What You Need to Know to Avoid Common Pool Issues and Scams

With the heat of summer upon us, many families start to consider the fun of an above ground pool. Splashing and floating in your own backyard is tempting, but before you invest in a new pool, it’s important to understand common pool problems. 

Pool reviews left online reveal what owners need to know about the various concerns and even common scams to watch out for. A new above ground pool can bring months of enjoyment, but it can also bring headaches. Here are some above ground pool problems to watch for, according to real customer reviews.

Key Insights

• Many pool issues reported by consumers are maintenance-related. 
• To avoid scams on above ground pools, look out for unrealistic pricing, high-pressure tactics, false advertisements, and negative experiences left in reviews. 
• A warranty can help with many pool problems but be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully. As customer reviews point out, often pool warranties are difficult to use or don’t cover certain things. 

Pool Companies Rating

Above ground pools are popular for many reasons, such as:

• relative affordability compared to other types of pools than other types of pools;
• variety of shapes and sizes; 
• option to select the design;
• suitability for areas where inground pools can’t be installed;
• possibility to store away when required.

Customer feedback can uncover plenty of vital information about a company and its products including common consumer issues with installation and maintenance. There can be indications of how trustworthy a company is, but also customer reviews can tell the smart consumer what to realistically expect before spending thousands on a new pool set-up, even if everything goes well. 

The table below highlights the customer data regarding the four companies customers comment on the most regarding above ground pools. The scores* are out of 5. As you can see, the customer service teams for all four companies only receive one star from their reviewing customers.

Unfortunately, above ground pool scams are becoming more common. As more people are searching for pools to enjoy at home, it’s clear that scammers have moved into this market to exploit well-meaning consumers. 

There are a range of ways that customers have experienced scams with above ground pools while working with companies they trusted but sadly let them down. 

Warning Signs of Above Ground Pool Scams

Whenever you make a significant investment in your home or garden, it seems sensible to do your research beforehand so you can be confident you’re giving money to an honest tradesperson or company. 

As a result, potential above ground pool customers should be able to recognize the following red flags that may be a signal they are about to be scammed and may end up with no pool or a poor-quality item. 

• Deceptive advertising: If a company is advertising 20% off the price of an above ground pool, but when you check their actual prices they are all sold out of this deal, think twice about using the company. 
• Unrealistic pricing: When you ask your pool company for a quote and they come in well below the other quotes, you should ask yourself if this is real or a scam. 
• Pressure tactics: Does your pool company keep ringing, emailing and messaging you to tell you there is only a short time left to buy? This is unreasonable pressure and is a sign they may take your money and run. 
• No official license: Some above ground pool scammers will pretend to operate under another builder’s license or their license may be outdated or missing. These are all red flags of pool scams and are signs you should find a legitimate company. 

Common Complaints and Issues with Above Ground Pools

You may have heard stories about pool scams before. Through customer reviews, we can get a really clear picture of what’s happened to some consumers and how this has negatively impacted them relating to above ground pool complaints.

If you’re thinking of buying an above ground pool, knowing the range of consumer issues faced by others will leave you fully informed and ready buy an above ground pool safely. 

Misleading pricing

According to PissedConsumer, 12.27% of pool reviewers complain about pricing. To protect yourself from disappointments and potential scams, it’s important to understand the full installation cost upfront and calculate the total price of payments for a new above ground pool.

In Blue World Pools review #4837571, customers have complained that the final price for the complete installation of their above ground pool was significantly higher than the initial quote due to finance interest rates growing steeply:

They don’t tell you when they finance that the interest rate keeps rising and you end up paying $40,000 to $50,000 for a $3,000 pool…They scam you with lies and you dont even realize it until its too late.

Additionally, there are evidently some issues with Blue World Pools customer service. In review #2789887 consumers reported that they were made to sign multiple contracts that dramatically increased the complete cost of swimming pool installation:

Purchased a pool, signed a contract once installation was completed they made me sign another contract which TRIPLED the cost of the pool.

It’s no surprise that Blue World Pools reviews have indicated an estimated $741,098 total claimed losses as a company in light of these consumer experiences. The Blue World Pools complaints suggest that Blue World Pools customer support isn’t delivering the kind of service consumers would like. 

Poor quality of pool parts

23.75% of consumers have complained about pool parts. Common pool issues include concerns about rust, bad seams, leaks, and other concerns. Pool problems like these can make a new pool difficult or impossible to use.

Also, pool consumers often ask: Are Polygroup pools good quality? Polygroup complaints  have been known to highlight pools that are somewhat faulty and do not remain intact long term, like in review #3774849:

New pool busted at the seam. Almost 4000 gallons of water gone in two minutes. Less than two weeks old. Customer service would do nothing but say maybe in six months we could get a liner.

In fact, there are a number of above ground pool companies that consumers are reviewing to pinpoint poor parts and disappointing quality. Here, a Bestway Pools review #4911085 discusses how their pool has rusted quickly despite the company promising superior products:

Top rubber going around the rail on my pool has rotted the metal legs holding the pool up.

This customer feels they have not been satisfactorily dealt with by Bestway Pools, and as such, they want to spotlight these issues for other consumers through the Bestway Pools reviews thread. 

Warranty and repair scams

When you buy a pool, investing in a warranty can save you from making expensive repair payments if anything goes wrong. There are a number of different types of warranty you can take out, such as a structural warranty which provides cover for any manufacturing defects and should protect the structure of your above ground pool. 

In addition, there are installation warranties to cover the installation process and internal warranties that aim to protect the internal qualities of a pool, like the internal gel coat color finish. 

However, even though a warranty should protect the customer when it comes to issues with a new pool or its installation, many customer discover that the pool warranty does not do much to help them when it’s time to put the warranty to work.

In the review #5899889 a customer shared that they opened a new pool liner from Bestways Pools and discovered that the “liner was damaged straight out of the box.” Despite having the warranty, the company would not honor it and claimed that “according to them that’s not a manufacturer defect.” 

According to some Namco Pools reviews, a few customers have experienced their pool cover breaking within two years of purchase as it is described in review #3506726:

I sent pictures and Namco Pools said it was caused by wind whipping and is not covered under the warranty.

Issues with customer service

Online reviews tell us that there are many issues with above ground pools, and that one of the most commonpool complaints with 27.71% of reviews on PissedConsumer being about customer service.

Yet another pool complaint about Blue World Pools explains that the company didn’t install a new above ground pool correctly because the installer didn’t have the right parts. When a new contractor came out, he drained the entire pool. The customer then said:

We contacted Blue World Pools and they said that we would have to pay for someone else to come out and give us an estimate to fix it, when it was their contractor they sent out initially who caused the issue. I asked to speak with their Sales Manager…and he has not returned my calls in over 2 weeks.

Tips to Buy the Best Above Ground Pool

Working out how to buy an above ground pool might look a little complicated on the surface, but once you have decided on your above ground pool cost ballpark, it can be easier than you think.

Being a smart buyer and researching the topic and key above ground pool companies thoroughly will help your decision-making process become clear and protect you against above ground pool scams.

Smart above ground pool tips

1. Avoid ‘too good to be true’ deals

Talk to as many pool companies and contractors as you can. Try to get word-of-mouth recommendations from people you know and trust. If a deal sounds like the best deal ever known, question this. Above ground pool cost is not tiny and you shouldn’t expect to pay too little.

2. Look at the company rating

When you read online reviews, you’ll notice company ratings. These give you a solid idea around how this company has performed in the past, and whether you can trust them with your money now. If the rating is consistently low, try to find another pool company to buy from.

3. Check contractor information

Read all of the contracts and information available online. If you can’t see something important, ask customer service to clarify points. Make sure you know if subcontractors will be involved in any part of the installation or upkeep process, and ask for proof they are legally approved to install or look after your above ground pool.

4. Read online reviews

Review as many as you can, use trusted sources and make sure you know how the company operates and the levels of quality involved in their products before you sign. 

Stay Informed to Avoid Above Ground Pool Scams

Buying and installing a new pool is expensive and time consuming. You want to know the best above ground pool brands before spending your money, and you want to know that you’re getting what you paid for. 

One of the best ways to avoid a pool scam is to do a bit of research before buying. Read the reviews about companies in your area and check the pool companies rating before deciding. Every company will have a negative review or two, but if most of the online reviews are negative, be wary. 

A bit of reading and checking above ground pool customer reviews as well as getting multiple bids from local companies can save you headaches and be sure your new pool is everything you hoped for. And if you come across a bad company or even need to report a scam, leaving a review of your own can warn others and help resolve issues of your own.

*Disclaimer: Ranking and statistics are based on our users’ review texts and Pissed Consumer posters’ reviews. Also, a company’s rating is calculated using a mathematical algorithm that evaluates the information in the profile, including users’ rating, the number of resolved issues, the number of company’s responses, etc. The algorithm is subject to change in the future.