As with the other reviews, the base is not sufficient to keep the open umbrella upright.  I placed pavers over the base for stability and it works, but looks bad.  The only thing holding up the umbrella is a small white cord.  I can see this cord wearing out quickly and then this thing will be useless.  There are little buttons that are supposed to click into place when the umbrella is open, but the weak crank cannot force them into place.  Plus, even if you click them into place manually, when you what to put the umbrella in the down position, now you must somehow manually depress these buttons - a feat very difficult even with a ladder.  I would suggest to pay a bit more for a better quality cantilever umbrella.