It’s your lucky day.
We’re happy to announce our new Ikea® runner service to the Raleigh area. In the last couple of weeks, you may have noticed that little blue & yellow addition to the nav links at the upper right of our site. It takes you to our beta page explaining how the service works.
We’re calling it “beta” because we’re working out the kinks, so we’ll need some patience. We also need some local folks who are excited enough about Ikea® to help blaze our trail. So far we’ve had a lot of interest and have several orders already placed for our first run on Sept. 26!
2 reasons why
The first: We posted recently that we’d been doing some research on Ikea® products. There is a lot of negative scoop out there about Ikea® products, and we wanted to see how valid it really was. Here’s what we found:
- Negatives
- particle board: this is the number one complaint: many of their products do use particle board, which has it’s own plusses and minuses. On the minus side, it is not as strong as plywood or solid wood. It is also vulnerable to degrading in moist environments.
- assembly: not everyone has time or wants to put their own furniture or cabinets together.
- getting it home: Ikea® shipping rates are expensive. We calculated out that delivery of a $330 bookcase would cost us $150 in shipping. If we went and got it ourselves, it would cost us a minimum of about $100 in gas. Not to mention time – basically a day out of your life, if not more. Our price for that would be about $67.
- Positives
- particle board: it’s cheaper than plywood or solid wood. As long as it is properly sealed and / or veneered, moisture issues are minimized.
- hardware: quality hardware products like Blum and Salice are used, so full extension drawer slides, soft closures on drawers, piston door stays are still options, like on more expensive cabinets.
- affordable: this is the number one positive; no question about this one. It’s built in to the whole Ikea® concept. A big part of what makes it affordable is its flat pack shipping. Meaning assembly is required.
- green: one trip to get it is greener than 20. It’s that simple. Assuming you already know what you want, the process is now simplified and relatively pain-free.
- sustainability: Ikea® is actively working toward sustainability goals in manufacturing including supply chain management, managed forest product sourcing and reduction of VOC adhesives. They’ve always been efficient at shipping – flat packing takes less space. Less space costs less. they aren’t perfect, but they are working on it.
- third party ratings: Consumer Reports findings indicate that Ikea® cabinet products are equal to most stock cabinet lines (even if the box is plywood), in terms of wear and tear, hardware quality and finish retention.
The second: We’re finding a ton of Ikea® fanatics in the triangle area, and decided that adding a runner service is the most environmentally responsible way to get it here. And it can be easier for the buyer than both direct shipping from the store and driving to get it yourself. For modern style lovers, you just can’t beat the price of Ikea®.
We’re removing the pain point and reducing the expense of getting it home. You get the Ikea® products you love, without the headache of the drive. Ecomod + Ikea® + you = win win win!
What about kitchen & bath design?
We still do it. Both custom products and Ikea® products. It can be very confusing putting together an order from Ikea® for a whole kitchen. If you either don’t want to do it, or need a hand, we can do it for you. We can also look your plan over if you just want a fresh eye to spot any glaring errors. Our hourly rates are reasonable, and better to be sure before you order.
[where: 27603]
