I almost bought a Pier 1 dining table thinking I was getting solid oak. It wasn't. The product page said "wood" and I assumed. That's a mistake. Pier 1 sold a lot of different tables over the years, but the wood choice in their mid-range pieces was often rubberwood or acacia, not oak. The difference shows up in the first month of use, not in the showroom.
Know What Wood You're Actually Getting
Most Pier 1 dining tables I've handled use rubberwood, sometimes called parawood. It's a plantation hardwood, which sounds fine. It's dense and heavy, but it's not oak. The grain is boring, and it takes dents about as easily as pine. Acacia was common on their higher-end stuff. That's prettier, with a bold grain, but it's also softer in spots. Check the spec sheet before you buy. If it says "sheesham" or "rosewood," that's actually acacia, and it'll scratch if you look at it wrong.
Check the Finish, Not the Gloss
A glossy table isn't a protected table. Pier 1 used lacquer a lot, and lacquer burns white with hot plates and peels in peeling edges near the dishwasher. Touch the surface. If it feels plasticky, that's not a good sign. Rub your hand across the grain. You want to feel the wood, not a thick skin. If it feels like a desk from Staples, walk away. A thin finish means the wood will show coffee rings by week two. I've seen it.
Measure the Legs and the Apron
On a Pier 1 table, the legs are where they cheap out. A 30-inch table with 2-inch square legs feels shaky after six months. My neighbor's trestle-style table has legs that are more like 1.5 inches thick, and the whole thing wobbles over the kitchen rug. Also check the apron—the frame under the tabletop. If it's thin, like 1/2 inch, the top will cup and crack. You want at least 3/4 inch of solid wood there. That's not published anywhere. You have to look under the table.
How Long Did It Really Last?
I bought a Pier 1 dining table with rubberwood legs and a lacquer finish. 9 months in, the finish on the edge where my arm rests is worn down to bare wood. The tabletop itself has two white rings from a mug I wasn't careful with. It's not the worst table I've owned, but it's not the keeper I hoped for. If you get one, you need coasters, trivets, and a tablecloth if you care about the surface.
If you're going for a Pier 1 because of the price, at least measure the legs and understand the wood before you pull the trigger. Then decide. If you want something that takes real abuse, you might be better off with a RH Dining Tables in the First Week: The One Decision That Sets the Tone or something like a Stickley Dining Table Setup: The One Decision That Matters Most in the First Week. Those cost more, but the wood and finish are different class.