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Having never done so, was very apprehensive to make such a major piece of furniture & purchase amount online.
Kept researching, measuring, reading details, options, reviews, so actually had it sitting in wish list for months.
BUT with coupon discount already available in listing, once AMAZON offered such a GREAT lightning deal too, we finally decided to go ahead and order. Just in time for the holidays AND now, so glad we did !!
9 large boxes shipped quickly & arrived all at once. FEDEX delivery was excellent..did not stack but neatly lined up boxes side by side. No damage at all to boxes OR any pieces inside.
Packaging of each unit in a spunbond type of fabric "bag" made it easy to lift each pre-assembled storage base up & out of box. So each box wouldn't have to be sliced or "torn" open (just in case of return). And by pre-assembled I mean each "storage" base already had the spring hardware inside installed & ready to flip open. Yay !
Assembly of the "backs" does take a bit of time & some muscle, but you only have to use a phillips head screwdriver. And multiples are provided!
The first back was a bit tricky to attach to its base, but once lined up right & you get the hang of it, found they fit in quite easily & tightly thereafter.
The metal hardware & concept to secure each base together to keep them from sliding apart upon sitting is so much more clever & sturdy than any other design we have dealt with on sectionals before AND are hidden from view once secured.
We purchased a set of 8 flip-open modules w/ backs & attached to each other... plus 1 backless "ottoman" base unattached to any others so that we can move it around freely to accomodate whichever way we like, when we like. The arrangement options are awesome & the storage in each base is most definitely a plus.
Cushions & back pillows have piping for a nice finished touch & will hold shape much better than end seams just sewn together.
Also the cushions need some time to decompress & "rise". I read in reviews that some people didn't do this & if you sit on it before doing so you will feel like the cushions are too soft & sinking. But once you let it expand properly, we found the seats to be firm yet soft & comfortable to sit on, recline, or lie down.
Last but not least, we chose black velvet fabric & it really is VELVET. A very nice surprise. It's not a pseudo-type of velvet, so it's a deep rich black color AND unlike other one-way pile velvets or faux suede velvets, (which we have had in the past) with 2 cats, have found their fur wipes off easily, just as was advertised.
So our experience thus far has been extremely pleasant & positive. We have no idea how long or how well it will hold up but are very very pleased with this purchase.