I thought these were great when I bought them less than 2 years ago.  I had several  friends comment on them and I recommended them.  I know 2 people who bought them. About a month ago we heard a loud crash in the middle of the night.  Finally figured out the strings had broken on the blinds.  Then my husband tells me the ones by him are also broke and have been for a couple of months!  Out of 3 blinds 2 won't work from the bottom up.  They are less than 2 years old