VCM Elementa Archiving System, Black

This is sturdy and well built but it's a bit expensive for my liking

The two items I ordered were delivered within 48 hours which is impressive when you live in a rural area. Assembly was very quick because I had used these kind of fixings before. The item is very sturdy and came with metal plates for joining more than one item. There were plenty of fixings for the 5 shelves though you only need 3 if using them for DVDs. The back fitted perfectly, which is a first in my experience, so the shelf units are exactly level, wonderful! Knocked one star off because I think these would be better priced just under £20 but I am very happy with the shelf units.

I bought this as it stated it was suitable for dvds as well as cds - well, you can fit them in by using the widest seperation of the shelves, but only by lying them flat and sliding them in sideways. This means that it's not possible to see titles without taking them out.

My storage unit was delivered today and found the inner packaging isn't sufficient to stop the parts sliding around inside the box, lots of chips and scratches in the veneered parts. Had it been more damaged, I would have requested a replacement.The instructions are in German, but the diagrams and parts checklist are simple and easy to follow. There are some extra fixings - some spares and some to attach the unit to another of the same.Instructions say 2 person job, but took me about 10 mins to assemble by myself. The parts don't have a great fit, so I had to tap the shelves into position with a hammer as the rear is much tighter than the front.It's a tidy unit when complete (though I'll have to touch up where the veneer is chipped), but I probably won't buy another of these.

Ordered 3 June, arrived 5 June (yes, Sunday). Well packed. Very easy to assemble, though some might have difficulty following the basic assembly instructions. It was all down to common sense, really. Note of caution: just make sure you have the sides the right way up, in other words, that the holes for the shelf supports are facing inwards, unlike what I did with one side! Well, it gave time for a laugh. Assembled within 10-15 minutes. Each of the 6 shelves fit 17 SINGLE CDs (so that's 102 single CDs); this will be reduced if including double CDs (though doubles vary in thickness, on average 2 singles per double). You extract the CD by pulling from front underside edge. Reasonable stable. Having tested and found to my likeness, I shall no doubt order another. The shelves can be adjusted to hold DVDs - but only 4 shelves of 10 x DVDs. Highly recommend the unit.

The flat pack is straightforward to assemble, but I was a bit surprised to need a hammer to knock in the feet, which is probably the hardest task, requiring a ruler, steady eye and small fingers to hold the pin in place. The finish is good and is attractively shaded. For the price asked I found it unexciting and was disappointed at the tacky (literally) fixing for the back panel. In comparison to other offerings in the market place, I reckon that it should be priced 50-60% of the price asked. However, as a storage rack, it does what it says, although the spacing of the stud holes for the shelving lacks precision and a couple of shelves couldn't take the full quantity (17) of CDs. It stands sturdily on the floor, is pleasing on the eye and you can be comfortable that it won't fall over easily.

Quite well made and good value for money. One drawback is that CD's will not sit at the end of the shelves as the plugs, to hold up the shelf above, interferes with their space so they will not fit flush against the sides. A re-design of the shelf height measurements by the manufacturers are needed to resolve this fault. DIY enthusiasts could re-drill the holes but you should not have to do this. Otherwise, this does, more or less, what you want it to!

Arrived in time and well packed. Instructions were in German but pictures were easy enough to follow (I'm a 17 year old girl and I did it myself) it's sturdy and I managed it fit 44 DVDs on it. It looks really good but it's only chipboard and some of the wood chipper when I was putting it together. I just used a black pen to colour it in and you're never notice. I'm really pleased :)