COSCO Retro Plastic & Vinyl Upholstered Stylair Retro Counter Height Chair with Step Stool, Comfortable Cushioned Seat and Back, in Black & Chrome Finish

We ordered this nostalgic chair/stepstool from Amazon as it was not available locally in red. It took just 4 days to arrive after I placed the order. What's In The Box: You will receive this bright red chair/stepstool completely disassembled to the tune of fifteen individual parts. You will also receive two packs of screws. One pack is for the chair, and the other is for the steps. That helps a little in eliminating confusion about what screws go where. You will also receive a set of typed assembly instructions. What Tools Are Required For Assembly: You will need a Phillips screw driver. Nothing more (there are no Allen screws). How Difficult Is Assembly: This depends on your experience putting this kind of stuff together. Never-the-less, I would rank it at about a three or four on the "ten" scale. If you follow the instructions, you will find that assembly will go fairly smoothly, as they are fairly detailed. The stool also has "direction indicator" stickers here and there to ensure you are putting it together correctly. Paying attention and checking your work from time to time as you progress will assist you in assembling a sturdy and straight stool. Worse case scenario, set aside approximately forty-five minutes to one hour for assembly. Quality: I am somewhat impressed with the overall quality of this unit. It is all metal with the exception of some screw mounting holes (no significant load or strain) and the slides that the steps move in and out on, and obviously the vinyl pad for the seat and backrest. I have one of the original Cosco chair/stepstool units that we obtained from my grandmother. It's very worn and rusted, so it stays in the garage as a utility stool. We love it's usefulness so much, that we decided to get one of these reproduction to put in the home (pantry). After reading some reviews, I was concerned that it was apparently smaller than the originals and of considerably lesser quality. Well, I can assure you, this stool is exactly the same dimensions as the original one (I placed them side by side for comparison). The quality is also there in almost every detail, with the exception of the plastic slides, but they are made of high quality, thick, rugged plastic. I see no problem with them at all. We have yet encounter any "derailment" as pointed out in one other review. However, we do not use this chair/stepstool for everyday seating. Stability: I personally see no issue with it's stability. It has exactly the same stance/footprint as our barstools. They are stable too, unless you (or the kids) get silly on them. As with all stepstools, use common sense with this unit too. Do not stand on the seat, and do not let children play on it. I would not recommend using it as a highchair for a child. Highchairs generally have a much wider stance for safety. Being mindful of how you use it will keep this a safe and useful stool for years to come. Overview: All-in-all, I think this is a top quality, nostalgic reproduction of a fantastically useful kitchen stool! And at the current price of just $54.99 with FREE shipping, it's a heck of a deal! Check the product description listed here for the dimension of this stool to be sure it will fit in the location you have chosen for it. As with all my reviews, the above is only my opinion or observation of an item that I own or have tested. Consider that it is possible that I may have either purchased/tested a faulty unit or an exceptionally good one. Your experience may differ from mine, better or worse. Paying attention to the up or down trend from several reviewers will help you make an educated decision on whether or not the item is for you.

I recently purchased the Cosco Retro Counter Chair/Step Stool in the stunning red shade, and it instantly transported me back to my childhood. Putting it together was a breeze – as a solo assembler armed with basic tools, I appreciated the straightforward instructions that ensured a hassle-free setup. This charming piece resonates with nostalgia, reminiscent of the step stool my grandparents had when I was a child. The retro design adds a touch of sentimentality to my kitchen, making it more than just a functional piece of furniture. The height is perfect for our kitchen counter, and the sliding steps make it an ideal space-saving solution in our cozy kitchen. I find the chair/stool to be well-made and incredibly sturdy, giving me confidence when using it as a step stool or an extra seat. The item's overall quality is apparent, and it stands out as a reliable addition to our home. The construction is robust, and the nonslip steps add an extra layer of safety – a feature I value. What struck me most was the perfect balance between style and functionality. The vinyl upholstery on the cushioned seat is comfortable and easy to clean – a practical consideration in a busy kitchen. The height of the chair is just right for our needs, and it has become a versatile companion in our daily routines. Whether reaching for high shelves or enjoying a quick meal at the counter, the Cosco Retro Counter Chair/Step Stool has proven to be the perfect companion. In conclusion, this is more than just a piece of furniture; it's a cherished memory brought to life. If you're in search of a well-made, sturdy, and stylish addition to your kitchen, the Cosco Retro Counter Chair/Step Stool is a quality item that beautifully blends the past with the present. Highly recommended!

I like the stool because it reminded me of a similar one my grandmother had when I was growing up. First the cons: I was surprised to find the stool came completely unassembled. It probably says that somewhere in the product description but I didn't notice. The seat has plastic screw holes which don't feel very secure when beginning assembly. Follow the directions, and do NOT overtighten. The legs will feel wobbly at first but will tighten up when the braces are placed. Some of the welds are a little rough, caught my hand on one while assembling. This has me somewhat worried about my granddaughter using the stool. I will have to find a fix before she comes help me cook next time, which she loves to do. Last con is that the stool is slightly out of level after assembly. Will have to find a fix for that, too. Now the pros: It is so cute! It is very similar to my grandmother's kitchen stool. The color is very vibrant; I purchased a red one. It is also very sturdy, aside from the slight wobble that I will fix. Directions were very easy to follow. Only one tool needed- I used a small ratcheting screwdriver to fit into the tight places. Price was right, too. Overall, I am looking forward to enjoying cooking with my grandchildren and making memories with this stool.

I love it! Nice siting chair! I keep in kitchen. I love it for reaching high places and find it sturdy for me. I'm also 70 and feel comfortable climbing up to get something. I find it a nice chair when I'm cutting up vegetables to rest. My husband will sit on also.

Stability. One star, sturdiness two stars.. It wasn't really difficult to put together however the fairy tail end where you have to attach the stair steps to the chair it asks you to put it in at an angle once the site had already been screwed in to the chair base you take the risk of breaking the chair by doing it the way they're telling you to the best way to do. It is to unscrew one of the guide rails mounted on the side of the chair put the stair steps in the guide rail and then remount it to the chair sadly it doesn't even come out fully to use as a two stepstool and chair. It's half the size of the ones that were built in the 50s and 60s and from what I can see it's made for looks rather than true functionality. I wouldn't have paid 80 bucks for it. I'd say it was worth more like 45 and it's current condition if it was built like the ones that was built in the 50s and 60s it would be well worth the 80 bucks if not more but this is more of a look at me icon from the past. It is also not stable enough for somebody over the weight of 180 pounds. I wouldn't trust it.

I'm thrilled to share my experience with the Retro Counter Chair / Step Stool, which has been a lifesaver for me in the kitchen. As someone who's dealt with back injuries, I know how important it is to have a comfortable and supportive place to sit while cooking. This stool has been a game-changer for me. I purchased it specifically to use while chopping vegetables and doing other kitchen tasks that require standing for long periods. The stool is the perfect height for my counter, and the cushioned seat is incredibly comfortable. What I love most about this stool is how it's helped me to continue cooking despite my back injury. I can sit and chop vegetables, stir pots, and do other tasks without having to stand for long periods, which has greatly reduced my pain and discomfort. The stool is also incredibly sturdy and well-made. The retro design is adorable, and it adds a fun touch to my kitchen. The step stool feature is also super convenient, as I can use it to reach high shelves or cabinets without straining my back. I'm so impressed with the quality of this stool, and I can tell it will last for a long time. The Retro Counter Chair / Step Stool is a great value for the price, and I'm so glad I made the investment. **Pros:** * Comfortable and supportive seat for kitchen tasks * Perfect height for counter-level work * Sturdy and well-made construction * Retro design adds a fun touch to the kitchen * Step stool feature is convenient for reaching high shelves * Great value for the price **Cons:** None! I hope this review helps others discover the benefits of this amazing stool!

I gave this product one star because I do not like it. Once I got it assembled, it was poor in quality; not nearly as nice as the 50-year-old version that it replaced. The step stool does not come out easily like it did on my old one. Putting this chair together was very, very difficult. In all, It took me 7 hours. The instructions are brief and succinct, but I found them hard to understand. An instructional video explaining how to put this chair together in detail would have been better than the printed instructions. I found that I needed help from my son, because the assembly required some odd hand positions that are difficult for me due to my arthritis. The screw heads stripped out in several instances because I had to really press the screwdriver into the screw hard to get them to turn. I suggest breaking the assembly job up into 7 one-hour sessions. You may find that each step has to be redone as you proceed, since the different structures that hold the chair together are highly interdependent, and if you do something wrong on day one, you may not notice your error until day two, and then you will have to redo the last step before you proceed with the next. Sometimes, I had to go two or three steps backwards to then move one step forward. I had the most difficulty at the start, fastening two U-shaped leg pieces to the seat. The instructions refer to the seat having a "front" and a "back," which it indeed does, but it is hard to make the distinction. The instructions state: "Fasten the legs with "Screws B," but don't sufficiently clarify that they mean the thread-forming screws, which are mixed in a bag with machine screws. Both kinds of screws will work, but if you use the machine screws, you can ruin the seat's plastic threads, which I did in two places. The two 'U" shaped leg pieces legs have threaded holes at one side to engage the seat back. So, the orientation of the two "U" shaped leg pieces is critical. There are 16 different possibilities of attachment, and it took me four times to get it right. It also took me 45 minutes putting the legs on and taking them off again repeatedly, until I finally got the right combination. Again, having two extra hands to help is recommended. Next, the attachment of the "Front U Brace" with four machine screws and split-ring lock washers is described, and this is explained relatively clearly. Take note that there is a sticker on this part which directs you to have it put on a certain way, with one of its edges facing the floor, although this was confusing to me since the brace looked symmetrical. The lock washers tend to ride down the screws' threads, getting them caught in the brace's attachment slots, making the task of driving the screws quite difficult. I lost one of the lock washers in a hole in one of the legs. Don't tighten all four screws completely until all four are started in the legs' threaded holes, because as you advance, the brace distorts quite a bit, twisting completely out of alignment with the legs. I had to repeatedly loosen and tighten the leg-brace bolts sequentially to prevent the chair from rocking. My 50-year-old Cosco chair did not rock at all. Now, we get to the back brace which completes the leg ruggedization. It was at this juncture that I noticed that I had the front brace upside down, and that's why I had to recede a step and turn it around. I had a 50-50 chance of getting the brace orientations right, and missed on each one. In brief, I don't recommend this product. The assembly was very aggravating to me and the chair, in my opinion, is not of high quality.

A little red stool with pull-out steps was a staple in our kitchen from as far back as I can remember (that would be into the '50s). My mother was less than five feet tall, so she needed help to reach anything above the first shelf in our cupboards. I don't know how she would have gotten by in that kitchen without that stool. Fast forward 50+ years, where my wife and I are now trying to decide on the best solution for reaching things on the upper shelves of our new kitchen cabinets. A regular step stool or short stepladder would do the job, but you couldn't leave it sitting out. I described my mother's stool and she agreed it would work perfectly, since it could take the place of the stool she already used while she was doing some of the work while providing the extra reach she needed for the cabinets. She knew exactly what I was talking about because her grandmother had had one, too. Now all we had to do was locate one at a garage sale or an internet auction site. After all, there should be plenty out there if they were so prevalent at one time. Turns out we didn't have to buy an old, used one. A web search for "red step stool chair" revealed that Cosco, the company that was making them back in the '50s, is still making them, and we could buy one new from Amazon. We shopped price and color--they're available elsewhere and also in black, white, and yellow--and found that Amazon not only had the best price, they also shipped for free. FedEx delivered ours this morning, and it took about an hour to assemble. About a third of that time was removing all the parts from the well-packed box it came in. A little more time was spent on assembly because I didn't pay close attention to one of the pictures--it was there in black and white--when I put the legs on and had to remove them and put them on again correctly before the back would attach. The only tool needed is a #2 Phillips-head screwdriver; a short, stubby one will work better on a couple of the screws. All the hardware required for assembly was included with spares of each, and we now have our own little red step stool chair for our kitchen. It's been years since I saw my mom's chair, but this one seems to be built more sturdily than I remember hers being. The steps stow differently from the old one which required lifting and pivoting them back under the body; now they simply slide in and out. This one has a padded seat and back, and I only remember hers having a padded back. Overall, it is a very nostalgic piece of retro furniture that is also quite functional. The only thing that seems materially different from my mom's stool is its size: this one seems to be about three-fourths the size of the one I remember. Maybe my mother's stool seemed larger then because I was much smaller then; I've noticed that a lot of things that seemed bigger when I was a kid don't seem to be as big now as I remembered. At any rate, the size doesn't diminish the functionality for which we bought this one, and it will be a welcome staple in our kitchen. Who knows - maybe 50 years from now our kids will want one for their kitchen?