The cranking mechanism is enclosed in a plastic housing that cannot handle the stress of the cranking force required to raise the umbrella. It has cracked then then crumbled to where it now does not work and if you can hold it together well enough to crank it, it won’t stay up. It is Not a well engineered umbrella.

1 yr later Update: any kind of wind, even with it secured to our deck, it would hit the side of our house and gutters. One strong gust and the metal snapped and we are out an umbrella. We’ve barely had this a month and the handle is already broken! It was hard to use when we first got it, but we thought it would get better. It didn’t- it only got worse. The handle wasn’t the only problem. The base is too light for the umbrella- this photo is deceptive! The umbrella is so too heavy that you have to screw it into your deck floor to secure it. Lastly, when I reached out to customer service to return it and was still within the return window, they said it would be better to get a replacement part. They promised that it would be sent with instructions. It was not. When reached out to customer service, they apologized and the only solution they offered was for me to hire someone locally who could replace the handle!!

Received the box and it was damaged. Looked like it was opened, used, and taped back up. It was missing various parts which was ordered again after I reported it. Received the missing parts a week later but was still missing some parts. Very disappointed!!!!!

Love it!! I was worried it was going to be hard to assemble but it really wasn't

I have had this item for two months. Yesterday I noticed that the crank housing is cracked so that you can see the crank mechanism. When you turn the handle you can see the crank moves into opening created by the crank. I would be careful purchasing this item other than that it works well.