I think this umbrella is a classic example of "you get what you paid for". It's inexpensive and as one would expect is cheaply made: the locking mechanism is made of plastic, which will probably snap in not so distant future. Also the recurring theme is shipping issues: the umbrella came in a deformed box with tears in multiple places. The metal parts from the base were in contact with the fabric, which tore the canopy in one place. Ultimately I returned the umbrella.