Are you posting from 2008? Ikea quality has really taken a nosedive in recent years. Their once legendary customer service is also all but vanished, with staff even doing their best to lie about company policies to nickel and dime customers. Still get things from there now and then as better quality is horribly out of financial reach but Ikea feels to me like its struggling and is thrashing around trying to eak out just enough cash to shamble forward.

The most impressive to me is how packaging is an integral part of the product. They don't just design a piece of furniture, they design something that can pack flat with minimal filler in the box. It is so deeply engrained in the design process - it contributes to the shape of the product way more than you can imagine.

Agree. We’ve been buying and assembling pieces since the early 90s. Moved a set of Billy bookcases from NY to SF then again within SF. Moved two months ago and opted for built-ins in the new house so gave the Billy set to neighbors. 30+ years of use.