The seller claimed it was "solid wood" but didn't mention that it contained finger-jointed boards.

Solid wood furniture is generally considered superior to solid wood furniture, but solid wood furniture ≠ solid wood furniture. The "all solid wood" furniture you're paying a high price for might very well be made of spliced ​​boards with a veneer! 【5 Truths Merchants Won't Tell You】
1️⃣ According to national standards, "all solid wood" only counts if the frame is solid wood; the interior can be MDF.
2️⃣ Solid wood = whole log/large slab directly spliced, with few or no splices, and continuous grain.
3️⃣ Solid wood = allows finger jointing, multi-layer splicing, and even surface veneer.
4️⃣ Solid wood is more prone to cracking and warping (wood breathes), while solid wood is more stable.
5️⃣ Solid wood is usually 2-3 times more expensive than solid wood; don't waste your money.

【Buying Tips】
Ask about materials: "What kind of board is the tabletop/cabinet door/side panel?"
Look at the cross-section: clear and continuous growth rings = solid wood;
Multi-layer structure = engineered wood.
Smell the odor: pungent = lots of glue; fragrant = environmentally friendly.

【Who is it suitable for?】
✅ Sufficient budget + seeking natural texture → Choose solid wood

✅ Focus on cost-effectiveness + durability → Choose solid wood slab directly spliced

✅ Limited budget + want it to look good → Choose solid wood (but ask clearly about the base material).