Who knew....
I began looking for desks as we were redoing our home office. We have a dedicated office, double door entrance, and it is nearly 10x10. Not a huge room, but because it is a designated office and not sharing space for anything else, I wanted to put a large desk in there. I always go to Costcm first...and I used to say, "if you can buy it at Costco, you can't get it anywhere else for less." I was wrong.
I really loved the two tone color of this desk. Because I have a tray ceiling with ceiling fan that is made out of honey oak, in addition to honey oak floors, the light colored surface on this desk was just what I wanted. I first saw this on Costco's website, but it was called "Merrick." I found that odd because when I started searching online, I kept on seeing "Manhattan" as the name of this model. I called the manufacturer and was very pleased with her knowledge. She confirmed that Costco was selling the "Manhattan" and that they often buy lots of items and rename them, which they did in this case. Okay, so I knew that it was the same--now I just had to start doing some price comparison. Costco sold the desk for $***. Even though it was free shipping, there was tax. Bottom line, I got the same desk from Great Offer Stock for over $*** less than if I had purchased it at Costco.
It arrived about 7-10 days from the day I ordered it. They called our house and set up a time/date that my husband would be home for the shipment. I already knew it was over 400 pounds and that it would be in the garage and I would probably build it slowly...piece by piece.
Well, it was built in about a day and a half. I enjoyed putting it together, although my kitty-cat kept on trying to sneak pieces out of the room! Sneaky girl. Anyway, every time the instruction indicated two people, I would call my husband up and he would help me do whatever step I was on...and if it shows two people--trust me, YOU NEED two people, I don't care how strong and/or coordinated you may think you are....that's not relevant.
There was a small hiccup near the end. Because there are a few options for the "bridge," there were no holes drilled for the support beam that connects to either side of the desk. So other than husband having to drill a few holes on either side for that, it was super easy to assembly.
I did buy the pencil drawer that goes under the desk. I'm so glad I did....I ended up finding it on Office Depot for half the cost on Bestar's website. I found a lot of drawers that would fit that were 1" deep--but I really wanted the 2" deep drawer and it is perfect.
There was a slight defect in one of the doors (#61)...almost as if water had gotten to it awhile back and the compressed wood was starting to separate. After I was finished, I contacted Bestar and they shipped out one immediately for no cost.
Also, the area underneath the desk is HUGE. I have a little stand that I used to have my printer on under there. It fits PERFECT in the corner and you can't even see it and it is so far away from your legs you never bump into it (big area under there!). I have one of those metal in baskets that have about six slots and I have my extra ink cartridges, envelopes, a few cords for various devices.
One thing to mention while you are building your desk. BE CAREFUL with the pieces. I don't know exactly what this is made out of but it does scratch. You have to be mindful of this and only set it down on blankets and such, but it will scratch. Why the company doesn't send a crayon stick with the desk is beyond me, but I asked for one when I requested the replacement door. Oddly enough, there must be a shortage because I got a crayon about the size of 1/6 of a regular sized crayon! But it was all I needed so I guess they know what they are doing.
I am so glad I took a chance and ordered this desk....I absolutely love it and I couldn't imagine anything else in my office.
Dawn