Dolphin Tale of Woes takes a WEIRD Turn!

[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.

[CarlD]

OK, More info:

Smart Pool, not Maytronics, decided to simply replace my Dolphin Dynamic with a brandy-new one.

I've packed and readied the old one for shipping back to them--they arranged for a call tag so they are having it picked up at their expense, not mine.

Yeah, I wish they had done it sooner, but it's better that they've done it now than not done it. I won't be billed for the new one--it's a replacement, in part because I've been a PITA and I've made sure lots of folks know about it.

I hope this brings about some changes at Smart Pool, and that Maytronics, too, is working for the changes. If in the future, people have better luck with their Dolphins and, more importantly, with service, it will be a good thing.

When the Dolphin worked, I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. It was less idiosyncratic than the Blue Diamond, even though it took 8 hours to cycle. I didn't have to pull the ladder out, and didn't have to worry about the cord getting chewed up, or the soaking wet unit sitting on its stand with the power supply UNDER it getting dripped on.

When it worked. But the B/D so far is sensational. Since they are sold by the same people who sell Pool Busters, and I've had good luck with the service dept for the P/B, I thought it might just be OK. I hope so. I don't want to go through this again. You just want to replace a belt or a hose or a something when it stops working, and then it works again.

[gonefishin]

Sounds like a semi-happy ending

It may be true that SmartPool may have been a bit late on their actions, but they did seem to (end up) do the right thing. Perhaps this is a lesson for them as well as us...maybe it won't take them so long next time.


Side-note: As far as I can see...customer service seems to be a lost art. We're now in the world where I'm actually shocked if I get good service from a company. Hopefully companies are learning this isn't good (longterm) business, although I'm not holding my breath

congrats on the new Dolphin

dan