Free Ikea £5 gift card for unwanted books

moneypooh

28 September to 11 October
Save the Children book donation
Our BILLY bookcase is 30 years old! To celebrate we've joined together with Save the Children to create a book donation scheme raising funds for children around the world.

Bring a minimum of 5 unwanted books to IKEA Milton Keynes, that you would like to donate to Save the Children and we will reward you with a £5 Gift Card.

Offer valid from 28 September to 11 October 2009.


Checkout the Ikea website for more details.

Not sure if it's nationwide, but website should let you know.

sarah1972

Its been on the grabbit board for a couple of days here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1973193&highlight=ikea

Thanks for posting on the freebies though because lots of people would have missed it :beer:

javlin_2

Hi

This is my first posting on here. I just had to tell of my experience with the Billy bookcase Voucher Offer in IKEA Belfast;

My girlfriend and I decided to pay a visit to IKEA for our tea, as I am rather partial to their Swedish meatballs. My girlfriend had just received an email telling her about the “Billy Books” voucher offer. As the email said it was limited to one per customer, we took along five books each.

On presentation of the books my girlfriend was given a voucher by the lady behind the kiosk, who then looked at me and said that the offer was limited to one per household. My girlfriend then explained what was said in the email, but the lady told her that she was wrong and that it was definitely limited to one per household.

As I was hungry and more interested in getting my meatballs than a voucher, I pointed out that this was irrelevant as we aren’t from the same household. To this the lady replied that this doesn’t matter as it is limited to one per transaction. I explained that we were making two transactions, but the lady insisted that it was one transaction, even when I lifted five books and set them down again in a distinct pile.

This attitude made me determined to get a voucher – if only on point of principle. My girlfriend asked what would happen if she came in with a female friend. The reply was “That’s different”

We were then told that it was one transaction because we had come in the door together! The lady finally relented when I said that, if necessary, I would walk out the door and come back in again with my five books.

I would like to point out that at no time was I, or my girlfriend, in any way rude or abusive and that the whole conversation was witnessed by a young male employee who was also standing behind the kiosk. I am confident that he can substantiate this account of events.

As the whole conversation took place in the entrance foyer on a busy Friday evening it was witnessed by many passers by. It made me feel embarrassed and humiliated to think that so many people saw me practically begging to get a £5 voucher! Again I’d like to point out that it was this lady’s attitude that made me so determined to get the voucher.

I can fully understand that a misunderstanding can occur and that a member of staff is told the policy is one thing when an email to customers says something quite different. However this in no way explains the treatment we received on Friday evening. This lady seemed determined, for whatever reason, from the outset that I was not going to get a voucher no matter what policy she had to adopt; one per household, one per transaction, one per couple of a different sex, one per group entering the store at the same time……

If I had known in advance that a £5 voucher would be so difficult to get and cause such embarrassment, I would have left the books at home and went out and enjoyed my meatballs. As it was, I couldn't enjoy them as the whole episode left a sour taste in my mouth.

I've tried complaining about our treatment to IKEA. When I phoned I got put through to what I believe was a call centre somewhere in England. I asked for an email address but was told there was none, so I've sent a complaint by snail mail.................. awaiting a response.......................


Javlin

Vedsgirl75

Go Javlin go!!
Good for you! :T

roger_c

That's just awful customer service, to be honest, from my experiences, that's all I ever get with Ikea!

Mike_J

IKEA tip on customer service. If you wzant to know where anything is or how to get hold of this or that or the other...... speak to one of the "kids" there. Ive always had far better service from them than the "older" staff. (Bout time the young ones got some recognition)

javlin_2

I've just recieved a reply from IKEA (Belfast) stating that the vouchers were indeed "one per household". I'd like to know if this was the case in other IKEAs around the country? Anyone any info on this as I'm still not happy with the way I was spoken to.

Javlin

Muffin99

She made an awful lot of assumptions didn't she? That was just rude especially as you say, the "rule" kept changing. I can understand why you felt both embarrassed and incensed. Hope it gets resolved more happily though it does seem unlikely which is a shame companies have such bad customer relations departments.

Drea2904

Hi Javlin, I work for Ikea Customer Services , I was involved at some points in handing out these vouchers and assisiting customers who brought books in. We would of accepted the books and I do think Belfast also should of as yes the rules were pretty messed up, we used common sense and we were just greatful for receiving the books, we were pretty relaxed and most other stores were also from what I have heard on here. make sure you follow through with this and there is also an e-mail on the website to complaints department, I am sure you will receive your voucher, an apology and a gesture of goodwill as you were not treated well!

stormbreaker

My husband and I went in together with 5 books each and were given a voucher each. No questions asked. This was the Edinburgh store.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1973193


If you look at this thread you will see many more did the same!

stormbreaker

javlin wrote: »

I've just recieved a reply from IKEA (Belfast) stating that the vouchers were indeed "one per household". I'd like to know if this was the case in other IKEAs around the country? Anyone any info on this as I'm still not happy with the way I was spoken to.

Javlin

If it is more the way you were spoken to and treated, I would stick to this as your MAIN complaint rather than how many elsewhere got what!