Dolphin Tale of Woes takes a WEIRD Turn!

[CarlD]

The new unit came from Smart Pools. I do not know if it was on their own incentive or on Maytronics'.

I will contact Smart Pools today and thank them for the new unit and ask if they want the old one--if not it will become the parts bin.

I still believe there is an issue with Smart Pools technicians. We've all been to good car mechanics, and inept ones. We've all seen competent pool services and incompetent, lazy ones.

When I was a kid, I worked for Singer fixing sewing machines (can't sew but I can fix most machines). The summer I turned 19, I was working for them--they sent me all over Westchester and Putnam Counties in NY fixing machines. Each store manager was supposed to be trained as a mechanic. HAH! There was ONE in all the area who knew as much as this kid did (he also taught me a lot, too). The managers would pretend to fix machines, guessing about what was wrong, and then would lie to the customer and bill them out the nose. I wouldn't do that--there was plenty of revenue in HONEST repairs. Singer was one of the early companies to have computerized payrolls--this was 1974. And they had it set up to hold back salary two weeks longer than was legal, and your check would arrive forward dated! So if you were due a check on August 1, you would get it on August 14, but the date would be August 1!

They had crookedness built all the way into their payroll software! I guess this is why the Singer company has disappeared and the brand was sold!

So I don't trust mechanics who return products that don't work, who claim repairs that aren't on my invoice, or are but clearly weren't done.

It may be as simple as Smart Pools replacing their mechs, or getting them retrained, or supervising them better. I don't know--it's not my business, it's theirs.

[poolbuoy]

Just wondering how Maytronics has faired with the war going on there. Surprised they can even do business at all...

[Unabomber007]

Sounds like they are trying to make nice now that word of their actions is out. This should of occured a LONG time ago. I have a very similar experience that I'll post about later today or tomorrow. The only difference is that my story is about a crap unit that was fairly and expeditiously swapped out for a brand new unit.

[jimwnola]

I have found problems with the whole "repair industry." I just bought my 3rd refrigerator for my camp over 12 years. There is no climate control when I'm not there so it is a harsh environment. The 1st refrigerator was under warranty. 3 repair trips were involved, havign to meet them each time with the one guy telling me the other one didn't know what he was doing, and they never really got the refrigerator to 100%. The next time it gave me a problem, I just replaced it. Now, about 6 years later, the other one broke. It probably was just a simple repair, like the fan. However, when I weighed probably paying at least $150 for the repair, the possibility of incompetence, etc, I just bought another. We have become throw away society for anything electronic and, as such, I think there are few in their repair business with much talent.

[CarlD]

So I DID try calling Smart Pools. I couldn't get to it until late in the afternoon....in yet another twist they closed shop at 4pm in anticipation of severe weather conditions expected at the Jersey Shore (they are in Lakewood, near Pt. Pleasant).

I did leave a message thanking them for the new Dolphin and telling them that I DID post it here, too. I post the good stuff as well as the bad.

[cleancloths]

Just wait, they probably shipped it by mistake and will bill you for the new one

In my mind, they did too little too late and there is no way in hell I would ever buy another product from that company. I'm just glad I dealt with Cosco so I was able to return my worthless Dolphin Dynamic with no questions asked. The fact that they did something long after push came to shove proves they don't give a rats ass about customers.

I would strongly suggest anyone and everyone avoid them, there are too many other good products out there from companies that will take care of you without all this crap.

[cruzmisl]

Well this is good news but a little late especially considering if you hadn't bought the blue diamond you'd have to rely on manual vacuuming (that sucks).

I think Maytronics came through and highly doubt Smartpools had anything to do with it. As someone already posted it's amazing they are even doing business with all that's going on over there.

Anyway, I think the Dolphin is a good cleaner IMHO. Knock on wood I haven't had any issues with my new one. My old Diagnostic had a motor fail and the local repair center fixed it within days and it has worked fine ever since.

There isn't a "perfect" cleaner. They all have their issues. I find I never use my remote. For anyone considering a new cleaner, save the money on the remote option and buy a Poolbuster. Much more efficient and cheaper too. Also less to go wrong with the robot.