Sauder(R) Roanoke Barrister Bookcase, 60 1/8in.H x 28 3/4in.W x 13in.D, Classic Cherry

On the other hand, for the price it's not too bad. However, if you are planning to put it somewhere where looks are important, this isn't the bookcase for you.


Sturdy but cheap materials   May 3, 2003
38 out of 39 found this review helpful

I bought two of these bookcases for my office. They assembled easily and are functional. However, they are fairly ugly due to the cheap materials used: particle board covered with plastic laminate for the main parts (and colored cardboard for the back). It's not easy to tell this from the description or picture (the danger of buying furniture online). Maybe they'd be OK for furnishing a cheap motel lobby, but I don't think you want to have them in your living room. You might say, what do expect for the price (I received free shipping, and the shipping alone (ninety lbs each) probably was a third of the price). But luckily it is possible to get much better quality furniture for near this price, for example the Michael Graves collection is beautiful veneer over solid wood.


Don't look any further. This one is the best!!!!!!   April 21, 2003
Couldn't be happier! (Lynwood, CA United States)
11 out of 15 found this review helpful

To start things off, I bought two of these at the same time. One for our videos, and the other for our books. Finished height is just a little over 5'ft, well that or I'm gettin' shorter? It looks beautiful once it is assembled, can't you tell by the picture? There are four shelves, the bottom holds up to 50lbs, while the top three, hold up to 30lbs each, well that's if you don't want your book case to start sinking. I think the wood quality is good for the price, although I was a bit dissapointed with the back side wall, since it is extremely thin, feeling like cardboard, but it does the job. The only tools you need is a screwdriver, and a hammer. One person can build it. Although, it took me over four hours to build the first one since I tried to cheat my way through the instructions, so WARNING! don't do it, you'll be wasting a lot of time. Just follow them, they are easy to read, and they also come in French and Spanish. Well the second one took us about 2 1/2 hours to 3 because we got confused. So how long it will take you? I don't know. To move the box that it comes in will definantly need help of another person to lift, or of some cart, it is very heavy. 86 pounds I think? I love the doors that come on this. Makes it look classier, and not so much dust builds up. Oh, but one thing though, I guess so the doors could slide easily, don't be alarmed if on the sides of the doors are a bit open. Both of ours turned out that way, and the instruction books pictures shows the same thing. But think of all the dust the open book cases collect? It's definantly a beauty and great accent to the home. We put one of ours in the bedroom and the other in the living room. Take a chance on this book case. It is a great deal! Take care.