Etiquette When Waiting for The IKEA Loading Bays

My experience at the IKEA loading bay is that one person will wait with the cart next to a loading bay (normally you need to choose wisely here so you get one that will likely be vacated soon, if not already). The other person will then retrieve the car and park at the bay they know where the other person is waiting and load up.

However today I was a bit annoyed when someone else took the bay where my wife was already waiting and needed to move to another spot and shift the cart over as well. What made it worse was that the person who took the spot only had a handful of items that a most people would be able to easily carry to the car.

I suspect I'll be in the minority here and most people will suggest it's just first come first served but curious to see how different opinions are.

That said I don't know how people manage alone, if the cart is just left unattended (which sounds a bit dodgy) and they take whichever bay is available - also that at the airport pickup it's more like first come first served.

Poll Options

  • 69
    First come first served
  • 2
    Park in the bay where your cart is waiting
  • 4
    Don't go to IKEA
  • 2
    Paper, Rock, Scissors for the spot when there's a dispute
  • 5
    Bikies sort it out

Related Stores

IKEA
IKEA

Comments

  • +3

    how people manage alone

    Free click n collect for orders over $100

  • +2

    I was a bit annoyed when someone else took the bay where my wife was already waiting

    That wouldn't have happened if you whipped out your OzBargain Licence! 😋

    (sorry, couldn't help it after seeing that old thread!!)

    • +3

      I can't believe scrimshaw did that >:(

    • +2

      My application is still processing

  • +4

    You can't reserve a parking space with anything other than a car.

    Just get a hotdog and some candy so you have something to eat while waiting.

    • +2

      You could use a cone like in that forum post last week.

      • +2

        Yeah that's a good idea. A cone will also help you relax and pass the time.

        • +1

          Good thing the ice cream is situated right by the exit doors 😝

  • +1

    Lol. I didn’t even know that was a thing. I would have just parked my car in the first available space like a normal person.

  • +5

    This sounds like a 'why can't I block a parking spot when my friend s 2 min away' type thing.

    • +1

      Exactly what I was thinking… standing there holding a bay with your cart is no different than standing in a shopping centre car parking spot to block people from using it while you wait for someone to arrive…

  • BayWorthy?

  • +3

    What made it worse was that the person who took the spot only had a handful of items that a most people would be able to easily carry to the car.

    You never know what someone is or isn’t able to carry, so never assume it was actually easy for them.

    And even if it was, there were other bays for you to go, so it’s not the end of the world.

    Personally I just go park in the main car park and carry everything to there, even when I have carts full of stuff. But I’d never expect that because I can do that, everyone else can.

  • +1

    Another poll op: Shop online and get it delivered.

    • I ordered some cast iron chairs and table and it was delivered for like $10. I think there must have been a mistake in their system. The delivery driver left it leaning against the front door and it was so heavy I couldn't open the door to collect it, had to climb over the back fence and walk around the block.

  • I suspect most people in Aus will wait their turn. We are pretty good at queueing. It sort of works itself out who goes first and to which line by being observant as to who was first and where.

    But then there are some jerks who are ‘more important’ that you and me and feel they can push in. Unfortunately this type of person seems to be breeding and there’s more impatient important people than there used to be.

    • +1

      In a well defined queue then I would agree. Standing with your cart next to an empty parking bay when your car is not there and the other persons car is there is not a well defined queue. In that case the queue is the waiting car, not the shopping carts nearby.

  • +3

    That said I don't know how people manage alone, if the cart is just left unattended (which sounds a bit dodgy) and they take whichever bay is available

    I often go to IKEA alone, so can tell you how it works. there is a holding area that is maned by an IKEA staff, they look after unattended trolleys, you park your trolley there and they will stick a tag on your trolley, and pass the other half to you. Go get your car and park in the next available bay and then pick up your trolley from the holding area.

  • What loading bay? At my local Ikea its just a normal carpark

    • Maybe your Ikea doesn't sell big and bulky flat-packed furniture

      • They do, you just take it on a trolley into the carpark

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