Fillmore Wooden Tree Bench

Good for the price

Let me start out by saying that I would give this bench a much lower rating had it cost more. However, for the price, I suppose, the bench is quite adequate.There are a ...Read complete review

Let me start out by saying that I would give this bench a much lower rating had it cost more. However, for the price, I suppose, the bench is quite adequate.There are a few things to keep in mind:If you have any trouble assembling [...] furniture, this bench is not for you. Although most holes are pre-drilled, not all are. As a result, it can be difficult to align individual pieces correctly. A relatively small mistake on one side of the bench will quickly turn into a bigger problem elsewhere.The bench is made in China, as are the assembly instructions. Not that this matters much since instructions are mainly based on illustrations and not on the fantastic "English" one is subjected to.Overall, it would have been helpful if instructions had been more detailed. As it is, I would strongly advise you to place most pieces in their proper location, make the necessary adjustments, and then slowly assemble the bench.You should have an electric screwdriver since there are MANY screws involved.It might also help to have a drill to facilitate alignment and securing pieces in place.During the manufacturing process, it is clear that some pieces suffered from splintering and other defects. Rather than replace those parts with flawless ones, the manufacturer "fixes" them by applying wood filler.Fortunately, these "fixes" on my bench are mostly small - but there are several of them and quite a few are in visible areas (i.e., seating or back rest areas). Had I paid more, I would have found this absolutely unacceptable - admittedly, I am not sure that I would have to accept this kind of defect even for the rather low price, but that's where I am right now.The bench does come pre-stained and is ready to assemble. Once it's put together, it looks nice, is comfortable, and you can use it right away.Even with the small defects and problems, I would still recommend this bench - meaning that none of the described issues are really significant, at least to me. Rather, they are something you should be aware of to avoid disappointment or dissatisfaction.