Doughboy or Esther Williams????

[hoffmans]

ohhh yeah it's Lowmart that is the sister company to Dougboy! I stand corrected. I knew there was a sister company out there....

What I was saying was: I love going to the Doughboy website and looking at the GALLERY. They have tons of pictures there w/ decks surrounding the pools. Beautiful ideas to keep in mind.

We will be buying a pool online. Why? Because of the price!
And yes we will be installing it ourselves. Just read this forum and you can follow how many people did it themselves, albeit w/ the help of hrsDennis and some of the others, but read read read and you will learn learn learn. And maybe just learn that "hey.... if they can do it, so can I !!"
Or you can just find a local installer and pay them to do it.

I never would have thought my husband & I could do it. But after a year of scavaging thru this site from top to bottom, I have confidence we can do it.

*Thanks to all out there
~Hoffmans

[hrsdennis]

Yeah well, the Doughboy site is nice too. , I just thought you were talking about mine.

Anyway, yes, we are always here to help.

Best of luck, Dennis

[traceyb]

I guess I feel like maybe paying that much I would prefer it to be set up right, cause if a failure or mistake, they have to fix it. Here's my deal. pool and install plus quick crete at thirty ft w fifty two inch walls.......ladder, solar cov, pump 1.1/5 hp pump etc....$7119
What do you all think.............

[CarlD]

I keep telling people that the monster that bites you in the bottom is the site. It must be level, stable and smooth. Site preparation is THE big headache in pool installation and where costs can sky-rocket. A pool installer cannot tell you this unless they view and measure the site.

Plus it's always cheaper and easier to dig down than build up to get a level site--I had to build up, AND have sprinkler feed lines moved.

[traceyb]

If you don't mind me asking.....what are you paying for your pool and kit online? And what state do you live in? I am in southern illinois. I listed to price in a previous post ($7118) for everything incl. pool krete and installation.....and obviously the pool, pump ladder skimmer, ets.

[hoffmans]

Hello again,
This site states right on the pool page, what the different pirces are for each pool and the size. No surprises w/ this company. Remember this is internetsales, there is NO INSTALL. http://www.sunenterprises.com/abovegroundpools.htm
Now, I called them and told them that I really like the 2 "top of the line" pools that they sell BUT that I also am in contact w/ another company who sells the Artesian pools that are 36' round. SOOOO.. the lady said that last season they sold those exact same pools and that she would see if she could special order me one!

Here is the link to the *other* pool site that sells Artesian. This seems like a nice site/company to buy a pool from- if you can get past the busy signal on the phone. http://www.poolplaceonline.com/pools.aspTHEY DO NOT HAVE prices on their site, you have to click the link to ask for a quote or call them.
They did email me a quote for their 2 most expensive pools-
The Diamond Crest 36'Round = $5299.00
The Emerald Isle is sold out of the 36' round so, they quoted me for a 30' round = $3799.00.
Both of those quotes included their package deals- you know, cheapie ladder, filter/pump combo and a cheapie cleaning kit ect. ( can't remember if shipping was included on those or not).
I didn't get a quote from them on thier Echo Canyon. But I will call them- Againn on Monday and hopefully talk to a real person and get some prices- right from someone's mouth instead of thru email.

Now like I said these are internet sales - no leveling no install.

We are lucking out on the leveling. We are very good friends w/ the owner of and excavating business and he has done allot of work for us.

I did go to the local pool dealer here- Topeka, Kansas. They sell Doughboys!
Whoo hooo I was excited. I have Nooooo problems getting a Doughboy.
I ran in to get some CYA reagent ( they didn't know what i was talking about so they gave me some tablets . I wanted the drops) anyways I chatted w/ the head sales guy and he gave me a broucher and I went home. His prices are as follows:
Desert Spring:
24'round = $4575.00 pool&kit + $1850.00 install = $6425.00
28'round = $5145.00 pool&kit + $2100.00 install = $7245.00
32'round = $5820.00 pool&kit + $2300.00 install = $8120.00

There is another pool dealer here that only sells Cornelius Pools. Don't know anything about that manufacturer.

So that is why we are buying online.

http://www.sunenterprises.com/platinumpools.htm
Can sell us a Wil-bar 33'round for 3649.00 pool&kit. And they will toss that kit out the door and work w/ me on a kit i like better.
And they are looking into getting me a quote on an Artesian 36'round.
We will end up paying very little for the leveling (friend of the family doing it).
And we will be assembling the pool our selves.

Your quote of $7118.00- what brand and size pool is that for?

Now, I don't know if I am supposed to be talking about prices/quotes. If that is a *no-no* please someone tell me.......
If i broke some rule i apologize, please don't throw me into purgatory.

i am just a newbie here too. So it's not like i really know what i am talkign about when it comes to serious pool talk. We are just on the hunt for the perfect pool for our family.

~Hoffmans

[prh129]

I have a 24' round Desert Spring that I put on layaway last year and had installed this year. We are very happy with it. The 7K price you mentioned seems high to me - you mentioned 30 feet but from the brochure, the rounds are either 28' or 32'. You might want to go to the Doughboy website and see if there is another dealer in your area so you can call and get a price comparison.

The installation fee quote from the previous post was almost double what it cost me. The installation included site leveling (to a max of 12" off) blocks and sand. They were in and out in 3 hours.

Peter

[hrsdennis]

Hoffmans, Prices are an important part of the buying process. I think your research is a great value for many others that are in the market.

I agree with the pp that the Doughboy prices are very steep. I charge $500.00 to install a 24' pool. This does not include sand or electrical but does include all the ground prep.

I could buy that pool from a local store here, wholesale, for about 3000.00. If I added my 500.00 install fee and a couple thousand travel charge, I could come do it and still save you money. Kidding of course.

Thanks for posting all of you usefull findings. I am sure they are helping many.

Dennis

[traceyb]

dennis, Hey thanks for such good info.....If you could point me in the right direction to look online for Esther Wlliams pools to purchase on line, I could then compare to what they are asking. So far the sites i've gone to don't have prices on them.........I am waiting on 2 replies back. Just thought you might know..........I would fly you to southern IL and feed you a great steak if you installed my pool w/ dirtwork for $500........................

[zephans]

...If you could point me in the right direction to look online for Esther Wlliams pools to purchase on line, I could then compare to what they are asking. So far the sites i've gone to don't have prices on them...

I second this request.
ALL: Anyone dealt with online dealer selling JW or EW pools?

I haven't found any online dealer with prices and I have no local dealers in western Washington. Seattle area is not easy to find close neighbor that knows this stuff .

I agree Aluminum is probably longer lasting. However I am primarily concerned with next 20 years of service. Anything past that is bonus for me. (That said the Lomart pro-rated warranty after 3 years kinda worries me.)