Comments on: Is IKEA the World’s Largest Charity?

By: Larynxa

Larynxa — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:25:16 +0000

I always call the place “IKRAPPA”, after I saw a brilliant parody of the IKEA catalogue, in an early 1990s issue of MAD Magazine.

By: Ash Menon

Ash Menon — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:55:49 +0000

Honestly, I have to say, I’ve never had any major problems with IKEA furniture either. I self-assemble all my stuff, and I got most of my cupboards and shelves and dressers done within hours. Had a problem with my dinner table’s design making the extensions kinda susceptible to heavy loads, but otherwise nope. Kinda bummed they killed the Daim cake here, though.

By: Jan

Jan — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:47:00 +0000

When living in the far east, I built an entire houseful of IKEA furniture with absolutely no trouble. The instructions were clear and there was never a piece missing. If you have problems, the fault lies with your incompetence.

By: Sarah in CA (formerly just Sarah)

Sarah in CA (formerly just Sarah) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:30:00 +0000

My mom is an ER nurse for Kaiser and the hospital is technically a charity (Kaiser Foundation) while the clinics are regular for-profit organizations.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:49:20 +0000

Jeepers, I’ve never screamed when constructing an Ikea article, from the Poang to the Magikar. Like notches on a belt, every one of their allen keys I’ve ever received is mounted on a long piece of local native timber to demonstrate just how many of their items i’ve painlessly put together.

I considered sewing them to the trademark blue bag like scout merit badges.. but that’s just too geeky for even this self-confessed Ikea nut.

By: markus

markus — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:17:31 +0000

It is fun to see people discuss how easy or difficult it is to put it together, or how much the new layout sucks, while they dont really discuss that ikea chose to avoid paying tax.

I think we all as taxpayers should do the same.

By: Kevin Higgins

Kevin Higgins — Thu, 08 May 2008 22:01:07 +0000

The Economist wrote an exaustive article about this back in 06.

Do a google search for “Flat Pack Accounting” (article name) from May 2006.

FWIW – I’m convinced they are the best magazine out there :)

By: Felix

Felix — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:51:07 +0000

Here here, Aurgur. Stick to the point, people.

This seems to be another example of how corporations can so easily outgun legislators when it comes to dodging taxes.

By: Augur

Augur — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:25:26 +0000

Ok am I missing the point, or is everyone else?
Ikea is running one of the biggest financial scams on the planet, getting away with tens of millions of (insert favorite currency here) in unpaid taxes, and you idiots are concerned about whether the writer’s quip in the first paragraph against said Swedish furniture manufacturer is accurate!?
I guess large corporations are so insanely corrupt nowadays that this sort of behavior is expected? (I know that’s not really a question, I’m just shocked, at the world for allowing this practice, and at myself for being so shocked [hmm... recursive auto-shock]).
I’m not a major fan of government (well, none of the current governments at least. I’m sure government is a good idea on some level, just not the one we’re currently on.) but I at least believe that we should all pay our admission price, especially if you are a company/corporation and definitely if you’re a church.
So what’s the bigger sin? Mass tax evasion, or possibly dodgy furniture? I just can’t decide.

By: DominusOminous

DominusOminous — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:52:55 +0000

I bought a towel at IKEA once and several parts of it were missing. The same with some forks. Go figure.