Checkers Pools

Review: My husband and I used Checkers Pool Supply to open our pool at the end of May 2013. The employees who opened the pool were efficient and the pool filter process was explained to us. We were present the entire time of the pool opening. One of the employees stepped on the skimmer cap and cracked it. We were told they were going to look for another one and shortly thereafter left. A couple days later I called them to find out about the skimmer cap and was told it had to be special ordered. A few days after that, a bill was left on our fence for the cap. I called again to make sure that Checkers was covering the price due to the fact their employee broke it, and they failed to provide further explanation. I was told they were covering the cost and it was just left "for our information". We did receive the skimmer cap with no further contact or issue. At the end of September 2013, we received a bill for an additional $84.89 (on top of the original contracted pool opening price which was paid) for "chemicals" supposedly used when opening our pool. When calling them, they had no explanation and denied the fact they waited 4 months before sending this $84.89 bill for "chemicals" that may or may not have been used in the opening, along with threatening to sue us for the $84.89. I feel this is highly unethical and seems more like a bait and switch type of business.Desired Settlement: We do not want to pay the additional $84.89 for a service that we don't believe we received.

Business

Response:

Mr and Mrs [redacted] purchased a home at the address on file from a previous long term customer of Checkers Pools. Mr and Mrs [redacted] Contracted with Checkers Pools to open the swimming pool on [redacted] Dr on 5/24/2013. Per Checkers Pools online contracts along with delivered estimate for pool opening, it is clearly outlined the exact fees Checkers Pools charges for the pool opening. The calculated costs for the proper opening of each pool is provided with a pre-paid discount offer. Mr and Mrs [redacted] took advantage of this discount. The only charges for all of our Swimming Pool Openings which cannot be pre determined and can only be added as needed are the cost of Balancing Chemicals or parts needed to make the pool operational.This is clearly stated on all of

our paperwork provided to all of our clients. This has been the company procedure since 1991. The additional charge Mr and Mrs [redacted] are disputing are for the additional balancing chemicals applied at the opening and based upon the technicians on site water test. The results of the test are also noted on the checklist provided at the opening. Checkers applied 3 lbs of PH Increaser, 25lbs of Alkalinity Increaser and 25lbs of Calcium Hardness Increaser. These were billed to the homeowner with a 20% discount. Mr vand Mrs [redacted] were provided with the opening checklist of the exact service provided along with all additional products or parts by the Technicians the same day of this service. The bill for the additional products were emailed and mailed to the homeowner the following day and as a reminder on a monthly basis with no finance charges. These notices were ignored by the homeowners. Mr [redacted] called or office on 10/23/2013 upon his receipt of the bill due along with finance charges to date. Upon speaking with Mr [redacted], @ 11;40 am that morning, he asked what are we going to do if he doesn't pay, after it was explained what the charges were for. I asked him if he has no intention of paying and he responded quite irately again, what are we going to do if he doesn't pay and disconnected the call. The broken skimmer lid which Mr [redacted]

referenced was accidentally broken during the pool opening and replaced at no cost to the homeowner. The invoice being referred to was the actual Paid Invoice from the company Checkers purchased the lid from and left for the homeowner when we returned to install the part at no charge. Mr [redacted] called regarding this the day we provided the part and was explained the invoiced

showing as paid. This was an obsolete style part and not readily available. Checkers Pools has an impeccable record of great customer service since 1991 as our unblemished record speaks for itself.