[mrspopo]

I bought a dining room table 2 and a half months ago. We put it together 1 week ago, and haven't used it yet.

Unfortunately we realized there's no way it will work for the space. It's way too big, and we can't get people all the way around it without it being in the the middle of the dining room blocking the kitchen. We're getting certified to take care of foster kids, and wanted to upgrade from a table for 2 to a family size table... but this is way too big. Can we return it?

I have the receipt, and we're still within the time period. It's been assembled, and the boxes were folded in half and moved outside because they're huge. We weren't careful about the packaging because we weren't considering returning it at the time. The return policy says unused items... but if the "if you don't love it, you can bring it back" policy only applies to sealed boxes - how do you know if you love the sealed box or not?

It's a lot of work to unload the car, take the legs off, put it in (it's very heavy), drive 45 minutes with the seats pushed far forwards... I don't want to do that unless a return is going to be simple. Any suggestions on what I can do? Because they advertise the "if you don't love it, bring it back" policy I thought they were wonderful about returns like Costco is, I hope that is the case.

[dafogle]

IKEA's return policy is not quite as liberal as Costco's - Costco's return policy is wonderful ... no questions asked!

For returns at IKEA you need to have the receipt - and the item being returned needs to be in the original packaging. I don't know if you will be able to return the table - note that if you want to try to return it you should definitely dis-assemble the table and try to figure out how to get it back into the boxes you've stored outside.

The receipt has a date which you need to do any returns by - I believe it's 90 days from the date of purchase - but I'm not 100% sure on that.

If you're really concerned - I'd call the store and ask them about their policy .. and several "what if's". Worst case - list it on your local craigslist and try to sell it locally.

I'm sorry it didn't turn out for you ... it's often hard to figure out if a piece of furniture will work in the space you have ... the planners help with that as you can model it and see if it will work... or if it's too large/too small.

Good luck,
Doreen

[mrspopo]

The boxes are ripped up, folded and I think one of them was taken away last week with the recycling. Plastic bags and instructions are gone too... I can't really package it back up.

Since it is quite a feat to lift it, make room for it in the car and make the 45 minute drive, I don't want to waste my time just to be told no. Especially after speaking to someone who couldn't do anything but quote generic store policies.

The local Ikea person I spoke to on the phone said all she can do is quote the return policy of unused, unassembled, in package items can be returned. I asked what would happen if I brought it back, she said she couldn't say anything, quoted the return policy again, and said maybe the person in returns can do something about it.

My question is why isn't the return policy made clear? I never paid attention to it, and never had a reason to. I'm an avid Ikea shopper, and assumed that since they advertise "don't love it, bring it back" that they would be reasonable. Why can't they be more honest and clear about the return policy?

If you're only allowed to bring back "unused" items, that means you have to decide if you love it based on a plain brown box... that's not fair!

With an expensive office chair that broke 4 months after purchase, I was quite annoyed. With a salad spinner that was cracked inside, they wouldn't let me exchange it for one not broken without a receipt. Maybe Ikea should amp up their return policy. I've been a loyal customer for a long time, but I think I'll have to re-evaluate my trust in them, and warn others of their customer service if they can't help me resolve my issue. I'm a reasonable person, and a reasonable store would allow a return of an item in great condition with a receipt within their time period.

[dafogle]

I'm going to add some counterpoints to your post above - and point out that this site is not sponsored by or run by IKEA in any way...

you're not really purchasing based on the brown box - you have a chance to see the item and it's dimensions in the showroom .. you are purchasing the box knowing that it's contents will be used to assemble the item you saw and liked in the showroom.

If the package in the brown box is damaged or has happened in some cases - the wrong item is in the box (due to someone else returning an item in the wrong box... it happened to me with my kitchen purchase), IKEA stands behind that and makes things right.

IKEAs products are sold and distributed as flat-pack and assembled at home - your assembled table could only be sold by IKEA (if they accepted your return) in their AS-IS room - as it's been assembled and used (gently). Many customers shopping at IKEA would also have problems transporting a fully assembled table.

I know you're frustrated - perhaps you can drop a line to IKEA directly regarding your desire for a beefed up return policy.

Doreen

[froubaby]

Why not post it for sale on Craigslist? I just did that with one of the kids MAMMUT table and chairs. Used once by the child that used to be in my home half the time and then we found the child wasn't my boyfriend's. It's too late to be able to return to IKEA, but I posted it on Craigslist for a few $$ cheaper than buying it at the store.

[ted]

Mrspopo, you ask "My question is
why isn't the return policy made clear?
I never paid attention to it,
and never had a reason to"

Perhaps this info from the Ikea website will help clarify:

If you change your mind
If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, simply return the unused item in its original packaging within 90 days unless noted below. A receipt is required for all returns and exchanges. Mattresses: "Love it or Exchange it". You may return your mattress once within 90 days if you don't love it. Return your mattress with your receipt to the store and select your new mattress. We are unable to exchange your mattress if your merchandise is found to be dirty, stained, damaged, or abused. Sorry, we cannot accept returns on used bedding (linens, quilts, pillows, and mattress pads), cut fabric, products from the As-Is department, and custom countertops.

Ted

[mrspopo]

Doreen - thanks for the level-headed response. That's fine to make a purchase decision on the showroom, but knowing that it can't be returned unless it's still sealed would have definitely affected the purchase. We would have double checked the measurements if we had known their return policy is sub-par. I still think they should make it obvious instead of advertising a good return policy.

I don't think there's a single store that wont accept a return on a defective item - there's nothing special about Ikea doing that.

I've sent an email, I guess I'll see if there's a human response or a generic return policy quote for a response.

I've had it on CL for several days at the price I paid with no interest, not even offers. If we go much lower on it we wont be able to afford a replacement table. With all the expenses of getting ready for foster kids and the minimal state compensation, we're struggling to afford toys, movies, games, etc... And we haven't even looked at beds and dressers yet. How this gets resolved will definitely affect that purchase decision, I've lost some respect for Ikea.

I've spent thousands at Ikea and never once had to return anything. With advertising "don't love it, bring it back" policy, I assumed they would be respectable. Fine print does state unused items, but who actually reads that stuff? I assumed they would have similar policies to most of the other places I shop. I'll never look at Ikea the same way again.

[NBeth]

Honestly, I've seen assembled items returned to Ikea pretty regularly--they don't have to take them but they sometimes (often?) do. I think your chances are much improved if you come in with a very positive conciliatory attitude, confess you know you should have saved the wrapping, ask to speak to the manager, and offer to take store credit. The last point might be a problem for you, but it makes the return much more palatable for Ikea. Good luck!

[SherryS]

I live in Australia, so YMMV , but I disassembled a bathroom shelving unit that I noticed was broken only after I'd gotten it together. I had all the wrapping, fortunately and took it back for a credit-back to my credit card. Two days later, on a return trip to pick stuff up for my kitchen, I saw that same broken shelf, sans packaging and re-assembled, in the AS IS. This means that I wasted time taking it apart, and someone at IKEA wasted time putting it back together.

If your AS IS regularly sells furniture put together, I'd suggest breaking the table down enough to get it to the store, and gently pressing the issue of a return with receipt. Don't wait for the 90 days to expire!

	YMMV definition YMMV means Your Mileage May Vary to indicate that your experience may be different . Clever I think.