Part 2: couple years later here is my update. The mantel is looking great on my wall under my tv and holds my sound bar. BUT Attaching it to the wall is a pain...Im still not comfortable with how its hanging. I wish it came with wood french cleats and I wish it had a notch cut for cord access. I am still working on this project but determined to get it fixed properly at some point.  
*part 1: I havent received the item yet but so far Im impressed with Wayfair service. And the delivery notification tells me it will arrive ahead of schedule. So thats pretty awesome.