****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I give it two stars for lasting two days, this pole snapped easily in all honesty I loved it the first day and was about to write a 5 star review for it... shame.. and tilt mechanism broke at same time, waited a week just to be disappointed... I compare this to a Tinder date when her profile has filtered images.. and then you talk to her for a whole week, you finally see her and she shows up looking 10 years older.. yupp solid disappointment folks!I looked forever, both local outdoor stores and online and am very happy I chose this brand. Wanted the Sunbrella fabric for UV protection, FRP frame, and easy crank (the click type) that a child can raise. This is the beginning of year #2 (4/2014) with it and I keep it outside (collapsed) when not in use, bring it in for the winter. Shows no sign of wear or fading. Note that 9' is from spoke to spoke, the fabric scollops in a little between spokes, unless you have a small space, don't bother with the 7' models. I purposely chose against the tilt models only because I don't need that feature.What could be better is the vent. While it is 100% dry from rain, it doesn't vent at all because gravity keeps it pinned to canopy. Sometimes in a breeze it will lift up but who needs the vent in a nice breeze!?I ordered 2 of these in December. By mid-February, BOTH umbrellas were broken. They no longer open and close, and the plastic wires that are used to raise and lower was broken on one of them. I can't even express how disappointed I am with the quality. They looked nice when I first got them, they just did not hold up. I will be looking for a better quality brand when I have to re-order them.I will update again if they respond for my request for them to stand behind their product.The umbrella is built well, the pole is sturdy the canopy material is top grade and the umbrella is absolutely beautiful...........only one problem. The first day this umbrella was used the button for the tilt broke and fell out of the pole, the unbelievable factor here is that the button to engage the tilt was never used however I have read other reviews with that note similar issue with the tilt button. So we only purchase the non tilt umbrellas for our backyard.1st one came damaged,2nd came without the pole to place in a stand. Then took forever to get a refund.The umbrella was delivered on May 2nd and was easy to put together and worked fine for the first 2 months. Then the metal "push button" on the tilt mechanism broke. I contacted Fiberbuilt customer service to see if this was covered under their warranty and was told that the tilt mechanism is not covered by the warranty. So, I am out $200 and stuck with a patio umbrella that does not work properly. I would strongly recommend not buying this product.Installed on my patio table in NJ on July 4th. 10 weeks later it bent in half with a light gust of wind. The wind snapped the bottom pole in half while the umbrella was open. Seemingly the umbrella was is great condition priori that gust of wind. Color of fabric still looks great. Tilt broken. Puppy is plastic and got wrinkled. I feel like my money was stolen.The button to actuate the tilting function and hold the umbrella upright is made of pot metal. Within a few weeks, it fractured and popped off, propelled by the spring. All of the sideways force on the umbrella when in the vertical position is imposed on this little pot metal button. Probably should be made of inconel or at least tough stainless steel. Or redesign entirely. Not good. Not good at all.
