REC WAREHOUSE Formerly RECREATIONAL FACTORY WAREHOUSE Ripoffs, Rudeness and very Unprofessional in every aspect of Business Ripoff Hoover Birmingham Alabama
When I purchased a 24' above ground round pool, little did I expect the problems I had in store. First, I was uninformed of the additional cost (about $300.00) to have my yard graded before installation.
After installation, within about 4 months the pool was sinking on one side due to the liner leaking. I called and reported the problem to have them come out and make it right. Two teenagers showed up at my house and all they did was replace the liner ignoring the fact that the pool had sunk an estimated 3 to 4 inches on one side.
The pool was refilled AGAIN at the cost of now 30,000 gallons of water and chemical cost. Over the next few months (closed season) I noticed the ground staying saturated around the pool and by the time it was re-opening season, the water level had dropped to just a few inches. I refilled again and just went on to use the pool for the summer.
Shortly after opening, the pump motor burned out and had to be replaced at MY EXPENSE. About a month later I had to replace the Multiport Valve on top of the filter at MY EXPENSE. I also had to replace the pool light that summer at MY EXPENSE.
I just bit the bullet and considered that now hopefully everything will be fine from then on except for the fact that the pool was STILL leaking. "NOT"!!!
I closed it for the season before I reported the leaking problem again. I was told to wait till early spring before worrying about having it fixed AGAIN. I agreed. In January of this year, the continuous leaking finally took a toll on the ground beneath the pool. The ground washed out and the liner bursted causing major damage to my property. Due to the rush of 15,000 gallons of water exiting the pool, I lost a 60 foot long, 4 foot high brick wall holding up the lower end of by back yard.
I called Rec Warehouse and the installation company(SOUTHEAST INSTALLATION) owned by Todd McGarity, to have them come out and survey the damage. When they arrived and looked it over, the manager from Rec Warehouse (Regan) made the accusation that it looks like someone hit it with a shovel and bursted the liner.
They said they would make good on the liner but that was all they could do about it. I was told to notify them when I was ready for them to come back. I recently called to schedule for them to come and was told "we are not doing liners right now, all we are doing is building pools". So, here I sit almost June with no pool, out the cost of 45,000 gallons of water, several hundred dollars worth of chemicals and NOTHING to show for it.
I urge any and everyone to shop elsewhere if you are in the market for a pool, spa or ANYTHING that Rec Warehouse sells.
My next step and I feel the only choice I have now is The Better Business Bureau, our local Fox News "Six On Your Side" and a lawsuit. Better luck to you all...
Anthony
Bessemer, Alabama
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
John D
Tuscaloosa,Alabama,
United States of America
I agree with the report - Stay way from REC
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, December 04, 2012
I wish I read the other persons review from 2005 before I bought my pool. I bought my pool this year 2012 and I don't feel the quality of the product from REC-WAREHOUSE in Hoover has improved at all.
I also had the same installers (SOUTHEAST INSTALLATION) owned by Todd McGarity.
I recommend you shop around and not buy a pool from REC because all they do is sell the pool and your at the hands of the installer after that.
The sales guy I had at Rec was nammed Johnny M. when I had all this questions about the pool such as how to do the chemicals and how to take care of it. I was told it would all be explained to me when the installers came. Well the installers told me they just put it together and they don't do anything with the chemicals.......mmm ok
After receiving the pool I didn't really care of the quality of the walls and Southeast sent the first team of guys that showed up to install the pool. The first guy showed up sick and was puking in my backyard and the 2nd guy was new to installing pools. THey didn't put pavers in my ground to put the pool support beams on and the wall looked like a roller coaster. The same guys came out a 2nd time and tried to fix the over bending wall because it wasn't installed right. Eventually a third visit from a different crew and they only put pavers under certain aspects of the beams.
The pool support beams of made of plastics
After about 4 months later the Owner Todd finally came to my house to look at the pool. He stated he would pay to replace the liner and all the bend plastic uprights that bowed out because the wall wasn't install correctly and when it filled with water it bowed out my support beams really well.
Todd did say he would make things right, but I felt I was prying to get help from his team and I lost my confindence for him to install it correctly because it was install wrong some many times.
In the end I am having the pool taken down and restarting with pool company that is selling the pool and standing by the contractor they have install it. This same company has help me in many ways explain what was wrong and how things should have been done. Its also the company that cleaned my pool this last summer.
Summary,
Stay away from REC-Warehouse, don't try to save the extra buck go somewhere else that doesn't deal with (SOUTHEAST INSTALLATION) and someone that is known well for installing above ground pools
Tj
Alabaster,Alabama,
U.S.A.
This Store Under New Management
#3Consumer Comment
Sun, May 28, 2006
I am not sure if this will help your situation but I am family of an employee and know that a new manager took over this location (Hoover, AL) in 2005. According to employees, ALOT has changed for the better.