I've been to Ikea many times and been thrilled with their furniture, accessories, knick-knacks, etc. - things that I could bring home myself. Indeed, as I write this, I am sitting at a little desk from Ikea, drinking wine out of a glass from Ikea. So, given my positive experience, I decided to buy a mattress and box spring from Ikea - something that would need to be delivered.
I went to Ikea having done my research and narrowed my decision down to two mattresses. I went alone, thinking that customer service would be able to help me if needed.
Here's where it went wrong:
-The woman in the mattress section told me delivery cost $59 for the mattress I was buying. It was $69.
-To purchase the mattress, I had to put it on a cart and bring it through the till. Not a big deal, but there was only one of me, so I needed help getting the mattress on the cart. The guy working in the furniture "self-serve" section was blatantly pissed off about having to help me, and told me to "wait over there" while he chatted with his friend. I could hear them. They weren't talking about work. (Tall, skinny, blonde guy with longish, greasy looking hair. Avoid him.) After I "waited over there" for a while, I went back and asked again. *Loooong sigh* he came to help me load the mattresses.
-I then proceeded to navigate the cart with the mattress and box spring, alone, to the till. Notice again the one person, one set of eyes challenge. I was clearly struggling, and would have very much appreciated help at this point.
-Till closed while I was in line. No explanation. Proceed to move mattress and box spring to another till.
-Delivery. Here's where I learn the cost was $10 more than anticipated. BUT, they could deliver after work, between 5 and 9 pm. Great - I'll pay $69 + HST for that.
-Day of delivery. 11 am. While I'm at work, I get a call saying they are outside my house with the mattress. The Ikea dispatcher had messed up the order and given it to the delivery guys too early. Of course I can't accept it at this time. I ask "Can they deliver it later?" Maybe.
-Maybe!? I called Ikea themselves, and they guarantee that the mattress will be delivered between 5 and 9 pm.
-4:55 PM (note: NOT between 5 and 9) - I've rushed home from work to find the delivery guys in my hallway. They've disturbed my building manager to get inside. Here's the thing - I don't blame them. The IKEA DISPATCHERS made them wait outside for 6 hours. I was mortified at having been the cause of this, and angry at Ikea for having such a blatantly we-don't-give-a-f*ck attitude.
Clearly, poor customer service and a blatant disrespect towards employees and suppliers is endemic within the organization. Sure, I got my mattress fine. Will I ever buy something big from Ikea again? Not a chance. Overall, it was a terrible experience. read more