Pool Retail Topics - Forum - Pool Genius Network2024-03-29T01:06:50Zhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/feed/category/Pool+Retail+TopicsStingray or Piranha leaf netshttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/stingray-or-piranha-leaf-nets2015-09-28T10:19:11.000Z2015-09-28T10:19:11.000ZLee Davishttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/LeeDavis<div><p>Does anyone know where I can buy Stingray or Piranha leaf nets? The pool world's largest distributor quit carrying them...Leslies Pool Supply. They are now selling a cheap knockoff made in China. I bought one and it lasted about 3 weeks. And when I say cheap I'm not talking about the price but the quality. It sucks!! The Stingray is the best professional net you can buy as far as functionality and durability. But you can't even buy them from the company's own website. I have even tried to call, email and write the company contact information and I can never get anyone to respond. WTF? Thanks!</p></div>Can anyone help?https://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/can-anyone-help2013-01-29T07:56:09.000Z2013-01-29T07:56:09.000ZJohnhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/John635<div><p>Hello Geniuses,</p><p>I am trying to find a kind Genius who could get hold of a pentair fullfloxf backwash valve 263080</p><p>and send it to me in Great Britain, any one who can help please PM or email me.</p><p>Pentair won't supply direct or through Pentair Europe for some reason (once upon a time a sale was a sale) but in these difficult times I guess Pentair just don't need the money LoL!</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRyMUA_LrMle0JZG39-kXOMDMv-" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRyMUA_LrMle0JZG39-kXOMDMv-" alt="images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRyMUA_LrMle0JZG39-kXOMDMv-" /></a></p></div>POOL ROUTE APPhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/pool-route-app2012-11-23T16:45:00.000Z2012-11-23T16:45:00.000ZVicki Chalmershttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/VickiChalmers<div><p>This app would be of great benefit for many pool companies in the USA to assist them in their marketing, hopefully it will be available soon in the EU as well ;-). Very reasonably priced as well.</p><p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pool-route-developer/id565127657?mt=8&goback=.gde_1394207_member_185540507">https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pool-route-developer/id565127657?mt=8&goback=.gde_1394207_member_185540507</a></p></div>Vinyl Stripeshttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/vinyl-stripes2012-09-21T14:04:30.000Z2012-09-21T14:04:30.000ZGary Danielhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/GaryDaniel<div><p>Has anyone used vinyl stripes for the lane markers, when they were repainting a concrete pool? The decision has been made to paint the pool, so don't need the "why don't you plaster comments".</p></div>bull nose / with hand grip, ceramic tilehttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/bull-nose-with-hand-grip-ceramic-tile2012-08-14T21:26:16.000Z2012-08-14T21:26:16.000ZCLAYTON MOOREhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/CLAYTONMOORE<div><p>looking for a supplier for bull nose/ with hand grip, ceramic tile (for lack of a better description. Commercial application for pool edge to deck transition. 1"? down pool wall (fiberglass pool) 3 + " on the deck thk-you</p></div>What is PASPDirect.com?https://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/what-is-paspdirect-com2012-04-23T19:30:40.000Z2012-04-23T19:30:40.000ZMonique Nelsonhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/MoniqueNelson<div><p>Our website, <a href="http://www.liquidpoolcovers.com" target="_blank">www.liquidpoolcovers.com,</a> was just redone and I am going through all the backlinks to make sure nothing is missing or linking to a page that doesn't exist anymore. </p><p></p><p>There is one site that has multiple company listings that are all linking to a pdf version of our Ecosavr MSDS, but that page has moved. I would like to get the site to update all the links, but I am having a lot of difficulty identifying who to contact. </p><p></p><p>The site <a href="http://www.paspdirect.com" target="_blank">www.paspdirect.com</a> comes up:</p><p></p><p>"<span>Page not found</span></p><p>You arrived at this page without selecting a dealer. Please go through a dealer website using correct address."</p><p></p><p>I am guessing that it is a hub for pool retailers to sell parts online though a generic catalog, but I'm not sure how to move forward from here. </p><p></p><p>Is anyone using as service that links their online sales to <a href="http://www.paspdirect.com/yourcompanynamehere.html?">www.paspdirect.com/yourcompanynamehere.html?</a></p><p></p><p>Any help will be much appreciated!</p></div>Online Pool storehttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/online-pool-store2012-02-08T18:29:01.000Z2012-02-08T18:29:01.000ZJamie Bampfieldhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/JamieBampfield<div><p>Does anyone have any suggestions on how to start an online store, and is it too late? We are simply trying to compliment the retail we currently have out of a brick/mortar store. Thank you, Jamie</p></div>Point of Sale softwarehttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/point-of-sale-software2012-02-08T18:25:03.000Z2012-02-08T18:25:03.000ZJamie Bampfieldhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/JamieBampfield<div><p>I am looking for a POS for a small retail location. We currently use Quickbooks to manage our accounting, but not as a POS. It is very painful to look up items and get the customer out the door. We are looking for a smoother transition and wanted some professional advice. Thanks for your responses, Jamie.</p></div>Salt systems (generators)https://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/salt-systems-generators2011-11-09T16:26:48.000Z2011-11-09T16:26:48.000ZJody Perezhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/JodyPerez<div><p> I'm from deep south Texas and have a few customers looking for an alternative to the common Brand of chlorine generator pushed in this area. Any type of feedback would be appreciated. Looking for specific info on Circupool and EcoMatic</p><p>Thanks!!</p></div>Retail Pricinghttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/retail-pricing2011-10-13T23:05:58.000Z2011-10-13T23:05:58.000ZDon Parishhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/DonParish<div>What kind of pricing strategies are you all using to stay competitive in this economy? What types of margins are you getting from various product categories in you stores?<br /></div>Commercial Robotic Pool Cleanerhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/commercial-robotic-pool2011-07-12T18:07:43.000Z2011-07-12T18:07:43.000ZJuanita Gwinnhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/JuanitaGwinn<div>Would love some feedback from other pool professionals on a commercial robotic pool cleaner recommendation. Warranty? Experience? Ease of repair? Thanks, Juanita</div>Buy Pool Accessories Whole Salehttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/buy-pool-accessories-whole2011-03-29T03:26:55.000Z2011-03-29T03:26:55.000ZHeather Lintonhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/HeatherLinton<div>Does anyone know where to buy Pool Accessories Wholesale? Like Floats, balls, games etc.</div>Zap-it Shock versus Super Shock-ithttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/zapit-shock-versus-super2011-03-16T20:41:13.000Z2011-03-16T20:41:13.000ZScott Tarrhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/ScottTarr<div>I am looking for input from retailers out there selling 1# bags of granulated cal-hypo. Some companies sell Zap-it and others sell Pool Corp's Super Shock-it while others sell something completely different. What is your feedback on the quality of these products? I heard that Super-Shock-it was double grinded making it dissolve quicker than other brands but not sure if this is all hype as I can't find anything stating that. For fast dissolving shock I always recommended dichlor or lithium based shocks but wanted to know what was the opinion of others on these cal hypos.</div>Chemical Saleshttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/chemical-sales2011-02-17T02:34:31.000Z2011-02-17T02:34:31.000ZChris Cavanaughhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/ChrisCavanaugh<div><p>Well it looks like spring is starting here in KY, it was around 70 degrees today ( this just might nbe a tease though but its getting people thinking about pools and acessories)</p><p> </p><p>I was just going to see how you guys fight the big box stores on your chemical pricing. What do you sell your 3" Tabs for, do you do any value kits, give a discount on your shock if they buy so much. Just trying to get some ideals together for the start of the chemical season.</p><p> </p><p>Thanks.</p></div>SURPLUS STOCKhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/surplus-stock2011-02-05T17:57:47.000Z2011-02-05T17:57:47.000ZJohn Greenhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/JohnGreen<div><div>What do you all think about a state by state or country by country section for members with surplus stock.</div><div>You must all have fittings or specialist pool parts ordered but never used and just not got round to sending them back to the supplier.</div><div>I am moving premises and the amount of stuff kept for those "JUST IN CASE" jobs is considerable.</div><div>From Bisazza mosaic, bull nose tiles, handrails, flanges, larger diameter pipe fittings in ABS or PVC and it all adds up to a lot of dead money.</div><div>We have been in our present premises for over fifteen years and with the impending move, I am sure I am not going to skip this excess, but neither do I want to waste time and effort on transporting them to another resting place for another fifteen years.</div><div>Anyone in the same boat?</div><div>Where do we go from here - any ideas?</div><div>Regards</div><div>John Green</div></div>Who is the best manufacturer of residential equipment? IE Pumps, Filters, Heatershttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/who-is-the-best-manufacturer2011-01-08T18:45:41.000Z2011-01-08T18:45:41.000ZDon Parishhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/DonParish<div><p>Who do you think is the best manufactuerer of residential equipment? </p><p> </p><p>Please provide specific resons for your response:</p><ul><li>Is the warranty better?</li><li>Is the customer service better?</li><li>Is the sales rep better?</li></ul><p>I would appreciate it if any manufacturers represented here on the PGN would avoid responding to this discussion.</p><p> </p></div>MagnaPoolhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/magnapool-12011-01-01T06:51:21.000Z2011-01-01T06:51:21.000ZIain Middletonhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/IainMiddleton<div>What is it ? and what does it mean for the industry</div>Who is attending the PoolCorp Retail Summit in Dallas?https://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/who-is-attending-the-poolcorp2010-12-17T15:44:58.000Z2010-12-17T15:44:58.000ZMerry Wisehttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/MerryWise<div><p>I am going with my two store managers. It is a unique training opportunity I think, and the first time I have seen a distributor support reatil to this extent. I am looking forward to learning some new things and also seeing the vendors. Is anyone else going?</p></div>Using Squidoo for Article Marketing / Image Linkinghttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/using-squidoo-for-article2010-11-18T13:19:40.000Z2010-11-18T13:19:40.000ZRachaelle Lynnhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/RachaelleLynn<div><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">Those of you who do your own article writing and marketing for SEO may want to check out <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/">http://www.squidoo.com/</a>.<span> </span> It allows you to make use of images by embedding them with links instead of merely using them as illustrations, as most sites do.<span> </span> I've provided an example of how this works in the link below.<span> </span> Squidoo has a helpful nine-minute video that will give you the basics once you start an account.<span> </span> </font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri"> </font><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">And no, I'm not an affiliate of Squidoo - just an SEO professional who wants to share something of interest with her colleagues.<span> </span> :)</font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri"> </font><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">Just a reminder: When you do use sites that don't allow link embedding with images, remember to use a caption that includes your keywords whenever possible.<span> </span> Since Google can't read images, it's the captions that tell it that you've included an image that's relevant to your content.<span> </span></font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri"> </font><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">If anyone has questions, I'll be happy to help if I can.<span> </span> Have a great day!</font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.squidoo.com/types-of-swimming-pool-equipment"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">http://www.squidoo.com/types-of-swimming-pool-equipment</font></font></font></a></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Click on the photos of pool equipment in the article to see examples of linked images.<span> </span></font></font></font></p></div>LAAP & MAP Pricing, a helping or hindering to the brick and mortar retailer?https://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/laap-map-pricing-a-helping-or2010-10-16T16:57:02.000Z2010-10-16T16:57:02.000ZDon Parishhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/DonParish<div><p>Zodiac Pool Care just released their 2011 LAAP policy. This got me to thinking about how the LAAP and MAP programs designed by manufacturers to help protect the industry from internet retailers is a double edged sword. Though (legitimate) e-commerce sites adhere to these policies, the policies themselves prevent brick and mortar retailers from making a decent profit off of these items.</p><p> </p><p>I would like to hear everyone elses thoughts. Do you think that LAAP and MAP pricing is helping or hindering brick and mortar retailers, and why?</p><p> </p><p> </p></div>Retail Sales Tipshttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/retail-sales-tips2010-07-16T18:22:08.000Z2010-07-16T18:22:08.000ZMonique Nelsonhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/MoniqueNelson<div>I write a monthly email directed towards Pool Supply Vendors, particularly Retailers. In this email, I touch down on Sales Tips. Now, of course I put a specific slant on these tips and use examples pertaining to our products Ecosavr and Heatsavr, but my advise can certainly be put to use on just about any product on the market, in the pool industry and out. <br /><br />The PGN is full of such a wealth of advice, I thought I would through out the question to you all:<br /><br />What are your top tips for Retail Success?<br /><br />Some things I have talked about in the past 10 months include:<br />- using "green" to your advantage<br />- educating your staff and customers<br />- the importance of displays<br />- how impulse buying can improve you bottom line<br />- and quite a few more, too!<br /><br />If you have great stories to tell, or techniques to offer, will you share them with the rest of your colleagues? If you can write down your favorite and unique sales tips here, you will be helping to better the industry as a whole. If you would be willing to let me use your secrets to success in my email course, please make note when you offer your feedback in this Discussion.<br /><br />If anyone is interested in reading my past tips and tricks, send me a message and I can offer a link to the archives.<br /><br />Thanks in advance, I can't wait to hear your thoughts!<br /><br />Monique Nelson<br /><a href="http://www.liquidpoolcovers.com">www.liquidpoolcovers.com</a><br /></div>The Chemical That Turns Urine Blue In A Swimming Poolhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/the-chemical-that-turns-urine2010-06-18T15:37:54.000Z2010-06-18T15:37:54.000ZMatthew Giovaniscihttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/MatthewGiovanisci<div>I just recently wrote a post on my blog about this very subject and I think we need to talk about it. In late June and early July, you are going to start getting a lot of questions. The reason is because a movie is coming out on June 25th called "Grown Ups" starring Adam Sandler and friends. There is a part in the movie (and also the trailer) where it depicts grown men peeing in a public pool and the "chemical" turns their urine blue.<br /><br />Check out the video here:<br /><a href="http://www.swimuniversity.com/blog/the-chemical-that-turns-urine-blue-in-the-swimming-pool/">http://www.swimuniversity.com/blog/the-chemical-that-turns-urine-blue-in-the-swimming-pool/</a><br /><br />So, educate your employees and tell them that the chemical does not exist. Perhaps you can sell those customer who ask, a pool sign that clearly says "Don't Pee In The Pool."<br /><br /></div>A simple and cheap way to encourage retail store traffichttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/a-simple-and-cheap-way-to2010-04-24T13:50:50.000Z2010-04-24T13:50:50.000ZMerry Wisehttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/MerryWise<div>Some of you may already do this, but want to share it anyway in case you might not have tried it. We keep a form on the counter to ask customers to sign up their e-mail address and then I input them into my laptop. About once a month, we send out a "special" of some sort in the form of an e-coupon, and/or notice of a sale, when our pool care schools will be, etc. It certainly is cheaper and faster and easier than direct mail, ads, etc. The only downside is sometimes people don't write plainly and it is hard to read their e-mail address to input it properly. The customers really like getting savings via their home computer though, that they can simply print out and bring in for the discount. The money you save on conventional advertising more than pays for the discounts you are giving and it drives store traffic, too!</div>Need 80 sq.ft. of 6"x6" Cobalt Blue Pool Tile Immediatelyhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/need-80-sqft-of-6x6-cobalt2010-04-15T16:40:34.000Z2010-04-15T16:40:34.000ZAndy Hendersonhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/AndyHenderson<div><p>Hey guys,</p><p> </p><p>Hopefully someone out there can help me with this. Working on a renovation/addition to an existing pool and need 80 sg.ft./160 ln.ft. of standard 6"x6" Cobalt Blue Frostproof waterline tile immediately. We're in a bit of a time crunch and all our local suppliers hasve this tile back-ordered right now. We'll pay to ship it immediately!!! If you can help us with this please email me at this address: ahenderson1561@gmail.com.</p><p> </p><p> </p></div>FINANCAL SOFTWARE FOR RETAIL STOREhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/financal-software-for-retail2010-03-11T18:17:51.000Z2010-03-11T18:17:51.000ZKim Coxhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/KimCox<div>I am looking for all in one software for our retail and service company. We want to track inventory and also keep track of income and expenses by our profit centers i.e. retail, service, maintenance. Anny ideas? <br /></div>Free pumps? What is Edison doing?https://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/free-pumps-what-is-edison2010-02-17T18:07:39.000Z2010-02-17T18:07:39.000ZJennifer Dornhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/JenniferDorn<div>I have now had 2 customers say they have gotten a FREE pump from Edison. I don't know what they are installing. One customer thought it was a 2hp Whisperflo, but was unsure. She also got a new time clock. She was supposed to send me a picture, but haven't gotten it yet.<div><br /></div><div>I found this: <a href="http://www.sce.com/residential/income-qualified/ema/how-does-ema-work.htm">http://www.sce.com/residential/income-qualified/ema/how-does-ema-work.htm</a></div><div><br /></div><div>There are some qualifications that you are supposed to meet. I'm wondering if the time clock is the "big brother type" where Edison can control it and not let it run during peak times. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thoughts???</div></div>Open 7 Days a week?https://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/open-7-days-a-week2010-02-05T16:57:54.000Z2010-02-05T16:57:54.000ZJennifer Dornhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/JenniferDorn<div>We are currently open Monday - Saturday. We have been discussing being open on Sundays for the summer. Without working 6-7 days a week, any tips on how this can be accomplished? We have 2 owners that work 5-6 days a week each and I'm the manager and work 5 days a week. We have 2 full time employees and 1 part time as well. We will be hiring 1 more for summer.</div>new employeehttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/new-employee2010-01-09T17:26:09.000Z2010-01-09T17:26:09.000ZCajun Pool Boyhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/CajunPoolBoy<div>I have just hired someone for my store and would like to know if there is any videos out there for me o have her watch to help with water testing i do not have a station yet and am just looki t for help in training!!</div>FREE WATER TESTINGhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/free-water-testing2009-11-09T20:48:34.000Z2009-11-09T20:48:34.000ZTED E.C. DUNCANhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/TEDECDUNCAN<div>Free Water Testing seems to be the norm with Pool/Spa retailers. However in order to deter pool/spa owners from taking advantage of free water testing and then buying from a discounter or Big Box retailer, this year we introduced a Water Testing Card which provides 10 tests for $50.00. This card has no expiry date and affords the buyer a 10% discount on all chemical purchases. For the customer who does not want to buy the card, we charge $10.00 per test. I am wondering how other Pool/Spa retailers deal with the problems of free water testing</div>Jandy or Pentairhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/forum/topics/jandy-or-pentair2009-11-09T15:01:38.000Z2009-11-09T15:01:38.000ZBrad Carneyhttps://poolgeniusnetwork.com/members/BradCarney<div>I was wanted to get thoughts on Jandy equipment versus Pentair. We have been with Pentair for 4 years, but we are entertaining the idea of switching to Jandy. Does anyone have experience using both? We use mostly EasyTouch automation with VS Pumps. Thanks for your input.</div>