Yesterday, Scott (our always helpful leader of the Tech team) passed on a link to some info that may help lessen the psychic pain suffered by those who have a lack of IKEA shopping access. As we all know, some items are available online directly...
... from IKEA's website, but cost of the shipping in relation to the cost of the actual item can make it a less than attractive option in many cases. But, as this link from Kottke explains, there is a fairly extensive collection of IKEA items available online (through other retailers/resellers) at Amazon now (including the meatball gravy mix so you can fully recreate the in-store experience at home), and some even feature free shipping for Prime subscribers.
Check it out: IKEA products in Amazon's Home & Kitchen section
Read More: Kottke
Smart shoppers, please let us all know if you've purchased any IKEA items from Amazon - we'd love to hear how it worked out...
(Image: IKEA)
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Thanks so much for this link! I'm over three hours from the nearest Ikea and none of the items I want are available online. Shipping would cost $350, which is more than I can afford to spend on top of the items themselves. I will be taking full advantage of this link!
Yes, but Amazon usually charges a load more. For example, a task lamp I looked at was $20 on Amazon but only $9.99 at the store.
Watch out for inflated prices though. A side table that goes for 9.99 at IKEA is $35 on Amazon. Not much of a deal.
... though I guess if shipping is $350 to some places, it's well worth an Amazon markup! In the Chicago area, there are two Ikeas in the suburbs... the flat delivery rate is $80 to the city which is a lot but not tooooo bad if you consider what renting a car costs!
If you live in San Francisco and don't have a car, you can get to the IKEA in Emeryville on public transit (BART to MacArthur station + free Emery-Go-Round bus) and then take a van taxi back to the city for approximately $50 if you buy large items -- cheaper than IKEA delivery or a car rental.
It was $50 to ship three huge Billy bookcases and a few smaller shelves into Manhattan, definitely better than even just a $30 cab ride both ways. I think try it both ways and see which is better (though I prefer Ikea's business practices to Amazon's).
In the Mpls area, the light rail will get you practically to Ikea: it stops at MoA, and then it's a short walk across the street.
If you live in the Nashville area, there's a company called ModerNash who does regular runs to the IKEA store in Atlanta and charges much less for shipping/delivery. They also keep some popular items on-hand in their store for puchase, will assemble items for a fee, and offer workplace and kitchen design consulting. I know most of you don't live in this area, but thought there might similar businesses around other cities. http://www.modernash.com/
I know a few people who use Task Rabbit to get stuff from Ikea. You can even have a rabbit assemble it!
For those of us in Hawaii (Ikea will not ship here at all, you have to arrange it yourself at your own risk) this is WONDERFUL! (Even if the prices can be a little inflated for some things). Thanks for the link and good news!
yay!! being 400 miles from the nearest IKEA this is awesome! i'll pay a few dollars more for products considering the amount I would spend on a 6 hour drive to Atlanta.
wow! this is very exciting news! we have so many ikea pieces sprinkled here and there in our home. don't like to overwhelm, but some of our favorites weren't available to ship so this certainly opens that up! www.twosixe.blogspot.com
Ashamed to say that I literally just did a fist pump.
Yup, I'm on the East Coast in Canada and the closest Ikea is a 14 hour drive!!!! Yikes..... but someone here makes Ikea runs, 20% fee for shipping on pre-tax value. Which is fabulous, since we had a flood and lost alot... including all my Expedit shelving. Sooooooooo worth the 46$ it cost me to have 2 shelving units shipped :) .... Never hurts to check to see if someone in your city does the same thing.