[leefjr]

First time poster -

We had to replace our stove and I had just been to the new Draper Utah store - so I said t DH, as long as we are replacing the stove....you know how it goes.

Anyway, I used the IKEA planning tool, submitted my drawing (just for replacing the cabinets around the stove area - but still $2K), they emailed me a proof within hours of my order, we accepted delivery and bam, what a wonderful stove area.

Now I want to finish the rest of the kitchen, and I kid you not, I have emailed and called for at least 3 weeks trying to get someone to accept my order - and this time we are talking a lot more $ - anyone else have this problem?

I'd drive the 8 hours to Utah and pick up the kitchen, but I would prefer to have it delivered.

Any ideas?

[woodswell]

Yes, I had a similar problem at the Atlanta IKEA. I faced them my order, they sent back a draft order for me to review. I approved it, then tried to arrange payment so they could get everything into the store before we drove the 5 hours to Atlanta. After ten days of simply trying to arrange to get them the payment for the order (all the cabinets for my new house, including kitchen, 2.5 baths, laundry and pantry) I gave up.

I ended up spending 90 minuted on the phone to IKEA Direct reading them my huge order item by item. The IKEAn who handled it was great and the draft order was perfect. She emailed me the forms needed to approve payment, I faxed them back to her, then called back with the credit card number. My cabinets arrived eventually and I'm am extremely happy with them. I just cannot recommend IKEA to anyone who cannot go to a store more than once to order and pick up the cabinets.

It's frustrating to know that the technology is in existence to do long distance ordering but that IKEA does not want to take advantage of it, isn't it?

[DulcineaK]

if you're trying to call any of the stores right now i wish you luck. with the new catalog pricing out they are just plain swamped! not that it's an excuse cause i often curse the fact that they don't use technology that is readily available.

[etznab]

I just ordered through Ikea Direct when I couldn't get good service at my local store.

And it was a simple process ... I just emailed my planner file to the rep who answered the phone. He told me that they sometimes have trouble accessing the "saved" files on the Ikea server and that it was faster if I just emailed the specific sales person a copy; they each have their own email address.

I would also ask what days/hours that person works. From what he described, the person that "starts" the order will finish the order; if you call on their off day, some one else who is working will NOT return your call.

[leefjr]

Thanks for all your responses. I finally thought to email directly the person who helped me with the initial order. She emailed me back within an hour, and we are waiting on shipping costs to finalize the order.

I was having a nervous breakdown since a. that's the kind of person I am, and b. since there are so few Askome Ash kitchens out there, I was 'positive' they were going to discontinue the style.

Again, thanks!

I'll see if I can start to post some before pictures as well as pictures of the progress over on the main site.

[woodswell]

Originally Posted by leefjr

Thanks for all your responses. I finally thought to email directly the person who helped me with the initial order. She emailed me back within an hour, and we are waiting on shipping costs to finalize the order.

I was having a nervous breakdown since a. that's the kind of person I am, and b. since there are so few Askome Ash kitchens out there, I was 'positive' they were going to discontinue the style.

Again, thanks!

I'll see if I can start to post some before pictures as well as pictures of the progress over on the main site.

Glad to know that your situation is resolved! I have found that if you can hook up with and stay in contact with a specific IKEAn, individuals that work there can be extremely helpful. But the system is NOT set up to make that easy.

And I understand how stressful it can be. In my case I was trying to get my order in to take advantage of a 10% off deal. It came down to about 18 hours left or I would lose that deal. So I did not have time to wait for the IKEAn who was supposed to be handling my order to get around to calling me - which he did do, the day after the sale was over.

I look forward to seeing your kitchen!