We've shopped three IKEA locations since our first ever visit in 2002.\n\nFor us, IKEA is like an amusement park. We go to eat, walk around, see the sights, flop on the couches, roll on the mattresses, and generally have a good time.\n\nSometimes we buy things.\n\nLately we've been going just for the food. We usually eat in the cafeteria but a few times I've popped in just to share a hotdog/chips/soda combo with my daughter. \n\nAnd to grab a box of the oat crisps. Those heavenly round thins of delightful tongue tempters are my absolute favorite snack. Just the right amount of sweetness...\n\nI've eaten a whole box in a few hours.\n\nYes, some of the IKEA furniture is cheap in the sense that it probably won't be able to be passed down to your grandchildren. But like anything else you own, if you take care with it, it will last longer. \n\nThinking about our furnishings, we have at least 16 pieces from IKEA. My daughter's dressers, her Trofast storage frame, and our Leksvik buffet are the oldest. \n\nAside from my daughter's scribbles, her Trofast looks as good now as it did when we bought it 7 or 8 years ago. I see it's selling for $90 but I believe it was less than $50 when we bought it.\n\nOur Leksvik buffet (bought in 2003/2004) is still in excellent shape as well.