IKEA — Attraction in Norfolk

2 UPDATES MADE IN JULY 2024 SEE BOTH BELOW

It started rough. I'm Dyslexic and the only directional postings are black and white. Dyslexics don't do well with contrasting colors (black and white, green and red, etc). I was put in touch with Tiffin. She's the store Manager. I had 500$ to spend on bedroom furniture, a char, and a few other things. She took it as a challenge. We found what I needed in my budget and I had money left.

I was close to tears and ready to never set foot in another IKEA ever. Tiffin was a joy to work with and she shared the secret of how to get a person to help in IKEA. You just ask. But, this doesn't work anymore if you have a product problem and have to call customer service.

UPDATE #1

So the bed I purchased was hard to assemble and broke while in use. The following is a message sent to Ikea: First, let me say that I am not a happy customer. Far from it!

Your stores appear indifferent to the consumer, are poorly staffed, and do not take into account people with learning disabilities.

The product(s) I have purchased from IKEA break easily and are difficult to put together without help. Breaking it before full assembly is common because the pieces need to be forced into line with the holes.

In fact, you have to sign breakage wavers with moving companies for them to even touch Ikea furnishings of any nature.

The instructions do not take into account people with learning disabilities and are confusing to people who do not have them. Pictures are not always the best option. Your instructions are pictures with confusing dotted lines and overlapping pieces without explanation.

The bed I purchased is poorly designed, was difficult to put together, and is now broken because of it.

Your return policies are inconsiderate to the consumer and difficult to manage, even for your employees.

I cannot disassemble the furniture without causing more damage to it, and getting a pickup for an assembled piece of furniture needs special permission.

It's interesting to note that the instructions do not recommend keeping the tool you give us and standard tools don't fit. To disassemble the furniture without the tool you provide is impossible. Yet, it must be disassembled to qualify to be picked up. Catch 22.

Additionally, I was not informed that the bed slats were extra prior to making the purchase. This is something called "Bait and Switch," because you cannot use the bed without the slats. It's an extra added cost that the consumer is not aware of prior to checking out at the register. I don't know about Switzerland, but in the USA, there are laws that protect consumers from Bait and Switch.

After this is taken care of, I won't be purchasing things from Ikea that require assembly. It's too much of a hassle all the way around.

TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THEY CHARGED ME FOR DELIVERY AND I TOOK IT HOME WITH ME. NO DELIVERY NEEDED.

This is being posted in Google Reviews

Update #2 7-26-2024

I called my bank and took advantage of the Consumer Fraud Protection Act and filed a claim with my bank. They are in the process of investigating.

I also called the ADA. They are keeping the investigation on file. If there continue to be reported violations they will take action, but right now there isn't enough evidence of ADA violations to make a case.

I ended up taking the bed apart myself. I didn't have someone to do it for me. I hurt myself doing it too. I will say it was much easier to take apart once I was given (for free) every Ikea tool they have. There are many and 1 size does not fit all.

I'm waiting to hear from the bank.

I will NEVER buy another prefab piece of shizah from Ikea again. I was warned against it and I ignored all 3 people who said it. If I can take it home and not have to assemble it, I'm good. Unfortunately, they are the only source for Lingonberry Preserves around town and I'm addicted.

I never pursued the bait-and-switch angle. Be aware that when it comes to Ikea, everything is extra.

No more space to add more. Fair winds and...

My husband and I went to Ikea today. We have been to this location several time, maybe 10 times or more since they opened. Occasionally we will walk through the maze, but most of the time we are downstairs and purchasing specific things. This visit we did not go through the maze. The portion of the store on the 1st floor is neatly organized, bright and clean. I couldn't find a specific item and the employee I found was very helpful and pointed me in the right direction. Checkout is ok, but I hate that they have the food section after you pay at the registers. I wasn't done shopping and I wanted to check out their frozen food selection. Every visit I always get a bag of their meatballs and sauce packets. This time I had to explain to the cashier at the front that I was going to continue shopping at the front of the store and wanted to take my unpaid merchandise. She agreed although I perceived her to be hesitant. My husband ended up staying behind with the merchandise though, I guess he got the vibes that they lady may have thought I was going to walk right out of the door with this stuff. Lady, I'm not going to steal your store's stuff. If they had a cashier at the food section, I wouldn't mind paying for my merchandise before and then going there and paying again. But they don't, so I'm not sure what the big deal is. Put a cashier there if you're afraid of people shoplifting your stuff. Also, worst of all is they stopped selling the olive oil blends! Not cool!

Cafeteria: This visit the food was honestly horrible. I had the salad with marinated salmon and also a plate of baked salmon with the vegetable cake and veggies. The baked salmon was severely overcooked. It was dry and chalky tasting. The red sauce was bland. I could have sworn they use to use a type of yellow sauce on this dish. The veggies were bland and mushy. My husband didn't like his entree of Swedish meatballs. We also had two pear sodas. I took one sip and one sip only. The taste reminded me of what cleaning liquid may taste like. It Very soapy taste and not good at all. Maybe it's just an off day, but I work hard for my money and they shouldn't have served half the dishes with the lack of quality and take people's money like that. Bottom line: improve your quality control. Nobody wants to eat overcooked, dry salmon. I know this isn't a 5 star place but if ruby Tuesday can serve a piece of salmon that isn't overcooked, so can they. Service was friendly.

Bottom line: obviously I'll be back, I can't deny the fact that they have great things at reasonable prices (most not all). I can't say I'll be back at the food court...

This was my first time visiting Ikea and the only store in the new premier outlet that I have gone to. I was also particularly interested in trying the Swedish restaurant. Well, as a newcomer to Ikea, I know they make great quality furniture, but little to my dismay, did I realize they had so much more than just furniture. My shopping experience; I took my time and spent several hours, and actually shopping at Ikea, it can be dangerous. LOL, I mean that in a fun way😊. There are many, many very inexpensive good deals. I mean things even less than a dollar that are very functional, useful, and purposeful. I am a big kitchen person, and so there were many, many deals in the kitchen even low enough in price that I got many extras for gifts. I went there purposely to select a bed, and I did end up finding out that I needed to change the type of bed that I had been in desire for. Along came a bedding assistant, Dreamy" who specialized in that department and she was extremely helpful! While going throughout the store, employees could tell that I was confused and distraught as to where I was and how to get from one point to another. One thing I will say they were always willing to assist, didn't act like it wasn't their job or their position to do so but instead pleasantly offered to direct me or even walk me to the point of destination much to my surprise!! On to the restaurant-well they're big special is Swedish meatballs. I'm not a big meatball girl, but once again, to my amazement, I tried the Swedish meatball not plant-based, and it was very good. Then I was able to try the Lingonberry, which is similar to Cranberry sauce, which I love very delicious. I did not sample any desserts at this time, nor did I take any pictures throughout the entire store. I would say if you're on a lazy day you don't have much to do or if you want to do something different to go and visit the local Norfolk Premier Outlet and the IKEA store it's a great experience!! Bring your shopping bags, but they provide you with big bags. I mind you for only 99 Cents, and you will need it with a cart. It's easier to get around on your own footing, but you may need a cart once you're along the way. I believe the carts are only offered to you in the beginning. I will definitely be returning again and already ordered online again for pickup after my day of in-store shopping, which I probably spent at least three hours, if not more...