Wayne's World: Why do I shop at Ikea?

[djmcmath]

Much better way to get furniture from Ikea (or anywhere else, for that matter):
1 - Be a destitute bachelor fresh out of college.
2 - Decorate your tiny apartment in moving boxes. Be creative. Filled with styrofoam, they make great chairs. Covered with a blanket, they make great end-tables.
3 - Have some friends over.
4 - Receive sympathetic "Dude you need some furniture" comments throughout the party.
5 - Wait for your friends to call and offer you furniture.

Notes:
-It is essential that at least a few of your friends be female. Men don't give a rats petut if you're living on cardboard.
-Yes, it works. I have two couches, a dresser with mirror, two end tables, and a coffee table this way.

[vash]

dj, you are the master! dont forget stealing milkcrates from the local grocery store!

[nostatic]

We quit going to Ikea a few years ago. It just wasn't worth the nonsense. Instead we buy something we REALLY like (usually paying a good chunk of money), but then plan on keeping it for the next 40 years.

Like I said, you gotta REALLY like it...

And I'll venture a guess that the only people that understand how universities operate from a financial standpoint are those that are in the system either as an SBO or director-level position (along with faculty, but often they don't know all the ins-and-outs either). They don't work they way you think they work...

[djmcmath]

A random note that I just came across in my Greek studies -- bear with me, this is applicable -- the NT Greek word for "torture" is aikia, pronounced just like our favorite furniture store. Of halfway interesting historical note, the word aikia is related to the name of the goddess Hecate, who was associated with witchcraft, tombs, demons and the underworld -- not the sort of woman you'd want to buy furniture from, if you get my drift. The name of the goddess Hecate mutated through the years to hekateros which became Hekaterine, which became aikaterine. The Romans took over and changed it to katharina. Some poor set of parents in the 4th century named their daughter "Katharina," and she became a saint and a martyr on a new torture device, dubbed on the spot the "Catherine Wheel."

So you see, Ikea comes full circle, so to speak -- the ancient goddess of nastiness and evil stuff and the word for torture became a nifty torture device and a furniture store.

I hope you've enjoyed this little lesson in names and etymology. Please tune in again next time, when we'll study the ancient Greek word for "McDonalds."

Dan

[Moneyguy1]

I get around the problem. I enjoy building furniture. New friends have difficulty believing that some of our stuff didn't come from the highest of high end stores until I show them pix of the items under construction (I do keep a photographic record). Latest is an entertainment center for a 32" HDTV, which includes dvd storage, space for the dvd player, cable box, fm with a dolby 5.1 system, built in l/r/ speakers and subwoofers. Solid oak and 7 ply oak plywood, total cost about $500. Weighs a ton but has six casters so it glides even on carpet rather easily.

The only stuff I haven't tackled yet is upholstered stuff....We have a great furniture store here that has an outlet division and the prices can't be beat like a Flexsteel recliner for $200...

I built all the cabinets in the kitchen except for the raised panel doors which are solid oak and purchased cheaper than I can build them (all sizes except rediculous are $22 including shipping from Ameridoor-shameless plug- I like their quality).

But I will confess that we have a solid oak desk from a company called "Furniture in the Raw" which is unfinished. Fit and quality are outstanding. If you have that kind of store handy, and don't mind getting dirty with stain and urethane, it is a relatively inexpensive way out.

BTW....Many years ago, I had the bookshelves made out of pine planks and concrete blocks too. Hey, they did what they were supposed to do. It took years to accumulate the tools and experience, and some of my first attempts were laughable. And no, I don't have a Norm Abrams workshop, just a 8 x 12 workshop and a brick patio for cutting/assembling the big stuff.

Never been to Ikea; will look it up on the 'net.

[Moneyguy1]

Addendum

I went into the IKEA site.

What I saw were a few pieces made out of pine, but many out of particle board or fiberboard. Some prices looked reasonable, some were outlandish.

As just a first look, I would ask: Why would anyone shop there?

[Moses]

Like a lot of us, my wife and I went through an "Ikea phase". Mostly based on price. My experiences are just like Waynes. Awful service. Poorly organized.

Another note, Ikea furniture will NOT stand up to the punishment delivered by normal kids.

Ikea is great for graduate students and childless lesbians on a budget. I'll never shop there again.

[Moneyguy1]

As for the kids....

If Hummer were only in the furniture business....(or some other industrial manufacturer of heavy duty equipment)

"The new John Deere kitchen table and chairs. Attractive, durable, solid cast iron with powder finish in your choice of two designer colors, yellow or green. Table and four chairs $2,999. Shipping weight 1,500 pounds"