Olympic Pools

Overall, the pool itself is beautiful. Our problem was not with the installers, but Olympic Pools. We originally went into Olympic pools to buy a liner. When they came to install the liner, they noticed the pool was not stable, and needed to be replaced. So, we returned to the store to discuss our options. We have an 18" x 33" pool with an aluminum oversized, half way wrap around deck. We knew the deck could be a problem since it was custom-made to fit our original pool. Since the pool size is common, we discussed a pool that was the same size. The sales person said the deck would be trimmed to fit the new pool. There might be a small gap here or there. I was not expecting perfect, but something that would be workable on a temporary basis. So, since the pool price was comparable to other companies, we went with Olympic since we had a credit for the liner. The pool came with a filter, cover, vacuum, etc. We discussed the deck again and were assured the pool would fit with some minor adjustments. Paperwork was completed and all the items ordered were discussed. The pool itself was delivered in a timely manner. The installers came to remove the old pool and begin set up of the new pool. However, the installer called us commenting on the deck, stating that the store had advised him that WE would take care of the deck. Our response was how are we suppose to know how the pool will fit? We also told the installer that their was no way we would have accepted responsibility for this, since we do not have the proper tools. After some discussion we agreed that for $100 the installer would make the necessary adjustments to the deck. We can home to find that our deck was sliced straight making it completely unusable and unstable (the "small gap" we were told we would have turned out to be 80 inches in the corners), and important supports in the middle of the deck were removed making it very unstable if you stand on it. Again, the installer stated he was following directions from the pool company. The installers did a good job and the pool itself looks beautiful. We immediately contacted the pool company to complain. Our expectations were not met since the deck was sliced without regards to the pool. My husband spoke with the Assistant Manager, who told us HE would not have told us that the deck would need to be scrapped, and could not believe that one of his salespeople would've told me that it would be salvageable. It should be noted that our salesperson Tim was leaving for a job with a local school, and we suspect he basically told us whatever we wanted to hear, knowing that he would not be around in a month to deal with the consequences. Tim also told us that the installers would remove the old pool. This came as news to the installer since he said removal of the old pool is ALWAYS the responsibility of the owner. To make matter worse, when we unpacked the filter, we were upset to find that the filter had a twist lock plug and not a regular cord. When we called the store to see if they would swap it out with another filter, we were told that those are the only plugs these filters come with, and that it was mandatory due to code. The salesperson actually hung up on me ending the conversation without further discussion. YET (1) the filter's brochure shows model #'s with both plug types AND (2) Two other pool companies told me they could order me a motor with the correct outlet if I wanted them to. Overall, this process was unpleasant. Yes, we have never purchased a pool before, but, things were not explained well to us. When we advised the staff at Olympic, their catch all defense was "It says x in your contract". I have never known that to be an appropriate defense for an outright lie. At the end of the day, if Olympic had been upfront with us from the beginning about how big a project this would've been, we would've waited until next Spring. I am 8.5 months pregnant, and my husband is left to back-fill this pool one shovel at a time since we do not have heavy equipment to do the job. Also to replace the destroyed deck will cost another $6,300. Again had we known the scope of this job we would have waited until next year, and been prepared for all that is involved with this project. I would urge people to stay clear of Olympic Pools in Whitehall as the staff of this store clearly puts their SHORT TERM interest of making a few bucks on a quick sale, before building a long term relationship (i.e. Pools supplies, parts, service, opening/closing etc.). I wish to have no further dealing with Olympic for ANY future matters.

Our experience with them has been partially good and partially bad. The installer that was here was very good and he basically stuck around to make sure that everything worked. We are happy with the installation now because of the work that he did to make sure that everything was hooked up properly and everything was working. Our interaction with the sales person in Olympic Pools was just the opposite because it was horrible and the worst experience that we have had in our life. He did not tell the installer about a number of things about our heater that he needed to know ahead of time one of which is that our old heater was 20 years old. It was configured differently than the new one that he was installing. The installer had to spend extra time retrofitting the new model to make it work for us. The installer was great because he did everything that he had to and made sure everything was working. It is working properly now but the sales person really dropped the ball by not telling the installer. The other thing that we have is a remote control panel inside the house that allows us to turn on the pool heater from inside the house without having to go outside and actually turn the unit on; this was also not informed to the installer. This could have been a disaster because the chance that our control might not have worked with the model that they sold us. Fortunately the installer hooked it up and it does work because it is close enough to the old model so all the wires kind of match up. One of the problems with the sales person was that he called us a liar because we had told him that we had the inside control panel and when we called him when the installer was having problems he said we never told him about that. We know that we had because we had notes of our conversation. He spent 15 minutes denying that we ever told him about it and we were really stressed because at that point we were not sure if this particular model of heater was going to work properly with our controller. The sales person was absolutely very rude and did not do a good job in passing on critical information to the installer as well as insulted us over and over again on the phone by denying that we told him something’s. My experience with Mr. Rodger who was the sales person at Olympic Pools that we actually dealt with was absolutely horrible; we would never recommend dealing with him again. We are 63 years old so we have been around and have dealt with a lot of people; this was the most horrible experience that we have had in our lives. The installer put in extra time just to make sure that it worked. Their prices were very competitive compared to similar models from other people. The sales person did not seem to be sympathetic at all with our concern. They were a little late bit late and did not call ahead to inform us that they were going to be late. They showed up within half an hour of when they had informed us; they were a mixed bag. We would use them only if we had to and only if we couldn’t get what we needed from anybody else.

I chose them because they did my pool eighteen years ago. I had an above ground pool eighteen years ago, and now, I went with an inground pool, and it is just familiarity. They are very professional. They do an excellent work. What they quote you is what you pay. Their price is very competitive.