Pool stores, devils and anti-christs.

[BigTallGuy]

Amen, Ben, Well Said. As a very long time pool owner I have a few simple tips that will go a long way when dealing with Pool Store owners, employees etc.

1) Take water samples to more than 1 store for testing, the more the merrier BEFORE ADDING CHEMICALS. Pay close attention to the testing techniques used by the various people and you may see a big difference. Take a note pad and write down your results. NEVER TRUST THE FIRST SET OF READINGS. Get a second (third, fourth etc) opinion. Better still, learn how to do your own testing.

2) Ask questions and understand what they are telling you to put into your pool and why. Ask Why like a little kid and continue to ask until you fully understand. What is the expected out come? How much to add etc. Do I pre-mix, add into skimmer, or simply dump into deep end? When they tell you something looks good or bad (pH, CYA, Chlorine etc.) ask for the specific number.

3) Know how many gallons your pool holds before you ask a pool store employee to guess.

4) There may come a time when draining and re-filling will be cheaper than dumping hundreds of dollars worth of chemicals into your pool. Always keep that in perspective.

Hope this helps. BTDG.