I own several Hooker furniture bookcases and an armoire (2001) as well as a Riverside bedroom set (2003). Both have been moved several times and I have no complaints about either one! I should also note that the Riverside bedroom set was used in a rental property. I think both have held up very well over the years.

We're considering AU for a sleeper sofa + loveseat. Everything I've read here (and elsewhere) suggests that for a sleeper sofa, this is the way to go. If you weren't buying a sleeper sofa and just bought AU as a regular sofa, how would you rate quality? The sales person suggested this would only last 10-15 years, which is a shorter lifespan than I'd like for furniture and for this price point. If I'm only going ot get 10 years, I'd rather spend less money on something else with a 10-year lifespan, or spend the equivalent amount for a sofa that's not a sleeper (and have the inlaws sleep on an air mattress!) We're buying a sleeper sofa and a loveseat, so the loveseat wouldn't have the sleeper mechanisms - just the regular construction. It seems that they don't use 8-way hand-tied springs and other indicators of quality, so I wonder how these hold up on their own merit as pieces of furniture? (ie, I'm wondering if even though these are the best sleeper sofa, perhaps all sleepers are crap so this is just the best of a crappy lot?) Thanks for any help or guidance you can provide. I've learned a ton on this forum already and appreciate your good advice!

By solid wood do you mean cut from a log into whatever shape boards with no wood stuff filler? If so be careful with the phrase solid wood at the stores. They will "accidently" lie to you. I have made my own coffee tables and help manage a place that sells decent Ashley style mass market furniture so I understand where you are coming from. Our sales staff is pretty darned laid back and truthful. The industry guys we deal with the most are ok. Some better than others. The way to cut to the truth is by asking if you sand deep enough are you going to find another type of wood. I despise salesmen until I get to know them btw. Same with internet companies though so you may as well go see it in person.

I have a teak set from Lands' End, and the teak "club" chair from Smith and Hawkins (from their pre-Target days) bought directly from a local store. The S&H teak chair is aging faster, and the cushions faded in the indirect sun we have on the enclosed deck. The chair remains sturdy, though. Not sure if you can compare teak vs aluminum and store-bought vs Target-bought, though.