 Surprisingly Good Quality, but be sure to account for size! |
| Review Date: August 4, 2010 |
| Reviewer: JQPublic, |
| Bought this product for a condo deck. Remember: it is a 10-foot-square cantilever (offset) `market-style' umbrella, not a `patio table' type--take care that you measure properly for it, as the arm and anchored base take up a lot of room! [We did not want to use the recommended paving stones to anchor (might scratch the deck surface?) and so bought a fillable (water and/or sand) base.] Allow for sufficient room to open/close umbrella without obstruction (from top to bottom--keep people, objects well out of the way when doing so!); this is accomplished with easy-to-use crank. Surprisingly high-quality construction-- parts are solid but not too heavy. In entirety, very difficult to move when weighted-- will likely `stay put'! Umbrella itself is obviously cumbersome to move, but needs to be taken inside in high winds, and/or for winter. Umbrella top is flat when open (vented also)--does not `tilt', thus, take into account all sun's angles throughout day/season when situating base. Fabric is not opaque, being woven and porous, but claims to have special UV-canceling technology. Although fabric `breathes', air underneath can become stagnant in direct sun, but a small portable fan will remedy the problem nicely, even in very hot temps. Mfr. care info.: notes that fabric has been Scotch Guarded but protection will only last one season; fabric should be cleaned (mild detergent and hose) and water-repellant reapplied seasonally. Aesthetics: (not a good picture on box & Amazon!) bought light colour due to climate, very elegant looking when open for those living in associations with `appearance' rules--the anchored base, however, is not attractive, and may require creativity to `camouflage' (small plants?). Arrives in one, huge box with stand and umbrella, but no anchor--not freestanding without anchoring base Southern Patio Blowmolded Base For Offset Umbrella, White!! Be sure to have weight before trying to install! |
Soaked in the sun!
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| Review Date: August 2, 2010 |
| Reviewer: M Bloom, |
| I too, loved this umbrella when it was new. But now just a year and a half later the plastic piece that holds the cantilever arm is cracked. The company will not sell a replacement part because they say it is too dangerous! If I put it up without them I think I could slide a new plastic piece on as well. Not to mention a broken umbrella crashing down once the plastic snaps. Looking back through their history on Amazon this seems to be a recurring problem. I am so disappointed in Gale Pacific. |
Only lasted 2 months Avoid Coolaroo
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| Review Date: June 10, 2010 |
| Reviewer: NoelAnn, Philadelphia, PA |
I was very excited to get this umbrella. I bought it about two months ago. It was attractive. I needed help to get it up the stairs but did manage to put it together on my own.
I could not figure out how to make it tilt. I used it and always cranked it down when not using it. It moves in the wind alot - even a gentle wind.
One day I was nearby - it was up and I noticed the wind picked up. Immediately I ran to crank it down - the crank would not crank and it smashed my thumb. Then the umbrella - with its heavy looking metal bars blew upside down and broke off where it looked to be welded.
This was a pricey luxury investment for me and i expected it to last years. Not months especially not only 2. both the person i bought it from through amazon and the manufacturer said there was nothing they could do. So off in the trash it goes and i will never purchase a coolaro umbrella again. I used it exactly as recommended... Oh the coolaro lady said it would not have broken if you kept it down - i laughed and said so how do you use it if its down? since i was using it when the wind picked up and it broke. (there was no weather report of strong wind that day) she said. hmm that's true. She was very nice and apologized but in this economy an investment like this is nothing to sneeze at. My patio is in direct sun all day - but i am going to go with a less expensive product since its going to break anyway. BOO!!!!! I did purchase through amazon - its not their fault.
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Works great!
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| Review Date: May 9, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Duffer, HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, ARKANSAS, US |
| Bought for our deck to shade us from late afternoon sun. So far, so good. Easy to use and move as needed. We are happy with the purchase so far. WE've only had it for about a month, so can't comment on how well it holds up........but seems to be good quality fabric. |
better deal elsewhere
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| Review Date: October 23, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Gary Or Lisa Segraves, |
| I bought this exact same umbrella at the Grocery Outlet for just $49!! If you have a store nearby, go there first. It's a great umbrella. |
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