I was very pleased when I first received the TropiShade 9' patio umbrella.  It went together easily and the mechanical bits worked perfectly.  The color was very much as pictured and the price was reasonable, so I was satisfied.  The ribbon that ties the umbrella closed was unfinished and unattached - no big deal, but different from all other patio umbrellas I've owned.  The reason I'm giving only two stars is because by the end of summer, the umbrella had bleached unevenly from the sun. Some parts of it are almost off-white while more protected areas are darker.  None of it, however, is as dark as it started out.  Admittedly, this was fairly inexpensive so it may be unfair to compare it to the more expensive patio umbrellas I've owned.  But for less than twice the price, I've had patio umbrellas last four times as long before they looked tired.  I love the large size of the umbrella, but the fabric is a disappointment.
I was very pleased when I first received the TropiShade 9' patio umbrella. It went together easily and the mechanical bits worked perfectly. The color was very much as pictured and the price was reasonable, so I was satisfied. The ribbon that ties the umbrella closed was unfinished and unattached - no big deal, but different from all other patio umbrellas I've owned. The reason I'm giving only two stars is because by the end of summer, the umbrella had bleached unevenly from the sun. Some parts of it are almost off-white while more protected areas are darker. None of it, however, is as dark as it started out. Admittedly, this was fairly inexpensive so it may be unfair to compare it to the more expensive patio umbrellas I've owned. But for less than twice the price, I've had patio umbrellas last four times as long before they looked tired. I love the large size of the umbrella, but the fabric is a disappointment.