Sauder Beginnings 5-Shelf Bookcase, Bookshelf with Adjustable Storage Shelves, in Cinnamon Cherry finish

While assembling the bookcase, I stupidly tried to turn it on its side and broke the center shelf attachments. No problem: I went to their web site, entered the model number and part number (in the instructions), and they will send me a replacement shelf for just the cost of shipping and handling. I have two of these already which is why I chose to purchase them again. I find the assembly instructions to be easy and clear: they even have little lettered stickers on the different pieces of wood so that you can be sure you have the correct piece when you're putting it together. Also the unit is light enough that I can move it by myself. Yes, the bottom half only has two shelves where the top has three; I am wondering, though, whether I might not just be able to buy a couple more shelves from these guys (considering that it is so easy to get replacement parts if you just specify that you want them), and have three shelves on the bottom as well. I would then have to give them six stars!

I absolutely love these shelves and I use them in almost every area of the home. If I were to change anything I would make the backboard a bit thicker. After years of use they tend to weaken and come apart. Other than that they are great.

First, this is not fine furniture. It is not meant to be. It is particle board with veneer, not hardwood. If you want fine furniture: look elsewhere and spend a lot more money. Plain fact of life. This bookshelf is VERY inexpensive, I couldn't find the raw materials to build a book shelf this size from scratch for less, and I mean any material, certainly not hardwood.Second, it is not assembled, it comes as pieces well packed in a box. You need to have some rudimentary carpentry skills and be able to read carefully and follow correctly moderately complex directions to put it together properly. This is critical. If it is properly assembled it is quite sturdy. If it is not properly assembled it will fall in a heap under it's own weight. It is not difficult relative to other self assemble furniture, it is actually on the easy side, but some people just don't have the skills. If you don't, be aware of it and don't buy self assemble furniture. It doesn't make you an evil or deficient person. :)A few notes on assembly: 1) When you tighten the hidden cam as directed make sure the two pieces you are joining are firmly pressed together when you turn it, if they are not the cam will not hold as securely. 2) It says to use a manual screw driver for assembly, not a drill/electric driver. This is because if you over tighten the screws all the king's horses and all the king's men will not be able to fix it so the bookshelf works properly again. I am good with a driver, I still didn't risk it. There aren't that many screws. 3) The back is not purely cosmetic. It may be veneer over extra tough cardboard but it is critical to the overall strength and stability of the shelf. It also is how you make sure the whole thing is square. Put a nail in at one corner, go to the opposite corner, make sure the edges of the backing align with the sides of the shelf before you put a nail in that corner. Work around trying to keep the back flat as you nail, and use all the nails they provide.As mentioned elsewhere, it could use at least one more shelf. I will probably cut a piece of pine 1x12 and stain it a close enough color.Assemble in the room you are going to place it in. If you are working alone the best way to move it is to put your hands in front of you palm up and lift by the permanent shelf, that is the strongest lift point. Even if you have help that is the lift point. Do not try to move it by grabbing the upper half, it is not meant to be moved that way and the upper half may come off. I would not recommend moving it often and never with anything in it. I have kept the directions because if I change residences again I will certainly take the time to dismantle it, it will transport much better that way.

Finally a bookcase finished properly with proper assembly hardware and line up. Cost is higher then the Chinese made products but it's sure worth it, no naked under shelves to look at and no bolts poking out all down the sides.

Sauder furniture is always easy to assemble, and even though it’s particle board, as long as you keep it dry it’ll last for years. I’ve had Sauder bookshelves that were still in perfect condition when I gave them away after 15 years or longer.UPDATE 3 months after purchase: this shelf is unstable. It suddenly started leaning to one side and all the shelves are starting to bow, even though they are holding half the weight they are rated for. In the past, the bookshelves I have bought from Sauder were designed with solid sides and a solid back, but this one has a two piece back and two piece sides, and I suspect that makes a big difference in the unit’s stability. I’m very disappointed with this bookshelf, and I’m going to demand a refund and buy a more solid shelf.

These are a low priced bookcase and do the job but not in a fancy way. They have an extremely flimsy cardboard backing and little plastic stickers to cover the exposed screw heads. They start to sag pretty quickly if you put too much weight on them. Good starter shelves until you can afford real furniture.

These bookcases are sturdy, attractive, easy to assemble and an excellent value.

I have always loved Sauder furniture. This bookcase is just what I needed to house my overflowing books from my other bookcases.I also saved one shelf for my crafts to sit on. It has organized my craft corner.Great buy and easy to assemble.

I found these bookcases at a whopping -50% off and wanted to buy 5 sets, alas amazon would only let me buy a maximum of 3. Why? I have no idea. They are easy to put together, but flimsy as heck. So, what I did was build them, stand them side by side against the wall and then added an extra screw near the top and near the bottom on each of the bookcases, basically fusing them together. Now they are sturdy and actually I'm chuffed with them. But if you just buy one, I think you'll be disappointed as it won't be sturdy enough to hold books. Also, be aware, I ended up getting three separate individual transaction charges for each of the bookcases, rather than 1 single total transaction charge on my credit card. No big deal, but if you have a free account with your bank and limited transactions, this seller, for some unearthly unimaginable reason, can't take one total amount. So you'll be dinged 2,3,4,5 etc times for each individual bookcase.

El mueble es relativamente fácil de armar, no requieres de herramientas de difícil acceso, (un martillo y un desarmador es mas que suficiente). Hasta este punto todo va bien. Pero cuando llegas a la parte de donde encuentras una especie de MDF muy delgado y doblado de baja calidad forrado de formica, que va en la parte posterior (o fondo) del mueble, pierde puntos. Bien podían haber metido un mejor material en esta parte.

unless you have extra pieces ,Don't buy the big shelf. other than that its fine.

El producto parece bueno, pero al armarlo deja mucho que desear el fondo de cartón.Me parece de calidad media.

Badly put together and very flimsy