My mom worked for a company at one time that made outdoor furniture.  You want to talk about hard work?  Yes, I know, I said my mother worked there, not me.  But, my mother is a tough woman and that place tore her down bad.

They made some awesome stuff though.  And, I currently only have a few pieces of patio furniture but it all came from her working at that plant.  Outdoor furniture has to be tough and if you are buying, you might as well pay good money for tough.  The weather is brutal on outdoor furniture so by all mean, get your moneys worth.