IKEA And India

Allow me to give a different perspective. IKEA stuff is not that expensive for the middle-class in urban India. In developed countries, IKEA is known more for its minimalist design and style than for quality. I have been living in Singapore for more than 8 years and I admit to being a regular customer at IKEA’s huge mall here. Infact, I have brought back quite a few items – mostly items of metal – from there to India.

However, there are some points to keep in mind:
1) More than the design of the furniture, what the Indian customer lacks is availability of the little things that make furniture work – hinges, locks, handles, rails, knobs, channels etc. These small things are what really make the difference between a good, workable product and a shoddily-made one. It is the lack of variety and quality of these stuff that is the biggest stumbling block for Indian consumers. If you happen to visit IKEA outlets abroad, buy these things and not the bigger stuff.
2) Most of the stuff that we get at IKEA here in Asia is made in China. Although consistency is better than you can imagine in Indian-made products, there are some things that consumers should beware of. For example, the “Stainless Steel” stuff that IKEA sells are in most cases not really world-class 18/8 or 18/10 grade. They are prone to rust (I have personal experience). The steel composition is not mentioned on the products. If you are looking for the highest quality, it would be better to stick with German, Japanese or Taiwanese stuff, that is, if you can find and afford them. At least, they specify the material composition – 18/8 means 18% Chromium and 8% Nickel. (On a side note, there is a myth among Indians that India makes the best stainless steel products – it is just that, a myth).
3) For furniture that do not need aceessories like hinges and locks, it is better to get them made in wood by local carpenters. Personally, I would rather buy the best tools for the local artisans (which they really lack) and get them to make things of wood than waste money on mass-manufactured particle board stuff.

All said and done, IKEA is looked upon as a mass-market store, and not as an exclusive experience. But I agree that one can get a lot of ideas from their innovative designs.

btw, the article is not original. arzan has credited the source. My fault – didn’t notice.

IKEA = Stylish?? What have you been smoking? We wait for the day when we don’t *have* to shop at IKEA because IKEA is where the people who escaped 2nd-handmedowns but can’t yet afford real furniture shop. And they FLEECE you. for LowQuality SHIT. They don’t do anything for you in advance – putting a bed or a cupboard together involves grunting and hating life for about TWO HOURS, to put in *every* screw and nail and hinge and handle that these Fu*kers could’ve put in at-factory. They make mcDonalds look generous. The designs I find mostly ugly, but then again since I am neither the 2nd-hand-type nor the real-furniture-store league, one is forced to buy at this store. Oh btw it’s all a bunch of pressed wood (particleboard) and doesn’t last more than 2 years….Piece of crap it all is.

just wanted to add – I agree with Arvind Nair’s comment about giving the labourers good tools. It works out cheaper in the long-term and India won’t be full of ugly cheapy furniture. You know the old saying “all that glitters is not gold” and “you might get what you wish for” – trust me IKEA is for Suckers.