What To Know Before Buying The Transformer Table From Costco

Have a large family but don't want your dining table to hog up your entire dining room? Or, maybe you're dreaming of the day when you'll be able to host dinner parties without your guests awkwardly standing in your small apartment. It could also be that you're just shopping for an extendable table and stumbled across Costco's Transformer Table Dining Set. Whatever the scenario, you've come to the right place. This particular table has been going viral for a while now, mainly because it's touted as the ultimate space saver. In the words of one satisfied customer, "I love that I can easily go from hosting an intimate dinner for two all the way to the Last Supper in just minutes." That's right — this table can seat up to 12 people (or more if you're okay with a little squeeze during larger gatherings). And the best part? It's back in stock.

Priced at $2,599, Costco's Transformer dining set includes a total of eight pieces: the famous table, six chairs, and a bench that you can use as seating in your dining room. It's made from solid wood with MDF boards, and the telescopic rail system makes extending the table easy and reliable (or as noted on Costco's website, warrantied for life). Choose from brown, dark gray, natural, or white, this expanding dining room table matches any aesthetic. While all of this may sound appealing, there are a few things you should keep in mind before purchasing. 

Granted, the set has many notable features — the most significant being that it can expand from 18 inches — aka a table for one — up to a whopping 118 inches. Simply add one panel at a time depending on how long you want the table to be. You might even want to store the extra panels in the Transformer coffee table (available separately) so they don't clutter up your space when not in use. Again, this set was built with space-saving efficiency in mind, which is why the chairs are stackable, too.

So what's the catch? While the table is ready to use right out of the box, the chairs do require assembly. This can take several hours, according to one reviewer. But that's not the biggest concern. Some reviewers have mentioned quality issues (like a warped bench or damaged table) upon receiving their set. Others were disappointed in the finish, stating that it has an "unappealing faux wood texture" and expected something better for the hefty price. Meanwhile, another one wrote, "The leaves do not fit snugly together in all cases and there is a small gap between them." This may not be the case for everyone, but it's worth keeping in mind before using the extendable dining table in your small kitchen or dining room.