Customer Reviews

Strathwood Cast Aluminum Garden Bistro Set

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This identical set has been available in my San Francisco Bay Area neighborhood at a national chain drugstore and my neighborhood Ace Hardware for $99. The Gold Box Price is no bargain. It is a nice set for under $100, but I wouldn't pay much more.

The table is very nice and sturdy. I think it will last a long time. The chairs force you to sit upright, so there is a tendency is to rock back onto the 2 back legs. These are for our vacation rental, so I'm expecting them to break before too long. These are cast aluminum, and either the mold or the casting process leaves the pieces ill-fitting, something you'll notice while doing the assembly but won't notice once assembled.

Although this product required a considerable amount of assembly, my husband's hand held drill allowed us to put the set together in under an hour. Not too heavy, not too light, it's portability has allowed me to easily move the table and chairs around on my deck until I created an adorable niche with some potted palms and table top plants. There is a hole in the table top and the support below that allows for an umbrella, which we're not going to use, so I can't comment on that.
The metal is nearly black with dark brown/gold flecks. It's rained on the set several times with no ill effect. So why not 5 stars? One of the chair legs the metal cast is incomplete and allows the adjustable leg level to fall out. If I don't move the chair too much, it stays in, but eventually I'm going to have to rig something more secure. Not sure if this flaw is why I found this set on "Todays Deals" but for the price I paid, it's acceptable. Recommended if you have access to a power drill and willing to deal with some possible casting defects.
Update *(2010) The set has held up beautifully through scorching summers and frigid winters, but it cannot withstand the squirrels. Our backyard squirrels have taken a liking to sharpening their teeth on this set. Their chew marks leave the bright aluminum metal shining in spots. Grrr.... I never did fix the casting malformation that allows the foot level to fall out on occasion. When it happens, I just put it back and ignore it.

For the money I spent on this table set, I am very disappointed with this product. The leg chair bolt stripped as my husband was assembling it. He was able to redrill another bolt to secure it. I warn people to be careful when they sit because I fear the chair will fall apart while they're sitting on it. The table and chairs are so lightweight they topple over with the slightest wind! Had we not thrown the box away, I would have sent it back for a refund! I will have to buy another set in the futrure to replace this one!!!!

I was relying on Amazon's usually good feed back to select this set. I am use to reasonable quality at a fair price this set is neither. Poor machining, and poor structural design at the price of welded aluminum quality sets. Buyer beware, I recommend not buying any of these sets without physically looking them over. I believe a reasonable price would be 69.99 for the quality level in both finish and structural design I bought a similar set here at 199 and it is not good. Amazon should be doing a better job screening its venders quality of product. This is not what you are looking for, unless you are planning short term use and will be discarding it next year. It is made for a small oriental body and if you have normal kids, I do not believe it will hold up past the first season.

One of the main reasons I ordered this table, rather than others, was that the stated diameter was 29", larger than many others. Not so: it's only 26." We haven't assembled it yet as we're not sure whether we'll keep it. Otherwise, the set appears to be just as described and pictured.

You get what yo pay for and if you like the table, then buy this. Not especially heavy so blew over in a heavy wind, but it is perfect as an outside or porch addition.

The set went together easily, and all the parts fit well according to my husband. The set has a good weight, not too light and not too heavy. Set is very attractive on the patio!

I am impressed with the design of the set- even prettier than I imagined!
The chairs are metal , though- HARD!

A very pretty addition to the yard.

I like the this set being made from aluminum and is therefor rust proof. It will set outside and it will not have to be covered every night.