ACTION POOL SVC

For a number of months Action Pool Service did a decent job of cleaning and maintaining my pool. Then about three weeks ago I noticed that the pool started to look pretty bad. I called Action Pool Service to ask what was going on and was told that I should have had my filter replaced a few weeks ago. When I asked them why they didn't bring this to my attention earlier they're only response was that it would cost me extra to clean the pool since it had gotten so bad. I hired a new pool cleaning and maintenance company. The new company informed me that my filter was fine, but it appeared that the pool had NOT been serviced at all in several weeks. It appears that Action Pool Service simply wasn't performing the service they were charging me for. On top of that, it cost me an extra $65 in chemicals to get the pool back into shape. I was thoroughly dissatisfied with Action Pool Service and recommend avoiding them.

- Positives: Pricing was comparable to other local service providers; Responsiveness of owner and technician were prompt - Services were rendered on a weekly basis (for a total of three weeks) & pool would turn completely green - usually within a day or two of "servicing"- The only evidence of servicing was skimming the top & throwing in chlorine tabs (which added up - after week 3 - there were 3 chlorine tabs stacked up in the floating basket) - After the 3rd week of service & pool not clearing up within 24 hours of servicing, the owner came out to the house. He threw 4 scoops of "shocker" into the pool, said the problem was the filtration system (which he offered to replace for $900), and said my dogs were swimming in the pool which caused it to turn green (which wasn't true - one dog jumped into the pool when we first moved into the house & quickly realized it wanted no part of being in the pool; however, even after the dog was in the pool it did not turn green within 24 hours or so)- My primary issue with the owner's "excuses" for the green pool is 1) the dogs did not swim in the pool, and 2) he admitted he conducted the inspection of the pool prior to me purchasing the house; therefore, if he felt the filtration system was inadequate - it should have been documented in his pool inspection report (which it WAS NOT). If he had done so, that would have been reason for negotiation with the seller of the house regarding the pool filtration system. - I subsequently obtained opinions from another pool cleaning service and a pool equipment technician - both other companies said the filtration system was "fairly new & more than adequate." The system was serviced & new media added for less than $100 (MUCH LESS THAN THE $900 ACTION POOL WANTED TO CHARGE TO REPLACE A SYSTEM!) - Both of the other companies tested the pool water and advised the chlorine and bromide levels were "through the roof" (which makes sense considering the constant adding of chlorine tabs & 4 scoops of "shocker" being added at one time!) - Additionally, the other companies (one whom did not charge a fee for the service call) took the time to explain a few simple maintenance techniques to assist with the upkeep of the pool & the equipment (something Action Pool personnel never bothered to do)- In addition to the owner attempting to "con" me out of $900, the technician showed up to my house on a day he was not scheduled for service & let himself into my backyard without obtaining approval or announcing himself. To me, this is socially unacceptable behavior ( to just walk into someone's yard without approval or notification) and professionally unacceptable behavior to do so on a date you're not scheduled to be providing services.