🚀 go-pugleaf

Steve Hall wrote:
> "Gorb" <gorbasan@yahoo.ca> wrote:
> >I picked up an Ikea desk quite a while back and just recently had a
> >need to use the bottomless drawer for hanging file folders.  However,
> >I cannot find a hanger folder that fits the rails, which are spaced
> >11.25" apart (made 2 trips each to major stores Grand & Toys, Walmart,
> >Staples).  It seems that at least for G&T, they cannot even
> >special-order sizes other than these.  Aside from that, any product
> >special-ordered cannot be returned, even if they are of the wrong
> >size.  This is a problem, since I haven't been able to find info about
> >standard rail widths for hanging folders for the various paper sizes.
> >
> >Ikea's position is that it is not their problem, and they are not
> >obliged to come up with a solution.  They offered a 15% reimbursement
> >to resolve the "case" (which I think afflicts a great number of
> >people), but I declined it because it does nothing to solve the
> >problem.  When I insisted they were obliged to solve the problem
> >because they designed the product, they stopped responding.
> >Can anyone suggest how one might go about addressing this problem?
> >Thank you.
>
> In North America, hanging folders generally come in two sizes; 12.5"
> and 15.25".  The standards in Europe are different and unfortunately
> Ikea does not change the desks they sell in North America.  An on-line
> source for "euro-folders" is Empire Imports
> http://store.yahoo.com/empireimports/hafifo.html

Thanks.  I haven't had much luck being able to get such places to find
out exactly how far apart the *rails* have to be, and though I can
probably guess based on the dimension of the folder, I'd rather be
sure before ordering.  I'm not sure if the web-published widths are
that of the paper part or the outer width of the top metal part.  The
latter would probably give the best estimate of the required rail
separation.

> Their web site specifically states "Folders fit perfectly in IKEA and
> other European desk drawers."

I didn't visit their website.  Aside from the fact that this was some
time ago, I don't believe that what they publish on their website
should have any bearing on whether or not they should have made it
known, at the point of contact (and point of business transaction),
that their product was not suited for the North American market.  It's
no different from me making a business arrangement with someone -- I
can't simply impose unilateral restrictions simply because I posted
something on a website somewhere.  In my opinion, to show a drawer at
the location of business holding hanging folders (in North America)
implies that it can be used that way.

> Ikea is not obliged to fix this for you, check the drawer size before
> buying.

Granted, whether they are obliged seems to be a matter opinion, and I
gave my reasons for my opinion.  Rather than worry about what
parameters I may not have thought of checking in the future, I will
simply avoid dealing with them ever again.  They knowingly entered the
North American market with sizes that they knew would cause problems
for their customers (not just me, everyone who buys these products).
This was a business decision, with the known outcome being that we the
customers are left to live with it.  They can get away with it because
it would be way too much trouble for any one individual to chase them
down legally.  Somehow, I don't think they would get away with it if
their customer was a corporation that purchased in bulk.

> The 15% reimbursement was more than fair and would have bought you a
> lifetime supply of euro-folders.

I would have gladly accepted the reimbursement if I knew that exactly
what folders to get, but I didn't seem to have much luck getting
vendors
to stipulate the exact width of the rail separations for the various
standard sizes outside of North America.  I explained this to Ikea.

The 15% reimbursement was not more than fair, when the half dozen
trips are considered (to find out that they don't fit folders in North
America); this is considering time and fuel. It would certainly not
have bought a lifetime of folders; it would buy probably no more than 1
set of folders, after shipping is accounted for.  Furthermore, remote
vendors generally seem to not accept returns if the size does not suit
your drawer.