The patio umbrella arrived on time in a long slender box. Upon opening it I noticed no smells and it was in plastic. This patio umbrella does not come with a base. I uses my previous patio umbrella base with it, but will need to get a larger one do to when the wind blows it knocks it over. I am on the third floor though. I wanted this to replace my old patio umbrella which was made for small balcony. This umbrella is on the larger side and covers my entire area and still goes past the railing. So far I have no complaints. It is easy to open and close. I even found  a nice umbrella cover to keep it covered during thunderstorms and in the winter.