in the end it's a good tv stand.  it gets 3 stars because 
1.  the directions are not good.  these (low quality) particle boards have fronts and backs, given by if a side is painted or not.  it's difficult to decipher where the screws and parts go using the directions.  this company has a youtube video that i had to use and go looking for.  i also used a bunch of wood glue when i put the pieces together
2 top board of the stand wouldn't fit correctly onto the rest of the boards.  the types of screws and boards they give you are cheap.  so it's easy to misalign a screw, and prevent the top from fitting on correctly (last step putting it together).  in the end i had to get rid of their screw locks in order to fit the top on, and i was already using wood glue the whole time so i dont think it matters.