This item was ordered with some trepidation given the mixed reviews.
However, the proof of the pudding is in the eating - or in this case the proof of the product is seeing a four-year-old making good use of it.
The Desk is made of plastic parts, which customers with other "Step-2" products will be used-to.
We had no problem with assembly. All the parts were well packed, and complete assembly ready for use took only approximately 15 minutes - which would be consistent at any skill level. Just need a couple phillips/crosshead screwdrivers. The parts all slot together, the screws only being used to hold them in-place. Once assembled, the desk is actually very stable. It is light and not too large to be moved around the house relatively easily - something we feel is a bonus.
What attracted us to the desk was the ability to store writing and art materials (paper, pencils, crayons, etc), in the desk itself, and we have not been disappointed. The size of the desk is clearly designed for the 3-4 age-group, and our child has no problem in reaching all the materials needed. The large side pockets in the legs easily accommodate pads, books and such, so the whole thing keeps everything relatively neat and tidy.
Our child uses the desk not-only for writing and drawing practice, but also for cutting, sticking and gluing, which is well catered-for. The plastic is easy to keep clean, which is a bonus. The main work surface is slightly tilted towards the front, but not too much that material won't stand or would roll away.
Buy this if you have a budding 3-4 year-old writer or artist, and you need to ensure that materials are stored reasonably tidily. By age-five I think many children will have outgrown this desk (and the chair in particular), but for the money a good 12-18 month use should be expected.