Customer Rating:  
Summary: Not too bad, but probably not worth $89. Assembly issues.
Comment: Don't order this bench unless you are handy at putting things together. The instructions were pretty basic, but accurate. Just a parts diagram and a list of steps. The pre-drilled holes in the wood slats were all a bit small, so a hammer was needed to get the bolts through. Not really a bad thing, but not your normal "just bolt it together" type assembly. The bench came with metal stabilizer bars that go across the bottom and back. One of the ones in my kit that went on the back was missing a "pre-drilled hole". Which was kindof a pain, because I had to go dig around and find my drill and a drill bit capable of drilling a hole that size in steel. That was relly the only major problem I had though. Once I got the missing hole drilled, everything went together nicely. I only gave this table 3 stars because I felt it was a bit overpriced at $89, and because I felt the assembly was a bit involved for the average purchaser (about 20 bolts/washers/nuts, several wood screws, drilling holes through steel, etc.) Overall, it's a pretty nice potting bench though, fairly sturdy, definately will do the job.
Customer Rating:
Summary: You get what you pay for
Comment: I looked for weeks at every kind and style of potting bench. Most were made of wood and priced from $250-$400. That seemed excessive to me for something that was going to sit on my patio and be used half a dozen times each year. This one caught my eye because it's nice looking, not so massive and crudely built, no need to oil the wood, much less wood in the design which means less wood to weather and turn gray, the metal frame would allow for easily replacing the wooden slats if/when necessary and the price was ridiculously low compared to every other one I'd seen. When I first found it listed, it was out of stock and showed no estimate of when it would be available. I kept on looking and weeks later ran across this one again, listed as available. Amazon did a great job of shipping it fast; I had it in my hands in two days.
When I opened the box, I had to keep chanting to myself "it was only $89.99." That's because the plastic bag of screws/nuts/bolts had split open and scattered all over the box, several of the wood slats were split or rough cut at the ends, one was slightly warped, one had a badly discolored large spot on the side that would show, the larger of the shelf holders was bent and not as "curly" as pictured.
As I worked at assembling it, I was relieved and pleased to discover that all the screws and bolts that I needed were there. I was able to put the warped piece at the back and screwing it down made the slight warp disappear. I was able to redrill the holes on the discolored piece so that I could place the "good" side up. I already had my drill out anyway because every pre-drilled hole was too small and not drilled all the way through.
By the time I was finished, I felt like it was worth every penny of my $89.99 but no more (of course, it was made in China). As it sits on my patio right now, it looks pretty darned nice.
I could only recommend this item to someone who could do the slight modification I did (it was easy but you must have access to an electric drill and the appropriate bits). I was able to borrow these from my husband. I suspect I saved a couple of hundred dollars by buying this one (that I liked so much better anyway). Buyer Beware: If you know what you're getting in to, you won't be disappointed.
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