Aqua Fitness Concepts: John W. Trzcinka President John Mc Fee ,partner Aqua Fitness Concepts, I paid a total of $31,398.50 to Aquatic Fitness and their agent Chuck Campos for the spa and installation in June 2011. The Spa was neither delivered or installed as the city shut down the job due to Vista, California
I paid Aquatic Fitness Concepts $17,398.50 on 6-6-2011 as a half down payment for their swim spa. On that day and one other occaision I also paid Chuck Campos, their agent and sales person, $14,000 to install the swim spa. During the course of the next month, I was deceived regarding the need for permits and engineering analysis for the spa installation. Mr. Campos who works as an agent of aquatic fitness concepts is an unlicensed contractor. He sent workers to my home which were uninsured and unbonded thus putting me at great liability. He proceeded to dig a hole 24 feet long by 12 feet wide and 7 feet deep. The city stopped the job on July 25, 2011 and the spa has never been delivered or installed and both parties refuse to refund the $31,398.50 paid to them.
To date, I am left with a huge open gaping hole in my back yard. They not only hacked up my sprinkling system. ruined my landscaping leaving tree roots exposed but have left my 1.2 million dollar home in peril of sliding down the slope if the hole is not re-filled prior to the oncoming rainy season. Professional contractors have advised me that filling the hole with a regualar swimming pool which costs in excess of $60,000 is my only solution as re-filling the hole with soil and re-landscaping will be even more costly.
Aquatic fitness maintains that they are not responsible for the deception caused by themselves and their agent, Chuck Campos. Aquatic Fitness Concepts claim that they were also duped by Chuck Campos but that they are not responsible. I beg to differ as does the law. On May 28, 2011 I was met by Chuck Campos at Aquatic fitness showroom and signed a contract with him for the downpayment of 17.395.50. Both his name and mine are on the Aquatic fitness contract. I also met the presidient of AFC on that day, John W Trzcinka, and was encouraged by him to utilize his salesman, Chuck Campos as the installer of the spa. It was pointed out to me that they only use the "best" and that was Mr. Campos. On June 6, 2011, Mr. Campos came to my home and assured me that neither permits or soil engineering would be required as my yard was "perfect" for a pre-fabricated spa. I paid Mr. campos the money and he made plans to start my job the following week.
Unfortunately, the lies and deception go on even further. Just days prior to the job starting, Mr. campos advises me that he is going out of the country. He then introduces me to his "partner' Rogelio Del Rios who will do the work. I am taken aback and concerned since I have already paid Campos. Later, I am to find out that these two are not partners. On June 15,2011 the demolition of my back yard begins. During the next week, I find that Del Rios license is under suspension and that he may not have liability insurance and that he is not a partner with campos. The situation continues to disintegrate as I find out that permits and licenses as well as soil engineering are required for a job of this magnitude. I express my concern to Campos and he assures me that he has been to the city and that permits are not required for a pre-fabricated spa. At that time, the news also reports a swim spa being dropped on a home as it was too heavy for the crane. I begin to become increasing concerned with their lack of professionalism and deceit. On July 25, the city shuts down the job due to lack of permits and hazardly conditions. Mr. Campos and Del Rio have left the 7 foot hole with no protective fencing. Indicating to me little regard for me or my childrens' and pets safety.
Presently, I have been offerred $5,000 by Mr. Trzcinka to go away and sign a waiver to release him from any liability. I am not able to find Mr. Campos and he has no money to pay me back anyway. I appreciate any help media or otherwise that I can get in this matter. I am a single mother who works hard for a living and do not have the $60,000 dollars plus to right the damage the these individuals have done to my home. I hope to warn any other hard working unsuspecting homeowners of my situation with hopes that they will not do business with such unsavory individuals.
9 Updates & Rebuttals
John Trzcinka - President, Aquaic F
Vista,California,
United States of America
Thank you Susan for Setting the Record Straight!
#10REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, July 10, 2012
From the very beginning, I tried to do everything I could to make our customer happy including offering her a full refund of her down payment once I discovered that she was unhappy with the installation contractor, who is not an Aquatic Fitness Concepts employee. She turned that down for whatever reason. My preference would have been that we would have come to an understanding prior to her posts on Rip Off Report and Scam Alert but I am pleased that she is satisfied with my effort to help her. I also appreciate my clients that have spoken favorably of my company and me once they discovered this post. You guys are wonderful!
Aquatic Fitness Concepts does not install swim spas; we only sell and deliver them. A licensed contractor is needed to install the foundation that the swim spa will sit on as well as the electrical to power them. That said we of course know many capable contractors and if our customers are interested we will give them names to check out. I have only recommended people that we have had a positive working relationship with or who have come highly recommended to us from our clients. Aquatic Fitness Concepts NEVER has and NEVER will receive financial compensation from any installation contractor that we recommend!
Customers, who buy swim spas, whether from Aquatic Fitness Concepts or anywhere else, should always check with the State Contractors Board to ensure that their installation contractors license is up to date and that they have the necessary insurance to protect them before allowing them to start the work.
I have been in the hot tub/swim spa industry for nearly 30 years and my companies have sold thousands of spas, (including swim spas). Occasionally, things come up where a client may not be happy with something, but we have always tried to do whatever it takes to make them happy and as a result, we have NEVER had a complaint filed against us prior to this incident. We have always been members of the BBB and have won numerous awards for sales, service and customer satisfaction over the years including our recognition as a Trade Certified Spa Dealer by the publishers of Spa Search and Pool Search Magazines in 2011 and 2012. This honor recognizes us as an Elite Spa Dealer. Only 5% of the dealers in North America qualify for this prestigious award.
Aquatic Fitness Concepts will continue to provide this kind of award-winning service to all customers. We were sorry to see that this customer was dissatisfied with her installation contractor, but we are very happy that we were able to help her out and that she updated her original post to reflect it.
Respectfully,
John Trzcinka (JT)
President,
Aquatic Fitness Concepts, Inc.
760-598-8922
Disgruntled homeowner
Laguna Niguel,California,
USA
update
#10Author of original report
Thu, July 05, 2012
Since putting up the original post, I have found out that Aquatic Fitness Concepts and John Trzcinka were also misled and duped by Chuck Campos Construction, who was contracted to install the swim spa. During this whole ordeal, John has been both professional and courteous in dealing with me and I harbor no ill will toward him or Aquatic Fitness Concepts. This site does not allow me to edit or delete my original posting, so I am posting this as an update.
Disgruntled homeowner
Laguna Niguel,California,
USA
No nutcase I
#10Author of original report
Thu, July 05, 2012
I am not a nutcase but an unsuspecting homeowner. No need for rudeness; I am happy for you that your project went smoothly.
bensalaski
Jonestown,Pennsylvania,
United States of America
Aquatic Fitness
#10Consumer Comment
Sat, April 14, 2012
First of all this woman is clearly a nut case. I was the first person to buy a spa from Aquatic Fitness and the team there helped in every step of the way. I also need to mention that I am 3000 miles away from San Diego and still everything went smoothly. The building specs were very easy to follow.
I don't know how things work in California but as a responsible homeowner you should have been on top of things in regard to your permits. That is your responsibility and yours alone. If your supposed 1.2 million dollar home is in peril of sliding down a slope you should have thought about that first.
Lastly don't try to get sympathy because you say you are a single parent that works hard. I am a Combat wounded disabled Vet and don't live in a million dollar home but Aquatic Fitness has been nothing but good to me. It sounds like you are the problem.
bensalaski
Jonestown,Pennsylvania,
United States of America
Aquatic Fitness
#10Consumer Comment
Sat, April 14, 2012
First of all this woman is clearly a nut case. I was the first person to buy a spa from Aquatic Fitness and the team there helped in every step of the way. I also need to mention that I am 3000 miles away from San Diego and still everything went smoothly. The building specs were very easy to follow.
I don't know how things work in California but as a responsible homeowner you should have been on top of things in regard to your permits. That is your responsibility and yours alone. If your supposed 1.2 million dollar home is in peril of sliding down a slope you should have thought about that first.
Lastly don't try to get sympathy because you say you are a single parent that works hard. I am a Combat wounded disabled Vet and don't live in a million dollar home but Aquatic Fitness has been nothing but good to me. It sounds like you are the problem.
lady_v
United States of AmericaBeware Fraudulent Complaints and Deception - former neighbor
#10Consumer Comment
Wed, January 18, 2012
Unfortunately on scammer web sites like this one the business owner is always deemed guilty before proven innocent. But by that time the damage is already done. Any unscrupulous person, competitor, a vindictive individual with an axe to grind, or just a mean person looking to have some fun at the expense of another can post anything they want on the internet.
Im fairly certain I know who this lady is whos claiming to be a victim. I used to live a few houses away and remember this project starting. I moved away shortly after so I dont know all the details of the problem, but knowing her its probably self generated.
She was always having problems with everyone for some reason or another. Shed exaggerate and sometimes make things up just for the attention or pity. Dont listen to her. I feel bad for the poor guy that got involved with her. I dont wish her type on even my worst enemy. I hope this web site does the right thing and removes her fraudulent, vindictive and deceptive complaint.
I searched aquatic fitness on the internet and found lots of only good things about them, except for this page and a few others this woman made. He should sue her for libel for all the bad things shes saying about him and all the trouble she's causing!
happy customer
Vista,California,
United States of America
I Had Good Experience with Aquatic Fitness Concepts - Not a Ripoff
#10Consumer Comment
Fri, December 16, 2011
Aquatic Fitness Concepts is an honest company. They are NOT a rip-off company. They are kind hearted Christian people. I called them looking to buy a hot tub to replace my old broken down one that hasn't been used in years.
To guys came over to my house, the owner John Trzcinka and a salesman named John, to see the old spa. They inspected it and told me I don't need a new one, the old one can be fixed. They gave me contact info for a contractor (not affiliated with them) to come over and clean out the pipes, fix the electrical and a few other stuff.
They could have sold me a new one, but instead they told me the truth about fixing the old one and walked away without a sale! That's pretty upstanding in my book. I would recommend Aquatic Fitness Concepts and John Trzcinka to anyone.
Too bad the lady above had a bad experience. She obviously has issues. Sounds like Chuck Campos is the bad guy in her story, not John Trzcinka. I don't know Campos, but I do know that doesn't sound like the way Aquatic Fitness does business. There are always two sides to every story...
Anyway, I had a good experience with them. Maybe she should work closer with the owner. He's a great guy and easy to deal with. Good luck!
Disgruntled homeowner
Laguna Niguel,California,
USA
Aquatic Fittness deception
#10Author of original report
Thu, September 22, 2011
I do not question that the Aqua Spa is a valuable health tool. I would have never given the company $32,000 for the down-payment and installation if I did not feel that it was not a beneficial product. My whole problem is that I was misled regarding the installation for my particular slope conditions and that the city shut down the job because of lack of permits and dangerous conditions. These individuals had little regard for the safety of my home as they had intended to place the spa under-ground with out the proper excavation and retaining wall for a hillside residence. Had the spa been placed above ground or in a flat lot, I would not have encountered these difficulties. The bottom line is that these individuals deceived me and kept moneys that they were not entitled to. The betters business bureau has been contacted and are working to help resolve this unfortunate situation.
ccaves
La Mesa,California,
United States of America
Aquatic Fitness Concepts Experience
#10Consumer Comment
Thu, September 22, 2011
My husband and I purchased an Aquatic Fitness Concepts swim spa about 2 years ago, after going to a home improvement expo specifically to see it. We felt very comfortable working with JT and with John McPhee. They went above and beyond to help us get our spa installed. They were helpful, honest, and made us feel like one of the family before and AFTER the sale. They have been in touch regularly since the installation to make sure the trainer they recommended had been a good fit and to see if the spa had helped us with our health issues - the reason we got the spa in the first place - and, yes, it has. We have recommended the spa to others and are in contact with people in the area who also bought the swim spa for similar health reasons. We'd recommend it freely to anyone looking for a way to work out in water with a variety of equipment.