Ikea hopes to spare shoppers the one-way Helvete of its stores with ÅR app overhaul Furniture and meatball purveyor Ikea is launching a mobile app that will project what furniture should look like into punters' homes (if they follow the instructions correctly, of course) then allow them to buy it. The augmented reality app will be launched in France and the Netherlands followed by other top markets including …
When buying any read-to-assemble furniture item, except the very smallest, your first action should be to buy a properly sized hex screw driver or a hex bit for an electric drill/driver, and save the fiddly one that they give you for really tight spots.
Those free ones will do your wrists in if you're doing a big project with them.
"you curse at the idiot who did the drawings left-handed, upside down and backwards."
I remember getting a phone call from brother-in-law many years ago. He'd bought an Ikea wardrobe and was having problems getting it assembled. I got there about 7pm and was gone 11pm by the time we got it all assembled (with a few spare screws, natch!). Now, I've always been a stickler for reading the instructions first. Even as a young kid, mam knew who to come to if something didn't seem right with any device that arrived with instructions. But those FSCKing Ikea instructions almost beat me! At one point we had the guide rails for the sliding doors almost fitted according to the pretty pictures then realised we had the top and bottom guide rails swapped over and that's why the bastards didn't fit.
After that experience, I have NEVER bought Ikea products since then. (Apart from the fact it's so hard to find what you want in their warehouses and they force you to wander the entire floor area unless you are a paid up weekend warrior and know about the secret short-cuts.
I have assembled more IKEA furniture than I care to think about, and having shopped IKEA in 5 countries.
I do not recall ever having missed parts. That is impressive. Holes always line up.
I have had very few problems with instructions, to me they are quite good.
The stores have the same layout, it is very efficient shopping for me.
To those who complain about IKEA: Try the alternatives!
I tried...
I had every intention of buying a shelving unit, so having picked up trolley in the car park, I ventured storewards.
First there was the barrier to lift the trolley over. Level completed!
Then there was a revolving door to negotiate. That was interesting, but ultimately defeated. There *may* have been a queue. Level completed!
I gave up at the staircase though, and went home, abandoning the trolley in the foyer.
Enter via exit doors when someone leaves, wander to the food & drink area (not the takeaway hot dog etc kiosk) buy a few tasty things and leave, having avoided any furniture aisles. Shame they don't do food and drink only IKEAS (with wider range of consumables obv)
To paraphrase a certain museum, an OK food shop with a shit furniture seller attached
Loooong long ago, I was a winner of a Hong Kong $ 50,000 "cheque" to be spent on Ikea goods in their HK shops.
I thought that I'd have to buy another HK flat to make use of all the stuff that I could acquire - but my SWMBO rustled up a number of friends who actually wanted some Ikea gear at a discount.
I ordered their requirements - had it delivered to our abode - and these friends did the right thing, collected and paid ca$h for the discounted items.
That was ~23 years ago, but now the only item we still have is a heavy table lamp - which seldom gets switched on, but have got rid of the obsolete incandescent bulb for a modern LED lamp & Dimmer.
Their inventory information is surprisingly hopeless - they should fix that first. I've checked their online availability of items before a 90 minute drive to their Toulouse store to purchase. I've arrived as one of the first customers of the day, and found that there was no stock, there had been no recent stock and they weren't expecting any for weeks. How would I know when they had stock? "Check the website". Bfff...
If you do not have leftover screws you are not trying hard enough !!!
The 'Pictogram' instructions are for 'guidance' only ;) :)
Take it apart and try again !!!
Structural Integrity is only 'slightly' impacted by the odd missing screw ........ honest !!! :)
(Just make sure it is leaning against a wall before you leave !!!)
<joke: for anyone who may have doubts :) >
Ken Moorhouse,
It is all a matter of perception.
All Flatpack items are made of an infinite number of 'unused holes' filled with wood/plastic/plastic wood etc. :)
These 'unused holes' are available via the use of a drill bit !!! ;) :)
For those who may be reluctant to avail themselves of the 'unused holes' there is the fallback of 'Gorilla Glue / 'No more Nails' etc.
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