So...Where's My Online Warranty?

You want to try and save a few dollars and purchase some pool equipment, or replacement parts online. Now what’s next?....  Make sure you select the Buck Rogers install plan at checkout. Oh and that online extended warranty? Wait… why don’t they offer that? Ah-ha… GOTCHA!!!

Let me explain to you the Homeowner why it’s such a terrible idea to purchase your swimming pool equipment from anyone other than your local swimming pool professional or local authorized retailer.

No swimming Pool professional I know will want to install equipment or products purchased online by a homeowner for multiple reasons. Your swimming pool professional will have the knowledge to know what equipment would work best and what would not work at all for your specific system, no two pools are the same.  Often times the homeowners make an incorrect purchase. Your pool professional does not want to be on the hook for anything beyond his control.  We don’t want to be responsible for it if we don’t know where it came from. Much like any other high end goods, there are counterfeit products out there on the gray market.  The other and biggest risk you are taking is the manufactures gives you little to NO warranty on their products which you choose to purchase online.  

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In my professional opinion an additional 2-4 year warranty is worth a lot more than the few dollars you might save purchasing items online, By purchasing online, you are taking a huge risk purchasing used or even counterfeit products, open box returned, items, or old inventory that may or may not be compatible with your current system. You also are taking the risk of purchasing items that have zero manufacture warranty.  This is why I highly recommend you purchase from a pool professional. 

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No manufacturer wants to leave the online channel completely, after all it's a huge source of income for everyone, and it makes no sense to drop it altogether.

There is no denying however, that massive undercutting of their product rates on a gray market can dilute the value of the company's products as well as their online presence.  some of you might think “it’s easier, I can browse online and pick and choose what I think I need and read reviews from customers that have bought it prior” yet for most of you your pool service professional comes to your house every week and knows your pool and equipment better than anyone why not ask them their opinion.

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Your pool professional knows current electrical codes, and city and state regulations & ordinances, has knowledge of pump curves, hydraulic systems, Don’t keep your pool service professional in the dark about your desire to be more energy efficient and desire to utilize some of the latest technological advances in the pool equipment industry. A good pool service professional would have already approached you in regards to updating your old aging non energy efficient equipment.

So where’s my warranty? It’s become a huge peril of shopping online, many manufactures are taking steps to protect  their authorized retailers from gray market online sales.  Pool equipment manufactures are now manufacturing “Trade Series” products that are not available to online markets, but only thru pool professionals, authorized distribution and authorized retailers.

These companies aren't doing anything wrong. However, when consumers buy an expensive pool product online only to find that it isn't covered under warranty, there is only one loser in the whole deal. The consumer that bought it.

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Agents of or the manufacture itself will require proof of purchase and product registration prior to any warranty repair. Also there are many additional factors that could void your factory warranty so you want to make sure you purchased and have your equipment installed by a trained skilled pool professional who will make sure the job is done correct and check all other areas of your pool equipment to make sure its installed, operating and programmed correctly. some of these factors are:

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• Failure to properly install, operate or maintain their product in accordance with the manufactures published installation, operation and/or maintenance manuals.
  
• Poor workmanship of any installer of the product.
• Use of non-factory authorized parts or accessories in conjunction with your equipment

• Improper product modifications or adjustments
  
• Not maintaining proper pool and/or spa chemical balance
• Abuse, damage during transit or shipping
• Improper installation ie: not grounding and/or bonding miss-wiring, loose wiring, cut or kinked wires, loose connections, incorrect wire runs, incorrect breaker size, breaker(s) with improper wire gauge, moisture in electrical conduit, improper electrical supply, incorrect plumbing, inadequate size of pipe and/or fittings, over-tightening, under-tightening improper gas pipe sizing, lack of proper gas pressure, inadequate heater venting improper equipment sizing, programming errors, operating the product at water flow rates below minimum, or above maximum specifications.
  

It’s not worth the little savings you might gain by purchasing pool products online rather than to purchase your swimming pool equipment from a licensed trained skilled pool professional and have them install it. The benefits you will receive are far greater than the risks involved with online purchases.

Most manufactures provide you with extended or additional warranty period and or rebates when you purchase thru a authorized distributor, retailer, or your swimming pool service professional.