Watermom's New Pool Adventure

[Watermom]

I was grumbling about this to Ben, Janet, Carl and Al. Ben suggested I post it on the forum, so here is my saga.

What a pain it is to find and buy a new AG pool. I'm in the market to replace my pool this spring. Planning to buy a 27 ft with 54 inch walls this time. (Current one is 24 ft and 48 inch.) The local pool store that I usually frequent has what appears to be a very nice pool but only offers one liner pattern as "part of their package." I don't like the pattern and the lady says that is the only liner they will put with it. So, I guess they don't get my business. There aren't really too many pool stores locally. The other one close by that I know of is more into spas than pools and they don't always come across as too knowledgeable.

I guess one option is looking and buying online. The pool store gave me the name of the guy who does their installations. We talked with him the other evening and told him we probably weren't going to buy from the store due to no liner choices, but wondered if he would be interested in doing the installation anyways. His reply was that he only did their installations, so, no, not interested. So, now I also have to find an installer.

Gee. This is fun.

[kelemvor]

Sounds like an exciting time for you! What part of the country are you in?

[CarlD]

Watermom is in WV. I'm surprised the pool store didn't just say: "Sure we can do it, but we'll have to charge an extra fee." Around here you can't turn around without hitting SOME pool store. And where I used to work, along Rt 22 in the Greenbrook area there are about 6 pool stores, down from 8.

[Watermom]

So, I went back into that same store this afternoon. Told her that I was not interested in buying her pool package if I had no liner choice options. She came up with 2 others but I didn't like any of them either. There was a book of sample liners on the counter. I started looking through it. I found one I really liked.

Pool store lady: "No. That is only for inground pools."
Watermom: "Will they ever custom make one out of that liner for an AG pool."
PSL: "No. They never will. It is only for inground pools.
WM: "What difference does it make if it is custom ordered for a particular size whether it is going in an AG or IG pool? It is just a piece of vinyl."
PSL: "No. It is only for an inground pool."
WM: "Well, then I guess I am not interested. I don't want to spend this much buying a liner I don't like that I will have to live with for many years."

About that time, the pool store owner arrived. Says he, "Yes, they can custom make an AG liner for you in any size you want, but it will cost you more."
WM: "If I do a custom order, will you credit me for the 'package liner' that I will not be using?"
Owner: "Yes, I will buy it back from you and just charge you the difference."

WM: "Ok. Let me write you a check."

Problem solved. He says it will take about two weeks for the liner to come in. That gives me time to call the installer man back and say that we are buying a pool from that store after all so go ahead and put me on the schedule for an installation job. It will also give me time to take down my existing deck that goes around the perimeter of my pool. Since I am buying a 27ft and currently have a 24 ft, the arc of the curve of the deck will not line up. After the new pool in installed, we'll build a new deck.

Getting anxious for swim season!

[CarlD]

Way to horse-trade, WM! The clerk doesn't care about a lost sale, the owner does!

[UeckertRN]

Those kind of sales people make me soo mad.... The first pool I was going to buy only came with one liner. The pool I decided to buy had many choices and I got an upgraded liner for $100 more. I'm excited! I can't wait to see your pics!! I will post mine too! Our dilemma now that we have the pool chosen is decking material.... Staining & sealing it.

[PoolDoc]

Watermom, remember to take b4 & after pictures!

And in case you don't know, from the first post "Ben, Janet, Carl and Al" are myself (PoolDoc) and the other moderators, Aylad, CarlD, and Poconos.

[AnnaK]

Good going, WM! I hope the store owner has a long conversation with the clerk. Looking forward to the photo essay of your new installation adventure.

[BigTallGuy]

Hi Mom, The moral of this story that the pool store needs to learn is, NEVER UNDER ESTIMATE YOUR OPPONENT. They obviously didn't know who they were dealing with.

Good Job Mom!

[Watermom]

They obviously didn't know who they were dealing with.

That's right! Never mess with Mom!