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  • From: Road's End Farm <organic87 AT frontiernet.net>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] EZ up
  • Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 15:00:33 -0400


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


  • [Market-farming] EZ up, Susanna Dzejachok, 05/18/2009
    • Re: [Market-farming] EZ up, Road's End Farm, 05/18/2009

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