Cosco Signature Step Stool

I was hugely disappointed by this product. Unboxing it was a breeze; carrying it was easy; setting it up a flick of the wrist followed by an automatic lock in. I was very happy up until this point -- until I tried to stand on the first "step", and found I was perched on the narrow rung of a ladder -- the kind I was scared to mount; much less to stand on. All I felt able to do on this level was hang on while the rung cut painfully into the arch of my feet. Unfortunately, the first level is the one I need the most. At nine inches off the ground, it gives me enough extra height to do most of what I need. But the hard, narrow rung made it impossible for me to do anything at all; it was that uncomfortable! At that point I decided the first rung must have been meant to function like a rung on an extension ladder -- to help the climber get to the next step. But using it that way meant that the first "non-step" was only an assistive device, not usable on its own. After mounting the second step, which was wide enough to stand on, the support bars on each side stopped. Standing nineteen inches in the air with nothing to hold onto I felt VERY insecure. There was no way I felt comfortable about reaching for top shelf items, much less carrying things with me going up or down. Right now I am really pissed off because I LIKED everything about this ladder except for the fact that I couldn't use it!!! Rotten design for those of us who need normal steps that are wide enough to stand on comfortably. It's going back IMMEDIATELY! I feel misled by the manufacturer/vendor as to the nature and use of this item. What a total waste of my time! At least I can return it, so I'm not wasting my money as well. CAVEAT EMPTOR!!!