Ikea problem - what do you suggest?

pinkshoes

Ikea is known for cheap items, suitable for those on a budget. But then if your nearest store involves an entire 12 hours out and a full tank of petrol (£50), then surely you were better off going to your local furniture store?

I have one of the ikea tv stands (Benno), and it says 30kg too, but sat on it several times (hadn't assembled chair yet!) and it took my weight (55kg), and it also holds our huge flatscreen tv easily (3 months on and so far so good...)

If you're that worried, it wouldn't cost you more than £5 to reinforce it with a couple of struts... GCSE mechanics to calculate the forces! :-o

Dave_Brooker

DesG wrote: »

Blimey there really are some right idiots on these boards these days.

The sale of goods act (as amended) is quite clear, if the goods are not fit for purpose (which they obviously are not in this case) you are entitled to reject the goods. (Best to send a recorded letter advising of rejection)

You are only required to make the goods available for collection after rejection, you do not have to bring them back.

Only if you have not accepted them, by assembeling the furniture the OP surely will be deemed to have?

And doubtless there will be some exclusion clause in the catalogue regarding misprints mistakes etc?

DesG

Dave_Brooker wrote: »

Only if you have not accepted them, by assembeling the furniture the OP surely will be deemed to have?

I agree it could be argued that they have accepted the goods by assembling them, but as it is self assembly furniture, assembling it does not imply acceptance in my view.

Dave_Brooker wrote: »

And doubtless there will be some exclusion clause in the catalogue regarding misprints mistakes etc?

Right beside the clause that says 'your statuatory rights are un-affected' companies love people who bend over for them and conform, know your rights and use them.

Cheers, Des.

zebidee1

How dare any of you comment on our decision to shop at Ikea given where we live!!! Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to judge us about that or point out we shiuld have shopped locally? I only pointed the distance factor out in the first post so it was clear that returning wasn't really an option. We had reasons for shopping there which I'm not going into, it's none of your damned business.

It's amazing how you can jump over the actual issue of how a store can sell something that's not as it says, but to you, the important thing is how far we travelled! It's ridiculous to think a store should be responsible for selling something that's not actually as described isn't it? :rolleyes: They shouldn't have to sort it out because we travelled so far should they? :rolleyes:

I'm sure some of you do things that I would find ridiculous, such is life. We all suit ourselves and the question wasn't about the wisdom of shopping in a place far away from your home!

I asked a simple question in the hope of getting a solution that would suit BOTH Ikea and myself. I wasn't looking to get extras or something for free. I just didn't want to have to shoulder extra expense because of their mistake.

Do you people not understand that Ikea have sold something that doesn't do what they say it will do? Am I just supposed to say 'oh well doesn't matter, keep my money anyway and don't worry that it's your mistake, I'll spend some more to fix the problem?' Are some of you really trying to tell me that would be acceptable to you?

marleyboy wrote: »

I cant work out if your just after getting a refund and keeping the bench, as it is, technically, you should have read the weight total in the manual before setting it up. If the manual says it can support the weight of your tv, and it doesnt, then you are covered should your tv fall off and break as a result.

Don't try to work anything out. The situation is as clear cut as it sounds, there's no hidden agenda and I don't need to get something for nothing. The 'manual' said NOTHING about the weight. The 'manual' was 4 sides of A4 paper with pictures on, showing how to build it. The store ticket had NOTHING about the weight. The catalogue stated 65kg (both the old catalogue I had at home AND the catalogue that I found kicking around the store - so no updated or corrected info in the store one). How the hell was I supposed to know the weight limit was incorrect? As far as I had been led to believe...it COULD support the weight!

if the manual says it cant support it, then more the fool you for setting it up without first enquiring about it. If it isnt actually designed to support a tv, use it as something else. If Ikea are prepared to refund you, even though youve opened, built and set it up and it isnt actually faulty, what more do you expect them to do?

I only found out by accident that it can't hold 65kg whilst browsing the Ikea site AFTER the thing was built. I phoned Ikea to check and was told 'yes there does seem to have been a mistake made and it will definately not support 65kg'. So again, according to you I should just accept their mistake and use it for something else? :rotfl:


Thanks to those who have been able to grasp the point of all this. I appreciate your replies. To those who seem to think my biggest problem is how far I travelled, or what I did 'wrong' in this whole situation, thank you too but you weren't of any help. Never mind though, at least you got to air your views eh? :rolleyes:

Cue all the ...' well if you didn't want opinions, don't ask etc etc....'

Dave_Brooker

zebidee1 wrote: »

I asked a simple question in the hope of getting a solution that would suit BOTH Ikea and myself. I wasn't looking to get extras or something for free. I just didn't want to have to shoulder extra expense because of their mistake.

Didn't you buy something too light duty for your purposes a day away from where you live?

zebidee1

Dave_Brooker wrote: »

Didn't you buy something too light duty for your purposes a day away from where you live?

No, I bought something that supported 65kg.

Perhaps there is some appendage to some consumer act somewhere or other that I am not aware of that clearly states your consumer rights are null and void if you live outwith a certain area surrounding the store? If this is the case, please show me so I can read up on it.

If it is not the case, then please be quiet about the distance involved - it is irrelevant with regard to what my rights are.

:rolleyes:

Timmne

He can't be quiet - it's his job to jump in with useless comments!

girltuesday_2

I've had two experiences with Ikea relating to faulty/not as advertised goods.
The first time they were brilliant - came out and collected the item, gave a full refund and some vouchers.The second time I had to take the item back to the store myself as they couldn't collect for six weeks (!) and as it was large I didn't have space for it to sit in our hall for six weeks! I then had to queue for over an hour in 'Customer Services', but in fairness once I was seen, they dealt with it very well and again gave full refund and vouchers.
I'm sure once you explain that you're so far away, they will come and collect, especially as they've already acknowledged that it's their error. Just be prepared that you may have to wait a little while for them to be able to collect!
(Oh, and by the way, to the snobs slagging off Ikea furniture, not all of us can afford to go to 'John Lewis' or other stores!)

isayoldchap

zebidee1
Sorry to hear of the problems you experienced at Ikea.I had a problem with their Norden extending table which had a slight gap fault,in the middle,when you closed it.In fact I reported it here sometime ago.
Then I was told that under the counter at returns they have a chart and from your home address to the store I got £15 back plus the full refund.
Maybe they give vouchers now.

I appreciate yours is quite away,but you were not to know that the product was not as described.
Consider a storage charge if they arrange collection and don't show up.My guess is the item will be yours and a full refund is imminent.
Alot of Ikea numbers are listed here www.saynoto0870.com if you are not using the local area rate number.Ask them to ring back straight away.
Try to get them to confirm any refund in writing so you can do what you wish with the cabinet.

Local paper or Ebay awaits.

When we are miles from home I must remember not to use a company that's not close by to my home.Infact I have seen some signs in certain shops that ban you from shopping if you live more than 40 miles from their store.Zibedee1
you must be more attentive when you go shopping.

My computer monitor is now punch proof since I spend some of my time reading a certain persons post.Oh well I suppose everyone can have their own opinion.

Nicki

If there's nothing in the manual about the weight capability and both catalogues say it takes 65kgs and this is the industry norm, I'd be inclined to believe that it was the website which was wrong. I appreciate the person at Ikea said that the website was the correct answer, but this was the safest answer for her to give if she really didn't know what was right.

Depending on how expensive it is, if you really don't want to keep it and test drive it as marleyboy suggests, I would guess that the manager when he finally phones back will tell you to keep it and refund your money. As you've already put it together and glued the dowels, its not like they can re-sell it. My only experience of Ikea problems was with their Neasden branch in North London. We bought all of our basic furniture there when we bought our first flat all on the same day that we moved in, and when we came to put together that night, both the bed we had bought and the futon had their screws missing. After a phone call to the branch and a complaint to the manager, the missing parts were delivered by taxi that evening, giving us something to sleep on that night! In general, I think their customer services are regarded as being quite good. However I would ask the manager to double check the weight capacity for you, as it may be that it is the website which is wrong after all.