After a few weeks the umbrella started coming undone around the ribs. After 5 weeks the metal frame starting falling apart. Asked for a swap for a different type. MY BAD I didn't get a warranty. One would think spending almost $100.00 they would honor their own products. BUT NO!!!. I have exchanged several emails ( there is NO customer service number) the best they could do was offer me a $10.00 gift cert. I will never order from them again. But I will go to EVERYmedia outlet I can get, as well as all my friends, to make sure no one else gets their crappy products.

When I replaced the deck, I figured the time was right to replace the old version of this same patio shade set. We had the last one for 7 years and it held up through lots of rough weather. That one we paid for assembly, so I kinda didn't know how I'd get it back together if I ever took it down for the winter (hence, the reason it needed to be replaced). I have no handy person skills and limited dexterity, so I was nervous buying this. And yet, an hour into starting the project of assembly, I was enjoying lemonade in the shade. The base design (sold separately) are a huge improvement on the last version. 45 of the minutes I spent on this was loading fine sand into the bases. This would have taken a strong person, holding the 50 pound bag of sand working in tandem with someone to hold the funnel, about 3 minutes to complete, but I used a handheld garden scoop and it took me 45 minutes -- listening to Prince and Queen and enjoying an iced tea, it wasn't that hard. Assembling the base took about 5 minutes -- four screws and an included wrench. Popping the umbrella in and securing everything took another 5 minutes. Day #1 was very windy and it held up fine. Very excited. And now, I know how to disassemble and clean it, so I will take it down every winter and hopefully get years and years out of this one.

The umbrella is easy to assemble and provides great shade. However, you cannot swivel to a different area or tilt the umbrella to block the sun as it moves, like a table umbrella. Once it is placed, it is very heavy and has to remain in that position. Also, I cannot attest to the sturdiness because I do not know how long the interior cord that operates it will last. As other reviewers have pointed out, it definitely needs a heavy base in order to use.

These are nice, but they have plastic joints which can break easily, so be careful handling them and be sure to put them down before heavy winds!

Ok so I bought this twice. First time I thought it was my fault it broke due to not lowering the umbrellas during a storm. HOWEVER, the second one broke even though it was lowered! So now I've wasted money and getting another... DIFFERENT BRAND. The pole is just not strong for a smal breeze. Oh and I have a enclosed patio, minimal breeze. Sorry wish they would refund me.

I bought this umbrella a year ago. I have been very pleased with it. It is very easy to assemble, I had it up and going in no time at all. Honestly it took longer to fill the base with sand than it did to have the umbrella up. I have not had any issues with raising this or lowering it by myself. I imagine some may be more stiff than others upon arrival. I enjoyed the shade for a year until the internal parts broke. The inside of the hand crank rusted and the bolt snapped in half. I contacted customer service and they were very helpful with replacement parts. Hopefully by next weekend I will be enjoying my patio shade again!