So far, I'm very impressed with this bistro set. Arrived earlier than expected, with A LOT of packing material,  but I was able to manage and assemble by myself without much trouble. Seems sturdy and durable, but I've only had it for about a month at the time of this writing. Very attractive and comfortable. I'm 5'4" and carry some weight, so I decided to get a couple matching step stools to make it easier to get up and down from the seats -- it's also nice to have a place to rest my feet when sitting, rather than having them dangle (chairs are tall enough that my feet don't touch the ground when I'm sitting in them). Just the right addition to make the set perfect for me. Love the table, too. The whole set has a nice look and feel. I've used with and without the cushions and am comfortable either way.  It's exposed to the elements where it is, so we'll see how it does over time.