[Susan]

The largest online community of IKEA customers and fans provides what IKEA itself cannot - personalized service

Montross, Virginia (PRWEB) February 20, 2007 -- IKEAFANS.com (IKEAFANS) is proud to launch a series of site improvements, including blogs, photo galleries and an article database. The site started as a hobby in March 2005 and has turned into the world's leading resource for IKEA help and information. IKEA, the world’s largest furniture manufacturer manages to keep prices low through “automatic selling”; customers pull their purchases from warehouse shelves in flat-packed components. However, automatic selling does not automatically mean great after-sales support. To plan and install the highly-rated IKEA kitchens, customers are largely on their own; design assistance from employees is the exception rather than the rule.

“By design, IKEA is not set up to provide personalized help and information, but IKEAFANS is,” notes Susan Martin, founder of IKEAFANS.com. For those people who are considering, planning or even currently installing an IKEA kitchen or other project, support, advice and/or one-on-one instruction is available from IKEAFANS.com.

The site's motto, "Personalizing the IKEA Experience" crystallizes the IKEAFANS way. Participants in the site's community forums enthusiastically welcome newcomers and jump at the chance to share information, assist with planning, review layouts, give free design advice and offer answers to obscure questions on just about any topic related to IKEA – all in real time.

Says kellybmw, a moderator and remodeler herself, “We're better off with the level of interaction we get from this site. There are so many people very happy with their choices, and we get the unvarnished truth from people knee deep in doing it. I can't think of more valuable insight.”

While many disparage IKEA products as disposable, the kitchen line is far higher quality than most consumers realize. For example, the high end Blum hardware and a wide array of custom accessories are available at prices substantially below much of the cabinetry available from local warehouse stores. Despite the value inherent in the kitchen lines, it’s the help available at IKEAFANS.com which has helped many successfully purchase, plan and install IKEA’s kitchen offerings in their remodels.

An IKEA customer from Vorhees, New Jersey recently posted, “I never dreamed I could gut and completely renovate my own kitchen. I learned so much along the way - and saved myself $3,500 on installation. This board is an excellent resource...even the IKEA team members have been without answers many times I have called, but this site had what I needed from people who have come across the same problems I did.”

Participating in IKEAFANS.com costs less than a plate of Swedish meatballs -- it’s free!

Started two years ago by a couple who are quietly living, working and home-schooling their two children in rural Virginia, IKEAFANS survives on the goodwill donations of individuals and the commitment of members, while managing to deliver big results for people in need of inspiration and information. The forums are supplemented by member-maintained photo galleries, blogs and an IKEApedia containing detailed information on stores and installers, as well a library of member-authored articles, FAQs and tutorials. IKEAFANS.com is a place to show off installations, modifications, and finished projects to a group of like-minded fans and get feedback, reassurance, and general enthusiasm.

And while many members have joined for an answer to a quick question or help with a specific problem, a large number stay because of the strong, friendly and helpful community. At IKEAFANS.com, it really is personal.