This product arrived very quickly! It is a very large item and was well-packed with no damage to the product itself. However, the box looked pretty rough upon delivery. It was a very long, heavy box, and it took two of us to haul it from the garage entry door to inside.
The bookshelf iron is very well constructed and our wood shelves were in very good condition. It is very easy to put together. We had only one shelf that took more time because one of its corresponding holes had not been drilled for an easy fit. We needed to use a rubber mallet on just that one hole, which was not bad for furniture that you must put together.
This was a GREAT value! I had shopped in several local stores and online for three months to find a good fit and a good deal, and for me, this was it! I also got an even better deal for buying it over the Labor Day weekend! This item was HALF the price of one other online website that had it in their inventory, so that was when I jumped, and I do not regret it!
For its very large size, height and width, that fits perfectly into a corner wall by my fireplace that runs to the very tall ceiling, I really got a great deal!
You may not like the color of the wood shelves, which are real wood. There are real knot holes, which I like and add to its rustic appearance. I can't call the stain weathered because it is not a gray. It looks almost unfinished or bleached, but I like it fine because I have very dark wooden floors upon which it sits. I like the contrast.
The very heavy iron is black with some rust-look spots along the edge. If you enlarge the picture of the bookshelf, you will be able to see what I am trying to describe. It's ok. It doesn't add or take away from the bookshelf, in my opinion. It is barely noticeable, but I am sure it was done to appear old and rustic in appearance.
The bracing on the back was super easy to install and really stabilized it. However, the one thing that did not come with the bookshelf was a bracket or some other way to attach to the wall if that is a concern for you. My husband plans to devise his own bracket at the back of the x and in its middle to secure to the wall.
Some of the bookshelves or etageres do come with a wall bracket, but I do not know how heavy duty they are or how effective.
I would buy this product again, and I am a very frugal, cautious buyer, particular when it comes to online purchases. Great Offer Stock is a winner with this product and its price, in my opinion.