Monterey Full Size Futon Sofa Bed, Butternut Wood Frame, Suede Innerspring Mattress, Chocolate

I've read some of the other reviews here and have to say, I'm lucky I didn't have any issues with this Futon. It arrived within 3 days, (Ohio) and I can tell you this: It is indeed a quality product. Yes, the instructions are a bit lacking but seriously it really assembles well, with common sense. It took me less time then the movie I was watching on Netflix, (Under 2hrs) if you're good with tools and this sort of assembly. I don't understand why others have had such difficulty; but then again, everyone has a certain level in construction/assembly. Word of advice: This product arrives in 3 large separate boxes. Be sure to remove and set aside all parts. They are labeled and in some parts even color assigned. Also, the mattress has be layed in a specific way, (label on mattress) for it to seat well on frame. Once you do this it will not moved in any of the 2 positions/recline. Final thought: This is a very well constructed item and is very comfortable! Someone said here that they expect it not to last long? I don't see that happening. See photo. You will not be disappointed! E-

I know many people have complained about assembly, subpar workmanship, or that the picture looks much better than the actual product. I am going to discuss the different aspects that one might want to think about before buying this futon:1. AssemblyMy wife and I assembled this in under 3 hours, so I think if you're used to assembling furniture (everything we own is assembled), you should not have a problem. Yes, you can make mistakes while assembling, but if you read the instructions carefully without rushing into it, it's all pretty straight forward.2. ComfortWhen we bought the futon, we meant to use it only as a couch, and occasionally as a bed, when people come over. However, the mattress is extremely firm, and soon we found ourselves opting to sleep on it every night.2. QualitySince we keep propping the futon up (upright) and putting it down (as a bed) I think the structure could not handle the strain quite as well as we expected, causing one of the planks to break. Since it was only a month after the warranty expired, we contacted Michael Anthony Furniture. We were very upset that a $500 futon can break down in a year, but they were very helpful and prompt and sent us a replacement plank within days. When we were putting the plank back in, we noticed that one of the bushings was missing (Maybe the bushing broke initially, putting excessive strain on the plank, causing it to break). We contacted Michael Anthony furniture again, and they send us a few extra bushings in case another one breaks.Now I am aware that $500 is a lot for a futon that breaks in a year. However, should you choose to go with a $200 futon instead (and I have tried that out as well), in a year it won't be a plank, but the entire structure that could possible break down, and that's impossible to salvage. I think that $500 is a very good price for a sturdy comfortable futon that comes accompanied with really good customer service.

I have had this futon for five years. First, I had it as my main couch in a tiny apartment- now it’s in my fiancé’s office which doubles as our guest bedroom. This futon is SO comfortable as a bed. I love having people stay over so I can offer it to them.Also- the frame is made of hard wood. Not composite- but solid wood. It has lasted half a decade and I plan on keeping it for many more years to come. This is a fantastic piece of furniture- so worth the price.

I usually don't write Amazon reviews. Mostly, it's all been said before. However, having survived the adventure of putting this puppy together without tossing something... well, I'm motivated to share the experience. (writing review is like "therapy" right now...)First, the positives:1. item arrived quickly in 3 large boxes. (heaven help you if you have to carry these upstairs.)2. all items were well packaged, well organized, for the most part. (though there were some loose dowel pins in one box... )3. seems like very fine quality materials4. some nice machine work-- items all fit together.5. looks attractive6. comfortable to sleep onsome "not so positives"1. The instructions leave a bit to be desired. Let me know if you get all the right hardware installed in the right place the 1st time.2. some small parts were missing: 1 washer, 4 dowel pins (a few pins arrived loose in box; most other hardware was taped together in a "wad".3. did i mention the instructions were unclear? Not just once, but consistently, page after page... one has to "think" this through...only by a process of elimination -- did i get it put together. (for example, "piece # x " wasn't marked, but since I figured out what all the other pieces were, that MUST be "piece #x"). (another example? does that roller go this way, or that way? the photo doesn't really say, or does it? (don't worry, it will only work 1 way-- you'll probably figure that out later, see what i mean?) what about the washer? inside frame under "retainer key" or outside frame under roller?) probably doesn't matter, ha!4. the mating of the "seat & back" unit to the "frame" unit is probably the apex of this furniture assembly adventure. It might help to have two "stout" friends over to manhandle this step ("stout woman-handle it" will probably work just as well) ... just saying. AND while the instructions early on say, "don't tighten frame bolts just yet..." The instructions would better help someone by saying, " tighten these frame bolts just enough to keep the thing upright, so as to leave yourself some room later when assembling the seat & back unit. after that, tighten the bolts..."nope. you won't get anything near that helpful. smash your fingers, grunt, uh, get frustrated... then loosen the bolts all around the frame so you can "wiggle" in the seat/back unit. sheesh.5.while the assembled, empty frame works well in moving from sitting to flat & vice versa-- it just doesn't work when you put the "mattress" on. even when placed correctly ("i.e. this is a hinged mattress- designed to work with futon..." ). it just ain't so. With luck and maybe yanking on the mattress you might get it back into a sitting position, but you won't want to do that very often. just saying...OK, i feel better. I hope your "adventure" in assembling goes well. invite a handy man (handy woman?) over to help.(FEW WEEKS LATER: it's really comfortable, i think, both sitting on it like a sofa & sleeping on it like a, uh, futon. I have to say it still is a bear to get from "flat" to "upright" works best, easier if done by two people- one on each side. note: "upright isn't "90 degrees... it more like? 70-60 degree angle? (look at picture, closely) comfortable, like i said... Oh yeah, I e-mailed the seller-- "feedback" about missing parts, unclear instructions, etc. I heard back but don't think they plan to change anything to actually help future buyers... just saying. overall: I'd probably give it a 3.5 stars, but will leave at 3 stars; it really was quite the adventure in assemblage.)