Flat Packed City (Ikea)

Member Name: deb10

Product:	Ikea
Date:	16/02/06 (3079 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Everything for your home under one roof

Disadvantages: a nightmareto get there

Question: What does one's husband suggest you do on a bitter cold Sunday afternoon with three children?

Answer: 1. Go to the pub and sit round the table eating a roast chicken dinner.
2. Watch DVD's and hog biscuits and popcorn.
3. Go to Ikea.

We did the last option and here's my review on this very trendy Swedish export.

************ WHAT IS IKEA? **************
Incase there are a few people who have never heard of this place it a large warehouse filled from basement to top floor with every possible home furnishing you could wish for. The items are modern and good quality but all at a reduced price.
The idea came from a Mr Ingvar Kamprad and this was how the store was named using the gentleman's initials. Mr Kamprad senior was so proud of his young son's academic results that he helped him start his own business. This was back in 1943.
IKEA originally sold items such as stationery, wallets, picture frames, watches, jewellery and ladies hosiery. It appeared that if Ingvar found a niche in the market that he could fill, he did so and with a product at a reduced cost.
It wasn't until 1951 that the store decided to branch out into reduced priced furniture and so flat pack city began. It grew in popularity and stores were appearing all over Europe until in 1987 one was opened in London.
IKEA now employs over 53,000 staff across the globe of over 150 stores in 29 countries. Not bad for a humble young Swedish man fresh out of college.

************* GETTING PARKED ***********************

Ikea stores are huge and most of the ones I have visited always seem to be situated in the worst possible traffic congested areas in England. The one in Brent Park and the store is just off the North Circular in London is a fine example of this.
You can't miss the place, there are yellow, red and blue flags flowing gracefully around the car park, and the store with its bright yellow exterior has a huge logo on the front entrance. It's not the fact that you cant find the place, its trying to get off the ridiculous roundabouts and dual carriageways to get into the car park.
We reached the place at around 1.pm and it wasn't too stressful, however the parking was. Brent Park has a bit of a reputation for parking and today was no exception. The outside car park is and always will be - FULL. Avoid this, it's a waste of time and you will meet with some aggressive drivers who are just waiting to drive into a slot that you have indicated you are about to reverse into. No one gives way as you try to indicate out and cars are coming at you at a rate of knots. If you find yourself stuck here best to exit out, go around the roundabout and enter at the mutli storey entrance, avoiding the outside car park completely.
The pick up bays are for the flat pack item collections and these are always full and no one appears to move out. It's supposed to be collection only but many customers ignored this sign and carried on shopping at leisure.
So after 40 minutes of trying to find parking, we ended up on level 2. Just about to enter a parking slot when a blue BMW came racing towards us at a race of knots, narrowly missing our car by inches. It was a one-way system but this was clearly ignored and no apology given by the ignorant other party.
With my blood pressure probably off the scale and my heart beating rapidly, we got the children out of the car and had to walk 10 minutes to the store entrance. This is why everyone tries to get the open-air car park.
Parking is free by the way and there seems to be no regard for other drivers. The attendants are walking round in bright yellow jackets and are definitely not on this planet. If one directs you to a spot, you'll drive around to find there isn't one.

********************FIRST IMPRESSIONS *************************
Entering the ground floor you are greeted by a bin load of yellow fishing nets, these are your bags for shopping. You can of course take a trolley outside but some stores depending on how rough the area is, charge a £1 return deposit.
There are escalators, stairs and lifts to take you up to the top floor. Disabled access and wheelchair access is pretty good, though you do have a long wait for the lifts. Usually able-bodied customers like to fill the elevators, standing there with their one incredibly heavy carrier bag, thus holding it up for wheelchairs and pram users.
Downstairs is also a supervised crèche, which is free. If you wish to leave you children there you have to obtain an identification bracelet in case you forget to pick them up! There are also strollers for hire in case you forgot your child's buggy. Though I never used the crèche, preferring to keep my children with me, I had a peak through the door and it looked very entertaining. Lots of soft play areas and ball pits for them to let of steam.
The foyer is very clean and spacious, however at Brent Park it's hard to spot where the entrance to the Market Place is as there is not signpost for the single door. We asked a very miserable member of staff how to get there and reluctantly she gave us details. It's tucked away behind the crèche in case you are wondering.

****************STAFF SPOTTING******************

They wear distinctive yellow shirts and black trousers. Though not very happy they are around this store in abundance. Whether they will help you is another matter, but you can try.
I asked a young West Indian gentleman where the toilets were and I was directed to the bathroom and shower section. Perhaps I should have been more descriptive but for fear of embarrassing him I walked away.



*************THE MARKET PLACE*******************

Usually on the lower floor, this is best bit. Here you will find a huge array of household items from children's plastic plates to bedroom clocks. It's like an Aladdin's cave full of must have items from £1 upwards.

Good Buys:
Kitchen clock £1.25
Floor lamp with trendy brass body and remote switch £4.10
10 AA batteries £1
Kiddies beakers, unbreakable and dish wash safe £1.50 for pack of 5
Table Place mats - huge and in bright colours £1 each
Curtains, plain in cream unlined, one size fits all, trim to fit with enclosed iron on tape £11
Anti Bacterial chopping boards 2 in a pack £1.20
Pack of three different sized scissors (small set great for kiddies supervision required) £1.20
Amazing long life light bulbs in trendy design £3 pack of three

To help with my child minding business I buy most utensils from here as they have to tendency to bounce not break. The toys though not extensive are tough and hardwearing. Of course they are made from wood so don't expect any dolls here. The train set is £3 and you need at least 3 packs to make a good-sized set.
There is ridiculous looking teddy that bends in the middle and looks more like a remote control holder than a child's bear.
The lighting is subdued and the atmosphere down here very calm. However as every aisle is so stocked that it is easy to loose your children if they have a tendency to wander off.
Through the market place are the plants and once again the prices are competitive. I bought a good-sized Yucca for £5 and a watering can for 50 p.
Next to the plants are the pet's section, not a great array of gifts and ideas for your dog or cat, but if you fancy giving your pet a flash looking drinking bowl, then this is the place for you.

****************GOING UP ******************************

On the first floor is the "showroom area". This is where everything you see in the catalogue is displayed as if it's in the Ideal Home Show. You can bounce on the beds if you so wish, relax in the funky floor cushion seat, open and close a few shower cubicles. On this floor you can really test before you buy. The displays also give you an idea as to what décor and extra furnishings you can add to the furniture.

If you wish to order anything bulky, i.e. a new kitchen, then you have to write the unit numbers down on paper that is provided just about everywhere and a member of staff will order it via their store computer. You then pay for it downstairs and collect it from the racks on the lower ground floor. If its just a wardrobe then you can just note the item number down again and retrieve it yourself once downstairs.

Do not over estimate the size of your car. I saw a couple struggle to load their 4 door hatch with various flat pack boxes, only to realise they couldn't get the remaining three in. Ikea do hire out roof racks by the way, just in case.

There are still a few items to buy here but the majority is found in the Market Hall downstairs.

*************************FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD***********************

This is where the store comes into its own. Delicious Swedish dishes at very reasonable prices. You can't make that stressful drive to an Ikea store without sampling a plate of meatballs and Swedish gravy, followed by Apple Cake and cream. This will cost you around a fiver give or take a few pence. The meatballs are huge and you do receive a large plateful.

If you shop in the "Comfort Zone" hours between 4 pm and 7 pm weekdays, then your children eat free.

****************** THE CHECK OUT **********************

Absolute murder on a busy day and still a nightmare even if its quiet. You have to pass racks and racks of flat packed boxes and customers struggling to get their new wardrobe off the shelves. The ques are horrendous, the waiting time is long and the floor is cold!
Ikea accept most payment methods but now they charge you 70 p for each credit card transaction. Try to pay with cash or debit card. Knowing you have to pay extra for using the credit card does deter you from spending out. I pay by bank debit card and there is no charge for this service. Ikea of course also have their own charge card and the 70 pence levy does not apply to this surprise, surprise.

**************TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF SWEDISH FOOD HOME ***************

Usually situated after the checkouts so therefore you have to pay again, is the mini food hall. There are some weird and wonderful items for purchasing; some I have never even heard of yet alone know what to do with.
I played safe and bought a large packet of mini dime bars for £1, a packet of meatballs and some chocolate.

******************IN NEED OF A HOT DOG*****************

If you missed the restaurant, have all your trolley loaded and realise you are starving, then you can buy a hot dog and a drink for £1.50 in the Bistro. There are normally no seats, so its standing room only where you can. Personally I think the hot dogs are vile and the 50 p doughnuts too greasy.

****************TOILETS************************** *******

Yes there are many but hygiene is not a high priority here. There are separate rooms for baby changing and a disabled toilet.
By the end of the day, the toilets smell and you might have to wade through some weird looking liquid on the floor. I do like the taps though; they turn on with a sensor so there is no need to touch them. A regular toilet inspection is needed here.


********COMING TO AN END ******************

Here are a few pointers that I have listed to help you in your decision for visiting Ikea.

~ You cannot order online. I am sure if they allowed this, the profits would double, as it would so be much easier for the customer. The website www.ikea.com/gb is for checking stock availability, store locations, downloading the catalogue and opening times.

~ Most stores are open till midnight, except on Sunday when it closes at 5pm.

~ Ikea have a good returns policy without much quibble as long as you have your receipt.

~Most IKEA products are flat-packed, making them easy to transport. The IKEA store offers a home delivery service but delivery is not included in the price.

~ IKEA stores offer a home decoration service if you plan to furnish an entire room. Most IKEA stores also offer a self-planning service. Using computer images, kitchen planners can help you plan and choose the kitchen of your dreams. Alternatively, you can plan your kitchen in the comfort of your home by downloading the IKEA kitchen planner to your pc. Kitchens can be installed professionally by their own team at a further cost.

~ The charge card is currently 12.9 % from Ikea.

~ Customer services phone:
0845 355 1141

~ If goods are out of stock, they can be ordered. You can also check availability online.

~ Catalogues are free and are obtainable in the store, downloaded from the website or if you live near a store, you will no doubt have one delivered through your letter box.

~ For details of careers available check out their website.

~ Carrier bags are free, tape measures and pencils are available to help with your ordering.

To conclude my review, I would recommend Ikea, as its prices and quality are pretty outstanding. Its on par with Habitat but cheaper.

However, its stressful getting there, it's a nightmare finding your flat pack chest of drawers, a pain to get it home and a head ache to assemble. If like me, you can just about build a small Lego car, putting together a child's cot bed will prove impossible. Its worth a look but be careful your blood pressure doesn't go off the scale.

There are far too many stores nation and world wide for me to list, so if in doubt please check the website or phone the help line number above.

Thanks for reading

Summary: good, sturdy furniture.