Sauder Beginnings 3-Shelf Bookcase: Perfect for Storing Books, Magazines, and More

Ravi: Not of the same quality as the more expensive Sauder Select line of bookcases, but for an inexpensive (by 2023 standards!) bookcase I would say it is pretty good. My sole complaint, were I to complain, which I am not, is that the screw holes in the side panels should have been manufactured countersunk so that the screw heads would not stand a bit proud of the surface as they now do. This renders the little printed woodgrain stickers intended to cover the screwheads pointless: they will bulge out a bit and look far worse than just leaving the screwheads visible.

Assembly was painless. All pre-drilled screw holes lined up perfectly. Instructions were simple and clear. Parts were well marked by little stickers that came away clean when pulled off. I would say that you will want to use a pair of needle-nosed pliers, tweezers, or similar expedient to hold the tiny finish nails in place as you gently tap-tap-tap them while securing the bookcase's back. Assembled, the bookcase seems solid enough, without any tendency to wobble when you move it to where it will be sited for use. And it looks pretty good!

Oh yes! It arrives well packaged! Always a plus.

So, if you want...

United States on Nov 10, 2023

B. Turner: I love the color of this wood, and found it incredible easy to assemble. I ended up buying another one, and am considering a third! Totally worth the price!

United States on Nov 06, 2023

Lisa: Quality is good. Durable- the shelves have not bent over time due to the weight of the books. Nothing fancy but holds up to the task. I purchased two of them at different times.

United States on Oct 20, 2023

Generic Person: Ordered three of these, but hardware was missing in one box. I will get to Home Depot next week and buy what I need, but at the price I paid, I saved a lot of money. I put two of these on top of a long dresser, where I intend to have my many teas and an electric kettle handy to have tea this winter. Also books! I like them very well, but must say putting them together was a little hard for a senior. I'm sore today, but it was worth it! If your very weak, have a helper.

United States on Sep 30, 2023

Andrew Macdonald: Side panels screw holes should have corresponding guide holes in the top and bottom panels

Canada on Sep 21, 2023

Karen Brisbois: Nothing, they were what we expected.

Canada on Sep 02, 2023

Joan: Simple and cheap made but sturdy enough and not expensive. And extremely easy to put together in just quarter of minutes. Perfect size to put in the corner behind my son's bedroom door to accommodate some of his hundreds of books which didn't fit anymore on his bookshelves (we are book-dragons' family). Make my 7th old room more tidy and spacious without all these books scattered around.

Canada on Aug 26, 2023

Ken Williams: Exactly what I wanted

Canada on Aug 18, 2023

Daniel Vallée: But let's be honest, that's why you purchased it in the first place.
It's a small shelf, it's doing it's job. As long as you don't move it around too much, I supposed the cardboard backing (which I had hoped would be a bit thicker) it should do fine. They give you plenty of nails to fix it there solidly. I thought of perhaps coating it in PVC glue to solidify it a bit, but ended up worrying it might warp the cardboard, so I nailed it as is. I'm sure if you want a more robust backing, you can figure something out...
The stickers to cover the screws are pretty silly and don't really work. But unless you're going to be staring at the screws all day, who really cares?
The only thing which really bothers me is that I was hoping to be able to fit two rows of taller books and 1 row of small books, but sadly it is too short for that. So I had to use one of the shelf to hold some boxes instead. Slight disappointment, oh well, at the price tag, I could always buy another one.
TL;DR: A small cheap crappy shelf which will do the job just fine regardless.

Canada on Feb 15, 2022

Crunchy Vaccine-Injured Socialist Xennial HippieCrunchy Vaccine-Injured Socialist Xennial Hippie: I got this  Sauder Beginnings Highland Oak 3-Shelf Bookcase  to store my books (obviously!) as well as other stuff, like special china, and while technically, this is a 3 shelf bookcase, because I use the top of the bookcase as well (as can be seen in the first photo) its more like a 4 shelf bookcase for me.

There isn't really much to say about it. It's purpose, as well as how to use it is pretty obvious & self-explanatory. This is an oak finish bookcase to keep books or other items, like DVDs/Blu-rays, CDs, VHS videos and/or small knick-knacks on shelves. Two of the shelves on this bookcase are adjustable, allowing various-sized items to be put on the shelves where they fit best. Also, assembly of this item is pretty easy, needing only a screwdriver and a hammer -- though having a power screwdriver (like I do) makes assembling this bookcase a LOT faster & easier than with a manual screwdriver.

Although for the most part, I'm pretty satisfied with this product — especially given the price I paid for it, I still DO have a couple quibbles, hence my rating drop of 1 star to 4 stars.

First off, I wish that this bookcase were a bit stronger/more...

United States on Jun 25, 2018