[jasonlotito]

Are all those examples of "flat-pack furniture"? Self build is the cost plus labor plus the cost of the material to build, etc.

Simply looking at the final product and comparing the price ignores a lot of what makes IKEA what it is, and what they provide.

[ErrantX]

Well true, but the end result is the same. First two (IKEA & Homebase) are flatpack. The local shop & second hand are pre-assembled (the second hand is real wood construction so was never flat pack), but it makes little difference.

Self build, sure, there is a labour "cost" - but you're looking at a couple of weekends max construction, so if you have the interest it's no biggie :) I only included it because I thought it would be interesting to encourage people to consider it as an option.

[jasonlotito]

What I mean is pricing isn't always the same on the pure product for an individual. Not everyone can load up a huge dresser into the trunk of their mini and get it to their flat. And if those places have delivery charges... =)

IKEA was founded on solving that exact problem.

That being said, I wish I had the room to do my own wood work. One day, one day. =)

[ErrantX]

Fair point. FWIW none of those places charge delivery in this case.

You are right; IKEA sell cheap. And they also sell convenience - and market economics means that cheaply convenient is more expensive than cheaply awkward.