Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Stripping/staining coffee table ?'s

I have a coffe table that was purchased from Pier 1. I'm trying to figure out what the top of the table is made out of so I can strip and stain it correctly. It has designs, in which the grains of the wood/veneer go in different directions making a triangular pattern, and it scratches very easily with your fingernail. I need to do something to the top as it is scratched and stained with fingernail polish remover. I have absolutely no expierence when it comes to wood working but I believe that I can do this with some help from here. Thankyou and keep up the great work on this site...I look on here for just about everything!!!

If you have the ability, post a picture on photobucket and paste a link here so we can see what you have...

I know that would be extremely helpful but I have no way of posting a pic! I'd be happy to give any info I can to help you figure out if this table top is wood or veneer. Just let me know what I can do to help! Thanx.