Shade Specialists Reviews 

Absolutely 5 star company. I wanted a garden umbrella last year but all the ones I found were either designed to break after one use, needed a really ugly huge concrete base or were 1000’s of pounds. Then I came across their beautiful bamboo range. I bought one last year and then decided this year we needed a second. Caroline from customer service could not have been more helpful finding my order from last year and matching it exactly. 48 hours after ordering, the umbrella and base sit proudly in our garden next to the other one. Interestingly although we have had the first one out 365 since we bought it virtually a year ago, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference the quality is so good and it’s weathered so well!

Absolute first class service from the team. Couldn’t do enough to help us and delivered a quality product. Couldn’t recommend them highly enough. You won’t be disappointed 😀

Shade Specialists have been fantastic. They listened to what my needs were and delivered the perfect parasol for our terrace. The quality is better than expected and I couldn't be happier. I 100% recommend them to anybody that needs a parasol.

I ordered a Bambrella side wind parasol 10 days ago, even though delivery time is stated as being 2-3 weeks, I received it yesterday. The parasol is very high quality and looks great. The office staff were very helpful and efficient. I originally ordered an ecru canopy but at a later date decided to change the colour to taupe, this was no problem at all and I was delighted when my order arrived so quickly. A big thanks to the Shade Specialist team!!!👍😀😀

I wrote a review earlier about the fact that I had ordered a parasol from this company and it hadn't arrived weeks later despite my contacting the company twice and that I was anxious about the company as a result. The day after I wrote the review the company contacted me by phone and apologised about the situation and the service I had received and said that they had had a huge number of orders and communication. They said that they would send the shade that day as a priority. They then rang later in the day to say it was being dispatched and explained again how they had come to be so pressed regarding orders processing and dispatch- saying that the reviews had only plummeted in the last few weeks and that their previous reviews had always been very positive. The parasol arrived the next day by courier as they had promised. They had forgotten to put the cover in but when I rang them they again apologised profusely and sent it out that day and it arrived the very next day. The parasol itself (and cover) is of extremely high quality and is really built to last- even my husband was impressed and he is a wood working professional- in fact the reason we hadn't bought one for a long time is that my husband kept saying every one we looked at was not good quality. The company asked if I would update my review as they wanted people to have faith in them as a company. I said that I would wait until I had received the umbrella and tried it out- we did so today hence my updating this review now. What I would say is communicate with them by phone if you are having problems with the order and actually the product itself is really well worth waiting for.

This company has now had my money for a very expensive parasol since March. This parasol was marked as being 'in stock' After I emailed to complain I was told they were sorry and that the agent did not understand why the web developer had said it was in stock but it would be with me that week. Two weeks further on still no parasol and still no further communication. This is despite informing them I had hired someone to help erect the parasol. I now have little option but to ask for the over £1200 of my money they are holding but, given their previous appalling lack of communication am not holding my breath. UPDATE:Having had communication with the owners, I accept that many of the delays were due to COVID/Suez canal. That still does not explain the lack of communication Since my review communication improved immediately - a phone call the next day. I agreed to accept a parasol in a colour I had not ordered as it would be sent next day. Unfortunately not the case - well not all of it. One piece arrived and then, after asking where the base was, another bit I still DO NOT have a parasol as there are still bits missing. I absolutely think this is the delivery company's mistake but why have such a shambolic arrangement that the delivery company 'lose it' in their warehouse when it's supposed to be next day? I have spent time waiting for promised deliveries whilst my son is in Intensive care, sent away helpers who came to erect his parasol and have had nothing but stress. Not once has any compensation been offered - despite the incomplete parasol which isn't even the right colour. Having talked to the owner and accepted his reasoning and distress at things being out of his control I was going to up my star rating but all this time later I am still over 1k out of pocket and have no parasol to shade my son who has a life threatening condition
FURTHER UPDATE: All the above is true and there have been so many problems. Now at last I have a parasol. It took weeks and eventually a new parasol but it is up and I love it. The company did not deliberately do anything wrong apart from truly awful communication at the start but, through my problems with getting it set up, they were very fast in trying to help. It’s a first class parasol and worth the hassle so changed my rating!

My first impression of the Sirocco Side Wind parasol is that it is manufactured to a high standard.
However, this review is concerning the service received from Shade Specialists.
I received delivery of the parasol in January 2021 and checked that all major parts were safely received. Later in March when attempting to assemble the parasol, I noticed that 4 x M10 bolts and washers were missing ( these are for fixing the rotation mechanism to the the base frame). I informed Bambrella / Shade Specialists of this and copied the email to the representative who processed my order.
I received a prompt reply from the representative informing me that the missing parts would be sent to me ASAP. Three weeks later, I have yet to receive the missing parts. I have also sent further emails requesting an update with no response.
It is their silence that has prompted this negative review.
Fortunately I can source the M10 bolts from a local hardware store, but it is disappointing, having purchased a relatively expensive item, that I should have to do so. I would urge Shades Specialists to give more attention to their customers, or perhaps they do not intend to supply the missing parts, which would be disappointing indeed.

The missing M10 bolts have now been supplied. Thank you Bambrella.

Placed an order on 23 March for an umbrella and my account was debited immediately. Over 2 weeks later the order is still just showing as “Processing”. I have sent 2 emails in the last 2 weeks to check on likely delivery dates and received NO RESPONSE at all. When I phone it just goes to voicemail and although I have left messages they do not return my call. Most other reviews I have seen say customer service is excellent. I can’t comment as I haven’t had any customer service from them at all. They have my money but won’t respond to my queries. Not sure how to proceed which is why I’ve been prompted to write this review.

Messed me around for weeks failing to deliver umbrellas when they said they would - then they refused to confirm a refund when requested - they eventually did send a refund email but never receieved and still chasing it

Excellent quality , will be buying another

Well made strong and durable parasols! I love bamboo furniture and it's a great fit for my garden.

The quality of the product and the service was outstanding. I love the build and engineering quality and the bamboo structure is solid and reassuring. It looks amazing and is super easy to operate. All ways round a brilliant experience.

Ordered a 2.6m square Bambrella Levante parasol and base after receiving some very attentive pre=sales advice. Arrived in good time, although I did have small issues with both that were promptly and helpfully attended to. Looks great in my modern courtyard setting! Thanks all.

The product that i purchased was of an extremely high standard and i found the customer service representative great.

Great service. Very fast delivery. Bought the Bambrella Hurricane after a great deal of searching for something that would last and which was worth the money. After years of flimsy parasols that fall apart and look tatty in no time, the hurricane is bomb-proof and looks really superb. You really do get what you pay for, the absolute best I have ever seen, and already had admiring comments! I can recommend Bambrella 100%.

Very impressed with the quality. It got a good test yesterday in windy conditions and stood up really well. Really appreciated all the pre purchase advice as well.

Did not have first choice but replacement ok.parcel delivered open.Not good but not shade special fault.Need to get a better courier.

Bambrella Ltd.
Thank you so much. My parasol cover arrived and looked good. I am so happy with it. Thank you for your help Adam and Rupert. Your company has the most helpful people and extremely lovely products. I shall not hesitate to recommend you.
Jane House

Very happy with service, quality of parasol & delivery time, will certainly use again.

Excellent service.