Complaint Review: Pools Plus of the Carolinas - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

I am having an extremely difficult time with Pools Plus.  Murray Willits is a very nice guy when being a salesman but is not a good businessman.  Even though, in theory, he provides a turn key operation by providing all services from the pool installation, enlarged patio, screened enclosure, fencing, etc. he does not provide it in a timely manner.  The pool was technically installed within 30 days, but trying to get the project completed has been difficult and frustrating.  My job started October 20, 2012 and as of February 21, 2014 the work has not been completed.  The pool is in the ground, the decking has been laid and the pool is ready for swimming. 

The require by law fencing was never installed (yet was completely paid for) and we had to arrange elsewhere for the fence to be installed.

To their defense they left us with a beautiful orange temporary fence that had been set with the almost scenic white and grey PVC posts for over 3 months.  Spring break was coming and my grandchildren were coming and I could not wait any longer to secure the pool.

 

I heard every excuse as to why this pool project was not completed from Pools Plus - from the company is on "Winter Hours", it has been too cold (lame excuse as this only applies to the deck coat), to there are other people ahead of you.  In addition to the pool contract, a second contract (signed at the time of the first contract) was entered into for a screened enclosure.  To date this contract has never been started.  Pools Plus still holds my deposit of over $4,000. 

I don't expect to be the only customer, and believe me they let me know that. but if you do not have the crews to handle the workload you shouldn't take on so many pools that you can't handle the work in a timely fashion.  Verbally I was promised the pool and enclosure would be ready for summer.  My mistake but I forgot to ask which summer.  I completely understand the economics, based on my experience, get the money and make the customer wait.  Unfortunately, as it appears to me, the business process is to show up at the job based on which customer complains the loudest.  Then do a little bit of work ( and I do mean a little bit; example three days for the electrician because he kept being pulled to go somewhere else).  I reported this on Angie's List and his response was long and detailed.  Unfortunately it does not represents all of the facts.  A jury of 6 people heard our case and his response and all 6 jurors didn't believe him either.  The amount of money that Pools Plus owes me for both contracts is over $7,000.  You can see the case results as well as other lawsuits filed against Pools Plus at judicial.state.sc.us/caseSearch/   Just type in Pools Plus of the Carolinas. 

Pools Plus during the time of sales, leads you to believe that this is the company to go with because it does it all.  The issue is that they do it all at their convenience (as in my case, if at all) and has little regard for their customers after the contract is signed.

I only write this review to caution potential customers before you get caught up in the nightmare I am experiencing.  I did address some concerns I found on the internet with Murray Willits when I met with him.  He, as most salesman, had a plausible explanation for my concerns and was very convincing.  Unfortunately the concerns I had are actually a reality.  If for some reason you decide to go with Pools Plus do not give Pools Plus large deposits as Murray claims you must do because even though you take him to court as I did, win the lawsuit as I did, file a judgment as I did, you still don't get your money back or the work completed.