Hi Guys & guyess's  

I am booked to do a job (fundraising) for a supermarket next Saturday. It's lasting 6hrs :roll:  oh brother. The challenge is, I am going to be on there car park. I can't use my gazebo just in case any breeze/wind takes it. I was thinking of purchasing an umbrella/canopy with a steel base. But that is just extra expense.

What would you use? Is there someway of using my gazebo, it' a cheap one :roll:

Any input would be gratefully recieved.

Thanks
Steve

Hi Steve
A couple of years ago when I was racing at Manchester Velodrome we stayed in our caravan on site, this is on tarmac and so we couldn't peg down our awning. What we did was run some bars through the peg holes and put sand bags on the ends, it worked well very well in fact.
Sand bags are pretty cheap and so is a couple of bags of sand from a builders merchant. I would suggest a bag on each corner post and put a bag over a rod or wood brace put through the guy lines. If you can set up near a lamp post or similar tie on to that as well.
I hope this helps and best of luck with the day. Make sure you schedule in some breaks.


John

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GAZEBO-Marquee-Pa ... .m14.l1318

These are a plastic barrel type item that can be wrapped round the legs of your gazebo, and filled with water or sand.
Depending on what you fill them them with they weigh 8 - 12 Kgs, and less then £25.00 for the set.

There is also a product availble that looks very similar to a weightlifters weight, and again clot over the foot. But they are considerably more expensive.

Hope this helps

Pete

I had an inspiration while out in my garage and it seems like the last post may have pipped me to it. If you have any weights for weight traing you may be able to use those, either slipped over or tied on  

Thanks guys.

Brilliant ideas. Thats the beauty of this forum.

I had wondered about sand bags, but I never new, or even thought of going on Ebay, so once again thank you, can you tell I am very grateful?  

You have put my mind at rest. No need for expensive aparatus. I've gone & ordered the items from ebay now, thanks for the heads up p_outen.

Steve

Hi Steve, only glad to help.

Once they arrive, would you be so kind as to let us know how you got on with them? Although i am aware the product exists its not something ive ever used. (Only ever used gazebos were i can guy rope them down)

Hope all goes well

Pete

and if youre on a tight budget, you could fill some plastic pots with quick setting post fix, cover the pole with a carrier bag (i rub the pole with vaseline also just for protection as the concrete is scratchy. place in the pot, holding it upright,using a spirit level, wait until set and remove the pipe. voila, heavy weights for your gazebo, balloon arch, column etc.

the pots could be decorative or be decorated.
just an idea  

Yes thanks Mandy. I've ordered the Gazebo weights.

Yes certainly P_outen I will let you know how I got on with them...I'm excited & can't wait to recieve them :roll:  oh brother, I need a life  

Got an email told it got sent today.

Stevie_babe

You'll never guess what :!: . The charity event that I was booked to do today, was cancelled at the last moment :evil:   :shock: :roll: .

I was looking forward to this. All the money I've spent out to be ready. :cry:

Never mind....eh :?:  Onward & upward :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

What a pain - that i so unfair! Hopefully it won't be wasted money though and you'll use the weights in the future!

Quote from: "Stevie_Babe"You'll never guess what :!: . The charity event that I was booked to do today, was cancelled at the last moment :evil:   :shock: :roll: .

I was looking forward to this. All the money I've spent out to be ready. :cry:

Never mind....eh :?:  Onward & upward :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Did you still get paid Stevie. My contract has a full cancelation fee in case of such events being canceled, because you might have turned work away for today.

I take a deposit just incase and if I have a big job where I have to get alot of stuff in I take a bigger deposit

Actually I haven't been taking deposits, or anything for charity events.  :roll:

Maybe I will.....for the big companies etc :twisted:  More money  :lol:

Have you ever been axed because of that? Not hired?

Quote from: "Stevie_Babe"Have you ever been axed because of that? Not hired?

Never Stevie,

I started taking deposits about 5 years ago because in one month, December, I had seven birthday party  cancelations because their kids were going to so many christmas parties.

At first I felt a bit uncomfortable asking but no-one ever queried it, and still, no-one has. I think most people expect to pay a deposit. Since then, I rarley get a cancelation, probably one or two a year if I'm unlucky, and thats out of 300+ bookings a year, so I think it's certainly worth while thinking about it if you don't already take a deposit.

I nearly always take a deposit, there are a few regular bookers where I don't bother - my booking form and letter say that the deposit is non-refundable.

If the booking is canceled at less than two weeks notice the full fee is payable unless I can re-sell the date. So far I've never had to do the full fee bit - but a few deposits have been forfeited without query - and the client has re-booked later