This stool is nice, simple and functional, as you would expect from the description and product images. However, it arrived with the seat covered in a mylar-like plastic wrap. This would be a non-issue if the wrap simply extended over the top and sides, giving the product protection against shipping damage and store shelf bumps, but they actually completely wrap the entire seat on both top and bottom, with the plastic tightly sandwiched between the frame and platform/seat. It looks like they assembled it with the seat pre-wrapped. As as a consequence, it was necessary to completely remove the seat from the frame to fully remove the plastic wrap, requiring the removal of eight screws. This is a significant nuisance that most buys are not expecting with a simple product like this.

The stool came with a clear plastic covering over the seat part of the stool, to protect the top. HOWEVER, this plastic piece is sandwiched between the seat and the legs portion of the stool. The plastic piece was put entirely around the seat, THEN the seat was attached to the legs. I had to use a razor blade all along the underside edge of the seat to cut the plastic away from the stool, since it won't just pull away. Not a very good thing to have to do since this puts cuts in your new stool. Even though it is on the underside, this doesn't make most people feel too good about their "new" product. Also, for some unknown reason, there appears to have been some sort of tape on the top of the seat at some point, because there is glue residue on the seat top. It looks like tape was on there at some point and peeled off (before I ever received it), leaving glue behind. I've used 91 % rubbing alcohol, mineral spirits and WD40 to remove the glue with no success. I won't use acetone or harsher chemicals for fear of removing the finish. So, my "new" stool will have to have glue on the top surface. I guess this will help my feet to not slip off the stool when I stand on it-he he he. Or maybe I'll try to step down and my feet will stay stuck and I'll fall off and smash my head-he, he he. All in all, I'm not too impressed. It does seem sturdy enough to stand on and sort of looks nice, if you don't look at it too closely, that is about all I can say. For all of this trouble, I'd have sooner purchased an unfinished stool and stained and varnished it myself!!

I ordered this to use in my kitchen instead of a step ladder. it is muh more attractive than a step ladder, so I can leave it in my kitchen for easy access all the time. It is a beautiful stool and is very sturdy. I use it to reach the high cabinets when I need to get something down. I feel perfectly safe standing on this stool. The only con to this item is the way it was packaged. The clear plastic wrap was actually secured under the legs of the stool between the legs and the stool top. You either have to remove the legs to take it off, or do it the lazy way (like I did) and just cut off the plastic at the base of each leg. Overall, I love this stool for function and looks.

I just needed a basic, multi-purpose step stool, but I wanted something nice looking, because it was going to be kept out in the open all the time. This one worked out perfectly. I usually keep it beside my bed, as a step up for a small cat, but it gets moved to different places as needed, like in front of a full-length mirror that is hung very high in another room. It's strong and sturdy, so I feel very confident standing on it, and the wide hole in the top is the perfect size to slip your hand in, so you can carry it from the top. It's very nice looking, too. The wood is strong, and the chocolate brown stain has a relatively matte finish, so it's not glossy at all, but you can still see the lovey grain of the wood. It's not too heavy to lift easily, with one hand.

Like other reviewers, I was surprised by the poorly thought-out plastic cover over the whole top step piece; it was wrapped around all sides before being installed, so you can't just rip it off. It's pretty strong plastic, so I almost thought I could leave it on for a while to protect the wood, but it's not strong enough for long term use, and it looked terrible. My guess is that it was installed to protect the surface wood from scratches and wear until purchase. I didn't want to take the stool apart like others did, so I removed the plastic by using a razor blade to cut it free from underneath, without visibly marring any of the wood, which worked out well.

I'm really happy with this stool. So much so, that I'm considering buying another one for the other side of my house. It's so nice looking, that it blends in with my furniture, and doesn't look like a utility piece.

Like others said, it's kind of weird that it is assembled, but the top is completely shrink-wrapped with hard plastic. You have to un-assemble it in order to take the plastic off. I think I would have preferred for to come unassembled or not have the plastic on the top. Anyway, besides that, I love this little stool. Our kitchen cabinets go to the ceiling and I'm only 5'1" so I need a stool to reach the upper shelves. This is a very sturdy stool. It doesn't wobble or move around. I feel very safe standing on it. I do wish it was maybe an inch taller, but that's not a deal breaker by any means. I love the dark brown stain. It looks nice with my walnut butcher block countertops and walnut floors. It's pretty enough that I don't feel like I need to hide it when not in use. A great little stool. I'm very happy with it.

Wanted to add that I put non-slip feet pads on the legs, just so it doesn't slip on the walnut floors. Adding those made this little stool perfect!