Review on EasyGoProducts EasyGo Travel Beach Umbrella For Cruise, Airplane, Train And Small Car by Dexter Pullen

I purchased this travel umbrella for a Caribbean beach trip because it was the only one I could find that would fit into my suitcase. I knew from previous visits to our resort that limited shade was available and, due to a medical condition, I cannot have extended exposure to direct sunlight. My hope was that this umbrella would provide my needed shade because I absolutely love relaxing on the beach with a good book. My hopes were destroyed, however, on the first day I tried to use the umbrella. The base that went into the sand to anchor the umbrella was defective and no matter how hard I (and two strong men) tried, it would not securely anchor the umbrella. When I tried to use the stakes to anchor the umbrella, they would not go into the sand on the beach because of the flimsy plastic construction. Instead of going into the relatively soft sand, they would bend, rendering them useless. As a result, the only way I could use the umbrella at all was to use the strings attached to the stakes to tie it to a couple of beach loungers on either side of mine, making it impossible to reposition my lounger for comfort. Instead of being the envy of the others on the beach, I became the laughingstock and gave up trying to use the poorly designed umbrella on the first day of my week-long trip. As this is the second EasyGo product I have purchased with similar results (previously purchased the EasyGo Cabana and it broke the first time I used it) I would recommend that customers attempt to find similar products offered by other companies in order to avoid throwing money away. I know that I certainly will! As it has been closer to 60 days since I placed the umbrella, rather than the 30 allowed, unfortunately, per company policy, I cannot return it.