Winsome Wood Bailey 5-Tier Bookshelf - Black Wooden Storage Shelf for Living Room, Bedroom & Office - Modern Bookshelf for Home Decor & Organization

I wanted a leaning bookshelf, and did a little research on various ones. I chose this one, over the cheapest one on Amazon (I think around $45) because a couple of reviewers said that it was sturdy enough to hold a lot of books, and that is what I wanted to use it for. Overall, I am happy with it. I just have a few comments about the piece, itself for people who are a little hesitant to buy furniture online.It is easy to put together. It comes in 9 pieces (5 shelves, 2 sides, and a top and bottom). The painted finish seems a little thin on the parts of the shelf you wouldn't see (ie the bottom). The directions have an inventory and assembly section. In the inventory section they clearly show that the top and bottom of he sides are different (top is straight and bottom is angled), but in the assembly directions they look the same. The result is it took me a few minutes to figure out which end I was actually supposed to start on. The shelves are screwed in very securely. It is not just a screw into wood, but there is a metal reinforcement around the hole. BUT the bottom and tops are loose. I ended up putting a few dabs of wood glue on them (which means I can't disassemble this), and letting it cure overnight. It is almost like the holes are too large in the top and bottom or the wood dowels are too short. The upper shelf cannot really hold books, because it is so shallow. You could put paperbacks on it, but they would hang over a little. The bottom shelf is the opposite. It is so deep. I had to rummage through my books to find a couple that I could put on the ends that would not fall out of the sides onto the wall or floor.I have a lot of books, that vary in size and weight, and the shelf handled all of them beautifully. A good alternative to a more expensive version of this shelf. And a smarter design than the cheapest version. The edging around each shelf keeps your books on the shelf, and prevents your wall from getting scratched up each time you add or remove a book.I also had no problems with scratching the wall when I placed it (one reviewer claimed this). Also, the sides are each one long piece of wood not broken in two (another review claimed this).I'm very disappointed in this bookshelf, and at myself for buying this version. Sure, I saved by not buying the $150 Crate & Barrel version but this bookcase makes me feel like I cheaped-out.Poor quality: The large bottom shelf that came with mine has the holes drilled in the wrong location. Totally wrong. They're drilled in the back of the shelf instead of the front. This means that it will only install with the back-ledge facing forward (or the shelf woud jut out into the room. This is a major mistake and matches other problems like the wood dowels that are too small to fit in the pre-drilled holes.Poor customer service: When a piece is missing or broken (or has the holes in the wrong spots), you have to snail-mail the information about your missing-part.Poor design: This bookshelf doesn't have a support leg for the back of the large bottom shelf; others on Amazon do. Without a support-leg, the large shelf (like all the shelves) is only supported by 2 screws which I can see now will probably allow the shelf to tilt to the back if heavy items are put on the bottom (which is where I would tend to put heavy items, right?).Also, this Winsome bookshelf has a bar that runs across the top & bottom of the sides. Sure, that matches the Crate & Barrel design but the bars don't line-up with the legs when you screw them together. I wonder if they were added to hook people like me who are looking for the specific C&B style. Instead, I urge you to look the other options here on Amazon that don't have bars on the top or bottom; they actually look better that the C&B design.Poor instructions: Believe the many other reviews about this. The instructions are worse than a vague Ikea instruction-sheet. Tiny print, diagrams that imply they're helping you but don't explain details - like how to align the shelves with the bottom of the legs; it's rather easy to screw-in the shelves in the wrong orientation. I'm adept at building these furniture projects and this one was awkward.Poor price relative to quality & competitors: At $95, I expected better quality than the $65 shelves on Amazon. Not wanting to buy too low, I believed the good reviews for these Winsomes and paid more than buying one of the others. For two of them. Don't do it! This bookshelf is not worth it. For example, I've recently found this option that has a rear-support leg for the bottom shelf and no ugly lower-bar: http://www.amazon.com/Poundex-5-Tier-Leaning-Shelf-Cappuccino/dp/B002XUKXF2. You should go buy that one and thank me from saving you from buying this one.I'm seriously tempted to return this Winsome bookshelf and get a different version, but that's the problem with ordering large items from Amazon; mailing them back is difficult.Again - my strong advice to you: buy one of the many other leaning bookshelves listed on Amazon to get a better style AND quality.First picture is of the first unit I got. Both ends of the boxes were open. Bottom shelf was damaged and should not have to touch it up when buying something brand new and it was very noticable. Not happy. Amazon sent me a new unit as replacement but it was a mother's Day gift and wouldn't have it in time. Recieved new unit. The rest of the pictures are from the replacement unit. It is even worse I would say. Bottom bar has 2 spots not good on it, same bottom shelf but opposite corner has knick out of it, bottom shelf has really bad paint defects. They are 0 for 2 now. Time to talk to Amazon again.Why aren't individual pieces marked for ease of assembly? The bare-bones instruction pamphlet is for people who have lots of experience in assembling big box items. I do not. I see that the individual pieces are identified in the instruction pamphlet BUT the actual pieces coming out of the box are not identified. Why would Winsome Wood not identify the indiviual pieces so the customer can coordinate the actual piece with that identified in the pamphlet diagrams?I've given out trying to figure which is the top or bottom crossbar. Ridiculous. Sloppy. Uncaring company.One of the most frustrating things ever to build. Doesn't match up to the desk version like the company advertised. Will still look nice once I organize my things... I might split them up though as they just look a little funny next to each other since they don't match up.It is very nice and solid. Easy enough to put together, however, they should go the extra step and place a sticker on "A" and "B" poles...just saying. That's the only reason I gave 4 stars. Delivery was fast, a small delay due to the shipping label but still received in a timely manner. A little pricey but I guess this item does go on sale sometimes and there are cheaper ones out there but I'm glad I ordered this one.After comparing over a dozen of ladder shelves online and in stores, I finally decided to buy this one on Amazon. The product wowed me immediately after I assembled it. To start with, the shelf is sturdy but not too heavy to move. It leans against the wall well without feeling shaky after I put a pile of books and other stuff on it. Second, it is VERY easy to assemble. I'm not a huge handy woman but it took me no time to put the shelf together. Love this product. One of the best purchases I've made on Amazon.