IKEA is doing a trial run of their food subscription service here in Vancouver. Our zip code qualifies, so I thought, why not try and see how things work out.
How to join?
Ordering is easy. You just go to the IKEA Food Subscription page and check if your postal code is included in its service area. They have two boxes, a "Swedish Meatballs Meal Bundle" for $50.49 (including tax) and a "Swedish Treats Bundle" for $33.46 (including tax). I got both.
The Experience
Payment Issues
I know it's a trial, and I expect that there will be challenges along the way. IKEA sent me an email confirming my order, and I am excited. After 12 hours, they sent me another email confirming my order with a different order number. It seems like they processed my subscription twice and charged my credit card twice for $83.95.
I am unhappy. I called them as soon as I saw the second charge. I want to know if I made a mistake when placing the order or what's going on. The folks handling customer support have zero access to the food subscription orders since it's in the trial, so I was on the phone with them for an hour (mostly on hold) as they try to find information.
By the end of it, they couldn't find any information, but they opened up a ticket on my behalf to communicate with IKEA Richmond to cancel what looks like a second-order and refund the second charge.
It's all good since I have been refunded.
Delivery Email Issues
Again, I understand that it's on trial, but I received A LOT of emails from the delivery company they used locally.
- Four emails (with different tracking numbers and order numbers) that my order is "on its way."
- Six emails (again, with four different tracking numbers and order numbers) that my order "has been assigned to a driver."
- Two emails (thank God it's the same order number and tracking number) that my order is "on its way."
E24 Metro Supply Chain Group needs to improve their tech systems to provide better service and not look spam.
I also got an SMS that my order is next to be delivered, which would have been great, but it arrived 10 minutes after receiving my delivery. The driver was kind enough to call my number.
Delivery Issues
I got my package today! I am so excited! I ordered both the Swedish Meatballs Bundle and Swedish Treats Bundle. However, I only received the Swedish Meatballs Bundle. I am uncertain if they shipped both or only one. As expected, calling them means getting clueless customer support. I tried calling the IKEA Richmond number as well, but it just kept ringing.
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| Box of Swedish Meatballs Meal |
I sent them an email, and hopefully, I hear back whether I should have received both bundles together or if the Swedish Treats Bundle is coming from a separate package.
March 30, 2021 Update: IKEA responded to my email that the Swedish Treats Bundle is arriving on a separate package. It would have helped if that was clarified in the communications.
Swedish Meatballs Bundle
My Swedish Meatballs Bundle arrived, and I am excited to open the box and paper bag. Inside the paper bag are four pouches of sauce mix (gravy) and a lingonberry jam bottle. Meanwhile, the box contains 2 bags of frozen meatballs and 2 bags of mashed potatoes.
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| My Swedish Meatballs Meal Bundle |
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| Excited to try it! |
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| KӦTTBULLAR Meatballs |
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| ALLEMANSRÄTTEN Mashed potatoes |
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| SYLT LINGON Lingonberry jam and ALLEMANSRÄTTEN Sauce mix |
IMPORTANT: The gravy needs full fat cream.
IKEA Dinner at Home!
We are going to have meatballs and mashed potatoes for dinner tonight, and I can't wait! Hopefully, I remember to update this blog post afterwards.
We've had meatballs and mashed potatoes for dinner.
TIPS:
- I cooked 300 grams of the ALLEMANSRÄTTEN Mashed potatoes and used 3 tbsp of water.
- Eat the meatballs right away. Freshly cooked meatballs are surprisingly delicious.
- The gravy (sauce mix) is still lumpy. It's probably because we can only buy half and half milk. I also added an additional tbsp of water to what the instructions recommend.
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| Our dinner from IKEA is enjoyed at home. |
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| It was delicious! |
Is it worth it?
I think it's worth - $50.49 for 2 kgs of meatballs and 1.2 kgs of mashed potatoes. If I have a bigger fridge, I actually don't mind having it there for days when I feel like eating meatballs and mashed potatoes.
I am still unsure if I will subscribe IF they decide to make it permanent. We'll see. For now, I'll enjoy IKEA meatballs in the comfort of my home.
