I received this the day before Super Bowl XLV. Should have ordered it the week before to make sure everything would be all right. Reading from the three reviews, decided to go ahead with the purchase. What's the chance of it being delivered damaged? Well, the same as the reviewer that gave it a one, this came bent in the same way. The box it was delivered in should be put into a stronger box to avoid this type of damage. The shipping box is like a second skin, so you know if it even gets bumped hard during delivery, it will be easily damaged. Common sense. Put it in another box!!!

I didn't receive the drip cup, but that didn't bother me so much as the shelf that holds the wood chip box being bent. A pin for the door hinge was also missing. Biggest problem was the top part of the smoker was bent, making the top, right side come apart from the side allowing smoke to escape. We attempted to bend it back into shape, but the ding is too close to the edge. I may have to purchase some type of heat resistant gasket.

Assembly was easy enough. A Phillips head screwdriver is all I needed. Shelves were simple to install as well and fit just right. The pan where the coals go the handles are not attached the way the instructions show. The handles are to the east and west, not north and south, thereby difficult to take in and out when replacing or adding coals. You have to have thick, heat resistant gloves. The handles facing the correct way would have helped.

The worst part was when done putting it together, the door would not close. The sides had to be bent and manipulated. This was due to the box being bent from the top as I explained previously. It is useable, but this thing has to be modified in order to smoke more effeciently.

I did use it for the SB after I seasoned it, burning coals and wood chips for four hours after installation. After six hours of smoking the ribs came out tasting fine. Sausages were delicious. I just have to get used to it. I'm sure I'll get better after a few more times.

Don't know how prevalent the shipping problem is. I would have given it a four star, but because of the two dents and missing parts it gets three.

HAPPY EATING.

UPDATE: After contacting this company they had me take pictures and send it to them, as if I was a lier. I sent them pictures twice of the damaged parts. After repeatedly contacting them and resubmitting photos of the bent parts and condition of the delivery, I have yet to receive what was promised. This company does not stand by their product. Apparently they don't care about their customers. This is the first time I've had a complaint from something I purchased at Amazon. Very frustrating to say the least. DON'T BUY FROM THIS CRAP COMPANY. THEY WON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT.

it's a good smoker and has lots of cooking space..... easy to put together..... it was shipped to me with one of the door hinges broken,but it doesn't really affect anything.... i didn't return it cause i didn't want to go thru the hassle,plus i will have a friend of mine just weld it back on... ..... another thing is it's kinda hard to maintain the temperature you want to..... hindsight is always 20-20 and i would probably get the propane one now.... this way i can always just use wood to smoke and not hafta use charcoal..... electric ones i heard are easy to use,but i also heard that the electric heater burns out after a year or two..... but overall,i hafta say i really like it.....

Seemed to be about the same quality as a 0 smoker. Thermometer broke day 1 while putting it together. Metal is about as thick as a beer can.