I read the negative reviews and had to see for myself; opened the box at the store. It's not a CAT or DEERE, but it is adequate for the price. As a retired heavy equipment instructor, I have had extensive experience with this style of umbrella, as well as with the novices who had to be trained on how and how not to handle these assemblies. I can't believe that so many humans fail to grasp the basics of umbrella operation. Yes, I had rookies who could break them, as well as anvils, but with a touch of common sense, one should be able to operate these things without breaking them. I found NO trouble stretching the canvas; I hope you tried with the staves folded, not extended. A wind will take the best of them; they are supposed to be folded up in inclement weather. And I hope that you both were sensible enough to replace the bolt holding the stave assembly to the arch with an adequate hairpin cotter so that the stave / canvas assembly can be quickly folded and REMOVED from the machine in case of bad weather and at night. One last piece of advice; when collapsing the staves, one must relieve the strain on the stave lock with his free hand before pressing the lock to the release position. If you don't, you will shear and ruin the best of them. It's a knock-off, yes; but it is definitely functional and worth the price.

Purchased one only because the buggy type was not available, I have two buggy type & love them. Canvas was so tight that I could not get it to stay in the user position. Customer service was very good & they sent me a new frame. It was almost impossible to get it in the user position but I did finally suceed. A month later, one of the braces that hold the canvas in place broke. Now I have 1/2 an umbrella. Come summer I will buy a buggy top.