Handmade Real Copper Samovar Tea Pot Set with Charcoal - Traditional Russian Tea Maker for Home & Office - Medium Size Antique Copper Samovar for Tea Lovers & Collectors

This came so painfully slow (2 months). The seller did not package this well enough to make a long journey. It just was not packaged well no matter how you look at it. The samovar was placed in substandard soft box and one half sheet of newspaper. This was then placed in another oversized box. Thank goodness they had the foresight to do that! By the time I received it, the samovar had cut the product box open (I'm assuming it was the teapot spout and not that they just packed it in a sliced up box). Items where apart, bouncing, clanging and rattling around loose.When I made this purchase, it showed a copper cup to be part of the samovar set. There was no cup and now the seller has changed the picture to show no cup. I ordered a set with the cup and did not receive the cup. I consider that not very honest.Some assembly required: The tea pot handle can not be attached, the drill hole is not complete in the handle and the bolt they provided too long if there was even a hole to finish the assembly and would not be able to hold the handle to the pot securely. Either a new handle will need to be found for assemblage or the one they sent modified (drilled and nut and bolt purchased).The holes for the pour spout in the tea pot are not drilled all the way, leaving metal flanges blockage that can not be drilled out because they soddered the spout over the hole that needs to be drilled open. Basically the pot has a hole and a half to pour through (1 hole approx. 3 mm, the partial open about 2mm, the third is blocked).The water bath spout has a red, plastic handle. The stream of water that it emits is so slow that it takes approximately 5 minutes to fill the little copper pot that came with the set up. Yes, its just a fraction faster than a dribble when the handle is placed in the full open position. I need to get pipe cleaners to see if there is blockage. I suspect just another substandard part.Today was the second day I used it (1 week apart). Examining the water bath unit on the inside after use today I am concern at seeing what looks like the metal lining lifting. There are black lines like scoring/ breaking lines in the metal lining. This is not good craftmanship and a health hazard if what I am seeing is correct. I tried gently rubbing with a soft cloth and was getting black coming onto the cloth and the lines remained the same.When heating, the water bath lid will flex and come loose. The fire box door will also flex. Be careful when opening and closing the fire box door as the metal is thin and easily can warp/ flex if not using an extremely gentle hand. There is no way this samovar could handle coal (which burns hot for extended period) as it is advertised if it is having this much problems with soft wood like fir splinters and fruit wood twigs just to bring the water up to a boil. Today I heard what sounded like water dripping onto the burning wood. Not something you want to hear, water dripping into the fire box of a practically new samovar.Yes, there is discolouration when the firebox is heated and will continue through its life as you heat it. That is to be expected of copper. Enjoy the changes as it develops a fire patina. BUT it is thin copper so do not keep your firebox burning for a long time. Make your tea and let it go out if you want to extend the life of this unit. Its beautiful to look at but the quality is questionable.I love the idea of a samovar. I love how this one looks but am so disappointed at the lack of craftmanship (and the missing cup!). I will try it a third time next week to test the water bath to see if the lining continues to break free (and leak?) but I'm afraid its not going to pass the test, become worse and just end up as a fancy container for a potted plant. Right now, this unit has so many strikes against it, I can't give it more than a one star rating. Two stars would be pushing it. I want it to be more than just cheap junk. I want it to last. I want the complete set as advertised when I made purchase. I would sincerely recommend saving your money and buy a heavier/ better made Russian samovar if you can find one. They do refurbish them. Yes, you will have to pay more but it will last longer! This one will not last a summer of good use without babying it along, putting up with all its flaws or taking it to a metal smith to try fixing it. But its not heavy enough to be more than a play thing for an occassional small party for people that a samovar would be a novelty plaything.bought item for display mainly, knowing it could be used in an emergency. was unhappy that it had a damaged piece, problem was resolved with a discount arrangement... but, because I could not change one poor review, seller reneged on the discount. lameCame very fast and better then we thought in personItem has arrived. Thank you.I have been using this samovar teapot everyday since the first day I got it! If you are a tea drinker like I am, I assure you this purchase will be well worth it.Yes, there is a slight color change of the bottom part, where wood is put to start a fire, however that is a minor detail for myself. The most important thing is the taste the samovar provides; it’s the best!I'm certain that I've received a return,they just threw it back into the box and sent it to me.It is stained with finger prints and oxidized dark spots.There was a sticker they attempted to scrape off and most of protective styrofoam was scattered in the box,mixed with the "protective" plastic wrapping boiled up under the samovar,leaving it unprotected,all pieces loose and rattling against eachother during shipment.I gave it 2 stars because it's a very pretty samovar for the price although it's lighter than i expected for it to be copper.I will update after Christmas, since it will be a gift, hopefully they will still honor a return of it's damaged (leaking) ?I love this samovar it is pcs of mind and best quality and made out of thick cooper looks real hand made it is works with coal or charcoal I purchased total of four samovar and I am giving as a gift to my relatives good for gifts a specially for the holidays recommend to all you will enjoy it.If you've never ventured into using a Samovar, this is the one to try. Great way to enjoy tea outside.When you are looking at images and the copper Material, you think it must be quality unit to pay for $210, compare with other similar products @$45 - $140.When using it for a first time, it changes it copper colour completely to the cheap mix copper-tin materials that by publishing fooling customer it a quality unit!I wouldn’t recommend it.The other reason, a week after ordering it for $210, the price drop to $140 from same seller which concerns there is no price protection at all!?????samovar a foyer. il est mag,ifique et fonctionne tres bien. RAS.Parfait pour prendre le thé dehors! Un peu cher tout de meme pour des finitions un peu approximativesSuper, je suis d'origine russe