Well built crossbow for the price.

Short review as of 11/28/2017:

As of this review, this item is selling for a significantly cheaper price than other same/similar type of item on Amazon. I expected a lot worse, but felt that this item was pretty well made for what it is. At this price point, I would say that this item is worthy! For tips on how to string this bad boy, go to my long review.

Long review:
Just as a disclaimer: this is the first of my crossbows in this type. I have no other crossbows to compare this one with. I cannot tell how the quality measures up with other crossbows of this type. For what it's worth, the metal feels solid, the wood isn't cracked. It is heavy, and feels like this was made to last. I am satisfied with the condition of how it arrived.
So, just like every other reviewer out there, I was thoroughly confused by how "impossibly" difficult it was to string this beast. The box shows a person stepping on the foot loop and using his hands to pull the bow up while a friend notches the string. The manufacturer's box recommends two people in stringing this bow, and I can see where a lot of folks would end up scratching their noggins. I know I was. The first day, I admit I completely tried to string it this way. TRIED. Simply, I am not strong enough to pull it up the way the box was instructing. My wife contributed ZERO effort in trying to pull the other loop over the bow... there was no way to communicate to her in her Venus-alien language. When I felt like my back was about to snap, my wife just laughed. While I just lay in fetal position on the ground grabbing at my back, she told me that I should return it since I am not even strong enough to string it. Further imploration for assistance only lead to derisive laughter in that condescending manner of hers (reserved just for me after years of marriage). Her answer was just to spit on me and refuse to help further with the issue. After all, my mid-life crisis has nothing to do with her. I did consider returning this monster for around 0.0000000000013386729834 seconds. Then I realized that in order to remain a man, I must conquer this obstacle. I am not even ashamed of admitting this. Maybe.

HOW I DID IT: I got a length of 550 cord (anything that significantly rates OVER 150 pounds should be able to do it), tied a loop around one end. Pulled it to the other end of the bow, and tied another loop. Make sure the loop is big enough for you to put the crossbow string through the hole to be looped over the bow portion (I used a bowline knot - feel free to use another). You want to make the 550 cord as "tight" as possible without having to flex the bow or get a hernia. Pull the 550 cord all the way until it "snaps" into the trigger mechanism pulling taut the bow. Loop the actual crossbow string THROUGH the holes of your 550 cord onto the bow. Once the string is looped on both ends, you can "dry fire" the 550 cord out of the trigger mechanism and your actual bow string will then be the string holding the main tension. DO NOT DRY FIRE A BOW FROM A FULL PULL - you have the chance to severely hurt yourself, or break your bow!!! Also, Get some bow wax and wax the rails of your crossbow to minimize the heat/friction on your string. Just to extend the life of it.
Strangely enough, it was SIGNIFICANTLY easier to cock the crossbow with the 550 cord method (might be a physics thing) and I was able to string the crossbow MYSELF.
If you need a more in-depth explanation of this process, comment below - I will try to explain it further (or you could look online to get a general idea of what I did with the 550 cord - making it into my own bow stringing tool). Remember, don't just throw the 550 cord away after you have successfully strung your crossbow. Put it in the box you keep your crossbow in or tie it to the boot-loop thing or something. You'll need it if the crossbow snaps its string in the future (they are like tires on a car - they will wear down eventually and need to be changed out).
Good luck, and happy hunting!
I buy these items with my own pennies. If this review was helpful for you, please spread the love and give me a thumbs up! I hope this helps to save someone's back out there (I nearly broke mine), and helps you string this item safely and efficiently!

First of all the instructions to string and assemble are 4 very delusional pictures and they never actually show you they only tell you through meniscual words myself and a neighbor both 6 ft plus had to work together while my son also 6 ft strung the bow and after we did the string snapped after 4 shots it's a nice price but it's shotty instructions weak materials and as I said string snapped after a short use I'm going to buy a real one but not from this seller ever again save your $ and spend more on a better product

Surprisingly well built! Some say for target or fun but will definitely be bagging a deer this year with this no problem! Wish it came with standard picattany rail or at least mounting holes for one.
Very satisfied! :)

Great accuracy and power