This armoire was packed well with careful consideration for the possiblity that it might be handled disrespectfully by the delivery company. It even had a wood frame inside the box for added protection. The Delivery company delivered the two VERY large boxes in the driveway and had a neighbor sign for the delivery since we were not home and were unaware they had planned to deliver it that day. I was dissappointed that my neighbor signed for the shippment because any damages to the packaging needs to be noted on the drivers forms. Unfortuanetly, there was noticable gouges and holes in the exterior boxes. Still there was only a few minor scratches that can be masked by a wood stain marker. The Armoire is the exact color pictured on Overstock. It requires no assembly other than placing the top piece onto the bottom, yes the armoire is in two pieces and they do not have a way to attach, however, it is so large and heavy that it is of no consiquence. The Merlot finish is matte and does show any inperfection, similar to a mirror, it has to be polished well or you will see streaks. I did research this armoire before purchasing it from Overstock and found that the price ranges on all other sites from $1,999.00 to $3,498.00 plus you pay for sales tax and full freight charges. The top drawer of the armoire is lined with a faux suede in a dark chocolate color, a nice added touch. Deep and wide drawers plus a very, very large TV and Component compartments make this unit worth the price. The only dissappointment I have is that the darwers are not dovetailed, however, the screws are sunk very well. The doors do bend flush to the sides of the armoire for an unubstrucked view. When I purchase something without being able to see it for myself I like as much information as possible, especially when I am spending over a thousand dollars. I feel confident in saying this knowing that it may pursuade the potential buyers reading this review, It is of good value, tasteful design, demands a certain attention in the room due to its size and color, it is worth the price. I am pleased that I purchased it on Overstock mainly because of the money I saved on the Armoire itself, taxes and shipping.