poolside pools and spas review: won't return deposit 13

Easily the most unprofessional business I've ever dealt with, save yourself the headache and take your business up the road to Johnson's or Country Clean Paper. I can't explain exactly how I feel about these people because I have more class than to use profanity but suffice it to say I have never left a review for any business on the internet prior to today.

I totally agree and the stories sound oh too familiar. Paid to have a new liner installed. Real quick to take our deposit but have yet to show up and so any work. My contract says installation would be complete by MAY 2ND...its now June 17th and I have yet to even see these guys. Phone calls/messages went unreturned and then when I finally got Nick today he was literally yelling at me on the phone. could not be more unprofessional and literally told me he would intentionally cause us to have a more expensive installation due to ground water. This company is run by at least one idiot ( only cause I only spoke to one of the two) ..unprofessional and scam artists are the two best ways I can describe this company and the owners. I'm not surprised there are multiple complaints on this company

I have been dealing with Poolside Pools for the past ten years that I have lived in Toms River. My pool had already been installed by them several years earlier. They have opened and closed my pool every year, with absolutely no problems. Several times through out the years I have had various maintenance problems and either Nick or Jim were right there to fix the problem. I also had them convert my pool to salt water several years ago. They did a great job & I love swimming in a salt water pool. These guys are fair and honest. I have an accounting practice, and trust me, I can't make everyone happy all the time, but I certainly try, as I'm sure they do too!

Fine company, yeah right

Poolside Sucks, don't use them. Nick (alias) Jim, Sharon no help at all. Complete liars, call a lawyer. Obviously the good comments were done by them...

Toms river

I also disagree. Poolside Pools has been nothing but exceptional when I have had to deal with them. I had my pool installed in the Fall of 2005, officially opened in Summer 2006. The entire staff was very accomodating. Every large business deal will have its flukes, as did mine. Dealing with subcontractors can be difficult. I had some minor issues as far as weather / concrete issues, again as mentioned in a previous post - this is of no fault of Poolsides. The second year I owned my pool, my heat exchanger went in my gas heater. The technician from Poolside diagnosed it as chemicals, but I keep very good chemincal records, and I did tend to disagree with his diagnosis. Since the warranty was past on the heater, I had to deal directly with Hayward, again not a Poolside issue (directly).

I always have my calls returned promptly, service calls are always kept, technicians are always prompt. I have refered Poolside to several people. My pool is my backyard oasis, and so many people compliment my pool and surrounding area.

As for being "cheap" - hardly - Just like previous posters, I researched, interviewed, got estimates, etc. Poolside was not the cheapest. However, they were what I considered the most perfect fit for me and my family. References checked out, I was impressed with the staff, the quality of products, work product, and ethical commitment. Some other local pool companies made comments that I wouldn't even say to my own mother, which I considered very offensive, especially for being a "first-time" meeting. Another pool company proceeded to tell me that he wouldn't put the pool in my backyard the way I wanted it because he didn't like it that way; and by some of the comments he was making, he basically insinuated that I would not be a good enough parent to observe my kids at all times because the deck would be too close to the pool. (Not his choice to make). Poolside was more than willing to work with me, they made suggestions, but NEVER told me that they WOULD NOT do something.

All in all, Poolside is a very good company to deal with, but I would hope that any person that is on here reading these posts would not just read these, but would also take the time to actually go to the storefront itself, and meet the staff, and get to know them personally, as I did. Only then will you get a true feeling of the type of people that you are going to be dealing with. Remember that having a pool installed isn't like buying a piece of expensive jewelry, it is a lifelong relationship - you have to test your chemicals, openings, closings, liner / cover replacements, pump / filter replacements, and the little things that you need every season or so (hoses, skimmers, vaccuums, ropes, etc.) - so you will be dealing with these people for as long as you "own" your pool/home.

WOW, I was just sent this link because I referred a friend to Poolside and they came across this in their dilligence when searching for Poolsides website. I cannot DISAGREE with you more. As a business owner myself, I know that some customers just cannot be satisfied. Unfortunately, I think i might have to put you in that catagory although you are absolutely entitled to your own opinion based on your own experience.

Let me start by saying that I had a pool installed last year, during the rainest season in the last 50 years in NJ! Mother nature was not on my side, but Poolside did everything they could to accomodate and have my pool ready at the mercy of the weather. Couple that with the fact that they had to coordinate all of their services (pool bottom, cement, liner, etc) with the contractors who were working on an addition to my house at the same time - all during this very rainy spring/summer. Their coordination was perfect, their timing on promises they made was spectacular, and their customer service was unbelieveable. As someone who is sensitive to all of this since I own a supply and service business myself, I would grade them an A+ in all of those catagories. I don't think I am in the minority here, as it couldn't be a fluke that my project went so perfect with so many obstacles out of everyones control.

My pool also had more "custom" type options than most pools, which normally would delay installations and deliveries, etc. There were absolutely NO delays whatsoever and I have recommended them to numerous people since who have had the same experiences. Poolside has recently installed 2 salt systems, and various pools, liners, covers and spas for people I recommended and everyone was satisfied. Again, this can't be a fluke.

You mention in your short, abrupt mean-spirited post that they are the cheapest. First off, I had 4 people bid on my pool project and they came in 2nd. They weren't the cheapest. I look at all things, including references and they came out on top so I chose them over the standard "mass-production" pool companies in Ocean County. And, i'm glad I did because now my pool is the elite pool in our area, and i spent a few extra thousand dollars to get that from Poolside. I'm satisfied with that decision wholeheartedly.

They upgraded my waterfall during the construction for free because it went better with the pool design than the one i chose. They installed shooters free of charge, and 2 additional blowers in a "bench area" that I had built in the pool. All above expectations. Nick and Jimmy were available by cell phone on weekends, holidays, and vacations. I recieved Texts from Nick to remind me to change settings on my salt system, etc. Nick stopped over on his way to Baltimore for vacation with his family to make sure my salt level was good enough for a party I was having. None of this was requested, but the service was exceptional.

Obviously whoever posted this doesn't own their own business and is perfect in their own job because as another poster mentioned, this is a Family business whose lives you are affecting with this. That is the part that bothers me the most.. Its Funny that you note that other pool companies have bad things to say about them - shockingly the competition doesn't feel that you should buy a pool from Poolside. I can't believe you can't read through that. Remember, most of the pool supply stores also own or are affiliated with pool installers - and service is where they all make most of their money so there is an alterior motive here. You're just not knowledgeable enough or possibly intelligent enough to understand the real businessworld.

Listen, i'm trying not to be mean-spirited and stoop to your level but its a little hard for me to not take a few shots at you for your post. I take it personally because the same company you are disparaging, is the same company that I am recommending alot - with complete opposite results than you have. I think your experience is an anomoly in the grand scheme of Poolside customers. Unfortunately you might be the Murphy's Law job (which we've all experienced in some way or another in life) where things just don't ever seem to go right - no ones fault - just bad circumstances.

I'm not sure, all I know is my experiences coupled with another 10+ experiences completely contradict your brief, disparaging statement in regards to Poolside Pools. The word SCAM is a strong word, and I really hope you understand what that could do to a companies reputation.

I've attached a picture of my pool at the point it was just about finished last year. I would be a reference anyday for someone who would want to possibly use them. Come over my house, see the pool, and have a drink by it. You'll realize the quality project they built for me.

Leon - North Dover section of Toms River

I had my neighbor call me at work today to refer me to this page (since I recommended them to him). I live in Manahawkin, NJ and had my pool put in about 9 years ago. I then recommended them to my cousin who is a Chiropractor in Tom's River. I have 0 complaints to date in regards to the company or their service. I have dealt with the service girl 'Sharon' many times over the last 9 years for openings and closings for my pool every year. In the 9 years I have had my pool I have had a motor go on the filter, and the handle at the top of my pump. The costs were reasonable to replace them and although I think both my service requests were close to a holiday weekend both issues were resolved in under 5 days. To date I have yet to hear my cousin make a complaint about them either. Being a boat owner I have a very high tolerance on the year to year upkeep costs on a non-necessity. But 2 issues in 9 years is a sneeze in the dark. It's always difficult with a company like this because of the many aspects .. sales, service, plus sub-contractors and weather delays. So I guess I can see where people can get frustrated. It is just hard to generalize an entire company without knowing all the details. I got an oven this weekend from Best Buy and was very happy from sales to delivery, when the truck left my neighbor told me he was tempted to give them a flat. Unless something has dramatically changed with them since last summer I intend on still recommending them to my neighbor. Unless they are going out of business and the building is dark, I'm not worried. My cousin owns Lifestyle Chiropractics in Toms River and I work in education in North Jersey but live in Manahawkin. I have 0 affiliation with the company if anyone would like some 1:1 dialogue you can e-mail me any time damelio@wboe.org

Best of luck.

I bought a spa here 8 years ago. called for service and was ignored . No return calls--nothing. finally got hold of them and scheduled an appointment for this morning between 8-9 AM. They NO -show . called again and was told I was rescheduled . WITHOUT TELLING ME! does anyone know who else services Catalina spas in the area? I'll go anywhere else after reading these and my expirience so far.

Consider yourself in the minority as today they are not close to the company you described & signed on with 7 years ago. A simple & sad FACT: next time you are in a pool supply store or dealing with a pool related company in the central/south Jersey area, mention poolside & you will be quite surprised to learn that the company that may have treated you fairly 7 years ago has done an 180 degree turn & is the least recommended. Again consider yourself fortunate that they finished your job & I am truly happy for you that you are at least enjoying your product. You almost sound like you work for poolside.
John Molinelli
PS There are more than two unhappy customers: ex: a few more dissatisfied customers:
http://local.yahoo.com/profile?target=aKPuew92TVdmQpJmH.iOLh.7XULU7&tab=reviews&p=Pools%2C+Spas%2C+Saunas&csz=Toms+River%2C+NJ
poolside pools and spas — won't return deposit

I happen to come across this site and I could not disagree more with this disgruntled poster. I had my pool installed by poolside about 7 years ago and can reccomend them wholeheartedly as I have at least 20 times. Their service is prompt and fair. Also their attention to detail is incredible. The end result was a beautiful pool and backyard that I am very proud of with many compliments and an entirely stress free and fair process. I totally disagree with this poster.And every one of my reccomended installations has gone flawlessly as well. I feel that one or two unhappy customers (one sided) should not taint the stellar reputation of this fine company. B.B.

Their services are non-existent. Once they have your money, they will drop you like a hot potato.

I was very unfortunate to deal with these 2 ###S (NICK& JIM) dishonest, no morals, arrogant [censored]es and that's there good side.