I love the finished product, it looks like real wood and is very sturdy.  The hard part was putting it together.  The three hours is no lie.  This is the most complicated item I have ever put together (the instructions and labeling of parts are vague at times which is an extra challenge).  It literally comes completely in pieces, the hardware is thrown into one bag and you have to sift through it to find the right parts.  I learned a lot about putting furniture together on this project and feel that they should have a certificate of achievement at the end of the instructions.