I like the idea of this sandbox and it is great for keeping the neighborhood cats out of the sandbox. We have had a few problems with the construction though. Our first problem was that one of the pieces of wood that the children sit on started leaking sap on sunny days. Sap is not so easy to wash off clothes or hands. The next problem was when the weather turned cold and rainy the wood began to warp. Now it is not possible to lift the lid because it is too tight. The first time this happened the force of trying to lift the warped lid broke the rod that lifts the lid. We had one nice summer of using it but now we are very disappointed that we can't use it. Our 18 month old doesn't understand why he can no longer play in the sand :(

The covered sandbox works great for our kids. The cover works well for shading the box and protection against neighborhood cats. The simple but well thought out design is easy to assemble and holds up to use. Plus the aesthetic of the sandbox blends well in our backyard. It is nice to have something wood not plastic in the yard for the kids.

As relayed to your customer service staff, I was very disappointed with the quality of this product. The wood was badly warped and so soft that it would not hold screws securely. To assemble it was necessary to purchase braces and use glue. After assembling, the roof will not raise or descend without a great deal of encouragment.I was pleased with the customer service of overstock. The item was shipped promptly and arrived on schedule.