Well if you’re reading this article, then chances are you’re considering the purchase of an above ground swimming pool. Congratulations, you’re on the right track, now you just need a little more guidance with this process. After having worked with many people in their efforts to buy an above ground swimming pool, I’ve come up with my top big mistakes people do during this important process.
1. Believe everything when researching on line: I always find it amusing when above ground swimming pool consumers tell me, “I’ve been spending a lot of time on manufacturer websites in order to know which one is the best.” This statement, or some derivative of it, makes very little sense. Any above ground pool manufacturer can make themselves sound GREAT on a website. Consumers need to be very careful as to the ‘claims’ some above ground pool manufacturers will make. So do you want to know how to quickly figure out the quality of an above ground pool? Well the answer is simple: If the manufacturer does not list the complete, written warranty of above ground pool on the website, then flags should go up….i.e.: Their warranty stinks. Plus, you want to work with a local reputable above ground pool builder and take their word on what is best. They will stand behind the product they sell and you will be promised to get what you paid for. That is not always true when buying on line.
2. Focus Solely on Price: It always baffles me to hear a customer say they want a great, great super-low price but they also expect great, great quality and service…..Huh? Say what? There is an old saying I once heard. It goes something like this: “All of your customers want you as a business to make money and turn a profit. They just don’t want you to make any money on them.” This quote certainly holds true for some shoppers, but I find the majority understand that in order to deal with a reputable, steady company where quality and service are a fundamental component of the building process, then the company must make money. There will always, and I stress ALWAYS, be companies available that will build your pool for less. This is also why so many swimming pool companies go out of business. Although price always has and always will be an important part of choosing your pool builder, make sure that it’s not your first priority. If it is, then you might find yourself being the next victim of a terrible pool building experience.
3. Focus on the short-term: Whether you are looking at the type, size, price, or any other component of your swimming pool, you need to make decisions based on how long you think you might be in your home, not just on your circumstances today. This is why it’s important to work with a local reputable pool company and not an on-line source. Your local pool company wants what is best for you and can give you all the options available to you. This means options to fit your budget but also the options that fit your long term swimming pool goals.
