USA Pools, Inc Les Schiff USA POOLS, INC, LES SCHIFF, PROMISES ALOT, DELIVERS LITTLE; DOESN'T HONOR HIS END OF CONTRACT AND USES DECEPTIVE SALES PRACTICES!! Pembroke Pines Florida
We signed a contract with USA Pools, Inc of Pembroke Pines, Fl to build us an in-ground pool on 4/22/2013 that was suppose to take 6-8 weeks at a total cost of $40,000. Les, the owner, wanted $45,000 to start but agreed to lower his price after we informed him we were already ready to go with a competitor who was offering more features and equipment at a cost of $36,000. We went over the list of stuff we were getting from the competitor with Les, and he agreed to provide the same or better and get it completed much sooner. He started out great, until we refused to accept the tile HE chose.
It has been a nightmare ever since so please be aware that if you sign a contract with Les, you have to accept his tile, his coping, his pavers, his everything-and if you complain, he will hold you hostage and refuse to finish the pool. For example, we had to find our own tile, drive 483 miles round trip, pick it up and pay for it. He promised to reimburse us, but in the end, only reimbursed partially. Once the tile problem was overcome, it took nearly a month for him to get the electrical done and set the equipment.
Also, keep in mind, you have to pay him in full before the equipment gets set and he won't take credit cards, despite what his website says. We were planning to make the final payment when the pool was completely done which is he agreed to when we signed the contract (duh!), but he held us hostage and refused to set the equipment and finish the rest until he was fully paid. So, just as we feared, he has been paid in full and we do not have the pool we expected or contracted for! We also have no yard as they ruined the whole yard, not just the pool area, we are short one lounge chaise ($100) because his people broke it, we got no pavers per the contract ($900), no tile edgings ($??) because he said they didn't make any to match our tile (that is a lie as I found some the exact same as the tile), cheap water feature as compared to the one that was designed and on the contract/drawings, damaged deck because his people dribbled cement all over it, no remote, and incorrect, bad plumbing which will cost us an additional $3000 to fix. We are also finding little blisters all over our skin apparently because he has the chlorinator plumbed so that when we turn on the spa (and turn off the pool), all of the chlorine that would normally circulate in the pool goes to the spa! He didn't balance the pool after filling it, didn't provide enough initial salt for the chlorinator, and gave us incorrect instructions on how to operate and maintain the pool/spa/water feature. By the way, the pool wasn't completed until 8/5/13-about twice the time that was promised! Further, he told us we had to increase the height of our fence when it already met code, the pool is green and is suppose to be blue, and his people messed up the inlays we bought ourselves and paid and additional $200 to have installed
So, buyer beware, if you sign a contract with USA Pools, please make sure you get EVERYTHING detailed with dates and in writing. Also, tape EVERY conversation, because what he tells you and promises one day, he forgets the next. I hate to call him or anyone a liar, but... We paid over $40,000 for a beautiful pool/spa/water feature and ended up with a mediocre $32,000 pool at best. Certainly improved his profit margin, but at our expense!~
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Ed
Fort Lauderdale,Florida,
UPDATE
#4Author of original report
Fri, July 25, 2014
We entered into BINDING arbitration through the BBB, where both sides agreed to abide by the arbitrator decision, no matter the outcome. Mr Schiff attempted to win his case by introducing fraudulent documents and forging our signatures on the documents. Despite those attempts, he lost and was ordered to refinish our pool and rebuild the water feature per the contract.
He, then,thought he would introduce more evidence via a fake affidavit, signed by one of his workers and notorized by Mr Schiff, himself! This didn’t work either and again, he was ordered to redo our pool per the contract. In the end, he did nothing, forcing us to file for a judgment in Broward County. This guy will stop at nothing and make your life miserable if you have anything to do with him. He should lose his license and never be allowed to have a business of any type!
Ed Nader
Fort Lauderdale,Florida,
How sad :(
#4Author of original report
Tue, August 13, 2013
Mr Schiff's personal attacks and blatant lies against my wife, especially, do nothing to explain the cheap pool we have in our backyard. My wife was the one who provided water, mosquito repellent, and restrooms for the workers (and Mr Schiff) as Mr Schiff, the contractor, was too cheap to even do that! His ranting doesn't even make sense-why would we drive to Orlando needlessly, why would we build on a fence we didn't own, what control do we have over electrical? We didn't even have any control over the finished product! As homeowners, we were at the mercy of the contractors and did whatever necessary and whatever we were told. Otherwise, how did we get a final approval from the city to use the pool? His rebuttal (or delusioins), don't even deserve a reply. I attached a picture of our green pool and blue spa, you be the judge
USA Pools, Inc.
Pembroke Pines,Florida,
The Naders - the hardest customers to please
#4REBUTTAL Owner of company
Tue, August 13, 2013
The homeowners, Meeka and Ed Nader have lied about everything they say. First, let me start by saying that Meeka was always rude, constantly used profanity and was one of the hardest customers I have ever had to deal with. This can be backed up by each and every one of my trades, as she was nothing but rude to them as well. The Naders pool was completed in 6 weeks. They say that it took 12 weeks, but failed to mention that it took them 3 weeks to pick the tile and there was another 1 – 2 weeks of rain.
I showed them dozens of samples of tiles they could have used from a local warehouse but they chose to use a tile that was out of stock at the time and decided to drive to Orlando (400 miles away) to get the tile they desired. Meeka even went to a local warehouse where there were hundreds of tiles and although she found one that was close to what she wanted, she still insisted on driving to Orlando for a particular tile. This shows you how impossible they were to please. The color of the tile they ultimately picked was very close to many of the tiles I showed them.
I have many pictures of the pool. It came out beautiful. So many inspectors commented on how nice the pool looked, it’s hard to believe I am responding to such an outlandish report. Most also commented on how fast the pool was built.
The fence that is mentioned in their report was not even their fence. They were told by the City of Dania, Mr. Jim Savage, that they had to raise their fence by a foot in order to pass the final. If need be, you can call the City and speak with Mr. Savage. The Naders were suppose to build a fence on their property line, but instead, they just raised an existing fence that did not even belong to them. I have emails from Mr. Nader stating he would comply with whatever the City of Dania Beach required. However, being the lying, deceptive customers they are, they did not comply with the City.
Further, they also used the same deceptive practices with the electrical. He did not comply with the requirements. He just said that the City would not “notice.”
The Naders keep mentioning a better offer they got from another pool company. If this is true, then why didn’t they use that company? Again, they are lying.
Apparently, the Naders feel I am suppose to build the entire pool without any payment from them. I explained the way it works and asked them on a number of occasions to READ THE CONTRACT which they signed.
I have a fantastic reputation. I have been in the construction business for over 40 years without any complaints. My pools, my references, my reputation speak for themselves.
Below is the response that I sent to the Naders after they sent me numerous, rude emails:
First, let me start by saying that this will be my last communication with you via email or phone. My time is too valuable to waste it going over the same things with you. So, read below and then do whatever you want. You can file with the BBB, or you can begin a court action but my response, AND I WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO RESPOND, will be what I am saying below.
The color in the spa was a MISTAKE. I have said that time and time again and have tried to fix it, but you held off, apparently using it as some sort of last resort to get OTHER things done for which you DID NOT contract. It is quite obvious that you now prefer the color of the SPA and want the entire pool changed to match the spa. That's not going to happen. YOU, Meeka, chose the color that was used for the pool - SKY BLUE (and you chose this color from the samples I brought to your home and left for over 2 weeks), and your pool is BLUE. I had my guy available last week to change the color of the spa, but Ed said to cancel. He will now not be available for weeks. So, your loss.
When the plumbing inspector was there for the final plumbing inspection he said how beautiful the pool was and commented on how quickly it was built compared to other pool companies. YOU told him you were very happy with the job. Apparently, you don't REMEMBER saying so. You keep referring to Brian with Star-lite. Why didn't you use him in the first place? I honestly wish you would have. Then he could be the one dealing with your nasty attitude.
The City of Dania Beach inspected the electrical , plumbing, mechanical, and structural and then the final all as per the plans (WHICH WERE SIGNED OFF BY YOU) AND they all passed. Not a single inspection by the City of Dania failed.
Now let's talk about the EXTRAS:
Permits $1800.00 but you only gave me $1000.00
Pavers - I told you I would only install 300 feet of pavers IF THE CITY WOULD LET ME, they wouldn't. At the signing of the contract, you said the City would not let you put down any type of deck. You knew this before we started the pool but you used it as a deceptive tool so as NOT to give me the $800 you owed me for the permits. REMEMBER, RANTING AND RAVING IN YOUR KITCHEN.
The fence is the HOMEOWNER'S responsibility NOT USA POOLS. I have a letter signed by Ed which states that he would do whatever the City required. Check with the City about height requirements. I'm 100% sure the fence you raised was not even yours. It was the neighbors.
The inlays are installed so you won't cut your feet. THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE.
I installed oversized water spouts and therefore had to oversize the wall. I installed the extra tile AT NO EXTRA COST.
Your heater was upgraded to 141,000 BTU's.
YOU DID NOT PAY FOR and OWE ME the following:
1. Extra tile on spa - $450
2. Oversized sheer wall - $250
3. Extra tile on sheer wall - $250
4. Installed oversized water spouts - $100
5. Tile allowance was only $500 but $700 was deducted - $200 (read the CONTRACT)
6. Extra diamondbrite because of the wood beams you put around the pool BEFORE the job was complete (which is IDIOTIC) and therefore cost me more labor - $250
7. Extra cost for permits - $800
8. Electric feed pulled THREE times because of the wrong length bought by the HOMEOWNER (that'd be YOU) - $150
9. Take down fence and car tarp before job started which is the responsibility of the HOMEOWNER (again that'd be YOU) - $250
Total YOU OWE ME - $2700.00
The dribble of cement on your deck washed off with water. We discussed that the pump would come on and off with a time clock. The skimmer would clean the surface, the main drain would clean the water and the vacuum would clean the bottom. Chlorine would be made automatically with a chlorine generator. You have a Jandy Flo Pro 2 H.P. 2 speed pump and oversized filter. You have a large pool light in an upgraded stainless steel niche, a spa light in an upgraded stainless steel niche and a row of lights lighting up your entire sheer decent waterfall. As well as upgraded Jandy Never Lube Valves and THREE extra valves.
The spa is 7 X 7 with 6 Jets. A Handrail was installed. I installed an enlarged 8 x 12 raised wall with spillway (LARGER than plan shows), 2 water spouts (twice the size of what the plan shows).
We never discussed the pool being automated with a remote and it is NOT on the contract. You wanted to be able to heat both the Pool and the Spa AND that’s how it is set up. Your email below says that you are "GATHERING ESTIMATES TO ADD THE AUTOMATION AND REMOTE." We did not contract for it but apparently you wanted it installed by me for FREE. Also note that in order to run the pool and spa at the same time, you need another pump. That was not contracted for and you do not have the extra space needed in your electric panel or adequate electric. As it is, you barely had enough electric for what you have now.
Now, let me say that you are a very rude person. I am not the only one who feels this way. Everyone of my trades that came out to your house said the same thing. Specifically, when the Aqua Cal repairman came out to service the heater, he said that you were extremely rude. I don't know why I'm surprised because at the beginning of this job you said “Les, by the end of this job you are going to hate me.” Meeka, that is by far the only thing you have said that is TRUE.
I have built 1000's of pools without a single complaint. However, you make up for that !!
A CONTRACT is not just protection for you, IT IS ALSO PROTECTION for me. It's not one sided, it's a two way street. I did everything as per OUR contract.
Lastly, if you slander my name or my company, you will be hearing from my attorney.