100%. It has been a while since we had to put any furniture together, but i do remember that it took a lot longer to complete than we had budgeted time to do. And even with simple things, I find one of your first comments absolutely correct. Some directions get translated poorly, if at all.

Congrats on finding (and assembling) a gift that your SO loved! That for sure is a big win.

Care to share the manufacturer of the chair? You don't have to but if others are looking for a chair knowing that it comes with easy-to-build instructions AND an easy to follow video might sway a decision.

I'm so glad he likes his gifts. Good job!

I did build an Ikea island for my laundry room a number of years ago. I had one bar left over but the island was standing and not falling over or listing to one side so I decided I was good with how it was functioning and ignored the leftover bar.

blfenton, I linked both the chair and the nightstand in my post if you are interested.

I laughed my way through your furniture rant, Amy. DH and I do not make a good team on a project like that. Not long ago I bought just a simple twin bed with side rails, headboard, footboard and had it delivered. The assembly was much more complicated for two men who work with furniture daily than I could have imagined. I watched them, congratulating myself on not bringing the darned thing here in its box 😊

A few years ago I was looking for a piece for my garage. I don't have multiple bottles of all kinds of chemicals but do have one Roundup, some sluggo baits, deer repellent that I didn't necessarily want on open shelves. I garage saled, went to thrift stores, Goodwill, thinking a dining room piece like a buffet under the window in the garage would be perfect and I could always paint it if necessary - and after a few months searching ended up with new from Big Lots. Bright red, glass doors with closures, and IN A BOX.

It was in so many pieces. The instructions could have been in Arabic and I might have read them easier. My neighbor and his wife own 5 day cares. She does the business end and he does all the manual stuff like electrical, plumbing, sheet rocking, keeping the outside play areas to very specific state rulings.....He came over and put it together for me. It was a huge favor, it took him a couple of hours and he charged me couple of beers.

I too, laughed at your post and nodded often. In my 40's I would cuss a lot and leave it in a pile. Now in my 70's, I have finally developed some patience. My last effort was a BBQ grill that came unassembled. I worked so slowly, trying to figure out every instruction. It says it would take 30 minutes to assemble, and it took me 6 hours. I needed several breaks to calm myself. Then I tried to put the lid on backwards, because it was so simple the Chinese did not bother to say front or back. Come ON!!! But it now works, and the squirrels have tried to set up house in it. So glad I was able to provide it.

Amylou, great, well written rant.

I’m glad your SO liked your gift.

Amylou - whoops sorry, missed the links Thanks.

My DH needs a new office chair.

Congratulations on finding some well-received gifts for your SO AND for doing the assembly.

I go out of my way to avoid assembly as I have little patience.

Jupidupi, I guess I am just used to not having one or needing one. I had one when we lived in our old house (his house) but I never used it. He, on the other hand, is in the habit of going to get something or asking me to bring him something, and then rather then putting it back, he just keeps it, insisting that since they are frequent use items, he should just keep them there. Fine with me. I only have my glasses that I wear when I take my contacts out and my phone. My glasses I hang off part of the headboard, and my phone I just put on the charger and lay it on the bed. Everything else I am fine with just getting up to go get if I need it.

Morz, me and SO absolutely cannot work together on such projects. I was pleased that both items were delivered on a day that he was out and about all day, and I called and told him that I was working on something in the bedroom, and if he came home he was NOT to go in there until I was done. When we had to put that weight machine together, he almost got a hammer to the head, and I am sure I did too. I was putting together a shelf for our garage once by myself, doing just fine, when he marched over and in a huff and insisted I was doing it wrong, then proceeded to bark orders at me and doing it the exact same way I was doing it before. I think he got frustrated that it wasn't coming together very fast. Not sure why. I certainly did not ask for assistance. Now we both know that these are solo projects when possible.

My oldest sister that lives nearby has 6 kids, 5 of them boys and all of them are involved in the family business. Her husband is a contractor and all her boys are learning all sorts of handy, valuable skills. Or have them already. 4 of them are technically adults. During the weight machine debacle, I almost called her and told her to send me her spare offspring to put it together for me, but I resisted. I am stubborn.

When our canopy bed was delivered. It took the 2 delivery men, my SO and his cousin a full 7 hours to put it together. Though I think it had more to do with the weight of it. Each post weighs around 100 pounds, according to them. I was happy to be unavailable to help that particular day.

blfenton, my SO heartily recommends the one I got him. He says it is very comfy.