Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Since moving into my home 7 years ago I’ve wanted to install a flag pole in the yard. This year I decided to “pull the trigger” and do it for Christmas. I’ve never posted a negative review on Amazon, I try to avoid it, but this item demands one. First the good. The kit arrived 15-days after the order was placed but that was still 6-days earlier than the earliest delivery date given. The box itself was damaged prior to shipment and had been patched with a cardboard layover, otherwise it was intact and in good shape. The package as a whole seemed very light, weighing in at 9lbs, 1.6oz, considerably less than the stated shipping weight of 28lbs. The pole material appears to be a brushed aluminum material and the assembly looks like it will be easy, the sections slipping together without resistance or struggle. I cannot attest to the material used in the halyard, but it appears to be nylon or more likely polypropylene as described. The truck appears to made of cast aluminum and painted gray and has a plastic or nylon pulley. It you didn’t fully read the “product description” you would be disappointed that a flag is not included, but in 2 places the buyer is notified that no flag is included in this kit, that is correct. The “snaps” that will attach the flag to the halyard are made of a nylon or plastic material, I cannot attest to their strength. Finally, the rope cleat is describe as nylon but actually appears to be made of cast aluminum. Now for the bad. The product description states that the pole tapers from 3” at the bottom to 2” at the top. That is incorrect. This is a straight pole that is 2” from top to bottom. It is described as being made of 16 gauge material. I don’t have the proper tool to measure the gauge, but a cross reference states that 16 gauge is to equivalent to 1.290mm. Comparing the cross section of the tube to a ruler shows that it is closer to 1.0mm or 18 gauge material. Finally, unassembled the pole sections total 20.88 feet while assembled the pole is actually 19.52 feet long, somewhat shorter than described. This may be industry practice, the pole being in the 20’ “range”. The ground sleeve is 13.25” in length and made of thin PVC like material. Any pole of this height and expected to experience even the lightest winds needs its base to much deeper than 13” in the ground. The ball is described as a “3 inch diameter gold anodized aluminum” but in reality is only somewhat less than 2.75”, hardly worth quibbling about. What is more disturbing is that it is made of plastic with a gold colored, possibly metalized, coating. There is a wide seam where the two hemispheres are connected. Finally, and this is what really put me off on this product, the product title clearly states that this item is “Made in the USA.” The first thing I noticed when the package was delivered to my doorstep is that plainly printed on the carton is, “Made in China.” No other reviews here have mentioned these variations and perhaps there was a shipping error. As for me, I plan to return this item and purchase another pole, hopefully more accurate in its description. If I find that there was a shipping error I’ll amend this post. Now you may want to go ahead and purchase this item despite the discrepancies from the description as I’ve experienced them. If so, remember the adage, Buyer Beware.