I almost never write reviews but for this product I simply had to, it is that good! I bought a second one after getting the first, I was so impressed. I then bought a 62 inch Armarkat tree to complete the buying spree (more on that below). I now have one tree for each level of my townhouse, for my two newly adopted rescue cats of seven months and one year, respectively. I've had them for two weeks now. My female is a quiet and gentle cat, the male an active, playful rabble-rouser. They both really like them, her mainly the cat condos for sleeping, him the higher perches for racing up and down and playing with his toy mouse. They both use the sisal posts frequently. I am shocked this is not one of the most popular pieces of cat furniture on Amazon, all things considered. And like several other reviewers, I did considerable research, on over 50 cat trees, before settling on this one. Main attributes are as follows:
Sturdiness: Like a rock. the base is 28x24 inches, very generous, and the way the posts are anchored and the higher perches positioned, it allows the entire structure to remain solid, even when an active cat leaps on it. I have not yet had both cats on simultaneously (they are not yet socialized) but do not anticipate a problem at all. I should note here that the 62 inch Armarkat I got last is not quite as sturdy; the smaller 24x20 base makes a difference. And as others have noted in reviews of that product, the top perches wobble a little, but not so much as to discourage the cats. But since I have a point of comparison, it reinforces my positive opinion of this one.
Value: Triple aces! The pricing is extremely low for the number and quality of the 10 sisal posts and the number of perches and condos, as well as the workmanship. I mean, half the price of the popular pet chain store trees, and to me, better quality. Also, the faux fur, while not plush, is certainly comfortable, and to my surprise the whole apparatus looks quite handsome despite its size.
Ease of Assembly: A breeze. The wordless instructions are nonetheless clear, and the lettered pieces and screws virtually idiot-proof, unless, as can happen with the cats around, you are not paying attention! I was very happy with how tightly the sisal posts can screw in, which along with the wide base is what assures the solid structure. I assembled the first in just over 30 minutes, the second, as I knew how to do it, in about 20 minutes.
Usability: This of course trumps everything else. If the cats don't like it, nothing else matters. My somewhat reticent female just sniffed it the first day, but by the second she was using the scratching posts, and by the third she had claimed the top condo as one of her favorite resting places. On both pieces, upstairs and downstairs. My male is fearless and started jumping on it approximately four seconds after I showed him what it was. He was in a cramped foster apartment before I adopted him a week ago, so who knew he had strong acrobatic tendencies? But he does, and he has had more exercise the last three days with these trees than he did the previous month.
Delivery: Fast, before the promised date both times, and while the box is heavy for some (the thing weighs about 50 pounds), it is easy to unpack by the front door and then carry the individual pieces to wherever the tree is going up.
Height and Bulk: These were the two factors that made me hesitate awhile before finally purchasing it. I was afraid it would be too bulky for my upstairs computer room (the first one I bought), and I wasn't sure about going that high. While it is not petite, it has the right proportions for a serious piece of cat furniture if you are interested in ensuring your cats have a comfortable and inviting plaything and resting place for years to come. I think its size and height are inducements for them to claim ownership. They already know it is "theirs" and do not spend (too) much time climbing on shelves and other places they don't belong--so far. I got the 62 inch tree for my family room, where the height and bulk of the 72 inch simply would not have worked. And while I am not quite as pleased with that one as this, mainly due to the slight (emphasize slight) wobbles and also the faux fleece vs. faux fur, that one still works well. But this one deserves superlatives. Interestingly, neither cat has yet mounted the highest perch, though the male keeps eying the ceiling and I think it's just a matter of time (gives him something to think about, anyway!)
The Toys: Based on others' comments, I did not attach. Good thing, too. the female plucked pieces off one ball within seconds when I showed it to her. But a minor point-just research, buy and put up your own highly-rated cat-tree toys.
Caveat about faux fur vs. faux fleece. As I am/was a neophyte cat tree buyer, and all the Armarkat trees I researched seemed to be faux fur, I didn't catch that the description of the 62 inch tree said it was faux fleece. Not that I would have known the difference before seeing them both in person. The faux fleece is actually somewhat thicker, which some purchasers may like, but it feels like carpet, does not look as elegant, and may cause my cats to associate it with my upstairs and basement carpets as ok to pluck--we'll see. To me the faux fur appears more elegant, and the cats don't seem to care.
So, overall, I could not be happier with this product, for solidity, quality, value, aesthetics and cat-responsiveness.
Addendum, March 19--since I wrote the above, I have also acquired a rescue, rare Havana Brown. He's a sweetheart but very active and assertive. Neither of the other two cats had climbed onto the top perch of any of the three cat trees I got them, and I wondered whether it was worth going for the 74 inch-high version. Well, it was. Hershey loves to climb, unfortunately on everything, and he was slow to notice the cat trees, but he's now adopting the top perch of these trees as his preferred resting place. Definitely, the height was worth it.