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Ikea's Stuff is Tough To Assemble, So It Bought a Startup To Do It For You (arstechnica.com)

Posted by msmash on from the interesting-moves dept.

One of the most popular jobs on TaskRabbit, a service that lets you hire workers for quick gigs, is assembling Ikea furniture. So perhaps it's no surprise that the Swedish retail giant has acquired the startup for an undisclosed price. From a report: For now, TaskRabbit services -- where each worker sets their own rates but the company takes 20 percent -- are available in 40 American cities and in London. The majority of its American workers (or "taskers" as the company dubs them) do not receive any health or retirement benefits, as is typical in so-called "gig economy" jobs. While TaskRabbit itself has not been sued in federal court by any of its workers so far, other companies in the industry have been -- numerous labor cases filed against Uber were recently heard at the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeal in San Francisco. It seems unlikely that Swedish business culture will have any impact on TaskRabbit's workers, the overwhelming majority of whom are ad hoc contractors. Sweden, which generally lacks a similar "gig economy" environment, boasts universal public health care and housing and child care subsidies. Employees in Sweden are required to be provided a minimum of five weeks paid annual leave, and wages are typically set by annual collective bargaining. According to Ikea's statement, TaskRabbit will remain an independent company and will remain in San Francisco -- as such, its taskers aren't considered to be employees.

4 of 151 comments (clear)

  1. Seriously... by ILoveFatCashews · · Score: 5, Insightful

    IKEA furniture isn't that difficult to put together. You just need to take your time, follow the directions and try not to misplace any of the small parts.

    1. Re:Seriously... by ncc74656 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      How do you unpack and build flatpack furniture in a 475 sq. ft. apartment?

      Your bed should provide enough flat area to assemble most things. I put together a 6-drawer Malm chest that way. As a bonus, it also keeps the finish (such as it may be) from getting scratched or scuffed.

      --
      20 January 2017: the End of an Error.
  2. Maybe I am weird... by Major_Disorder · · Score: 5, Insightful

    But I actually enjoy putting this stuff together. I am color blind, but I imagine it is like what other people get out of doing jigsaw puzzles. Except when I am done I have a piece of furniture instead of a picture with a bunch of wavy lines through it. Crappy furniture I admit, but still better than a crappy picture.

    --
    First law of people: People are generally stupid.
    1. Re:Maybe I am weird... by thegarbz · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Crappy furniture I admit

      What you meant to say was "accordingly priced" furniture. As far as quality for price goes it's about the best bang for buck you can get on the market. Shelves priced about the same as typical low cost Chinese import, but without sagging when you dare to place a book on them. Even their kitchen countertops are actually capable of withstanding the abuse typical of a kitchen.