[aalverson]

Thanks for the nice words lanstan. I also believe things happen for a reason. That is the tactic I use to get me through everything.......and it always turns out to be true. As an example:

If I had not dealt with the incompetent IKEA people in the couple days before their Memorial Day sale, and had I not had the misfortune of someone literally losing my faxed order and had I not found this out only moments after it was too late for me to get the order in prior to IKEA running out of everything I needed..........I would have purchased a new kitchen, and then been without an income! Unbelievable, isn't it??

So ironically in this case I have to thank IKEA for staffing their kitchen departments with 90% morons!

Sorry if this sounds cynical......I'm feeling a bit that way right now!

Audrey

[Apri]

Seattle is usually well stocked. Memorial Day weekend was a no-tax sale, so everyone who wanted to save 10% was there. I ended up getting talked into going down and trying to do our order to save money.

We ended up buying about half our stuff, which was no surprize. But we live close, so it's no biggie to drive down again.

The big surprise? There is some sort of mechanical device being installed in the warehouse area...it looks like one of those automatic parking garage devices that stacks cars. It's labeled at something for cabinets. I wonder what in the **** it's gonna do?

[Liz H]

I don't like the concept at all, but maybe it won't be quite as bad if the store is really well stocked.

[lanstan]

When I went back yesterday I purchased 3 /4 of my cabinets. They only were out about 11 drawers/doors. I spent another 5 hrs at the store. If it was self serve it would have been much longer. I think it would have been insane. The pallete of stuff they brought to me was very big. After I put everything in the back, the seat next to me and tied it on the top of my husband Ford Ranger the guy told me it was 1300# I still cant believe I made it back home (7hrs trip)

My advice to newbies plan on a full day or even 2 and then you wont be upset.

I went with no time limit I told my husband I would be back in 1-3 days!! When it is self serve it might take longer.

[stacylu]

I'm apparently not getting something - I assumed that cash and carry means there is no ordering becausethey will keep things on the shelf and in stock. Does this also mean that the kitchen staff is going away (and the computers, etc?) That would change my views on this philosophy

[lanstan]

I am no expert on this and that is why I posted. I would love to have some one chime in who knows what it all means. I believe it means this.

Kitchen center will still be there and staff will do about what they have done. I think the changes are that when you place a order by fax they cant hold stock for you. I think it used to be they would hold it for 7 days before you had to pick it up.

They told me if I called from Newport Or and the stock was available that didnt nec mean it would be there when I got up there. Meaning if some one came in the store and ordered a kitchen in person and it was, say the last oven cabinet available they would give it to the person walking in and not hold it forme.

Also after you get the kitchen staff to place your order you go down now and pay and then go to the warehouse and it is sitting on a pallette after 30-60 minutes.They help you load it in your car. (Of course they cant help tie it down)

After 6/18 I believe you will go to the warehouse and get it off the shelves like you do now for the cash and carry items. They said there will be people to help you there. It sounds fine for a few pieces but for a entire kitchen it would be overwhelming.

Ihope I am wrong and someone will clarify this for us all.

[emilyplays]

My husband did an Ikea run yesterday (6/17) to the Seattle store. We're about 20 mins away.

They had already switched it over to the u-pick plan. The thing that looks like a parking structure is called the tornado. Dh said it was pretty nifty! There is a person who works that machine for you. Word to the wise on that front.. Dh was there to replace a 18" drawer front that was a totally different shade of birch from everything else we have so far. The guy pulled one down & it was the same off shade- dh asked him to pull another one & was given the "uh gee there aren't any more" fortunately, dh had checked stock on everything when he was in the kitchen dept. and knew there were 23 of them up there!

There also were a few ikeans roaming around the kitchen u-pick area. Dh said you could probably get them to help if need be. He said the part that he found most problematic is that after you go and get it all packed onto your flat bed cart, the cashier has to be able to get to each piece to ring it up, so if it isn't stacked just right you can end up taking the whole pile apart. If you are able bodied, this does cut down on the overall time. We used to wait sooooo long to have our orders picked. However, the old way you could be the person to pick up the order and never have to lift a thing - as long as you had someone at home to unload for you!

Just think while he was having all this fun, I was slaving away on cabinets hehehe!
Emily

[lanstan]

Thanks for that info. I am really glad I have all but about 9 doors and drawers. I end up having to go by myself soI glad some nice strong guys help me the last 2 times.

How is it going with putting them together? I am excited to do it but I have no room to do it until they get the roof on my new area. I guess I jumped the gun a little but I am glad I have most of the cabinets. I guess I should go through every box to see if they all match.

[Apri]

Ooh - cool, Emily! I love technology...and we have the other half of the kitchen to buy. I think it will be fun to see the new tornado.

[stacylu]

We braved the crowds today and took some pictures of the Tornado





My review of the new system isn't good. It took us quite a while to go, first to the kitchen department where they figure out the exact parts you need (just like always) thenwe trapsed backto the stock pick-up area. They tell you the aisle and bin where your part is but it's still a lot of work to find them all and load. Then you head to checkout where they scan everything. We had about 30 door/drawer fronts plus hinges and drawer glides... which is a small portion of our kitchen and I can't imagine having to get more of it. I think that it would overwhelming if we had just started out and am glad that we're almost done before they did. We were there for 4 hrs total. If you don't need help with an order it will be great but otherwise it's not great IMO.

The tornado is only used for less-popular doors so that they don't have to restock it as much. We are using Adel MB which is popular so we didn't see it in action.