mattress too

[Caltonboy]

well if yer a tall chap its the place to go for a lie doon before they shut at 9 pm

[Icecube]

Its about 6 years since we bought anyhting out of Ikea but as fate would have it we were there yesterday buying bedroom furniture for one of the girls' rooms. The old nightmare experience repeated itself, the place is hellish on a Saturday and walking for miles to pick up your purchases is painful.
Anyway to the point! I can't remember how good or bad their assembly instructions are but I'll find out tomorrow!
My worst experience of such was in building a wardrobe unit for my son's room last week [this wet summer has kept me in doing effin DIY to the delight of the Mrs.] from the Bed Shed, the unit was made in France, there was no written instructions at all - everything was illustrated by very small sketches on A5 paper where detail was ommitted. I'm an experienced DIY'er and I struggled with it.

[peter]

Not generally a fan of such places. I have to say that any IKEA stuff I assembled was better than anything the average Joe could build himself and for the cost. I have over many years used them all MFI you name it. IKEA I think is good value.
I actually spent much of my working life building custom made furniture from scratch using the very best materials, so I'd like to think I know a bit about quality and value. Also hate to say this but these days the average punter these days has little or no skills like our parents who worked "At the tools" had. Some folk who, very intelligent, educated etc etc do not know one end of a screwdriver from the other. Even many "tradesmen" today lack basic skills with a plethora of electric hand tools which are supposed to make work and DIY within anyone's capabilities.
Anyhow a thumbs up for IKEA.

[Delmont St Xavier]

Not generally a fan of such places. I have to say that any IKEA stuff I assembled was better than anything the average Joe could build himself and for the cost. I have over many years used them all MFI you name it. IKEA I think is good value.
I actually spent much of my working life building custom made furniture from scratch using the very best materials, so I'd like to think I know a bit about quality and value. Also hate to say this but these days the average punter these days has little or no skills like our parents who worked "At the tools" had. Some folk who, very intelligent, educated etc etc do not know one end of a screwdriver from the other. Even many "tradesmen" today lack basic skills with a plethora of electric hand tools which are supposed to make work and DIY within anyone's capabilities.
Anyhow a thumbs up for IKEA.

I would agree with the majority of your post. I am not a comfortable DIY'er and like the other poster - illustrations can be great but they can be a misery. I agree about the lack of skills, coming from a non technical, trade family - this is easily demonstrated within our household. Of course you have had experience of building up 'custom made furniture' so you have a head start advantage over some of us.

The worst offender for flat pack has to be Homebase for me (and worst quality) we bought a kids wardrobe and it fell apart within 12 months. I have made up many items - I do struggle but I get there in the end.

Surely some of the instructions could be better? As for going for an interview with IKEA - not for me, I can't even follow their store plan and have visions of being lost in the place forever!

[Mori]

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/

yep its thumbs up for IKEA from me too, i have used several different flatpack companies like MFI , B&Q and so forth and i must say IKEA have came out top on Quality and Price.

I had been looking for an office desk over the last few weeks and looked @ several comming in around £200/£300 on the net and instore, turned out buyin a lovely 2 metre oak colored kitchen worktop with a nice chrome edge costing £45 and a set of 4 castor based steel legs £8 each :total =£77 all fitting in the car and very easy to assemble.

My wife had been looking for something to put all the salt /vinegar/condiments in to one stand/utencil for while now and couldnt find anything but then found this @ Ikea. £3

Having an Ikea card is quite handy too gives you good discounts as well when paying with the Ikea CC card and the aditional family card has its benfits as well.

[Fossil]

Ikea translated in to English means Fuck It

[Icecube]

One thing about Ikea is that their prices are good but if you want it delivered, the delivery price @ £35 for Glasgow post codes is a bit iffy and if I lived in Govan or any other nearby area I'd feel ripped off.

[HollowHorn]

I used to deliver milk in them things back in the 60's.

[Roxburgh]

I used to deliver milk in them things back in the 60's.

I heard Sloans were still looking for it .... and you

[Bridie]

I used to deliver milk in them things back in the 60's.

Bet you never thought of keeping your condiments in it Good old Ikea !