Pool Stores

[CarlD]

Nothing new here under the sun, but it still is good for a horse-laugh!

There is one pool store near my office (one of 7!) that charges more for most stuff, sometimes ridiculously more (house brand Polyquat for $35/quart--is that INSANE or what?). So why do I go there? Because they have the parts I need, know what parts I need and can help with advice on them. The prices are higher--I'm paying for GOOD advice. I don't question them on chems...why make trouble?

You see, as much as I rant about people getting "Pool-Stored", I KNOW that these folks are mostly playing back what they've been told. They haven't done research, haven't seen how OUR methods work better, faster and more reliably--they are this generation's Flat-Earthers. In other words, they just don't know better. Getting in someone's face and telling them everything they know is wrong is not the way to convince them.

So I tell them I use liquid chlorine--I don't need to tell them it comes in a jug that says "Laundry Bleach"...They sell LC, but most don't know it's the same thing!

Actually, LOTS of pool store clerks are aware that the same chems may be available as generics and, if the boss ain't around, are cool with it.

But I need them for parts, accessories, and the few chems that you gotta get from them. There will be those with an agenda--usually in the lower quality stores.

I can do much on-line, and sometimes I do. But who doesn't like to go to a store, see it, touch it, then buy it?

But we are changing attitudes here, one algae-filled pool at a time!

[tenax]

good points, carl. to your point about experience.yep, pretty easy to tell who's been around the block or not. the guy i know best who is a spa pool installer is amazing..he's not often around, but happened to be yesterday when i picked up my supplies to replumb..he hasn't been to my pool in 2 years but remembered the exact setup, that one of the valves i was replacing was a blade type, the other ball and he said it would cost me about $80 canadian to replace the parts. the owner sent him off to box it up, the guy brought them back and the bill came to $77...had the stuff in 5 minutes and was on my way.(it took longer for my visa approval for the purchase then to talk to the guy and box the parts!)

[Dr. Spike]

I guess for the most part the pool store is like any other retail store. The people working there are doing just that, working there. They don't necessarily know what they are selling, just what they have been told.

I would hope that the owners would know or learn about pools, but what can you do?

I do get some good advice on parts for the owner of one of the stores, great people there too, always remember everything about the pool, and they only know what I told them.

[waterbear]

Actually, LOTS of pool store clerks are aware that the same chems may be available as generics and, if the boss ain't around, are cool with it.

I resemble that statement!