Yes, I'm ashamed.

Yesterday I met my sister for a playdate at Ikea. Yup, you heard me. First we ate lunch. Chris actually met us, too, since he was working nearby for the day. Then we signed the big kids into the indoor playground (complete with ball pit, rock climbing, tv's, and child caretakers) for 1 hour. Timmy and I headed off to shop while my sister finished up some end of the school year paperwork by herself in the cafeteria.
So, what exactly am I ashamed about? Well, I knew it would happen eventually, but I am ashamed at my weakness for staying away from Ikea. My last shopping experience there (back in March - when I took the above pictures) was without question the worst experience of my life...well, the aftermath was anyway. But still, I went back. Hey, I'm addicted to shopping my daughter loves to play there. What am I supposed to do?

After my last shopping experience, I posted this at the Secret Spineless Whine blog:

I was actually brought to tears today...seriously...because I was so angry after I got off the phone with an IKEA customer service rep.

I still can't start blogging all the details yet because I start to hyperventilate, but eventually I'll provide all the gory details. (Sorry, this never actually happened because I got sidetracked with life.)

To make a long story short...they are thieves. They charged me for 5 large containers instead of 1 large and 4 small...difference of 16 lousy dollars. I called as soon as I got home and saw that my receipt was wrong (which I never even actually do, but decided to because my sister was charged for 2 of something she only bought 1 of). This is an item that I specifically told the cashier that I had different size items of and to please UNSTACK them and make sure to ring them up individually.

And what was the wonderful reaction of customer service today (the short version...trust me...) - they reviewed the security footage (I'm sure) and that I did in FACT buy 5 large containers and they would NOT credit me the difference.

PLEASE tell me how is this possible when I am sitting at home with ONE large container and FOUR small ones?!?!?

When I told him that they stacked exactly the same way - that they would never be able to tell the difference on the security footage (that I KNOW they didn't watch), I was informed that I was wrong - they do NOT stack together the same way.

So...I am a thief AND I'm performing magic tricks at home...oh GOD, I'm starting to hyperventilate again....

After speaking to the customer service rep's supervisor a few days later, I did eventually get credited for the $16. She still swore up and down that they did review security footage. It's funny, in their cafeteria they have signs about how the customers need to clear their own plates in order for them to continue to offer low prices. Imagine how much cheaper everything would be if they didn't have to take the time to review video camera surveillance everytime someone called to explain that they were jipped. On the other hand, I guess that time is counterbalanced from the money they try (and probably succeed many times) from stealing from their customers.

In case anyone from Ikea market research is reading this - yes, it takes exactly 4 months for a customer to recover from being ripped off, lied to, and repeatedly called a liar (yes, I know he didn't call me "a liar", as the rep repeatedly told me, but how exactly is that different from being told repeatedly that what you are saying is not true because they have video to prove it?)

All's well that ends well, I suppose. I got some new kid plates and bowls, started on my Christmas shopping for the kids, and got a great new shelf to store the baby toys in Timmy's new play area.