I wanted a long table to go next to a low couch that I have that would match the contemporary look in dark wood and steel that I have in my living room. This was the only table that fit the bill. It came in a little lighter in color than I expected. It's more like a very dark oak color, not exactly the cherry/espresso color I was looking for. While it doesn't completely match other furniture in the room, the overall look is similar enough that it works. The table was easy to put together (took about 10 minutes). The finish is OK, but it would be nicer if it were higher quality. For example, the undersides of the wood are not finished as well as the top is. You can also tell that it is stained, there is slight variation in the coloring and a little streakiness. It's not so bad that it looks terrible, though. I'm not using this as a coffee table, so durability isn't a big issue for me, but it does look like it would be fairly durable. It wipes up well, and doesn't seem like it would scratch too easily. I don't think this is a bargain. It's about what I'd expect to pay for a similar item at a furniture store. It is indeed MDF, bamboo and steel. If you like the modern look, this will work well. Delivery was so fast that it was on my doorstep before the tracking e-mail came. Apparently, I am very near the distribution center for this item.