Pool construction

[Dysondogs]

We have decided to get a pool - so of course we are going to get a few quotes... silly not to. One was Blue Haven, the sales person was on time , and whilst my husband & I were telling him what we wanted - he was looking at his messages on his iphone. He did not seem interested at all. Every question we had for him, his answer was , no worries, easy , no problems. After having other pools companies out , we both realised that this sales person had never built a pool in his life & appeared to be just that a sales person- ready for the big deal. When we told him we had $15,000 deposit ( his eyes lit up) , he then told us about the $20,000 interest free loan that Blue Haven would give us , no problems he said.
After getting another pool company out , who explained everything to us, including problems we may have , plumbing , electrical & guess what they even mentioned the temp fencing we will need. Yes folks all included no hidden nasty surprises , it was there warts & all. The sales person from Blue Haven rang me two days ago , and said he is coming back over - TODAY and has a deal of a life time - after researching about Blue Haven - we have decided to get out own back, when he comes today - he can go through his deal & crap , and we will ask the questions and see what he comes up with ( humour us Bluehaven) ...it is crap. This is called sweet revenge folks , to all of you that have been gipped - well here's one for us. ... all I can say is do your homework for such a big investment - and also check out ASIC and the court of appeal websites , interesting( also NSW parliament prosecuted Bluehaven ) I think Blue haven should be proud of such as great reputation- well done, I hope you can sleep at night! and thank god for this website.

[wishful thinking]

I have to agree with previous comments that unless you owe Blue Haven money, don't expect to hear from them. We paid our final payment and then found the pool was leaking. It was an incredible battle to get them out to repair it (not turning up when they said they would and I'd taken time off work for the appointment, having the wrong pump details on file and sending the wrong person to repair the broken pump, never having telephone calls returned, having someone come into the yard when we weren't home and leave the gate open so our dog got out... the list goes on). Now, months later we are still waiting for them to replace the light that was installed incorrectly. Fortunately they realise we owe them money for paving so they are willing to speak to us, but until that light is repaired we will not be paying them for the moment they have their money you don't get any response from them to your numerous calls for help.

[bc53]

"For what its worth, I feel very naive., cheated and disappointed, Yes I signed the contract, I wanted a pool! I even expected some increase in various things. It seems though that the process is to get the contract signed at the very minimum price that the pool could possibly be built for. Then add higher margin "extras" wherever possible. Of course its all within the word of the contract, but totally deceptive".

I agree with you 100%, so all you would be pool customers, Don't sign anything, or put a clause in the contract that stipulate that this is the total price and no more to pay, if they say NO, then walk away or go through all the heartache that jaspertd gone through.

[jaspertd]

Hi everyone

I'm afraid I only have more bad experiences to add.

"How about we have you swimming for Christmas" the rep said, who apparently was actually the Marketing Manger and top sales trainer apparently...

During the pitch I became more and more aware of a suspicion we were about to get stitched up. I refused to sign anything and sent him on his way. Unfortunately I relented the day after, on discussion with my wife, I so wish I hadn't and that I listened to my instinct.

Everything moved pretty smoothly after we signed, except that my wife had to get the water sign off herself. Then the "boss" came out...

What about structural walkways, you'll need those on this ground. ($10k) Oh but that doesnt include piers "if needed".

When the supervisor arrives, oh yeah you'll need piers as the walkways are over 90cm (another $10k)...

The "Marketing Manager" assured us that despite us being in an area notorious for rock, he was 99% certain we wouldnt hit rock. (Guess what, we hit rock)

The "boss" was sure that the fill from the excavation would easily fit into the space left by our old pool. (...Oh except for the 2 trucks plus trailers that we needed to clear the bit that didnt fit).

Most of the big extra expenses incurred could easily have been forseen by the "top sales trainer" and the "boss" who had built in excess of 10 pools for himself.

Christmas came and went, its now the middle of Jan and the tiler arrived yesterday. "Oh mate, you'll need waterline tiles if you are using that finish otherwise it will stain" ($1.6k) This was the final straw and my wife called head office to ask that surely this could be included as we had rolled quietly about the rest of it.

I then get a phone call from our supervisor, to tell me to tell my wife that there is no way that they would pay for it. I mean, not even the decency to call someone back, but to put the supervisor in the middle of it.

What started as a $30,000 pool looks to be turning out to be a $50,000 disappointment, if it actually gets finished.

For what its worth, I feel very naive., cheated and disappointed, Yes I signed the contract, I wanted a pool! I even expected some increase in various things. It seems though that the process is to get the contract signed at the very minimum price that the pool could possibly be built for. Then add higher margin "extras" wherever possible. Of course its all within the word of the contract, but totally deceptive.

The only really good communication we have had from Blue Haven themselves is when they wanted money off us.

[Croman]

Last year I had a pool built by a small family run pool builder. There was no contract to sign. I had no problems with them and it cost me about half of what Blue Haven quoted me. By the sound of it it would have cost me even more than the quote. I guess those slick sales people don't come cheap.

[dudsy]

I've been getting several quotes from pool builders over the past few months and was wondering why blue haven were so much cheaper. After reading this thread i know why

Are all these problems coming from the same franchises? I'm wondering why they have been around for so long with problems like this.

Can anyone recommend a good concrete pool builder in the Newcastle/Central Coast area?

[NGE]

Blue Haven has requested and been supplied with contact details for Poz.

[Thing]

Contracts protect both the vendor & purchaser - before you sign you should take the contract to your solicitor and have it amended accordingly to your satisfaction, if the vendor refuses, take your $$$ elsewhere...

[Poz]

NGE Note: Member Poz has ignored all attempts at contact from Blue Haven despite selecting YES to contact.

[bc53]

But you STILL rather have the contract there. If there was no contract then the salesman would have not only return you calls but would have kept calling you to make sure you don't go elsewhere, that's the point.

[Poz]

NGE Note: Member Poz has ignored all attempts at contact from Blue Haven despite selecting YES to contact.

[bc53]

I don't get it, why do we need a contract? and why do we need to pay well before anything happens? and what's the use of a contract if the amount keep going UP all the time, never down.

I want a pool, do you want to build it for me? Okay then go ahead, I don't sign anything and when you start I give you some money and more money as we go along, and if I wait too long to hear from you, don't bother I'll get someone else.

[Poz]

NGE Note: Member Poz has ignored all attempts at contact from Blue Haven despite selecting YES to contact.

[NGE]

Blue Haven requested and was supplied with contact details for matusik7877. Unfortunately the phone number supplied is invalid.

Members are once again reminded of the importance of supplying current and valid contact details.

Companies such as Blue Haven make a tremendous effort to assist NGE members. It's incredibly frustrating for all when the member throws up roadblocks.

[BlueHaven-RM]

Another Pool Builder has contacted you to CANCEL the contract with Blue Haven Pools and build with them???????????

How ethical is that????
Is that a total breach of privacy??

Check if they are a member of the Swimming Pool & Spa Association then report them for serious misconduct. Check the Industry Website code

Would you please contact me at Blue Haven Pools Head Office to discuss this matter. If you would like to personally talk to our customers who are very pleased with their building experience we value the opportunity to pass on their details.