I think the truth is somewhere In the middle. It depends on what you buy not as much where you buy it. I wouldn't want to generalize everything from
ikea because I've gotten crap from high end furniture stores too. You can't beat hand made quality - my futon is Amish made, it's super solid.
But my parents have a leather sofa set from IKEA that's lasted 9+ years, it's just now starting to wear. I'm more with Robo on this, but I think the IKEA luster has worn off for me, a little.