IKEA

Wow. Really. You block the shortcut? Force people around your store? Sometimes the old people need to make a beeline to the café while the young people are shopping. NASTY

Tip for expats: If you are in a cab trying to get here and you drawl in your thick foreign accent «take me to EYE-​KEE-​AH», you aren’t ever going to make it here. Get with the program son, it’s pronounced ICK-​EE-​AH in a short, sharp burst.
So what can be said about IKEA that hasn’t already? Yes, this store is infinitely better than Tampines, because you don’t get locked in a maze upon entry and can always back track out of the showroom and head downstairs (did it today, such is my consummate skill in this store after my second visit).
My first visit here wasn’t the funnest of days. I brought a mate’s wife along to help me «stock up on supplies» and she filled the trolley! $ 450 smackaroos later I was depressively thinking about all the beer I could’ve bought; but at least she had a smile on her dial.
We scoped out the entire furniture shop on this round as well, so that when I went back today it was very simple to walk to a staff member; have them punch in the codes; and then rock down to the checkout to pay them for it all.
I love that they have both a delivery and an assembly service, because you seriously need a couple of mates, a carton of beer, and an infinite amount of patience to put this shit together. Also, inevitably, there is always that one mate who finds an «extra piece» after everything has been assembled and then says «where does this go?» By then you’re all soused and the response is «Who cares! beer me!»
There is a couple of totally goofy things about IKEA though. Why the heck did I need to go down to the furniture section and find the flatpack for the bedside table? Ok, so it’s the smallest item I bought, but I bought $ 1200 worth of stuff. Can’t your fat delivery guy waddle 50 metres to get it himself before he gets all the other stuff he has to put in the truck? Totally don’t get that — since I ended up taking it over to the delivery counter and saying… add this to the other shit you guys are delivering.
The other thing that is totally spazz in this day and age is the fact that you cannot order online. I get that you want people to come into the showroom to buy stuff, and that’s great, but I did that, then I went home with my order and punched it all into the computer and all I got was a «do you want to print this?», errr WTF! NO! I don’t want a printout of the stuff I want to buy… I want to buy the stuff… Where’s the BUY button? (can you imagine me sitting at my computer at work yelling that at the screen… cos I was… Do you reckon that’s why no one talks to me at work?)
All-​in-​all apart from those glitches in the matrix, it’s basically a one-​stop shop for every single item in your home. I bought everything there… literally… everything.

Half the staff act like you’re annoying them when you ask for assistance, and their first instinct is «Cannot.» The delivery service was appalling. They set a window of 1−4pm, called at 1pm to say they’d be here in 30 minutes, and then just rang at 4:15 to say they’d be here at 5. Pathetic. I may try Castlery next time.
Update at 6:04pm. Still not here, but apparently «15 minutes away.» Ridiculous.

I love Ikea. This Ikea is no exception. Their furniture is not always long-​lasting, but it is trendy and good-​looking and affordable. However, what I like is their kitchen wares. Dang, I love that section.
This particular Ikea has great food options at great prices, so you can shop and eat. I believe the local school kids come to grab the cheap ice cream on the first floor after school.
They lose a star because it’s really busy and the layout is tough to navigate at the entrance and exits, it’s tough to backtrack, and you have to take an elevator to the showroom and that’s not really explained or obvious. They could use a little better signage in that respect.

This is the second IKEA that I’ve been to. The first one is in the United States in Atlanta, Georgia. The items sold here is slightly different from the one sold in the states. I believe it’s more catered to the surrounding city/​state. There were plenty of items sold and we were able to purchase what we needed for my husband’s parent’s place.
We did purchase a towel holder rack for the bathroom but the suction cups did not stick to the tiled wall. We went back to return the item the following day. The lines for returns/​exchange were long but I liked how they had the Q-​numbering system. Just select the option you needed from the touchscreen monitor and a number will be printed out for you. Since we were exchanging, we had to make sure to keep an eye on the screen behind the exchange/​return desks. It took about 20 minutes until our number was shown. The exchange process was pretty simple, they check to make sure the item is still in good condition, if you’re exchanging. We told the clerk that the suction doesn’t work and she asked for our receipt. We get refunded with a gift card for the same amount that we paid for and then we could go back and purchase the same item or something different if we decide to get a different product. It was a pretty easy process for returns.
The crowd for Ikea though, was a different story. There’s so many people in this Ikea, there were many times we would bump into each other, unintentionally. Just because it was that crowded. But luckily my husband knew his way around the place. We found the same towel holder rack and went straight for checkout.
Make sure you sign up for their Family Ikea card, because it accumulates points and you can use the points for discounts and such. Plus you also get free coffee or a lower price on two of the family meals at their Ikea Restaurant. When you get to the cash registers, the cashiers would ask if you parked in their garage/​parking lot, because they’ll hand you a 3-​hours free parking pass! That’s like $ 9 off of parking!
We actually didn’t stay all 3 hours, we only stayed at Ikea for an hour then walked over the bridge for an additional 30 minutes and came back.
I’m quite used to free parking in the United States, since most places you do get to park for free, like the Ikea in Atlanta, GA.

Soooo I’m pretty sure I’m being judged for this review right now but I just have to get it off my chest. The hotdogs at IKEA are like a poor man’s caviar. Seriously, they are just that good when you are on a budget and you can’t beat a dollar per dog. The ice cream taste like frozen powdered sugar which is pretty horrible but for fifty cents it tastes like freedom. Basically, I just go to IKEA to eat and get furnishing ideas. If you’re ever at IKEA and see a girl with a hotdog in one hand and taking pictures of the little pseudo rooms with the other hand… That’s probably me. Come say hi!

Beware of installation and delivery! I purchased a wardrobe to go into the bomb-​shelter. The guy called on his way and said he could not do it. He refused to build it once at our apartment and never even unloaded the truck. IKEA refunded our money with no problem or hassle. The delivery company refunded assembly charge, but kept $ 35 for delivery. I ended up paying $ 35 for nothing.

What is there to say? It’s just like any other Ikea in the world … and that’s what makes it great for the expat that need just a few mugs and bedlinen or temporary furniture alike. The layout is the same in East Croyden, Uppsala, Sydney and Singapore. If you have been to one; you’ve been to them all. I managed all I needed for a furnished apartment (plates, utensils, bedlinen, towels, Swedish crispbread, etc.) In 40 minutes. Goto love it.

Listen up haters, this is a review of IKEA Restaurant in Singapore (Queensway). I have nothing against IKEA Furniture. In fact, if I could, I would marry Ingvar Kamprad and have dozens of fat babies and name them Ulöögc or Tdäuto or something.
Back to the food. I will deal with the sections thusly (har har, thusly): Good, Skip, Bring Back
_​Good_​
Chicken Wings
Gravad Lax
Cold Water Prawns
Princess Cake (Green is better than pink, don’t ask why.)
_​Skip_​ (or demand your money back)
Swedish Meatballs (since the recipe’s been changed and the meatballs are made locally, the meatballs are small and dry and just puzzling.)
The $ 0.50 coffee
Anything pasta (soggy, stodgy pasta)
_​Bring Back_​
Herring Plate
Roast beef
The $ 1 coffee. With milk! Real MILK!
Ice — Yeah, no ice provided for soft drinks
Punsch-​roll or Sötsak Dammsugare or little rolls of heaven
Lingonberry juice on tap
Expect to spend approx SGD$ 20 per person.
Go early to avoid the lunch time crowd.
Feel free to displace students «studying» and hogging the tables. Seriously.

Ugh it’s the smallest IKEA I’ve been to worldwide and it was not easy to get a cab back.
Go to the Tampines IKEA so you can get everything in a trip.

Swedish meatballs and baked salmon. Miniature pencils.
What? This place sells furniture?

Love flat-​packed furniture?
Love meatballs and hotdogs?
Love cheap parking all day?
As you can tell, Yeekia has almost everything you need for your home and for your rumbling belly. Don’t sleep.

This IKEA is much, much smaller than the others I’ve been to. The showroom area is typical and nice, but when you get to the stock floor, there are only one or two popular items for pickup. What you need to do instead is see an employee there (or any employee prior to that point) and get an invoice printed out to specify exactly what you’re looking for (models, colors, etc.). The other IKEAs I’ve been to were massive do-​it-​yourself warehouses, so this is quite different. I had to confusedly ask someone on the stock floor why none of our items were there and he informed me that you just have to get it printed out on paper and go to the register to pay. So, don’t bother with the stock floor, unless you are buying one of the most popular few items in boxes there. I’m a bit confused what someone does then if they intend to take the items themselves. Perhaps there is some waiting involved for someone else to go to another warehouse and get it. In our case, we had the items delivered.
IKEA outsources its shipping to a different local company. Interestingly, I couldn’t help but notice the hordes of unhappy people queued in the IKEA customer service area as I zipped over to the ultra efficient and heavily staffed counter provided to the shipping company. Thankfully, that setup was fast and easy. Not only that, they delivered next day without any trouble. I was very pleased with the home delivery service.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t stop by the food court, for it was completely packed with people. What was a peaceful, barren cafeterium in my prior visits to other IKEAs, resembled pure chaos and madness. It’s a shame too, because I really wanted to break out that line I’ve been saving up: «I will have the Swedish horseballs. Now, these horseballs really are from Swedish horses, correct? Because, I’ve been hearing that some of our food is not coming from where we think it is.»

I still prefer the IKEA store here rather than at Tampines.
This is the place for fairly cheap/​affordable furniture which you will not really feel heart pain when they get ruined. The items are not meant to last but I still have some pieces which amazingly have not disintegrated after 10 years. The higher priced items do hold up better than the cheaper ones.
As there are no Wal-​marts in Singapore, IKEA is also the place to get cheap cutlery, crockery, wineglasses, bedding, towels, lamps etc. I would not get the pots and pans as they do not last that well.
Parking is free for 3 hours if you spend min $ 5 for card-​member and 2 hours if you are not. That helps a lot.

Ah IKEA… How I love visiting you and how I hate that I always end up buying things I do not need!
But it’s always nice walking around especially in the middle of a week day when there are less people.
Oh and even when I am not hungry, I always end up at the cafeteria to have the Swedish Meat Balls! I would never order them in a restaurant, but there is this thing about having them at IKEA which I am still unable to explain why.
So if you are looking for a place to walk around and not buy anything, IKEA is not the place to go to ;-)

First off, this is the only city I know that has 2 IKEAs– in the States, you’re lucky if you live in a major city that even has one!
Although IKEA didn’t originate in the US, I just find it familiar and comforting. Perhaps it’s because I’ve moved around to different apartments over the years and there’s always a void in each place that needs to be filled.
I’ve been to this IKEA twice, and I don’t mind it at all. Apparently this location is smaller than the one out east, but I still feel that the space here is good enough and that the selection is up to par. I also like how it’s located near a lot of bus stops, which makes it easier to access via public transportation, unlike the other location. Yay for not being screwed if it rains and you need a cab!
I always told myself that once I get a «real job», or after I’m married, I’m going to move on from this place. However, this has yet to happen. They just keep coming out with cute home furnishings and the prices can’t be beat, so there’s always a reason to stop by.
And how can you say no to the Swedish meatballs and the lingonberry juice?! Even if I win the lottery I’ll still come around to indulge in those 2 things! :)

It’s like any other Ikea EXCEPT for the 1+ hour wait to get my order delivered up from the warehouse. Did not expect that one… I know we had a pretty large order of 5 bulky items they had to bring up from the warehouse, but after seeing like 3 or 4 whole groups of people coming and going while we stood around like chumps, I had enough and started YELLING at the employees. If they can knock out 50 orders in a row, I don’t buy that they can’t collect my 5 items for delivery. I think someone messed up and I was livid.
Horrible and inefficient system. I don’t ever remember experiencing anything like this at an Ikea before, especially at my beloved Emeryville Ikea back in NorCal. I’m guessing it’s b/​c most or all of the items are self-​serve in their HUGE warehouse space whereas in Singapore, the self-​service warehouse space is tiny… with most items in a secret warehouse where only turtle slow employees have access.
The food here was nothing to write on Unilocal about either, so I won’t. It’s whatevs.

For all your space filling needs, this Swedish brand will hook you up with everything you need-​even designing needs. IKEA is a popular place for all locals and foreigners alike. Who would have thought you could purchase a couch and fit it into a London taxi?
When we moved into a new place, we made our way to IKEA to get some items to fill in the spaced of the flat. Tables, chairs, shelves, and couches came rolling out in flat out boxes. It was a bit exciting for me since I get to assemble some of them with my dad. It’s like my life size lego toys. Trust me, after assembling that couch, it was like I won a Caribbean cruise.
For an imported brand selling high quality furniture and other items, IKEA is definitely affordable for everyone. And encouraging their customers to take part in building their homes with their items is a new definition to team work experience. It feels like you built your house from the ground up.

My friends seem to go gaga over the food here, but I don’t think it’s really anything special — the scary thing here is that I don’t know where the meatballs are from!
They are most certainly not made on the spot… but they taste alright, and with jam and potatoes and gravy, it’s really, really simple and you could even do everything yourself (minus the meatballs, but you could probably ‘close one eye’ and get those that are freeze packed and served with bak chor mee), so $ 5.80 for that doesn’t really make sense to me. I’d rather have a piping hot bowl of beef noodles with a tall glass of soya bean milk.
It’s cute and all, ‘cafeteria’ concept, and the desserts are processed and have that ‘Scandinavia imported’ thing going on, but beyond that, it’s truly ‘meh’.

I love going to Ikea just for a afternoon jaunt with the boyfriend for 2 reasons. To pick up great ideas and decorating concepts for my house, and to get their meatballs!
I’m sure very Singaporean knows of IKEA and their famous Swedish meatballs. It’s served with a creamy mushroom sauce with cranberry jam that creates a really unique taste! They also serve great fried chicken wings, as well as various types of Swedish cakes and desserts that I love.
Strolling around IKEA gives you great ideas on how to create storage spaces in your home, and arrange your furniture to get a bigger walking area. My favourite part of IKEA aside from their beautifully decorated showrooms, is the basement area (or street level) which houses small items from candles, to plants to light decorations and fancy reproduction paintings for a cheap price. I love picking up small items to make my home a cozier place to come back to after work and play.