Dressing for success is not a requirement in the pool repair business!

Apparently, dressing for success is not a requirement in the pool repair business!

Finding a good vendor for any type of home repair is tough, often we search mindlessly through the yellow pages or these days it is usually a "Google" search.  For better results we hope for a referral from someone that we trust.  That's what I did recently and the results were less than satisfying.

My problem really began, not as a needed repair; but, as a failure of my propane provider for my pool/spa heater.  For years I have been on an automatic 90 day fill for my 100 gallon propane tank.  This worked to perfection until recently when my provider was bought by a competitor and the new vendor decided (without consulting me) that I could go 120 days between fills instead of my contractually obligated 90 days.

Not hard to guess the outcome of that decision!  One night when my better half "REALLY" needed to sit in a steaming spa and relax after a rough week at the Veterinary Clinic (TBVES.com) the tank ran dry.  Of course she can't get mad at the propane company at 10 o'clock at night, so it must be my fault and I bear the wrath of Dr. Meyer.

The next day I get to channel this wrath to the poor, unsuspecting, rather bitchy, less than sympathetic admin person at the propane company who actually tried to make the situation my fault for not informing them that I desired to keep a 90 cycle (the one I never requested nor was informed about being changed).  Once, we came to an agreement and the tank was refilled several days later my problems began.  You thought they already had, remember the "repair" in the title.

Trying to get the pilot light on the pool heater re-lit became more than I bargained for and I eventually opted to call in the cavalry and requested a referral from my friends at my local pool supply (not repair) store.  Now I get to meet Bozo the clown, with no offense intended to the original Bozo!

The repairman shows up looking like a combination of the characters featured in "People of Walmart", a not so flattering assortment of pictures presumably taken at Walmart's across the country.  Bozo's first and only action is to strip the knob on the pilot light control and then, take the knob and leave saying he has to "find" another one. 

Apparently, this is a major undertaking as I have not heard from him in over 4 months.  He just vanished and never has returned my calls.  Slightly frustrated, but fearing the wrath of Dr. Meyer, I fashioned a new control knob out of an old nylon washer and eventually achieved success in re-lighting the pilot and brought the pool heater back to life.

Several months passed when again, at a very inopportune time, the pool heater simply stopped functioning.  This time I did the "Google" search method and found another pool repair company who assured me they could take care of my situation. 

That is how I got to meet Bozo's cousin.  Apparently, dressing for success is not a requirement in the pool repair business.   I don't expect a suit and tie; howevet, ragged shorts, flip flops and a t-shirt that suggests a rather ridiculous opinion of a major league baseball team does not a good impression make!

When a pool heater repair person merely looks at your pool heater and decides it needs to be replaced, you know you are in trouble!  Or as Jeff Foxworthy says, "Here's your sign"!

Bozo's cousin must have thought I was truly gullible when he looked at my pool heater, read the manufacturers label and discovered that my heater was 8 years old.  Apparently, this is "automatic" replacement time in his company's training manual as he began a full dialogue on why a brand spanking new $3800 (installed) heater was in my best interest rather than attempting any sort of repair on my "old" heater.  I nodded, gave very short replies to his comments and escorted him to the door and said he could fax or email me a full quote.  Funny, I have never heard back from him either, perhaps he is helping his cousin look for that knob!

One side note, neither Bozo 1 or 2 ever asked me to sign anything or even gave/sent me a bill.  Wonder how they make their money if they show up for service calls, never actually do any work and then ride off into the sunset?

Anyway, after a brief conversation with the pool store owner and the purchase of a $20 voltage meter, I discovered that the problem was a $3.99 part that had shorted out.  Not bad for an 8 year old unit that was almost was replaced, and a REALTOR who is not really all that comfortable working with electricity.

Dr. Meyer is very happy!