Things to know about IKEA and IKEA products!

There are some things that the novice should know about before going to IKEA.

(I will probably add to this as I recall different experinces at later dates so check back from time to time)

1. All IKEA stores are managed independently - what does that mean to you? Well the most important point is that if you make a purchase from one IKEA and you open a product and there is damage or parts missing you can only take it back to the IKEA warehouse it was purchased from for return or exchange. Competitive IKEA stores in a market don't want the return.

2. You must have a receipt for exchange or refund - This matters mostly for deliveries. If you receive and item mis-delivered to you through Urban Express on the east coast, more than likely that item is a gift to you since Urban may or may not come back to retrieve the item and IKEA will not take it back without a receipt. You might be able to call the individual whom it was to be delivered to through the info on the label, but this usually only shows an address and not a telephone number.

3. IKEA Pax Wardrobes really need One (1) person to build them! - Yes, it is true, if you know how to do it these require one person to build contrary to the assembly pamphlet included in the package of a Pax frame and the info on the IKEA website. The process they lay out and recommend to assemble often results in anchors tearing out, frames out of square and basically and assembly headache. Unless the ceiling height of the space is 5" inches or lower than the length of one of the frame side panels stood on its end, the best way to build these is on the floor into a box and then lifted into position. This guarantees the best possible assembly and the least amount of hassle.