This bench is heavy, durable and excellent quality. Just as nice as the expensive chairs I purchased from a local company of the same material.  I gave it four stars because I purchased two and BOTH of them have two of the side holes drilled about 1/2" from where they should be.  They are far too heavy for me to repackage and send back so right now they are assembled using all of the other holes.  Probably wouldn't hold as much weight as it's rated for, but mine are mostly decorative and won't get sat on much so I've decided to keep them.  I didn't see this reference in any other reviews, so not sure why only on mine - but it was the case on two benches.  I checked, double checked, called a friend, googled the instructions to be sure.  They're just in the wrong place.