Never Knew...

It was interesting to talk to my neighbor today. I never knew how stubborn people are with their pools. He has a gorgeous inground pool. I was trying to mention to him about how I intend on taking care of my new A/G pool with household bleach..borax etc and he stopped me in my tracks. He was absolutely convinced that the name brand of chemicals he uses are superior to all. Can't imagine what he spends. I tried to interupt him and explain but he didn't give me a chance. He was going on and on about clearing up some cloudiness because of a low Ph and what he was adding to cure it. I just kind of chuckled inside and let him go on. My pool looks crystal clear because of the information I've obtained on this site! The pool cost me enough without having to spend more on crazy chemicals. I feel so lucky to have stumbled here...Too bad you can't teach old dogs new tricks....;)

I have found it hard for people to go outside the box. When you think about a pool the first thing that comes to mind is chlorine pucks that go in the floater. You can give them 100 reasons why to use bleach over chlorine pucks and other pool store chemicals but they will never switch. Even telling them they can save money they still wouldn't switch. Personally it makes no sense to me.

I come across this all the time "I've been using pucks for years and my water is perfect. I never test anything but chlorine and pH". I say "Great!" After all, until they have a problem, it is great. And, until they have a problem that their pool store and conventional wisdom cannot solve, I have no effective argument for them--they have evidence of success.

When they get the algae bloom and they can't clear it, then they start to listen.

[quote=CarlD

When they get the algae bloom and they can't clear it, then they start to listen.[/quote]
Or they start overdosing the pool on copper and get even more frustrated!

I think it's more of a face-saving manuver for these folks. They've spent so much money over the years, they don't want to admit they might have been wrong.

Ah well.

Michael

I think it's just mainly human nature to stick to what you have been doing or use what has been advertised to you. Many people refuse to use generic drugs and want to pay more for the name brand drug even when the generic is manufactured in the same plant by the same company and they just throw a different label on the bottle and charge you 50% more for it. I will often pick a generic over the counter drug and just look at the ingredients and compare to the name brand and if they match 100% then I use it.

With bleach people generally think of bleach as being dangerous and toxic and why would you want to put that into your pool ? Won't it fade your swimsuit ? The fumes could kill you !!!! etc. Mention that it's exactly the same stuff as liquid chlorine sold at the pool store but even less strong and their eyes glaze over in confusion.