Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Okay... Here goes. I wasn't going to get this tree up just yet, but other reviewers concerns got me to open the box and check it out. First off, like others recently, I got a box from "Galvas - Noel". Apparently, somewhere from Italy (which makes sense, as the instructions are in Italian). The model number that matches the online searches for Kurt S. Adler trees is a label put over whatever was originally written on the box. Hmm. Suspicious. There was a shipping label on my box from a Kurt S. Adler location, however, so that made me feel a bit better. It could very well be an arrangement between Adler and an Italian reseller, and when they went belly up, they had all these Italian boxed trees to get rid of. Entirely possible, but I cant tell you for certain either way. I will have photos of the box and contents up here right after this goes live. Okay... so we don't know if it's name brand. I paid 99 dollars I think, and Kurt S Adler trees can go for hundreds. Fair enough. As long as it's a good tree with a replaceable metal stand, I'll be happy regardless. That's all I really wanted, anyway. So.. let's go into the tree: It has the metal stand, and It does seem to be the right style. Maybe not so super bright green as my pc shows it, but the tips needles taper at the ends just like the photo. And there are *a lot* of tips. This tree is in 3 pieces, where the branches are attached and swing down. It still needs some random fluffing of the tree, but it looks sooo much easier and fuller than my old artificial tree! No more A-Z tier lettering! Woohoo! Anyway, back to the tips. On the top third, the top of the tree, there must be at least 50+ tips that are along the top that are not on branches. Seriously... I quickly counted 20 and it just. kept. going. So, minimum 50. On the branches of said third, there were at least 119 tips. So.. for the top third, 150 tips+, conservatively. Again, I did not want to drag everything out and set it up, but I checked the bottom most branch of the tree. This thing has 20 tips. On one branch. And there were an awful lot of branches down there. If the rest of the tree is any indication of how full the top looks, I am gonna be one happy momma. I can see this being legitimately 1000 tips as advertised. Last time I looked at Walmart, their cheapy trees were going for 70-90 dollars. So, for 99 dollars, it was worth a shot. So far, I am pleased, but I will update again once it's up and fulled (very likely with photos). UPDATE 11/26: I just put up the tree to figure out where to place it before decorating. WOW! This is a very full artificial tree! Usually, when you get a budget tree, you really have to work the limbs in all directions, and sadly, you wind up taking the "wall" side and pushing those limbs towards the front to make up the fullness. This tree? No way. I don't think you could even if you tried. The space is awful tight. This year, I don't think I will really have a wall, and I certainly wouldn't need one! I'm actually just a little worried on how difficult it will be to get the lights in! LOL. It is WAY full and beautiful, and I am really happy with this purchase. The ONLY reason I don't give it a full 5 stars at this point is that we will never know if it really is, indeed, a true Kurt Adler tree as advertised. But I am incredibly happy with how much I paid for this tree, and its quality. It does seem a little darker in person than the photo (again, monitor settings vs indoor lighting and all), but it looks pretty spot on to the photo otherwise once up! Just an FYI... as far as it being 7ft... they're counting that very top limb. You know the one. So, I would say this is a *true* 6.5' tree, 7, possibly 7'2"+ once you get the star up. So if you have 8' ceilings, you should be okay :) Update 12/4: Still very happy :) ULing a pic now of what it looks like fulled and with ornaments. Also.. a pick of one of our heaviest ornaments, looped on two branches. Pretty impressive. It's at least 8oz of solid ceramic. Tree has withstood small child and a very large dog trying to go through it. LOL.