Ikea trying to demystify with how-to YouTube videos
You’d think assembling a bed would be pretty easy, right? There is the headboard, the footboard, two rails for the sides and a few slabs in the middle. Not so much at Ikea.
Do-it-yourselfers are routinely frustrated at the difficulty in putting together beds and other furniture purchases at the popular retailer.
To deal with the frustration, Ikea is posting YouTube instructional videos (like this one on putting a bed frame together), but a report on digitaltrends.com suggests the video tutorials from the Swedish company may not make things any better.
Says digitaltrends’ Natt Gurin:
How is someone supposed to figure out how to create a computer desk out of piles of wood with just random figures and barely any words? While the solution to move to a more humanized, guided visual content certainly helps, the company should just invest more time in writing better instructions and hire translators to make them friendly for all 38 countries it currently services.
To its credit, Ikea is inviting feedback on videos that will be coming. Baffled customers can send emails to social@ushelp.ikea.com, or call the company at 1-800-434-IKEA (4532). The store’s assembly plans are also available online.
Ikea has 287 stores in 26 countries, including one on 16th Street in northwest Atlanta near Atlantic Station.
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22 comments Add your comment
I know
February 24th, 2012
2:24 pm
I have put two kids bunks together from there, and neither of them was done right. Could only figure out that I had done it wrong at the end when there was a piece that had too many holes. And I could never figure out which piece was in the wrong place…
dbm
February 24th, 2012
2:32 pm
IKEA = junk for trailer trash. spend a few more bucks and get something better that will actually last.
Kar
February 24th, 2012
2:57 pm
They’ll also put it together for you, for a price.
A
February 24th, 2012
3:15 pm
Ikea furniture is easier to put together than Target’s unassembled furniture! I’ve never had a terrible amount of trouble assembling Ikea furniture, and I’ve put together a lot of it.
old timer
February 25th, 2012
8:28 am
Enter your comments here
old timer
February 25th, 2012
8:32 am
Why not furniture from another Country that is not assembled?
Buy American and send IKEA back where they came from.
stephen
February 25th, 2012
8:47 am
Bought a bed that went together easily and tightly. Not one squeak when we sleep in it. Once you master the fasteners IKEA uses, it really isn’t that difficult.
Mom
February 25th, 2012
8:53 am
I’ve bought a couple things from IKEA. My 14-year-old daughter and i actually put a four drawer dresser together without any problem. The things I’ve bought from IKEA are functioning and lasting well — no problems at all. So if you want inexpensive, functional furniture, go with IKEA. I didn’t find the instructions too hard to follow but I would think the video would also be helpful if you run into problems.
Really?
February 25th, 2012
9:10 am
I have never understood why people have such a hard time assembling Ikea products. We furnished almost our entire home with Ikea products and have never had a problem with any of them breaking.
Marko
February 25th, 2012
9:10 am
AJC: How much $$$ did Ikea pay you to put this story as the lead on your website? This is not news. This is advertising. Quit selling out.
Luna
February 25th, 2012
9:39 am
Not hard people. Not hard. Takes just a little bit of brain power. Gotta be smarter than what you are working with.
Wendell Brock
February 25th, 2012
10:24 am
Do you mean “slats” in the middle?
Really?
February 25th, 2012
10:46 am
My 14 year old daughter was able to put a 6-drawer dresser together by herself, only needing an extra set of hands to stand it upright. The people who can’t follow the pictures probably couldn’t follow written instructions, either.
Neshnev
February 25th, 2012
10:47 am
Furniture these days is assembled with Communist fasteners.
Wendy
February 25th, 2012
10:56 am
I can’t believe people are so dumb that they can’t put this kind of furniture together.
Don
February 25th, 2012
11:03 am
Affordable installers are available on craigslist, engage their services and be fine. attempting to put your furniture together can lead to damage and even and unsafe assembly. if you dont have the know how get an installer to help you out.
But then again, I'm not a dumba..
February 25th, 2012
11:07 am
I love Ikea, and I’ve never had any issue whatsoever putting their furniture together. I think people are just stupid.
Daily Aued
February 25th, 2012
11:20 am
Sensors may send application information directly.
Kat
February 25th, 2012
11:22 am
My husband has put together numerous items from IKEA with no problems – corner shelves, a bed for our son, a dresser and more.
I assume that IKEA will employ the Muppets’ Swedish chef to demonstrate the assembly process for these items.
CaptBill
February 25th, 2012
11:49 am
Invert Section A, while taking washer (fig b) and attaching to wood part (fig x) and attach. While facing southeast, attach clamp (fig a) while holding (part c) and slide part b of the bottom (fig y) and screw tightly down. Now, on to page 5.
ocho
February 25th, 2012
10:59 pm
morons these days can’t do anything that’s not digital—can’t read, can’t process, can’t analyze, can’t infer…. It’s a digital world–people want everything explained to the letter.
dinopolis
February 26th, 2012
9:08 am
stay away from the particle board junk at ikea—buy real stuff.