Rant: Ihatea

Henry, Grandma, Grandpa and I headed out to Ikea today to buy an inexpensive rug for our back room. It wasn't a great trip for several reasons: First, we weren't going to Target to look for the rug. That would have solved all our problems. Second, I always feel like I'm going to be mowed down by a herd of speedwalking cheapskates with carts while I make my way along the snaking, single isle in the huge store. Third, Henry was not in the mood for shopping, so it took all three of us to keep him from tearing the place apart.

But mostly, I'm continually frustrated with the stuff I buy there. For example, while we were shopping Henry had fun playing on this hedgehog floor cushion/ chair thingy. Basically it's an oversize plushy pillow cover with an inflatable insert rather than foam stuffing. It was only $20 and cute, so I decided to buy it. Now, here's where the aggravation comes from: when I got it home and opened the bag, I discovered that the inflatable insert wasn't included in the package. I suppose you have to buy this separately. I don't recall seeing the inserts anywhere in the store, and nothing on the bag told me it wasn't included. And stuff like that (plus the fact that their semi-disposable furniture has a lifespan of months) is why I hate I-freakin'-kea.

I got burned the same way buying bathroom shelving last month. I got it home and discovered that it didn't come with mounting hardware. Now, what good is a shelf that doesn't come with mounting hardware? What good is an inflatable cusion you can't inflate? No good at all, my friends. No good at all. I mean, I understand having to buy accessories separately, but if the box is missing a component that means the product won't work without it, I expect to see screaming red type telling me what I need. But not Ikea--they wait for you to figure that out for yourself. And this is a company with a brand built on the idea of offering great design at a reasonable price. Well, there's more to design that what a thing looks like. You have to make it possible for people to use your products without multiple trips to the store for components.

Yes, I found a rug, and it's a nice addition to the room--makes it more comfortable to play on the floor with Henry. But the boycott is on: No more Ikea!