Love BCP and everything came quickly and well packaged. The stand works but the anchors that connect each piece are too short and almost worthless. The weight from the water keeps it in place though so we kept it.
First of all it is huge...so it takes up a fair amount of space just under or near the umbrella. Secondly even when fully filled with water a strong enough wind knocked the umbrella that was attached over the bannister of our deck and took out one of the deck lights in the process. This happened the very next day after putting it up. The size and shape is extremely inconvenient.
Tips, probably not the best if you are placing on a deck (takes up too much space leaving very little for shading). May work better if on pavement (ex. Around a pool).
Second tip maybe the weight really needs sand AND water, not one or the other.
These bases work great with my cantilever umbrella I purchased for my pool deck. Easy to fill and fit well on the umbrella stand. Prevented us from having to screw the umbrella base down into the deck. Great buy for the price.
My husband is over 53, he filled them up in the backyard at the waterhose with no problem. He then had to walk up about 7 steps to the deck with each one. Nothing was broken or missing. They work great. Works great with Cantilever Led Umbrella.