Piece of junk!  I don't use an umbrella often, so haven't used this in a long time.  Probably only the second or third time I have tried to use it, but you have an umbrella for when you need it.  I went to open it yesterday, because I was stuck in the rain, and it wouldn't extend and catch, so there I am trying to hold this stupid short handled umbrella open pushing the center piece up to make it stay open!