If you are reading this, I think we can assume that you have an interest in pop-up tents and that you are probably thinking about investing in one. In recent years there has been an explosion in companies offering custom pop up tents. I speak to a broad spectrum of people who come to us looking to purchase a pop-up gazebo. They generally all have one thing in common – confusion.

This is an unfortunate side effect of the way our competitors and ourselves push our products. We approach the strategy of product description from a technical perspective and with so many different specifications on the market, how can the buyer truly know what product is going to fulfill their needs?

With this Buyer's Guide, I am going to arm you with as much knowledge as possible to enable you to make an informed decision. When you decide to commit your hard-earned money, I want the choice you make to be the right choice for you. 

Definition of a Pop-Up Gazebo

There are many phrases that encapsulate the term pop-up tents. Some of the more popular ones are:

• Instant Canopies
• Easy Ups
• Pop Up Marquees
• Promotional Marquees
• Gazebos
• Instant Shelters etc.

Although the term "pop up" is defined as appearing suddenly or unexpectedly, in reality, the pop-up gazebo should perhaps be referred to as a folding canopy. The frame and roof cover needs to be opened up – with some effort required – rather than perhaps a structure that pops into shape by itself.

The structure consists of a one-piece framework that is manufactured from a concertina of metal in the roof, held together with either metal or plastic joints, and ending in 4 or more telescopic legs depending on the size – more about this later. In essence, though, the framework should not require the user to assemble any parts and does not require any tools to use.

What is your budget?

It is important to have a realistic budget in mind. For example, if you are looking for top-of-the-range pop-up gazebos for regular use, then it will cost more than one from the garden section of a popular High Street catalog.

Size

Instant pop-up canopies are available in a variety of sizes. The size is determined by the length of the cross bars in the roof structure.

As a general rule, the three main sizes that are sold are 3M x 3M, 3M x 4.5M, and 3M x 6M. This is for three reasons. Firstly when sold as a trade stand most operators require a 3M (approx. 10') frontage, so these are multiplied accordingly. Secondly, each of these sizes requires the same size cross bars, which cuts down on manufacturing costs. Thirdly, these are the most popular sizes requested.