My first visit to the Ikea warehouse

[Alexander's Horse]

It's something I have avoided for years but we needed some quick and cheap wardrobe solutions and Mrs Horse was in a bad mood. Nothing soothes her like a new mega shopping experience.

We went to this vast site.



I got aching legs from all the walking. The hotdogs were only $1. I didn't have one but noted that for file.



Mrs Horse insisted I sign up for discounts, so now my details will be winging their way to some Baltic criminal gang.

I bought the simplest thing to put together and now have a sore thumb. If there was even a fraction more length on the screws this thing would be a snack to put together...my eyesight isn't good enough. My son is doing it for me.



It all just fell apart

[Dinner]

Those stores are built like a maze so you can't leave without walking through every department.

[The Mad Monk]

But that photo (the second one) looks like a warehouse store, not a maze. This confuses me.

[Uncle Sparky]

The minotaur is hiding behind the 'hot dog' sign.

[onodera]

You could ask Saras for your personal details back.

[Dinner]

But that photo (the second one) looks like a warehouse store, not a maze. This confuses me.

Maybe they're different in Australia. Usually they do have a warehouse right by the exit where you pick up the flat packed furniture or what not but when you walk through the front door it herds you upstairs where the maze is.

[The Mad Monk]

I know, that's why I'm confused.

[Alexander's Horse]

It had arrows on the floor that lead you through every section



There are "shortcuts" as well. All very sinister if you ask me - and I wouldn't like to go there on the weekend. You might get trampled going against the flow.

[regexcellent]

I bought a desk at IKEA and it has held up very well. I bought my couch at Macy's, and everything else I bought at a thrift store.

[Patroklos]

But that photo (the second one) looks like a warehouse store, not a maze. This confuses me.

There are two sides to the store, the storeroom where you see and pick what you want which is what you see in advertisements and such, then the warehouse where you pick it up if its in stock. At least that's how the DC and Atlanta one works.

[dannubis]

They work the same everywhere: a maze like show room and a streamlined storeroom

[kentonio]

I have a soft spot for IKEA, it's like a civilized version of the vikings, invading everyone's countries to rape and pillage their gold.

[The Mad Monk]

How does one rape gold?

[dannubis]

Rings don't plug holes...

[Dinner]

Yeah, I used to get those but then the made them smaller and I couldn't be bothered anymore

Costco is still the gold standard in cheap but tasty food used to lure shoppers into the store. Your choice of a giant slice of pizza or a giant bratwurst hotdog plus drink with free refills for $1.50. Ikea's cafeteria does have some cheap eats in it though I have to admit. On a different note Ikea is one of the few western chains to have really cracked the Chinese market even though it took them several years to finally get their formula right. Even Walmart has been struggling to make money in China but Ikea seems to have the right mix of product and advertising to convince Chinese consumers to actually part with their cash. Supposedly in China Ikea is an all day experience for Chinese people and it isn't unusual for them to spend 8 hours or more in the store at a time browsing, eating lunch, trying stuff out, and even sleeping on the beds or laying on the recliners for hours on end so they can decide if it is comfortable or not.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-24769669