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Resurfacing
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Information About Swimming Pools and Internet Scam
Artists
Over the past
ten years, we have received numerous questions from more than
three hundred thousand visitors to our websites. I have compiled
a list of some of those questions along with our answers. I hope
this assists you with your swimming pool resurfacing questions.
But first, some information about
online
security and how to avoid internet scams. The internet is full
of miss-information disguised as facts. It is up to the buyer to
sort out the truth.
Last year, and so far this year, I have been
questioned numerous times about ludicrous statements made online
and on the telephone by unscrupulous "wannabe" competitors.
The following is a summation of my responses:
These snake oil salesmen will be around until
they file another bankruptcy, and then disappear into the night
once again. Until then, they will continue to take advantage of
the folks who are struggling the most. Their victims are
generally the lower income pool owners who push common sense
aside in an effort to save money.
These con men specialize in telling you how bad
everybody else is, which implies that they are the "good guys".
They usually work in teams on the telephone, or in person.
They become your friends by making believe they want to help
you, while they slide their sweaty hands into your pockets.
Many of my customers have asked why I don't sue
these con artists. The answer is quite simple, by the time I
could get them to court, they disappear. Then I'm stuck for at
least $15,000.00 in up-front legal fees (according to our
attorney's).
Eventually, the government will become involved,
and this sorry chapter in the history of pool resurfacing will
come to an end. Until then, I can only say "buyer beware".
Here are a few ways to keep their sweaty hands
out of your pockets:
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The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Seal.
Always confirm the membership is in the name of the
company that owns and operates the web site. If that
name is different, you are being conned.
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Dunn & Bradstreet. Every legitimate
company, in business more than one year, is known to D &
B. The may not be rated, but they are known. Before you
spend thousands of your hard earned dollars, pay the
$29.95 and play it safe.
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The ability to accept credit cards.
Ascertain that the "merchant account" is actually in the
name of the same company that operates the web site. A
merchant account proves that the web site owner, at the
very least, has good credit. Scam artists rarely have
good credit due to prior bankruptcies, property
seizures, and personal judgments.
PayPal does not count as a "merchant account"
because PayPal only verifies that the web site owner has
a bank account. They all have bank accounts. How else
could they get your money?
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The corporate name and address. It should
appear on every page, or at least on the "contact" page.
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Google it. Put the company name
(not the website address) into Google and make sure it
exists.
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Google Earth. Put the business address
in Google Earth and make sure it exists.
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Common Sense. If it sounds too
good to be true, it is!
Now we will return to Insider Information which
includes the questions we have heard most over the years.
Is it true that pool gelcoat only lasts 5 or 6
years like boat gelcoat?
That is absolutely untrue! First of all, boat
gelcoat lasts a lot longer than 5 or 6 years. Second, gelcoat on
a new fiberglass swimming pool that is manufactured by a
legitimate company will last between 20 and 30 or more years,
depending upon the manufacturer. The gelcoat on a new San Juan
fiberglass pool will last the longest, at a minimum of 30 years.
How thick is the fiberglass after resurfacing a
gunite pool?
Approximately 125 mils average although it can
vary from about 90 to 150 or more. To put it in English, about
1/8" average.
Does really good concrete floor paint (2 part epoxy) actually
work on a gunite pool with marcite?
Answer: If it did, I would sell it. After all, it's easier to
apply than fiberglass, and easier to sell because it's a whole
lot cheaper.
These floor paints and/or epoxies have never been used on a surface
constantly submerged in swimming pool chemicals, or salt water.
Because something was successful on factory floors and in truck
repair depots for the
past 50 years, it does not mean it can be used in your
swimming pool!
Can you tell me of any really dangerous swimming pool product
recalls?
Answer:
Yes! Please click here for information
Does your Fibre-Shelkote II resin dry-up in 15 minutes like the
resin I use on my boat?
NO!
Our resin isn't shot-on like boat resin which can be done
quickly. Our resin is rolled-on, which takes longer, so a
longer gel time is required.
Fibre-Shelkote Vinyl Ester Resin
II is the only swimming pool resin
available online (or anywhere else that I know of) with a 20-25
minute gel time (at 77○ ambient temperature).
Is
it possible to brighten up a 24 year old fiberglass pool?
Answer:
Yes! Please click here for information.
Is
there such a thing as "resurfacing paint" or "epoxy resurfacing
paint"?
Answer. Of course not! Paint, by any name, is paint.
Does UGlassIt have Authorized Installers that can do the work on
residential pools?
Answer: No. This is a do-it-yourself project. Of course, you
can always hire a handyman with a helper to do the work for you.
Pool Resurfacing Made Easy, written in
1998, explains the process in an easy to read style.
However, UGlassIt does have Authorized
Application Specialists for large commercial and municipality
pools.
Where can I order small quantities of resurfacing materials made
just for fiberglass swimming pools?
You're at the right place.
Click here
You could also
visit our web site that specializes in refinishing fiberglass
swimming pools at
www.swimmingpoolresurfacing.com
or, if your pool has serious damage, check out our other site at
www.fiberglass-pool-repair.com.
Why do most reputable resurfacing companies always recommend
white for outdoor swimming pools instead of blue?
Answer: Because colors fade. Try to get a
guarantee for fading. This applies
to both fiberglass, plaster, paint, and epoxy. Any color exposed to direct sunlight will fade, the darker
the color, the greater the fading. If you must have color, we
recommend "light blue", or any other light color, which fades the least.
Indoor pool owners can safely use any color they choose. Click
here to learn about our Blue Water
Guarantee.
Is there any product that will remove stains from fiberglass
swimming pools?
Answer: Yes. We recommend
Hawaii Clean and
JacksMagic for stain removal.
Is
there much danger when I empty my swimming pool?
Answer: Could be. Click here for
information about emptying a
swimming pool
Are there any pool/spa magazines worth subscribing to?
Absolutely: We like two in particular, available at the
following:
www.poolspaliving.com/shop/index.asp
www.poolscience.com (West Coast
Only)
Where can I get more information about swimming pool repair and
maintenance?
Answer: I always recommend two outstanding forums where you can
post questions, exchange information, and receive reasonably
good advice:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/pools
http://www.poolcenter.com/wwwboard/structure/wwwboard.shtml.
(Added 5-28-06 Recent Question (asked numerous times)
Did you own Sunrise Leisure?
Answer: I wish I did. The owner of the company sold the business
in 1999 because of a serious heart condition. He later had open
heart surgery (something about a valve), and is now fully
recovered. I served as a salesman, manager, then as regional manager,
which gave me the opportunity to learn the pool restoration
business. The new owner relocated the headquarters to
Claymont, Delaware, about 20 miles from Philadelphia.
I
even designed their first web site:
www.sunriseleisure.com. After the new owner took
over, they removed my name from the first page, but left it on
the other pages (figure that one out). I understand they
continue to do
outstanding work and I am comfortable recommending them to
Philadelphia area pool owners.
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®
Pool Resurfacing, Inc.
67 Buck Road
Suite 140 Box B-43
Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
267-988-8712
Toll Free: 800-676-8528
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