Ikea: Worth the Savings?

Ikea boasts stylish design at affordable prices and the world loves their Sweden-based products. With more than 230 stores in 24 countries, Ikea has annual sales topping 19 billion Euros. But the keyword is euros. If you are an American consumer looking for easy installation, you might want to shop Ikea with caution. After reviewing their website which is full of innovative designs, I tracked down some Ikea customers who had honest opinions about their diverse fixtures. Before you buy Ikea, you should read some of these telling reviews.

CULTURE CLASH
Several bloggers have commented on the inconveniece of Ikea's installation instructions. Many fixtures arrived with instructions printed in several languages, none of which were English. Customers also complained about compatability of parts. They had to pay additional money to purchase adapters for American-made sink attachments or faucets. Most were highly unhappy with the added headache and expense that came with that fabulous Ikea savings.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS
If you do have a problem with your fixture, you may have difficulty communicating with Ikea's customer service department. The Better Business Bureau has many documented complaints where Ikea has procrastinated or not responded, cheating customers out of money and merchandise. There seems to be a lack of communication between the different ranks of customer service representatives, and they are based out of several countries, which also causes some confusion.

OUTRAGEOUS SHIPPING CHARGES
If you don't have an Ikea store in your neighborhood, shopping online might be a rotten idea. In many cases, shipping costs more than the fixtures themselves. Even if you pay more for fast delivery, you will probably wait for weeks or even months before you receive your order. Don't expect any great explanation from Ikea because their classic response is "It's on back order." One woman order the same kitchen fixture as her best friend. Her friend received hers on time, but she waited three months before she even got a notice that her fixture was on back order. She would have to wait another three months to receive it even though her credit card had already been charged.

While Ikea products are stylish and sleek, you will get the quality you paid for on their inexpensive lines. Personally, I think Ikea makes really beautiful light fixtures and furniture, but after talking to so many disgruntled customers, I would hesitate to give Ikea a try. I will stick with the timeless fixtures like Moen and Kohler available at my local, American-owned and operated hardware store.