IKEA

I went there on a Tuesday night about 8 pm to pick up an already chosen item with my significant other. While he was checking out wanted to grab a salad for dinner. Went upstairs for the café to order a salad. Nobody assisted me and was stared at like I had 5 heads. Asked for a salad and was told whatever was shown was what was available… Was handed ceramic bowls and told to go wrap it in aluminum foil to go. Cashier was very rude thereafter. When trying to back downstairs the elevator did not work and had to ask where to find the stairs– every employee working acted like I was a complete idiot for not knowing where things were etc. I had to take he stairs and walk throughout the entire downstairs like a puzzle to finally leave. Working in retail I was appalled at the staff and how rudely I was treated and incoherent people made me feel.

Moving to a college town has its perks! Aside from free transpo to almost anywhere you need to go, there are a bunch of huge grocery and furniture stores close to any point from downtown New Haven.
IKEA is baseline huge. Even if you start sifting through the selections early in the morning, it still seems you’ve missed key items. I love the «showrooms»! And even if you contemplate on taking pictures to simulate the setup in your new apartment, it just never works. Still, there’s always a bunch of good finds here. If it’s your first time shopping for furniture, make sure to join the ikea family program for great deals. And as odd as this may sound, assembling my own piece of furniture gives me a natural high.

If it wasn’t for the help of the manager from the kitchen department I would have given a ZERO.
Back again Now I wish I could give a zero or maybe a negative number.

Great store but returns/​exchanges staff obviously have not been trained very well. Went here with my wife a couple of weeks ago to outfit her new office space. Found one item wrong, called first to check on return policy. That was first issue. It takes A few minutes to get through message with out a way to bypass what u want to speak about and the. Another minute plus to get a person. Safety messages nice touch but really?
Go to store and follow signs and take a number. Line seems to be moving until one guy goes right up to rep in between customers and she proceeds to help with what becomes a very long dragged out issue. What happened with «sorry sir but there are others ahead of you and you need to take a number» ??? Many others in line where very frustrated. Then another lady does the same. Worse than that my wife spies what appears to be a manager and relates the issue. The «manager» appears interested and then proceeds to scurry back into the offices and does nothing to resolve the issue.
Very disappointing and I am not sure we will be back. Certainly proceed w caution.
Btw I think we are being paid back for complaining we are now 15 minutes into waiting for or replacement order to be pulled and most of that crew seems to be standing around.

Products are mostly great for what they are, customer service (compared to other home improvement/​furniture stores) is awful.
There is no ship to store or pick and hold, and their on-​line inventory tool is just a guess. So you can make the trip for something specific and walk away empty handed. The only solution? Truck delivery to your home that starts at well over a hundred dollars.
The return policy? 90 days with receipt. Which is fine, except in one case they said they couldn’t look it up on my credit card, and on another they had scanned two similar items as being the same thing, so the item was not listed on my receipt. I was then informed that I was on their «blacklist» and can no longer make returns without a receipt. Which would be fine if they actually used credit card lookup. Buying home goods knowing you can be stuck with a multi-​hundred dollar item is pretty dicey.

Let me first say that I absolutely love shopping at IKEA. The idea behind the arrow guided layout makes it very fun and I enjoy seeing all the displays. I was also very impressed with the prices, I understand this isn’t high end stuff but sometimes we don’t need high end. I realize that would usually warrant a higher rating but while we were giving the girls some dinner in the cafeteria a mouse ran across the floor and under a table. I went and let the girl at the register know about the mouse and she acted as if that was a completely normal thing. Mice are dirty and disease ridden and having them around food should be treated with a serious attitude.
We did love the baby care bathrooms. They come fully equip with emergency diapers, changing table liners, and little toys to keep the kids busy while baby gets changed.
We especially enjoyed the toy section. The little castle tents and the play house were favorites of ours!
We had a great time tonight, I just wish the mouse hadn’t have happened because I wanted to give a higher rating. I’ll be back, just never for food.

I love IKEA but you have to show up, not call. They do NOT answer their phones. I was on hold for 25 minutes. Within that time I got impatient, drove down and entered the store while still on hold!

For handicapped customers — beware. You have to walk around the entire store in order to exit the premises. It is exhausting. Elevator takes you from the 2^nd floor to the main floor but not close to the main entrance. That’s when the hike starts.

When Ikea New Haven first opened years ago it was a great experience but over the years this store has fallen apart, has become disorganized, dirty and poorly stocked. The inventory system online does not match to most of the items in the store so after driving an hour to get what you need, it’s not there and no one wants to help you. Excuse after excuse by the sales associates. Try to purchase a floor item that’s not in stock and you will leave the store empty handed. From now on I will be going to Ikea Stoughton in Massachusetts where inventory is fully stocked, organized and the staff has always been extremely helpful. I have given Ikea New Haven many chances to provide a better experience but they have failed time and time again. Save yourself headaches and time even if it means an extra 30 minute drive. Ikea Stoughton will be my new Ikea of choice.

I don’t know why, but I don’t always have to buy stuff here. But I’ve made it a habit to come anyways and there’s always something that catches my attention, I didnt need this easily built drawyer, but after I got it I realized it was definitely the right choice. Plus inhave to admit unlike building things too, lol. Thus took me like 2 hours but we’ll worth it, I bought the KOPPANG light color, maybe I am a little dumb for taking so long to build, lol

Pretty disappointed in this location. I’ve shopped at the IKEA in Canton, MI and West Chester, OH and have alway had great service, even on a busy weekend. We visited the New Haven location on a Monday when they were not busy, and received lousy service. The cover for the sectional we planned on buying was not in stock in the self service area, after they told us it was. So I asked if we could just order the whole thing from them and have it shipped, knowing we would pay the delivery charge. Apparently that’s not something they know how to do. So instead we will spend extra money at a furniture store that has customer service.

Visiting IKEA is an all-​day event for me. Notice I said «visiting» and not merely «shopping»? Totally intentional, because IKEA is sooo much more than a store… it has been my happy place getaway for over two decades! It furnished my after-​college-​but-​still-​broke apartment with stylish and affordable décor, then seemed to effortlessly mature with me through the next stages of life. Anytime I was ready for an upgrade in quality, so was IKEA. When my taste changed, IKEA’s lines seemed to morph on demand as if the whole thing had been orchestrated rather than coincidentally organic. From Billy to Besta to Bjursta to Stockholm, they’ve all had a home with me at one time or another. Shall I go on? Nyvoll, Malung, Henriksdal, Malm, Brimnes, Lack, Bekval, Skruvsta, Poang, Grundtal, Ektorp, Tullsta, Pax and on and on and on goes the language of IKEA that has now indelibly infiltrated my vocabulary.
The New Haven store is about an hour and a half pilgrimage from my home in western Massachusetts. The driving time is part of what makes it an all day trip for me, but it’s also because it’s a super fun place designed to make me want to linger. Incidentally, the Stoughton, MA location is about the same distance but I consider New Haven «my» IKEA. I prefer the layout, feel and general vibe of the New Haven store.
I ALWAYS go with a list, and I always veer off-​list with impulse purchases :) Heads up that you can use the website to check store inventory levels on the items you’re planning to buy, and even get the warehouse aisle/​bin locations to make your list that much more helpful.
The store consists of a lower level and an upper level. You enter on the lower level and there are bathrooms straight ahead (bonus after a long drive), along with a private parent room that has a lounge area (suitable for nursing, relaxing, whatever) and an attached bathroom with changing table. To the left is Smaland, the awesome playspace where you can LEAVE YOUR KIDS while you shop. Sign them in, and off you go! Note that they must be potty trained to use Smaland. Ours are not, so we have not yet been able to take advantage of this, but I can’t resist peeking in while passing by and I’m totally counting the days… SIGH… To the right of the entrance there is a snack bar (super cheap hot dogs, froyo, drinks, cinnamon rolls etc. — we hit this on our way out) with seating area, the Swedish food shop, customer service desk is at the far end. There is also a wall of checkout registers, beyond which is the self-​pick warehouse, the as-​is area, and self-​serve «smaller things» departments such as pictures/​frames/​lighting/​plants/​kitchenwares/​bathroom accessories/​office accessories/​rugs/​textiles etc etc etc. Basically anything that’s not flat-​packed in the warehouse will be found on the lower level.
The upper level is the main furniture showroom, along with kitchen design and planning, toys/​kids stuff, and the cafeteria-​style restaurant. Both levels are designed to keep you following a path that snakes through every department. There are some shortcuts, so if you’re weary or in a rush, keep an eye out for them or ask an Ikean. But in general (and by design) it’s not the kind of store where you can easily go on a mission to, say, buy a lamp and simply bee-​line for the lighting department; you’re going to wind and twist your way there past all kinds of pretties and be lured by all kinds of smells. Because MEATBALLS.
Upon entering, you have a couple of choices. There are big yellow reusable shopping bags that you can grab near the entrance or at various places throughout the store if you’re just planning to get smallish things, then you return them at the register when you checkout (they also have wheeled metal caddies to hold the bags so you don’t have to carry them). Or you can take a shopping cart, also located near the entrance. Note that if you take a cart, you’ll need to use the elevator to navigate between levels rather than the stairs or escalators. We always get carts so that we can sit toddlers in them :)
My little sister is my regular Ikea buddy, and this is our pattern: pray that the kids nap in the car on the way. Arrive, park, enter, hit the parent lounge for bathroom/​diaper change/​nurse, grab shopping carts, head upstairs on the elevator, hit the children’s section which is where the elevator dumps you out, have lunch in the cafeteria (it’s cheap and good!), walk the showroom, take the elevator back downstairs, walk the lower level shopping area, get anything we might need from the warehouse, hit the as-​is section, check out, collapse in the snack bar area near the exit and take turns getting snacks (hot dogs, drinks, froyo for the kids), pick up our favorite things from the Swedish food market, visit the bathrooms one last time, then head to the car. It’s a long, fun, exhausting yet inspiring day. I go home with my head full of ideas, my want list expanded, and visions for my next visit already beginning to take shape.

I went in the middle of the week, it was pretty empty… the lines were short and fast… the food is as good as it gets… the like every other ikea… nothing changes… the stuff also was helpful. Cant complaint at all.

This Ikea is very good. It’s usually much neater and cleaner than the ones in New Jersey. At closing time on a Sunday, it has the same level of tidiness as the Paramus store on a quiet Tuesday morning. I have been impressed by the customer service here on each and every trip I’ve made over the past several years.
That having been said, the selection is not as good as in some of the bigger stores.

Ah Ikea. One of the greatest furniture museums of all time that’s stocked with things that’ll take you hours to put together. My favorite.
I’ve been here in the past so I already knew what I was in for when my roommates and I stopped by to purchase stuff for our new pad. Always a blast to walk through this place and see the different ways to decorate literally any room. I didn’t get anything crazy since I was all set, just needed a new comforter and some small knick-​knacks, but my roommates picked up a few pieces that looked pretty great once put together.
There’s nothing better than strolling around Ikea, getting hungry, and finding out that there’s a cafeteria stocked with some pretty great options right around the corner. $ 6 for chicken tenders and fries is a solid price, especially for the amount you get. And even though I didn’t get the Swedish meatballs this time around, they’ll always hold a special place in my heart.
I love Ikea, I just wish there was one a bit closer to where we live.

Great location to buy affordable and sturdy stylish furniture, good-​quality mattresses, home décor such as mirrors and plants, kitchenware, etc.
I bought an elegant bedroom, matching set of drawers and a huge mirror here in 2007 and they still look like new. The furniture was dis-​assembled and re-​assembled once.
The mattress has been extremely comfortable.
The delivery service to home was careful not to damage any items.
The after sales service gave graciously spare parts.
It was easy and free to park.

I would normally give Ikea five stars. Because what’s not to love?! Wander aimlessly, get ideas for home renovations, Swedish meatballs, I mean seriously!
HOWEVER I just left and my cashier, Sean, was terrible. I had a cart with heavy items and glassware in boxes. I put all of y small things up on the belt and the rest were in my cart, with barcodes facing up for wast scanning. And there were a lot.
He told he every single piece had to be put up on the belt. It took me more than ten minutes because every single piece was single glassware in a box. THEN he slid it all down the belt and JUST STOOD THERE WATCHING ME put it all back into my cart. The woman behind me started to help me– he still just watched. Seriously?! Even at Walmart they help you pack your cart!
I didn’t swipe my card until I was finished packing my cart simply because I was so upset.
Please inform your cashiers that helping customers vs just standing, watching, and doing nothing would be a good idea.

I love this place. Really, I do. Every visit I end up buying something I hadn’t planned on.
The latest was glassware, we bought a set of their standard drinking glasses. And they are phenomenal. And at $ 6 for 4 glasses (or the opposite, I don’t remember), it’s hard to argue with the value.
The second best part is the café on the way out of the building. While the food in the café on the second level isn’t bad, and my family dines there occasionally, the bar on the way out the door is the best part. Note that in the upstairs café, they’ve recently added a TV and kids area… WHY? This has turned out to be more nefarious then an added bonus for our family. But I digress. The frozen yogurt cone for $ 1 is crazy and add to that 2 hot dogs, a bag of chips and soda for $ 2.50 and you’ve got a quick lunch for super cheap.

I have been to the IKEA in New Haven about a gazillion times, and each time I wonder at how they can continue to come up with such creative sets and sell pretty decent furniture (when you consider the price) at a STEAL. If you just remember to GLUE and SCREW everything together the furniture is pretty decent.
For less than $ 100 I got a few lamps, 2 bureaus, a king sized bed frame, 2 mirrors, a desk and bookcase, and miscellaneous accessories and some swedish meatballs with gravy, mashed potatoes, and lingonberry jelly for dinner.
Everything was easy to put together (glued and screwed), and is still working perfectly two years later. I have to say I’ve never really regretted buying anything at IKEA.
On my most recent visit. I actually just got two cool half gallon glass pitchers with green lids that are awesome for when you have brunch and need something to make bloody mary’s or margaritas inside. It also works great for keeping some ice water on your bedside table late at night. In fact I got 16 wooden hangers, two pitchers and three lamps for about $ 80. the only thing i HATE about IKEA is the long lines and lack of employees where you checkout. The lines can be harrowing, but can be avoided if you can manage to go during the week.
My next visit will be to find some great furniture and organizational storage to redo my home office. I think overall, IKEA offers exceptional value and style for the money. I’ll be back… SOON.
They even offer shipping and assembly for people that don’t want to do it themselves.

This IKEA seems pretty standard. I came in August, I suppose right before college kids were coming back to school, and some of the items we wanted were not available.
Layout is relatively logical — though we got caught between the exit and the children’s area once. They were nice enough to let us through a back-​door exit.
Cafeteria area has lots of seating. Gotta love the Swedish meatballs and princess cake.
Their pantry/​food item shopping area is very well stocked. Pick up some elderflower syrup (tell us how to use ours, please!), some frozen salmon (great value!), and some frozen meatballs (value pack!). Don’t forget the lingonberries berries!
I will say, though, the people checking us out were some of the most sad, unhappy people I’ve met in a retail experience. The days I went this past summer were not even particularly busy, but their sadness and lack of enthusiasm stick out in my mind. I guess I would expect that given how positive of an experience it is for consumers — simplicity, good prices, etc. — this part of their culture would be different. I haven’t really felt this way at other IKEA locations.