Tropical Pool & Spa,Inc.

We researched our pool options. When we went to Tropical, Annette was very experienced and answered our questions. She even offered some extra's which would be nice options for pools. When we left we felt strongly we would go with Tropical. We returned 2 weeks later to sign the paperwork and put a down payment. We thought everything was clear. When the pool was up and we went over it with Don, the installer & part owner, we did not have any of the options. We pulled out the contracts and did not pay for them either, he pointed out. Bottom line....We got the very basic model, not what we wanted, but what we were quoted. We felt very upset and tricked. Then, we had a leak. We called twice, both times Annette said she would contact Don, who was on a job. Finally, I went in to their store with a video of the issue. The next day Don came out, looked at it and said he would be out the next day to replace the attachment. Once he came and fixed the leak, no issue. Now, 2 months later, we have 1 large "drop" and a few skips on the bottom. One of their selling points was great installation. They sell and install. We thought that was a great point as well. Bottom line, I don't know if one pool company is better than the next. The other companies we spoke to contracted out installation.

Work started 5 weeks late. After the pit was dug and walls built, subcontractor informed us that we had to back-fill the pit (18 ft. by 10 ft.) with dirt up to a specific level using shovels and our backs. Base was then poured with only seep holes left instead of draining system, and we later had to ad a "pit-pump" ourselves to rid excess water since seep holes didn't work. The pre-fabricated unit was placed in the pit and broken on installation. It took another 4 weeks to fix, so the pool was ready to use in October in WI. The next three years, the same electronic part broke 4 times. Each time, it took 1-2 weeks to have the calls returned, another 2 weeks to get the part, and another 2-4 weeks for repair. Out of three seasons, pool has been operational less than 50% of the time. The contractor does not return calls, is dishonest about parts shipment times (we checked with the manufacturer each time), and provides terrible follow-up service for repairs.