Followed directions to the letter. The pole base (mine came as 2 pieces) came apart because the two pieces didn't fit together well. There's no reference point or specific depth mentioned as to how deep the poles should be connected together. So we tamped them as far as we could drive them, and filled both pieces with concrete as instructed. After a few days, the top split from the bottom. Now I have a base filled with concrete and concreted in the ground, and an upper piece filled with concrete and laying on the ground. Worthless. I hope their return & exchange works well. Very poor design & instructions. Buy something else.