IKEA Stoughton

12/4/2006

Slowly but surely my apartment is becoming filled with IKEA furniture. I have to say, I love each piece I own and I don't worry about getting sick of it. And even if I do, every thing is so inexpensively priced I can replace pieces in a few years and not feel bad about it.

I went to this IKEA when it first opened and of course it was a mad house.  Since then I have been on two other occasions and both visits were during the week, at mid-day.  I highly recommend visiting the store at this time as it was relatively empty and provided a relaxed atmosphere for browsing/shopping.

I also think IKEA is a great place when shopping for gifts. I managed to get some Christmas shopping done during my last visit. You can find pretty unique gifts that are very inexpensive.

1/15/2009

Warning : please exercise extreme caution.
Please do not go here on a weekend
Please only go with a list of items needed for individual household.
Please do not visit with an " impulse buying" type of friend.
Husband do yourself a favor stay home and offer to assemble said objects when they arrive home.
Please also do not ask the workers any questions - they do speak English but some distorted dialect ( very, very odd vibes).

Warnings aside - you get what you pay for lots of particle board in funky styles.

Good tables and chairs.
Linens no so good/ rugs not so good.

Mirrors/ closet stuff great - all organizers well worth it.

Only dis is the loading zone - instead of an open area where you can load large objects into your car - there are these metal barricades that mean you have to lift heavy objects over the barricade???!!!!

Enjoy a little Swiss in the US of A.

4/12/2008

Almost all of my current furniture is from Ikea.

The store itself can be a bit overwhelming to navigate. Its very easy to get sidetracked and lost.

I actually had to go several times to find everything I needed for my place.

The furniture can be a bit tricky to put together though. We actually royally fucked up a coffee table while putting it together and had to scrap the whole thing.

10/5/2007

Cheap furniture? Sweet!  Everything looks good, works out pretty well... fast-forward 2 years... chairs falling apart, dresser starting to lean...  Ikea is great for a little while.  The furniture really is not made well, or made to last, and that's reflected by the price.  They have some good stuff that you could use forever, but overall it's cheap.  I used to shop here whenever I moved into a new apartment, but now I think I would rather pay a few hundred $ more for furniture that I know will last much longer.  

So if you're just looking for something quick, cheap, and easy Ikea is the place to go.

3/7/2009

I LOVE IKEA.  But you need some tips before taking a trip here:

1) Bring a bag (purse/ man purse / fanny pack if you dare) and keep a bottled water and a snack in it.  Yes they have a restaurant inside (incredibly cheap too!), but honestly, I've never been in the mood to sit down and chow while I'm there.  You're there long enough, I don't feel like sitting and losing momentum!

2) Leave you jacket in the car.  I don't care if it's -20 out.  You will overheat and get faint from all the activity (especially if you don't pack a snack/water as in #1.

3) Bring at least 1 person with you. Maybe even two.  Don't go it alone.  You will need someone to push your cart or hold your bags and if you end up going to the warehouse and taking home their flat packed furniture, you're going to need someone to push the dolley and someone to push your shopping cart.

4) Don't go on the weekend if you can help it.  Especially Sundays.  Weekends are packed and I've found that by the time you get to the warehouse part of the building on a Sunday afternoon, they're out of half your prized modular furniture.  :(  And IKEA is too far away to come back the next day.

5) Tylenol or Advil.  Yes.

6)  Take your time but don't get too excited about the showrooms at the very beginning of your walk through and write down every location of every item.  Odds are, you'll probably see those pieces farther down the line and you don't want to overwhelm yourself and burn out.  

I know a lot of people think IKEA is trash and cheap furniture but I have to say, I've owned stuff from here for years and it's in better shape than the $3K sofa we bought 5 years ago.  

I love IKEA because it gives people (i.e. college students, people in their 20's and 30's etc) who may otherwise have to settle for hand me downs and Goodwill finds, a chance to furnish their apartment/house with things that actually go together and do so inexpensively.  You will find everything here from sofas, beds, bureaus, lamps, pillows, picture frames and framed art, candles, kitchen utensils, cat toys, plants, drapes, Swedish foodstuffs, storage boxes etc.  I think the only thing they don't sell is clothing.

It takes a little while to build everything when you get home, but it's totally worth it because you can change how a room looks easily, for less than $100.

8/24/2012

One way in. One way out. No clocks. No windows. Like a Las Vegas Casino. They even have a quasi-buffet. Execpt instead of prime rib you get sweedish meatballs.

The place is a zoo and you can fill a room for under $1,000. If your budget permits you to spend more - do it! Everything is made of particle board and typically won't survive your second move.

5/19/2007

I declare shenanigans on Ikea hype! Long-time listener, first-time visitor last night, and while the conditions seemed to be perfect--not crowded, perfect parking space--I was still left feeling seriously underwhelmed at the end.

Now, that's not to say I didn't enjoy my trip there, because I certainly did...I WANT that college-psuedo-Indian bedroom set they'd created...but I just expected the prices to be a little bit lower, the sets to be a little more creative, and their furniture to be just a little better made. I did enjoy daydreaming about my future non-apartment house, I saw a bedframe that I'm seriously considering going back for, and I always will appreciate a place that sells hot dogs for .50 cents and a cinnamon bun for a dollar...but it didn't spark for me, there wasn't anything other than the feeling I would get looking through a Pier 1. "Ooh, that looks nice!" "Wouldn't that be great in the living room?" but in the end, all you walk out with are dreams and  inspiration for the future.

1/11/2010 Updated review

Wow.  The traffic on the weekends getting here is IMPOSSIBLE.  There's even a warning on Rt 24 south saying that you should expect stopped traffic for about a mile and a half on weekends.  It's all due to IKEA.  That's the power of that place.  It's insane.  They really need about 2 more exits on that highway JUST for IKEA.

We went there looking for a desk on Saturday.  When we finally got there, it was the same as ever.  A mob-scene but - still manageable and fun.  We DID find what we were looking for and checkout was also backed up and slow.  But for the price - we liked our little adventure.  Even if it took 4 hours.

3/12/2013

This IKEA Sucks balls, I was literally on the phone today for 1Hr :13 Mins and no one picks up the phone when i call check the Product availability, when I go there to buy the product on store of-course they dont have in stock. Worst Customer experience ever..... Meh no 0 Stars :(

10/17/2011

I go to Ikea a lot. I mean everytime I need furniture it is a necessary stop. That being said it was not any different this time. And to place this in reference to other locations I went to Jordan's first. And its right next door. I left in about 30mins. It had nothing for my two stepdaughters that was worth purchasing that they would not ruin.

So instead I went to Ikea. It takes forever YES I agree however, I gave my faince some food adn he made it through adn got dessert on the way out. A whole lunch for $2 is amazing. He got 2 hot dogs, chips, and a drink. On the way out a cinnamon roll and ice cream ($3 total).

So we looked and searched and what we want to do to update their storage and aesthetics will come in around $100 if we dont include the $150 wall size picture of a wave. That is what I call cheap. Especially because they share a room and they need 2 of everything.

Also went over to the AS-IS section. We need another seat cover for our slip covered couch. Its like $5-10 for a new cover which is better than the $50-150 for a whole cover set but still slipcovers that are hideous are $100 minimum. Love this place!

3/20/2008

My life changed when IKEA came to the South Shore, and to MA for that matter (yes, I was a crazy that drove to New Haven to go to IKEA). This place has EVERYTHING. And so decently priced. I have bought everything from furniture to lamps to bedding to flatware to picture frames to home office needs to organizational stuff to pet beds to coasters to gifts for all occasions. I just love it all. And the quality is great. I love that the furniture is all DIY, helps keep the prices low and it's not that hard to put together. You just need good tools and patience.

Also, I love the cafe! Inexpensive food - both hot and cold. Great salad, fries, sandwiches, and desserts. I also love the downstairs mini-cafe: $1 fountain soda, mini grocer, and big soft pretzels? Awesome.

• 

  FLORT!

  FLORT!
• 

  KLINGSBO!

  KLINGSBO!
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  Swede Chocolate!

  Swede Chocolate!
• See all photos from Kim K.

3/18/2009

Ok, so here's the thing.  Who doesn't like cheap furniture?  But, the set up of this place (and the only other IKEA I have ever been to) gives me anxiety attacks, cause there's just so many people all the time, no matter what time you go.  Not real anxiety attacks, but you get my drift.  And yes, it's cheap, but you get what you pay for.  I'd rather save up and invest in some NICE furniture.  Unless it was an emergency.

Also, people drive like assholes in the parking lot.  Just saying.  

BUT, I am giving this store two stores instead of one cause I am a pretty big fan of their affordable home decor (like plates/lamps/vases, etc).  Yeah, they're cheap, and probably not going to last long but they're pretty while you have them!  My friend even bought all of the supplies for her wedding centerpieces here, and didn't have to break the bank.

5/11/2011

How does one write a review of IKEA? Especially when there are 237 others? Well, I'll make it brief.

I was going to give three stars, based on the hassle of getting and going there, but I decided on four because when I'm looking for something interesting for my apartment, this is usually where I end up buying. Affordable, stylish. Not the best quality, but not the worst. It really depends on the item. And not your typical furniture store. Honestly, where else do people get cool stuff that doesn't cost an arm and a leg?? It was the only place we could find a sectional sofa that would fit in our apartment that was well under $1000.

I like to get here right when the place opens to avoid the hordes and we like to park on the upper level so we don't have to mess with elevators on the way out. In and out!

We always have to get a treat after our journey through the store. If you're a fan of cheap hot dogs, then you can't beat the $1 dogs here. I also never leave the store without getting my favorite candy- bilar chewy cars. They're the best.

I do wish it was closer that Stoughton, though. I live in Cambridge, so we really have to plan ahead to go.

10/18/2011

Needing a bookcase and since we were in Boston, we drove to the Ikea in Stoughton (40 minute drive in traffic, but only 19 miles distance).  It was a nice drive and we got to see how Monday night traffic was for Boston commuters.

The Ikea is in an area with other large big box stores (including Costco, a large furniture store called Jordan's Furniture, and Home Depot).  It's a typical multi-level Ikea with all the home products, furniture, fixtures, lamps that you could ever want.  It also has a food court area, so you can shop longer and buy more at Ikea.

The nice thing is that over the past few years some of the Ikea products I purchased in the past have come down in price.  The bookcase that I bought a few years ago was $89.99 (Expedit) and today it's $69.99.

We did the self-check out and moved our car from the large covered parking lot to the self-loading area, then put the bookcase in the car, and we left for home.  The only bummer was we hit more traffic (an accident) on the way home (90 West).

Thanks Ikea!

Xie Xie!!

11/16/2007

I credit all of my success at IKEA to not being in a rush, expecting a crowd, and the shot of happy gas they pump at you when you enter on the escalator.

But seriously... If you understand that it's going to be crowded, and you've allotted 3+ hours to whatever it is you're going in there for - there shouldn't be an issue.

I always get there at the crack of dawn - and they sell breakfast for $1.99... WHY WOULDN'T YOU GO EARLY?  The restaurant opens at 9:30 so you can get a proper head start on a full stomach.

Oh... it's not just an amusement warehouse?  They sell furniture and stuff?  

Some of the kitchen appliances I've gotten were crap, some have been my best friend for over a year.  Same goes with furniture.  Really contemplate if that $150 is going to last you forever... (it won't).

But in a pinch, anything and everything at IKEA can meet your needs.

8/17/2010

Customer service sucked -- promotions on their website that didn't end until August 15th were not honored and the people we spoke w/ actually said" I don't care what you think about IKEA, move along".

Also our delivery which was slated for yesterday between 4pm-8pm arrived at 8:30pm --- soaking wet & boxes shredded. We didn't accept them and now am not sure if we shouldn't just cancel the whole order now.

IKEA, we expected better things from you :(

11/8/2010

Oh, Ikea, I loved you in California, and you're just as amazing on the east coast... I'm so jealous that you picked Cincinnati over Columbus for your first one in Ohio.

I like everything about Ikea - it's so much fun following the little path, working your way through the enormous showroom, seeing all of the displays of furniture and wonderful accessories and gadgets.  I find myself feeling like a kid, pointing to everything and exclaiming, "look at this, Mom, look at this!"  Nice thing is, Ikea recognizes you are probably going to exhaust yourself and need to be refueled, so they have their own restaurant.  But wait... they don't actually charge you an arm and a leg because you are now their captive, you are exhausted and starving, and there is no competition?

Maybe they make enough on furniture sales to subsidize practically giving food away.  It's simply unbelievable the prices they charge in the restaurant.  The food is so yummy, too.  I mean really - $.99 for a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and potatoes?  $3.99 for a meal of Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, and lingonberries?

And then there is the little grocery downstairs where you can get all kinds of yummy stuff (including some of the stuff they serve in the restaurant, like the meatballs and lingonberries) to take and cook at home.

This was the perfect solution for my daughter and I while we were vacationing in the Boston area.  We were staying at one of those hotels with a kitchenette, so getting some of this great stuff to cook in our room was the perfect way to save a bit of money during our trip.

9/8/2011

I grabbed a bed frame for 140 bucks (platform bed, ikea is basically the only place which has these.) Worth it if you know what you are looking for, do not go there to browse.

The check-out can be hectic but the 4 piece set you have on your cart is worth it! The best part, it fit perfectly in my Volvo =)

Good for a college student/ young couples, quality for cheap!

2/1/2006

The fact that, before the Stoughton branch opened up, many Bostoners used to drive 2 hours to New Haven, CT, to get their fill of IKEA, really says it all. You will find in here pretty much everything you need to furnish and equip your apartment or house, and there are options for all wallet-sizes.

IKEA also get brownie points for setting aside parking slots for ZipCars. However, I was disappointed by the plant section of this IKEA - much less interesting than others I've visited.

5/25/2007

Ikea is lame.
After looking at the website and the catalog, I was expecting a more crate & barrel experience. This was like the christmas tree shop of home furnishings. Everything looks cheap. i hate the layout. They have a good selection of crap and then there are things that are bizarrely NOT part of their inventory (like a spice rack, wtf?)

Everything is crap.

I hate not knowing how to exit a store. OK OK  I ADMIT! I have a phobia of not knowing how to exit a situation and I almost had a nervous breakdown trying to leave this store.

Eat it, ikea.

3/1/2011

I am shocked if anyone does not agree that IKEA IS AWESOME.  Maybe if you only enjoy expensive products.  If Ikea has something cheaply made that is not going to last long (which they do have), the price matches.  If I buy a bedspread and it only lasts 6 months, I paid $25 for it and I can easily replace it and have a new, brighter look.  Often, however, there are cheap prices for good quality things which last.  If you are patient enough to look through the store, you will find these things.  I am always impressed with Ikea and, unless I buy large furniture, I usually get out of there under $100 with a large bag of useful things.  I suggest going there for lighting - really stylish lamps and shades for CHEAP.  

Also, the Swedish meatballs are pretty darn yummy, too. Oh, and the non-fat yogurt!

9/6/2011

Like every other Ikea. A Maze.

Avoid Sept 1st, it gets totally ridiculously crazy.

Their furniture is pretty much get what you pay for, which also means their more expensive stuff isn't too bad.

11/4/2009

I freaking LOVE this place. My Christmas list this year includes some items from IKEA and a new Bruins jersey. Legit, I am excited for furniture.

This place is like the promised land for broke college kids who lease teeny-tiny Brighton apartments. Their furniture is cheap but also great at space-saving and organizing which comes in handy.

I like that I have been able to get matching furniture at a low cost and decorate on the cheap while still looking good.

Now, I am aware that this will not be furniture that I hand down to my offspring for generations. But for now, it looks amazing and it does the job. I even bought my mattress here and let me tell you sir or madam, that I get an amazing night's sleep on it.

5/6/2012

It's fine if you want inexpensive items for a new apartment. You'll need to pick and choose items that will last longer. I bought a beautiful tall glass vase for only $29.99 and a rug for $14.99. Both will last awhile.

I had their white fish dinner there and it was alright considering it was only $4.99. The carrots were actually crunchy and not mushy. The mashed potatoes were real and not from a mix. The fish was a bit dry. The apple cake crust was a little soggy although the filling was nice and apple-y.

Frankly what I like best about IKEA is buying Swedish food in the market.

5/30/2006

Here are some tips to make the most of your IKEA visit.  1) If possible, avoid going on the weekend!  This whole area is filled with big-box stores and can get very, very busy.  2) Arrive early so you can enjoy the 99-cent breakfast.  You won't believe how much food you get.  And it tastes pretty good as well!  3) After the meal, shop, explore, wander, get lost and enjoy the showroom which displays all the furniture in its assembled state and then do the same in the store that sells smaller goods and accessories for the home.  4) By this time, you'll have worked up enough of an appetite to go back to the restaurant for some of their Swedish meatballs.  
I've purchased a few things on each visit.  The quality is decent - esp. given the prices and the assembly is a breeze - much easier than the stuff you get at Staples or Target for example.

6/15/2007

Well, almost all of my bedroom and our living room entertainment center is from Ikea. It's cheap, and that's for a reason, but the particleboard has stood up pretty well so far, for particleboard. And it looks really damn good. I'm not a fan of their couches, and our bed's crossbeam broke after a year, but to put it lightly, it's carrying far more weight than it should be (fat man, normal woman, two dogs). The new crossbeam was $10 - no big loss on my part.

You do absolutely need to go already knowing exactly what you want. My first time was so overwhelming that I couldn't even think straight, but that was down in NJ before this one was here. Once you master getting a grip on what you need, you'll wheel through quickly and efficiently. After the stop for mac and cheese in the cafe, though. It's brilliant.

They come off as a socially responsible company, but beware, some of the smaller stuff has the dreaded "Made in China" on the back.

3/12/2009

Just had to throw this one out there.

This place is exhausting.  Don't go on a weekend, the sound of children crying will tire the most seasoned babysitter.  I relate to the children.  After 20 minutes in this "showroom" I very much wanted to wet myself, and cry so my bf would carry me out in annoyance.  

Its just overwhelming.  I like shopping, just not three hours of it in one location, from one fake "room" to the next.  It was just too much.  

The furniture is nice, but the few things I fell in love with were way out of my price range, go figure.  Their couches are small.  I know they put measurements in the catalog, so I should have known, but I'm a small person, and I felt underwhelmed by the size of them.  Same goes for the chairs.  

They do have really lovely kitchen wares, so I gave them a second star.  I can not imagine ever going back.  Everything they sell is online, and the price of shipping would be worth the emotional expense of ever having to go back.

1/16/2007

Can't convince myself to go to this place on the weekend because it is a suburban nightmare out there...have you seen the signage that MDOT had to erect on rt 24 to alert people to the fact that traffic backs up on to the highway on the weekend because of that shopping plaza...heed to their warnings and go on a week night - they are open until 10 and its all nice and neatly organized.

you have to get this yummy treat from the Swedish shop (aside from the yummy sticky buns at the cafe) called "delictaboll".  Doesn't say what it is on the outside, but it is a yummy ball of chocolate and coconut with a coffee flavor....so delish.

9/5/2010

First things first.  This store is huge and is very crowded when college kids are moving back into the area.  If you want to go anytime in August or September, you need to go early in the the day.  Let's say arounf 10AM when they open.  If not, you'll probably end up having a miserable time because of the crowds and trying to find assistance will be difficult.

I've heard others say that the quality of Ikea products is lower than other furniture stores but what the heck, you save money by building the furniture yourself!  The quality is not that bad.  It's actually pretty good.  

There is a huge cookware and dining ware area.  Prices are very good especially for the college-aged buyers who will be using it for a few years before they move on to other goods.

They got everything from furnishing a child's room to furnishing your entire house!  And if you get hungry, they got swedish meatballs with lingonberry sauce and cinnamin buns!

It's an adventure just to wander through the store!

11/7/2009

Come on, people, we're not STILL going to IKEA, now, are we?

Wait in line for like forty-five minutes, pay for your suspiciously-light packaging, lug it to your car (please, don't we have STAFF to do this for you?) and then bring it home, where you have to PUT IT ALL TOGETHER YOURSELF?? again, DOESN'T SOMEONE ELSE DO THIS?? GOD!

See, people, if driving up to a place makes you want to gouge out your eyes from the ugliness of the building, then you should under no circumstances trust the inhabitants to make your spot look good, much less tolerable. Steer away. NOW.

1/27/2009

IKEA?  Pfftt...it should be called.. I PEE YAAH!  I get so excited about this place!  Don't take a friend who is a shopaholic.  You'll never get the hell otu of this place.  I love all the gadgets you can buy for dirt cheap.  

Furniture is fun and very reasonably priced!  I love all the set-up rooms that make you scream "GIVE ME GIVE ME GIVE ME! please!"  Tons of fun stuff to buy..candles, vases..very cool if you're getting married!, tons of silk flowers and real, too!, pictures, frames, bedding, pillows, lamps, shades, glassware, dishes, silverware..you name it..they have it.  They have tons of doggy stuff, too!  

They have a little place you can buy food to take home, too. Tons of chocolate, candies, crackers and all kinds of little doo dads.

Be prepared to get out the old hammer, drill and get your overalls on though..you're going to have to put some elbow grease into your furniture piece you buy!  You do have to assemble a lot of pieces..But..hey it makes you appreciate it more!!

Definitely eat there, too!  The swedish meatballs and Chicken Ceaser Salad..DELICIOUS!  MMM..Chocolate cake..How can you go wrong!  Just go for the ride down the fun escalator.  It's free..you don't even need a ticket!  ..

7/19/2010

So they have a dedicated road "Ikea Way" so they are clearly a big deal.

Not sure I get the fuss over the furniture- but I do like the marketplace.  Lots of cool finds, though its a challenge to find the most grown-up looking stuff for the condo.

Swedish meatballs are always a win at 4.99.

9/9/2011

Before this week, Ikea would have gotten an extra star for me. Allow me to explain:

One star right off the top for mixed messages - some furniture is so cheap and amazing, other stuff makes your head ache it's so expensive. Call me crazy, but it bothers me!

One additional star off for this week's awful -- let me reiterate that: A.W.F.U.L. return experience.

I went to Ikea (30 mins from my house) at noon on a Wednesday to return a metal side table frame that I had gotten in a size too large accidentally. I had one item, my receipt, and my card ready to go. I went to the returns area and took a number, and noticed a small crowd waiting (maybe 5 people?) I was number 68, they were on 57...

As I am waiting, I notice that there are only three ladies processing returns. Lady #1 can't get her printer to work and is calling for help. Lady #2 is translating lost gospels from the looks of things and is going to be a long, long while with the customers she has (one of those *scan* "this isn't on this receipt" "oh well try this receipt" volleys.. ughhh). Lucky Lady #3 isn't even in sight, just the space in front of the register where she used to be, where two guys are apparently waiting for her to return and finish their transaction.

Did I mention I had a conference call to take at home by 2pm?

Lady #1 finishes up and calls the next number. Progress! She even takes a second customer before her peers have finished the transactions they are on. Lady #2 finally bundles it up and instead of taking a customer, says, "Okay, I'm going on break". At which point, I stopped her and told her I had a meeting to catch and could she please just do my return of one item? *Let me explain that I didn't want to cut the line, I just wanted the line to MOVE and her going to lunch was going to make that almost impossible.* She asked me what number I had and when I told her she rudely said "Listen, there's a lot of people in front of you, you'll have to wait", and with that she rode off on her broom to her lunch break.

Lady #3 finishes up, Lady #1 again, a new inmate joins the crew and takes about 10 minutes (not exaggerating) logging into her register before she says "next!". Finally I end up at Lady #1's line and my transaction only took about 2 minutes so I'm not sure if these other people were involved in illegal baby smuggling or what, but jeez.

To make matters worse, when I went to get the smaller frame I had intended to get first time around, it was sold out!! I can't believe I wasted that gas to be disappointed and verbally abused. Wah.

The saving graces for me are:

1. It's IKEA and I will never stop going because my style is minimalist and I absofreakinglutely love to decorate with Ikea stuff (and my wallet loves it too).
2. Pizza for $1? Hells yes.

1/25/2011

Cue the Monday night football theme as your car approaches the stadium-sized Ikea dome, salivate over the thought of lingonberry and meatballs before the epic trek through this two story monster.

Fill that belly up and put your game face on. Glare at little kids sitting on your perfect apartment sofa (if only they'd move so you could give it a go), laugh at other women jumping up and down over kitchen cabinets, and sigh at the check out lines.

Leave with a truck load of awkwardly long heavy cardboard boxes, hot dog, and a cina bun smile on your face from all that money you saved.

8/25/2008

I went here more times than I could count when my dear friend got his new condo. lets see...

you know when you are in the mall and walk by a victoria's secret store and there are like a gaggle of stray boyfriends waiting around outside? that is kinda like me in ikea, with a side of anxiety and impending doom tossed in there for good measure.

we would go, and within 10 minutes I would be DYING to get out. like I would be clawing at the walls and swaying in between giant hanging carpets b/c I felt like I was losing my mind.

NO I dont want to look at 5 different kinds of glass bottle. NO I dont care what kind of spatula you buy. NO I dont like those sidetables that look like they were stolen from a 1970's shrink's waiting room. NO I dont want to look at the ugly framed "art" or mass produced pictures. YES I really want that round bed :( idk idk.... I'm so ashamed!

its not that I dont like boring home goods stores - I could spend all day in a pottery barn even though its boring as all fuck. but ikea is just too big. their stuff is just too BLAH and its not real wood. and OH GAWD there are so many people. its like the ninth circle of hell. also I think its overpriced. for the same price you can find decent stuff locally made of solid wood. yes, SOLID. solid like ashford & simpson.

every time said dear friend comes home with a new ikea purchase, I try to bite my tongue, but I pretty much am unable to suppress my horror at the atrocities of design and complete LACK of function of these structures.

I'll admit, for lighting on the cheap this place is pretty awesome. and if you need some glasses, plates, or utensils, its the best deal in town. so I guess I'll bump it up to 3 stars there, because it really cant be beat.

HOWEVER, I really really hate it.  guantanamo bay should be relocated to stoughton. its not like you'll ever be able to find your way out of there anyway...

3/29/2007

Ikea. I can only deal with going on a week day, and then there are no crowds.
I make a list before I go with a bunch of things and sure enough I buy 1/2 of what's on my list and then buy 20 other things that I "just had to have"
It's a sickness, and a wallet buster, not because it's expensive, but because you just wanna buy everything!
great design, cheap prices, nicely set up, they are trying to go green,  it's a dream!!!!

10/5/2007

I went to Ikea on labor day a year ago.  Bad idea.  It was sooo crowded and everyone was fighting for the crappy frames and things were broken and mangled from the throngs of desparate suburbanites.

My big problem is that no one will help you.  I'm a 110 lb girl and I couldn't actually lift the dresser I bought to put it on my cart, and I had to beg an Ikea employee to help me do it until he very reluctantly agreed.

Then, I got my shit to my car, and of course I couldn't lift it to put it in.  I looked helpless hoping someone would help me since sooo many people were walking by, but no go.  I was on the verge of tears by the time this guy helped me load my dresser in my car.  Then the guy asked me to teach him English, which was too much of an undertaking for me in a Stoughton parking lot.  

By the time I got home 2 of my picture frames were broken (real shock seeing that they just throw 'em in a plastic bag).  

But more than that, my soul was broken.  Seriously, Ikea made me lose my faith in humanity -- all of that gluttony, greed, and lack of compassion.

However, I will say that after 2 days of building and several blisters, I have a sweet ass dresser, and only one of the drawers has broken off.

6/22/2011 Updated review

I come here for the cheap prices...not the service.  Finding anyone to help you here is like "trying to find meaning in a Paulie Shore movie" (to quote Clueless).  

One big suggestion since the past 2 times I've been here, they haven't had the item I specifically drove down to purchase: look online to see that they have the product in stock.

6/22/2009 Updated review

WHAT WAS I THINKING!

So here I was last week Yelping about how much I can't stand this place - and where do I end up on Fathers Day? Freakin' IKEA, looking for a 2.5 million piece put-it-together yourself toy storage device for my kids. I'm sure the rainy weekend contributed to the crowd, but by the time I left this store, I would not have wanted to be a blood pressure machine anywhere near my body. I was sweating through my clothes, out of frustration and anger of how many people there were in my way at this place. I hate the layout - I feel like we're a bunch of cattle being hurd through the store. Enough with this place already....

...oh, and did I buy what I went there for? Hell no!  :)

2/8/2010

Visual stimulation overload!  Oh man.  My latent claustrophobia in big crowds mixed with colorful surroundings totally kicked in here.

How my mind operated the entire time:  

Just keep walking, just keep walking...  Where'd those arrows go?  Oh yeah, there they are.  Ooo shiny!  I want to sit in every chair!  Hmm...do I need this for anything?  Bright yellow slippers for $1.99!!!  

What is that, exactly?  How soon before I get a place of my own so I can buy all this random crap and stick it in there.  Wait, there's more to see?  Ooo pretty bed.  I think all of my friends have that chair.  

Damn it!  I lost the arrows again.  I think I could find a use for a backlit artistic-looking thingy.  Can I just take this room and plant it in my apartment?

You can eat here, too?  Hey, that's not bad!

Another floor of stuff???  Oh dear, there are carts now.  Let's fill it!  I have absolutely no need for any of this stuff, but I have a bizarre inclination to put it in the cart...  Aisle, bin, item!

IKEA sells cookies?!?!

The end.