[Market-farming] EZ up

Road's End Farm organic87 at frontiernet.net
Mon May 18 15:00:33 EDT 2009


On May 18, 2009, at 2:33 PM, Susanna Dzejachok wrote:

> I used two EZ Up tents purchased from Sam's Club 2-3 years ago for
> about $169 each. The tents usually required at least 2 people to put
> up.  The struts supporting the canopy bent and the plastic pieces
> holding the struts broke.  I used these much less than once a week.
> The carry bag would only fit if the top was removed totally.  One
> carry bag fell apart the first day.  EZ Up sent replacement parts
> without giving me a hassle.  In response to observing our difficulties
> with the tent, one man at the market came to help out and said, "The
> first time my wife and I put up an EZ Up tent, we almost got a
> divorce."
>
> Most of the knockoff tents I've had legs that broke pretty quickly,
> too.  I still haven't found a good tent.

Years ago, my first experience with a popup shelter was one I picked up 
cheap at some big box store or other, I've forgotten which. I don't 
remember what brand name was on the tent.

Before trying to take it to market, I tried putting it up in a clean 
area inside the barn, to make sure I'd be able to do it alone if 
necessary. I had help available. Two of us fought with the thing for 
two hours or longer and we couldn't get it up. I took it back to the 
store (they did take it back).

Since then, I've had two actual EZUps; the first one a consumer model 
(Dome), the second a commercial model (Speed Shelter). I could/can put 
either of them up alone in about five minutes, once I figured it out 
(first time did take longer). Neither of them has had any broken legs. 
The consumer model was a problem because the assembly supporting the 
top would come apart in a high wind, allowing the top to partially 
collapse; this wasn't an actual break, just that the joints (which on 
that model were designed to come apart to take the tent down) didn't 
hold together well enough to stay put under stress. The commercial 
model has been in use once a week in season for four years so far and 
has had no problems other than a very slight leak at a seam (I should 
remember to pick up some seam sealant) and one bolt that worked loose 
over the years and needed to be replaced (I now check bolt tightness a 
couple of times in a season.)

My advice: don't buy from the big box stores. I bought both of mine 
from Van Raalte, (link to their website below) as there are no local 
providers near me. I'm sure there are others who carry decent quality 
market tents.

http://www.ezup4u.com/


-- Rivka; Finger Lakes NY, Zone 5 mostly
Fresh-market organic produce, small scale
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