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Intex Recreation

Intex Recreation review: poor quality product! 32

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12:00 am EDT
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I purchased an Intex 18' X 48" easy set pool last June the pool was great at the time of use I took the pool down for the winter due to the freezing temperatures we experience in Virginia. I took the pool out this year to set up everything went well until I completed hooking up the pump to the pool when I released the water into the hoses to fill the pump and took the pressure off the pump I turned the switch on, the pump made a horrible noise like it was breaking apart I immediately turned the pump off opened the filter area of the pump finding plastic pieces in the filter area. I took the cover off finding the impeller blades had broken completely off of the shaft resulting in the pump not being any good for anything. I have called and called with the same results the volume of calls are so high that there will be a 15 or 30 minute wait. I do not have the time to wait on line to speak to someone since I'm calling during business hours and I have phones to answer at my place of business. I ordered another pump on line hoping this pump will be better than the one that came with the pool. My pump is under warranty and I haven't had much luck getting in touch with someone to replace it the operation manual states mail it back to Intex for replacement with prepaid postage, I have no problem with doing this as long as they will respond or replace the pump. I agree with a pool as large as 18' X 48" I would feel the pump does not pump enough water to keep the pool clean the GPH needs to be much larger.

Very poor service and product quality!

32 comments
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Igor Kushchiy
, UA
Jul 31, 2013 7:31 am EDT

I have Krystal Clear Saltwater SystemCS8220 and part with titanium blades was broken in threee weeks. WARRANTY from INTEX TWO years. I cannot get new part in my country. How I understand I need to bu new system ?

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Consumer warning
, US
Dec 02, 2010 3:33 pm EST

I too have the same problem, wrote to intex in email twice with no answer. I am done with them. The are trapping consumers with faulty engine part that they obviously know is no good. Chiffon line they want to sell these kits and not take responsibility. I'm gonna try and get a television program like 20/20 to give them a warning, it's for the protection of all the consumers.

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L Thiels
Alexandria, US
Oct 09, 2010 6:38 am EDT

I have gone through two Intex pool pumps in one summer. Thank goodness, they replaced the first with no problems because it was still under warranty. The second went out just after warranty and no replacement. The pumps work fine. It is the crappy and poorly made impeller that falls apart. I know they could make a replacement impeller for little of nothing. If they would just offer these to the consumers, it would save their reputation. As for now, their reputation sucks and I will NEVER purchase another Intex product.

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dingo1
Deception bay, AU
Sep 21, 2010 1:47 am EDT

same same same. my impeller blades sheared off as well. worked great for awhile but now no good. i contacted my supplier to see if i can buy a replacement part
nope nothing. can not get parts for filters. i was informed that i have to buy a new Filter i was not impressed with intex. i will not be buying anything else from this Company.

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Laurie Thiels
ALEXANDRIA, US
Sep 06, 2010 8:09 am EDT

I purchased a pool with an Intex pump as well and, just like all of the above, the impeller fell to pieces. Fortunately, my pool was only 4 months old so I e-mailed and they sent a replacement pump. Just like the last, the impeller pooped out after only 3 months of use. I I am frustrated with thier poor product and especially the fact they will not sell a replacement part.
I have no choice but to replace my pump but it will NOT be an Intex product.

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PhilC
Westmeath, CA
Oct 18, 2009 2:29 pm EDT

We purchsaed a Woods(Canada) air bed and after about 5 uses it started to leak air.Intex bought Woods...and afer a series of e-mails to Intex, they essentially wanted nothing to do with us. It was out of warranty by about 10 months. I printed off the e-mails and sent them, with a letter, by mail, to Intex Head office, attention General Manager. No reply, no acknowledgment, nothing...nothing.
What a lousy Organization!...fancy web site (anybody can hire a webmaster), but at the end of the day, they could not give you a know what.
Is there a registry, or a government site where North American consumers can lodge complaints against Companies who give rotten, arrogant, or no existent service?
Phil ...Westmeath...Ontario, Canada

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thefloyd
Phoenix, US
Sep 15, 2009 10:24 pm EDT

I recently obtained an intex 635 pump from a friend who's shoddy intex pool failed after one season of use. Pump started out noisy, after a week it got even noisier and then jammed up. I tried to unjam with a screwdriver and the blades broke off the impeller. Yeah I know, I basically broke it, but upon dis assembly I found that I only broke off some of the blades, the rest had broken off already (hence the noise). Long story short, I am shocked that intex doesn't sell replacement impellers. Now a perfectly good $100.00 pump is garbage.

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orcapod
Campbell River, CA
Jul 17, 2009 5:32 pm EDT

Same problem here. Bought a 15' round metal frame pool May 2008. Pump didn't work. Intex did replace the pump, but took three weeks to get here. Set up our pool this year, pump did not work. (the replacement pump.) Phoned Intex, and I was one day past the warranty on that pump, they were closed on the weekend. They stated that they have to go by my original purchase date, although I received my new pump June 15th 2008. One day past my warranty? The impeller broke, and it is the one part you can not buy from Intex?
Decent pump to replace it with is a hydro force pump. Much simpler to use, and replace the filter. I am just choked cause the INTEX pump only worked for 3 months, cause where I come from, pools would freeze if left up over the winter. Shotty workmanship, rude customer service representatives, poor quality products. I feel and hear your pain.

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yankee17
courtenay, CA
Jul 01, 2009 2:02 pm EDT

same problem - second pump lasted a year. impeller unavailable. anyone find an impeller, or decent pump to replace ?

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mgthomas
, US
Jun 28, 2009 4:31 pm EDT

Same bad impeller here in Genesee, WI. Only redeeming thing is it took 3 years to break.

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PO'ed in WI
, US
Jun 21, 2009 8:14 pm EDT

Exact same thing here. Started pump for first time this year, not moving any water. Open pump up and discover every impeller blade broken. Not surprising considering the brittle plastic they're made of- obviously made to fail to sell replacement pumps. Haven't contacted Intex yet since it's Sunday, but why would I want another one so I can go through the same B.S. next year?

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mad georgian
Lawrenceville, US
May 26, 2009 1:41 pm EDT

I really am suprised at the experience difference I am having between my current 18x52 pool and the 15x36 it replaced. The person I gave my 15 foot pool to is still using it with the original motor (700 gph) ... 6 years that pool has been flawless. This new 18 footer... a different story.

The pump problem seems to be rampant on the Model 635 Motors. Mine was noisy when I set up the pool in June, but seemed to have "decent" flow. About a week before tear down I stopped using the motor, then turned it on teardown day (for vacuuming) and the thing sounded like it was going to grenade. I went round and round with Intex to no avail. I ordered a new Model 635 to get my pool going this year and plan on shopping for a replacement pool for next year. Too bad Intex has been so bad about backing up their product... this problem has lost the sale of a saltwater system for Intex.

Next year there will be a different pool at the house... and I agree... it won't be Intex. I bought my 18x52 metal frame pool from Costco and I see they have dropped Intex.

Shame on Intex for knowing they have a really crappy motor and not offering for sale the single part we all need to repair it.

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cliff huntley
Brewer, US
May 03, 2009 7:54 pm EDT

we had the same problem with our pump and could not get a hold of anyone to help us with our junk pump

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fireandbrimstone
Friendswood, US
Apr 08, 2009 5:48 pm EDT

I have and am still suffering their outragous attitudude towards their failed productds. Their name is mud! Their equipment is junk! They will soon be out of buisness. You need the raving fan. They have the running herd. AWAY! from being burned again. Oh by the way the replacement pump is the same junk. I know, I have one.

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jorge
,
Sep 23, 2008 2:55 pm EDT

I think someone should put a video on YOUTUBE to let people know how ### this pump is, maybe INTEX will get the point.

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jorge
,
Sep 23, 2008 2:53 pm EDT

I will never buy another INTEX product again after owned over a year; ### IMPELLER broke after 5 month use. Why wont they sell replacment impeller? ILL BE DAMNED IF THEY WANT ME TO BUY ANOTHER PUMP THEY CAN GOTO HELL!

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Disappointed Customer
,
Sep 04, 2008 9:28 am EDT

I have had the 18x4 pool for less than a year and all the blades on the impellar have broken off. Altogether I have used the pool mabe 4mos and stored it the rest of the time in my shed. The pump and filter was very inadeqate for the size of the pool. I think this is just a scam to sell more pools and pumps.Because if they offered the replacement impellar then we would'nt need the $100 dollar replacement pump witch is the correct size that should have been included with the pool in the first place.

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Bob
,
Aug 17, 2008 6:01 pm EDT

I want to just buy the new impeller and replace it instead of having to buy a whole new assembly every year. Does anyone out there know where the part could be obtained?

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Dolli Walsh
,
Aug 10, 2008 10:15 am EDT

I have the same impeller problem. Stored for the winter and set up for the second time. Are there any replacement impellers? I have been on the internet looking. Sounds like Intex should go out of business.

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hanchett
,
Jul 23, 2008 8:19 am EDT

Everybody has something go wrong no matter the amount of money we spend. Some of the problems with the pump blades could be the place of storage. I just got an intex pool that I bought a month ago from a friend, the pool and the pump were stored for almost two years and i have no problems. I do agree that the the pump is too small for the amount of water and continously worry if the pump is going to burn up, or short out, but that is my only worry.

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Jonathan
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Jul 18, 2008 2:33 pm EDT

I had the exact same problem. And would love to know who John Chavez had spoken with so that I could get the same type of help.

These impellers are so poorly made.

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againstintex
,
Jul 11, 2008 2:59 pm EDT

i had the thig running properly last year and we set it up this year ran good for a month or so then sounded like some rockes got sucked up now i have the same damn problem now i have to buy a different pump and i garentee im not buying from intex ...no one sells these impellers so who ever does will make a fortune...lol...damn intex

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mt1
,
Jun 15, 2008 4:13 pm EDT

I guess you get what you pay for. The stuff doesn't cost much and doesn't last. They intend for you to just keep buying parts. When my parts wear out, I sure won't be buying any more. This company and the major retailer I bought this (18x48 pool) from are almost single handedly filling up our landfills with cheap junk. The store actually thinks they are contributing to being "green". It is a joke.

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Linda Dubret
,
Jun 12, 2008 4:53 pm EDT

The same with me. I used it last summer, took it down for the winter. Then put it up about a week ago, and now the impeller blade has gone to pieces. Not only that, it also broke out with three pine holds for absolutly no reason. I called and waited and waited for someone to answer, without no luck, I just finally hungup. I should wish I would of read this before I purchased it last year.

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corrie overman
,
Jun 12, 2008 10:03 am EDT

I have been on hold with intx now for about 20 minutes, i am trying to get a replacement pump that i just set up 4 days ago and the pump already is broken. after being on hold 5 or 10 more minutes a representative finally came on the phone, went thru a list of questions about my water level, did i have enough water in the pool and so forth, trying to make it my responsibility/ even ask me how many hours a day i ran the pump/ i brought it to her attention that the pump has an automatic shut off and when it gets overheated should automatically shut off to prevent any damage to pump/ i went thru the owners manual for the pump and did not find a section on how many hours u should run your pump per day or anywhere that said running the pump for too long will cause damage// well i am now awaiting a claim form from intex that i have to fill out and send to intex and they will decide if they should send me a new pump / i will keep you posted of outcome

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Roy Niswanger
,
May 24, 2008 3:21 pm EDT

Yep...13 months later...4 months of use...9 months storage...damn impeller blades sheared right off...called but no go since 13 months...SO I BEG TO KNOW, WHY CAN WE GET A DAMN REPLACEMENT IMPELLER?//

-Roy
INTEX SUCKS...I WILL NEVER EVER EVER EVER AGAIN BUY ANOTHER INTEX PRODUCT...USING A HAYWARD SYSTEM NOW...ATLEAST EVER PART ON IT HAS A PART NUMBER TO ORDER REPLACEMENTS.

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John Chavez
,
Apr 25, 2008 7:13 pm EDT

I must disagree with this complaint. I contacted Intex directly (on hold for only 3 minutes) and the nice young lady that took my call informed me that my pump had a one year warranty. Not only that but they didnt even require me to send the pump, just a copy of the receipt. I did and next thing I knew I came home and I had a new pump waiting for me on my door step ready to go. I installed it and havent had a problem since.

thanks to intex for producing such a wonderful product thats perfect for me and my grandkids!

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Tom
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Apr 24, 2008 11:44 am EDT

Same Same, my blades broke off as well. They said I couldn't repair it. The lady on the phone laughed and said I should just buy another one. Yeh, real funny lady.

At this rate it would be easier to just buy a real pool.

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Brian
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Apr 18, 2008 3:19 pm EDT

Same as the above..worked great last summer, took it down for the winter..fired it up today and it sounded like I ran nails through it. Opened it up and like magic all the impeller blades were gone. Magically no-one seems to carry replacement blades and a new pump of the same size costs 100 bucks. So here I am with a pump that works great for scaring off small woodland creatures, but horrible for cleaning my pool. Maybe I'll use the motor to build a remote control submarine with a dustbuster hooked up to it...

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Roger A. Bachman
,
Sep 07, 2007 8:50 am EDT

We purchased a double bed inflatable a few years ago for use when we have an overflowing house full of daughters and grandchildren. It has been used only six times for 3-4 days each time. Two weeks ago when we blew it up the center rose and the sleepers could not stay on the bed. It looks as if some of the internal welds failed and it became one big air chamber.

If there is a warranty I have no evidence of it. Please tell me what recourse I have either to replace it or to have it repaired. Thank you.

Roger A. Bachman.

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arnnold
,
Sep 03, 2007 8:49 am EDT

I have exactly the same problem with the impeller broken blades but I called index and they said they were gonna sent me another pump since I bought it 2 months ago and still waiting no luck yet I call tomorrow.

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Dewayne Stucks
,
Jun 27, 2007 5:45 pm EDT

I too purchased an 18 X 48 pool last June. The pool was originally sent with the wrong pump. I called a week after I received the pool and told them that the pump had quit working, while speaking with the customer service representative we found that the pump that was packed with our pool was for the 2 ft. pool. They sent us the correct pool and everything was great last summer. However, just as the comment above, our pump is still under warranty and we were informed to return the pump at our cost and they would fix our pump or send us a new one. Well, $21.00 shipping and three weeks later we received a pump, the WRONG pump! We spent about $50 on water to fill our pool and it has set for three weeks with no pump and the water is filthy, past cleaning so we will have to drain and clean the pool before we are able to set up again meaning that another $50 on our water bill. I too believe that it is a struggle keeping the pool clean considering the size of the pump verses the amount of water. I am VERY disappointed with this company and would NEVER suggest to anyone to purchase this nor would I EVER purchase another product made by this company.