5 Common Customer Complaints About IKEA

Buying products from IKEA comes with many perks, including affordable furniture that is easy to personalize. That said, it does come with downsides that are routinely cited by customers. While it's normal to have gripes against companies that mass-produce their products, it can be worth knowing what some of those complaints are — especially if you are a newer consumer of the Swedish giant's pieces. 

Beyond the list of things you should never buy from IKEA, other concerns you might run into include missing mounting hardware, near-impossible product assembly, and inaccurate delivery windows, to name a few. Whether you choose to continue shopping at IKEA (there are plenty of seasoned IKEA customers who do so despite the common complaints) or decide to take your business elsewhere, being aware of the company's shortcomings can help you adjust your expectations and plan accordingly to provide you the best possible shopping experience.

A commonly cited criticism of IKEA customers is the universal lack of mounting hardware for items that are hung from the wall. This can be supremely frustrating, especially for new homeowners who don't have their own stash of drywall anchors and screws on hand. One IKEA customer review for the MOSSLANDA Picture ledge states, "Yes, it says in the fine print, but oh come on! It's a DIY shelf to be installed on the wall, and it doesn't come with screws?"

IKEA's logic makes sense, however, once you take a closer look at it: "Different wall materials require different types of screws and fittings for the product to be installed safely. We therefore do not send screws for wall mounting, as the need varies depending on the type of wall you have." The best solution to this complaint is to keep a stash of mounting hardware on hand, which will save you the frustration of a pause in your product's installation.

While you may be accustomed to easy product returns for brands like Amazon or Wayfair, IKEA's return process is known to be far more cumbersome. Individuals who live far from IKEA find returning their purchases to be labor-intensive and, at times, not worthwhile for cheaper products. There's also the matter of large pieces brought back to the store that require disassembling. One annoyed customer wrote a review for the TROFAST Storage combination, stating, "I am returning all three items that I bought! Now I have to repackage everything and return it to IKEA."

While these options are far from ideal, shopping at IKEA can still be a smart choice, given that their returns policy is quite generous: "[Y]ou can return new and unopened products within 365 days, together with your proof of purchase, for a full refund.  You may also return open products within 180 days, with your proof of purchase, for a full refund." 

Perhaps it's best, however, to stick with highly reviewed items — particularly for large furniture pieces — to reduce the risk of having to take them apart just to return them. 

IKEA's pieces are designed to be assembled by the customer, but that doesn't mean that the process is always smooth. It doesn't take much digging on any IKEA product's reviews page to see critical reviews from buyers who have sacrificed blood and tears just to get screw holes to align. There are also plenty of complaints concerning confusing assembly instructions. 

One review from a customer's fateful run-in with a toy storage solution, the TIGERFINK, perfectly illustrates the assembly conundrum experienced by so many IKEA consumers: "The instructions are unclear, parts don't align properly, and the whole process feels like an impossible puzzle. This is not 'easy assembly'. It's stressful, confusing, and honestly ridiculous for such a basic item." While you might not be able to entirely avoid assembly annoyances when buying items from IKEA (or elsewhere, for that matter), you can try to steer clear of the most difficult IKEA furniture to build.

When waiting for a new box of IKEA products to arrive, the last thing you want is a late delivery — or not at all. This, however, is a criticism of many customers who claim the provided delivery estimate was not accurate, causing them to wait at home or take time off work for nothing. 

One review on TrustPilot from a loyal IKEA customer offers a balanced summation of delivery difficulties: "The delivery window was promised to be between 1-3 PM, but the truck didn't arrive until nearly 5 PM. It felt like a waste of my entire afternoon. I understand things can happen, but it would have been nice to get an update." Individuals who live far from an IKEA and depend on the company's delivery services should be aware that they can reach out for help if a delivery is more than a day late.

IKEA is known for its affordable furniture and products, which can be an asset for individuals who need to furnish on a budget. That being said, even if you don't spend a fortune on a table or bookcase, no one should have to call out a manufacturer for poor quality of their purchase.

A customer review on TrustPilot states that while they used to turn to IKEA for good-quality, affordable pieces, things have taken a turn for the worse. "I recently purchased a bed frame and mattress from IKEA because I'd had positive experiences with their products in the past. Unfortunately, the quality seems to have declined significantly," the reviewer writes. "My old IKEA mattress is proof that IKEA was once capable of budget-friendly products that did not compromise on comfort. I hope IKEA returns to it's old designs."

Not all of IKEA's products are cheaply made, though; some of their pieces, such as its artisanal baskets, are handwoven and offer good value with consistent product quality. To make sure you're not disappointed, do your research before adding items to your cart. To help you get started, here are 17 high-quality IKEA products to furnish your home on a budget.