Assembly was a REAL pain-- this is complicated, which isn't the manufacturer's fault, as it is a complex and multi-function convertible fixture. It is not an easy-breezy quick-and-fast assembly right out of the box--- so give yourself the time, read the instructions clearly, and set up in a space you can have clear of traffic/use for long enough to get it done. Plan ahead, and you'll do fine! I almost regretted it about midway through the assembly, but pushed through, and the finished table is WELL worth all the hassle-- as advertised, it converts as a true \"4 in 1\" multi-form table/storage fixture, and while it doesn't do ANY of these things perfectly, it does ALL of them adequately and with versatile rotation between them. I'm in the process of re-doing a big open guest/lounge room in the home, and was having trouble picking a coffee table: too low and they're useless for anything but coffee and coasters and oversized art books, but too high, and they feel like barriers between you and your company. That's where this table excels: you just set it up to whatever the space and situation need and then change it when the need changes. It is simple to operate. Will it hold up to years of use? I don't know. The hardware seems reasonably well put together, and the boards (MDF I think) are heavy and solid. I suspect I'll get years out of it, if it doesn't see much movement. Like a lot of these MDF (manufactured wood) furnishings, they're great while stationary, but really begin to break down with frequent moving, lifting, etc. This hopefully doesn't apply to the function of its moving parts. I'm very satisfied, and it has brought a room together in a \"best of all worlds\" sort of way, and matches some of the other \"rustic wood\" modern furnishings we've picked up to set the space up!
Eric in Wyoming 
