I found the product to be sturdy, well made with an excellent finish.  The only flaw I found was that one of the vertical panels was improperly drilled (on three of the four, the holes for the shelf brackets were offset; on one there was only two holes going all the way through. The length of the pegs on the shelf brackets is such that the brackets cannot seat properly.  That said, I was able to make them work and the bench works well.  Your picture is deceiving. You must have used women's or kid's shoes because the compartments are NOT wide enough to accomidate a pair of men's shoes as shown. It will work if the shoes are placed on their sides and one shoe reversed. Still a good looking versatile piece.