I love these chairs! From the moment I received them, I could tell that they were of good quality. The packaging was more than substantial and very secure, not to mention fairly earth-friendly given the very limited amount of non-recyclable materials that were used. The boxes were very substantial, being made of extra thick cardboard, so there was absolutely no damage to the contents. All parts were included and the instructions were simple, yet thorough. I can see where some people may have experienced minor imperfections in the wood. In my opinion, that is to be expected when you purchase something that is made from a natural material such as wood versus plastic. In my case there were no cracks or other damage to the wood.
It is extremely important to heed the advice of the manufacturer and apply some sort of weatherproofing oil or finish. I further suggest that you take a few extra minutes to disassemble the ottoman so that all surfaces can be treated. The oil will serve to protect the wood, but it also brings out the natural beauty of the grain and the color.
I've only been using the chairs now for about a week, but they are sturdy and comfortable. I am nearly 6'- 4"and the ottoman extends far enough for me to have my legs fully supported up to my heel. If you plan to use the ottoman on a hard surface without the folding legs, I suggest adding some felt pads to the supports on each side. This will help eliminate the possibility of damaging the finish.
Overall I would highly recommend this product. I did a lot of research and looked at different options before purchasing. This these chairs provide everything I was looking for at a very reasonable price.