Beware of dodgy swimming pool companies

[carla&trev]

Hi
It's been a while since I posted on here but felt compelled to post something about our disaster.

It's usually the newcoming Brit's dream to have a lovely house and with that a sparkling blue swimming pool. We thought the same and after some tough working out of the finances, decided to take the plunge (excuse the pun!).

However, since our job started, it's been nothing but a nightmare. Firstly the excavator contractors left our property in such a sorry state, they lied about dump fees, didn't dig the hole deep enough as requested it goes on and on. Then they sent the installers to fit the pool. When it arrived on a big trailer, we could see that the pool mould was bent. We waited to see what it would look like in the ground because having inexperienced eyes, we were not sure if all were like that (?). Once the pool was filled, the water clearly showed how out of line the pool was and that is what we've been left with. They also have not supplied our skimmer box lid and other accessories that we've already paid for.

Then the company tried stinging us for dump fees when I know that the excavator contractors dumped it for free at a site near us because they told me! When I approached the company about this they hung up on me because I used one colourful term (s***bags) to describe their contractors!

They then refused to speak to either me or my husband and ceased work unless we pay all the dump fees of $870! I had done my own calculations and worked out that these dump fees should only have come to $408!

To cut a long story short, we have an unfinished defective pool which is too high in the ground and they refuse to do anything about it. The letter I have received today is extremely unprofessional and abusive. I can see no way out now other than for my husband to take them to court and sue them but as it stands we have a huge pool in our backyard that is not correctly installed with 55,000 litres of water in it!

If any of you are wondering exactly which company this is please pm me and I would be glad to tell. It's a company that is very well known and quite popular and I am not the first person they have tried to con money out of and offered NO customer service whatsoever. It's such a big expense and I'm not saying every other company out there is perfect but if I and others have had problems with this one, then why not minimise the risk of it happening to you by steering well clear?

Carla & Trev

[Diane]

What a rotten situation to be in! Have you considered contacting someone like A Current Affair or Today Tonight and seeing if they are interested in covering your story? Even the threat of doing so to the company might be enough to get them to back down a little and offer to sort things out for you? Alternatively try contacting a consumer rights agency - I am not sure if swimming pool agencies have to be registered at all but if so, that might be a place to start as well. I really hope you get something sorted out - it must be very upsetting and frustrating for you.

[cormcvcr]

Hi Carla & Trev,

so sorry to hear of your ordeal, it must be very frustrating for you.

There is a pool and spa organisation, who may be able to help you, have a look at this link and hopefully they can offer support. www.spasaadelaide.com.au

Good luck x

[carla&trev]

Thanks to everyone's kind words of support and advice. We will certainly be reporting them to SPASA and OCBA and also approaching the media.

I have received another letter today containing a racist comment about being British! Such a nice company - NOT!

Cheers guys and hopefully by passing on the word it will stop them doing this to anyone else!

Carla

[Nick11]

Thanks to everyone's kind words of support and advice. We will certainly be reporting them to SPASA and OCBA and also approaching the media.

I have received another letter today containing a racist comment about being British! Such a nice company - NOT!

Cheers guys and hopefully by passing on the word it will stop them doing this to anyone else!

Carla

I find that quite ironic as the majority of his customers are british.
With regards the landfill - this is a common practice for contractors to overprice the landfill and pocket the cash. I've heard of it being done several times.
Get in touch with today tonight - as the guy has appeared so often on there putting dodgy pools right - maybe the threat of it might just do the trick.

[Wersal Gummage]

What a rotten situation to be in! Have you considered contacting someone like A Current Affair or Today Tonight and seeing if they are interested in covering your story? Even the threat of doing so to the company might be enough to get them to back down a little and offer to sort things out for you? Alternatively try contacting a consumer rights agency - I am not sure if swimming pool agencies have to be registered at all but if so, that might be a place to start as well. I really hope you get something sorted out - it must be very upsetting and frustrating for you.

Great ideas there.
hope you're able to get it rectified Carla.

[redfoxy]

Any more News ?

How are you getting on with sorting the pool out ??

We were considering going to the same company for a price on a small pool for future consideration !! But maybe not now !!

[Nick11]

We chose adelaide pool and spas over the company in dispute and are so glad we did. Excellent service - never seen contractors work so hard or clean up so well after themselves.

[carla&trev]

Hi

Well two guys turned up after receipt of my letter (which I also sent to the managing director in Perth) to measure the pool - I guess to prove us wrong but lo and behold the guy agreed that it was out of line!! They went away, but we still haven't heard anything. I still think they will ignore us now and we will have to take them to court or something.

Will keep you all posted - watch this space!

Carla

[redfoxy]

Hi

Well two guys turned up after receipt of my letter (which I also sent to the managing director in Perth) to measure the pool - I guess to prove us wrong but lo and behold the guy agreed that it was out of line!! They went away, but we still haven't heard anything. I still think they will ignore us now and we will have to take them to court or something.

Will keep you all posted - watch this space!

Carla

Keep us informed please !

I reckon they are "bothered !"