I bought this set last summer, but didn't get around to playing with it until just last week. It seems to be great quality. The mallots screwed together well. NO problems there. But I don't want to take it apart to store it for fear of stripping out the holes, which is a good possiblity just because that is the nature of any thing made of wood no matter the quality. So I am going to buy the stand, but I do wish there was a canvas case or something to protect it with when not in use. Other than that issue it is a top notch set.
My nine year old daughter was the first to try it. Her first wack broke the mallet. I thought it was a fluke but will never know; the remaining mallets were impossible to assembe because the threads stripped. We never did play even part of a game. I returned the entire set with no hasssle. I love LLBean customer service.
The set is nice and we are pleased with everything but the carrying case and the ball quality. If you hit the ball too hard, you can leave a nice size dent in the ball. One year of playing an none of mine are still perfectly round. As stated by others, you can only use the case when you take the mallets apart which is too much of a hassle.