Stool is strong and solid. Finish on back has cracking/discoloration 3 weeks after I received it but I applied furniture polish to mitigate it some; not a deal breaker considering the great price for the stool overall. Also, the ribbing at the seams of the seat cushion is peeling (because of the way I slide off the stool--mine are set high at 34" from floor) but I added a seat cushion at it stopped the problem

We love the look around our granite counters and every is wowed with them.