The Latest Ikea Thread: Now with a response!

[The_Game]

Drove out to Robinson because my fiancee said I HAD to go get some more storage stuff, check on some appliances, etc., and I had some groceries to get at Walmart anyhow.

I got there around 7, made my rounds around their little maze, and was approached by a platoon of employees in the middle of a crowd in one of the bedroom displays arond 7:40.

The one walks up to me, face red and sweating;

Him: I need you to do me a favor, right now. <angry tone>
Me: What can I do for you?
Him: I NEED YOU TO GET OUT OF MY STORE RIGHT NOW WITH THAT WEAPON, IT'S AGAINST COMPANY POLICY
Me: <shrugging> Okay, take this. <handed him my shopping bag> Which way is the exit?
Him: I'll take you.

We walked out to the front of the store, everyone staring the whole way.

Went to Lowe's instead, nobody said boo, even got into a chat with my cashier about guns (Nice kid, wish I got his name to call his manager and praise him. I'll just have to do their online survey)

Got home, sent Ikea this e-mail via their online form:

Tonight, July 12, 2010, at approximately 7:40PM I was approached by an Ikea employee whose name badge I managed to miss who aggressively informed me I had to vacate the store because of my sidearm.

I had been in the store for roughly 40 minutes by this point without issue.

Here in Pennsylvania all non-felons are able to legally open carry a sidearm for self defense.

I handed the employee my shopping bag and vacated the premises immediately and drove half a mile down the road to Lowes where I found parallel products to everything I was planning on buying at Ikea - including a French door refrigerator similar to the one I was eyeing at your store as well as a gas range.

Your employee cost you at least $2500 in sales tonight, as well as any future purchases I would have made based on what I was planning on purchasing next visit when I had a larger vehicle, including two full bedrooms sets and a living room furniture set.

Unless this policy of accosting customers minding their own business and creating scenes in front of a crowd changes, I will gladly shop elsewhere. Tonight I drove over 20 miles to visit your store; next time I'll drive five to a much closer, non-Ikea store.

Edit: Got a response.

Hello The_Game,

I just received your complaint regarding your trip to our store on July 12th. I wanted to let you know that IKEA does exercise the right to have a weapon free environment. We do post this information for all customers on our front door. I am very sorry if you felt embarrassed or even confused about why you were escorted from our store but it is our policy and is strictly enforced. It is in IKEA's best interest to keep all of our customers safe and our weapon free environment helps us to achieve this goal. I do hope you continue to shop with IKEA and if you have any questions or concerns feel free to let me know.

Thank you for shopping with us.


Amanda Whitfield

Front Line Team Leader

IKEA Pittsburgh

2001 Park Manor Blvd.

Pittsburgh, PA 15205

External Phone: 412-747-0440 x1052

Amanda.Whitfield@IKEA.com

[GlockedAndLoaded]

Well said. Glad you weren't gun downed on the word of a stressed employee.

[TaePo]

Wow, I look forward to seeing the results of this one!

Did you do any searches, btw, for IKEA policies? Just wondering. The clerk definitely did not handle this correctly. What ever happened to discretion and tact? Especially when you are throwing out someone who is armed!

[wrencher]

He was probably red faced and sweating because he shit his pants, when he drew the short straw as to who tells the MWAG to leave! Your E-mail was well said, it will be interesting to see the reply.

[The_Game]

Did you do any searches, btw, for IKEA policies?

Nope, came in, sent message, posted thread, made dinner. I might look later but to be honest I'm already over it.

Gotta get the kitchen ready for tomorrow - new stove and refrigerator, care of my grandma who worries about me non-stop and throws money at me whenever I say I might need something.

Edit: Also I burned my hot dogs so bad even the DOG doesn't want one. Ick.

[meb351]

I actually used to work at Lowe's at the Mills Mall and people would open carry in the store all of the time without problem. Giant Eagle has actually asked us to leave their stores because either I was carrying or the person I with was carrying.

[XD45]

Ikea is notoriously antigun, I wouldnt expect much more than a polite F-U back from them(though thats not to say you shouldn't write one). A quick google search will turn up threads from quite a few progun sites about it.

I was at an ikea outside of Miami a few weeks ago and they had a no weapons sign, been a good while since i've been to the one in pgh though so I can't speak for them.

[40fathoms]

i believe, in the state of a PA, for a business to regulate carrying a firearm they must have the written policy on the premises.

I quickly checked their website and didn't find anything relating to firearms, or store policies. They may have a written policy but it would probably be directed towards their employees, unless they have a sign on the door like XD45 said.

[XD45]

i believe, in the state of a PA, for a business to regulate carrying a firearm they must have the written policy on the premises.

I quickly checked their website and didn't find anything relating to firearms, or store policies. They may have a written policy but it would probably be directed towards their employees, unless they have a sign on the door like XD45 said.

The debate on whether or not signs hold weight in PA goes back and fourth, but a private property owner/someone acting on their behalf can still ask you to leave for any reason at anytime, assuming it isn't directed at a protected class.

ianal

[renegadephoenix]

I actually used to work at Lowe's at the Mills Mall and people would open carry in the store all of the time without problem. Giant Eagle has actually asked us to leave their stores because either I was carrying or the person I with was carrying.

i know for a fact that Giant Eagle is OC/CC freindly. i still have the e-mail and contact info for the head of HR/LP That clearly stated that Giant Eagle Follows State Law, his name is Rich Vogel. Rich.Vogel@gianteagle.com