IKEA isn't known for it's quality in Sweden, but there the prices are fair. Here in Sofia I'm a bit chocked of the prices. IKEA is a good store for a person who will change their furniture's every 6-12 month.
There are a lot of good products for a fair price, and a few that wont last the trip home.
Bulgarians aren't used to the Swedish products and don't know how to use them, names are in Swedish and won't help either. Names doesn't even help the Swedes, last time I saw in the pot department a square clay device with a smaller clay device in it, they call it "Användbar" (Useful) and I still wonder for what and how? All this confusion with products that just looks strange and make no sense here in Bulgaria, resulted in all the good products used in Sweden are removed and IKEA turned into a same all same all store, but with higher prices.
I can't even find a proper whisk to make the Cream Sauce with anymore.
Why they sell the Sauce, if they don't sell the proper whisk for it?
And where are the Mattress with a wooden frames?
IKEA turned out to be a Tourist attraction more then a Store, People going and laugh at the strange products they see in the shelf's, occasionally they pick a product for more or less fun.
I must admit, it's quite fun looking at shoppers trying to understand what they are holding in their hands and they seam to have fun guessing what it is.
May be 2bgn in entrance fee to IKEA? Just an idea.
Or some Monitors with info about what products are for and how to use them, as I haven't seen anybody from the staff being able to tell what it is either.
Restaurant is a chocker first time.
If you ask for Swedish Meatballs, you will get Bulgarian micro Kyfte with French Fries as default option?
Blasphemy is what that is!
And then they stick 2 Swedish flags into the poor balls.
Topping this mix with pouring cream sauce over the French Fries and ask if you want Cranberry Jam?
I almost fell backwards by the chock.
Slightly uneducated personal I would say.
I learned that they now have stopped selling mashed potatoes with the meet balls. It's now sold as Bulgarian micro Kyfte with French Fries.
Stop poking the Swedish flag into the micro Kyfte, stuff a Bulgarian flag in there instead. Then add a French flag for the Potatoes.
Ask for a dish served correctly is now impossible.
Meatballs with loads of mashed Potatoes, cream sauce over the Meatballs and Lingonberry Jam on the side, can't be done anymore.
Restaurant downstairs do a better job serving Hotdogs.
No Strange surprise here, just a Hotdog with free Ketchup, Mustard and Mayo.
Store with Swedish products can seam to be a bit pricy, but that's because it is. If you like them, this is the only place where you can find them so far.
I feel a bit not welcome here as I'm not handicapped, never seen a store with more handicap parking's then IKEA. You can say IKEA force you to be criminal, as they have not enough parking spots for non handicapped, either that or go somewhere else.
IKEA like everywhere except the missing self-service option at checkout. Many payment desks (around 20) but actually operating not more than 6-8 so you need to wait more then the rest of the world.
Really big and cousy store. It has everything you would need as far as furniture is concerned. The food court is also top quality.
A perfect place to get all you need for your new home. Best accessible by car. Next to a shopping mall.
One knows what to expect - good quality standardized goods. Most of the prices are OK compared to quality. Website is more than satisfactory.
It is the quality, the practicality and the diversity that make me go there again and again. Return policy is good. Discounted items cannot be returned - that is not reasonable for me.
What I do not like is that the area between the parking and the shop is not convenient for strollers - you have to lift the baby together with the stroller so as to pass the "fence" build to protect shopping carts/trolleys leaving the shop area and entering the parking.
The "one and only" store in the world where if you don't buy anything coming through the cash desk is not possible, there is a 'special' exit for these people
Love IKEA and the Bulgarian version wasn't any different than other ones. Big play centre for the children for free, good food. The show room wasn't too big and is doable. Prices vary.
IKEA Bulgaria provides amazing atmosphere for shopping and the restaurant is great. The food is delicious and with incomparable prices. Only downside - lack of staff on weekends when there are a lot of customers. You might spend a good half an hour on the queue of the cash point.
IKEA is a great place for shopping home items and furniture. In addition to that they have a good place to eat, large parking, hot dog shop, ice cream shop, and kids love it there cause they can play around with the children items IKEA sells. Overall very nice place to buy something for your home and kill a couple of hours.