Ok, pools and cars are both seen as status symbols…they’re both relatively expensive…and they both come with a wide array of bells and whistles. There’s a lot in common there. So you should go about purchasing them the same way right?...Nope!
Here are 4 Reasons Buying a Pool and a Car are Completely Different
1. You Don’t Invite the Car Salesman to Stay in Your Backyard for a Month
Could you imagine that? Coming home from work to see a sweaty group of car salesmen in your backyard taking a break from the heat of the sun…kinda funny. Anyway, it’s important to remember that you leave the car salesman at the dealership. Your relationship with them is pretty much “one and done” and you probably never hear from them again.
It’s when the deal is made on a swimming pool however, that your relationship with the pool builder actually begins. Your pool company will be at your home on a regular basis doing all kinds of “fun” stuff in your backyard. You might be willing to look past some the “character flaws” of your car salesman…but I’d pay a little more attention when it comes to your pool contractor.
2. Because There’s No Difference Between Buying a Car and a Cheeseburger
Heck, Burger King even says you can have it your way! When you buy a Whopper, there are clear buying options: pickles, onion…no wait, extra pickles. Anyway, the same is true with a car. This model is available with specific features and upgrades…you either get them or you don’t. The car brochure even gives you one of those chart thingy’s that shows the available options.
Pools are different. Sure, many options are straight forward. You either get a salt generator or you don’t. However, there are many, many variables that are not as black and white. This is due to the fact that pools are custom products.
The shape of your pool may not be customized, notwithstanding no two pool projects are identical. Some of the variables are: site access, site drainage, equipment location, elevations, fence location, patio layout, tile, decking options, slope issues, landscaping, and the list goes on and on. Combine all of these variables, and what you have is something impossible to manufacture on an assembly line…either at BK or Ford.
The point is, building a pool requires a very unique set of skills. Not the least of which is the ability to assess the needs of you and your site. That alone is more than Ronald McDonald could tackle. So, again make sure your contractor not only has character (as described above), but is also competent.
Read more: The Ultimate Swimming Pool Builder Vetting Checklist
3. You Can’t Test Drive a Pool
With cars, you get behind the wheel, go for a spin, and tinker with the gadgets. By the end of your test drive, you have a pretty good idea of what owning that vehicle will be like. It’s almost impossible to get that with inground pools. You can go and visit a pool the contractor has built. Heck, you may even be lucky enough to use a friend’s pool to see how you like it…but that’s about as close as you’ll get to test driving a pool.
In reality, the majority of folks have absolutely no idea how they will like their pool until after it’s completed. Now that’s putting a lot of stock in the person designing and building the pool. Again, the two C's: character and competency.
Side Note: As fiberglass pool manufacturers, you can actually visit our pool park to see how our different pool models look installed!
4. You Can’t Trade the Pool In
The average car is traded in around every 3 or 4 years. You’ll have your pool as long as you own the home. In other words, you best get it right the first time because if you think there’s a lot of negative equity in car trade-ins, you might blow a gasket when it comes to pool replacement.
You can ensure your investment stands the test of time by making these three things highest priority: great products by a great contractor with a great design.
That’s all I got. Thank you so much for being here! Questions? Comments?
At River Pools, we manufacture world-class fiberglass swimming pools for customers across North America. If you're interested in getting a fiberglass pool for your home, feel free to browse our catalog of models, visit our pool gallery, try out our pool pricing calculator, or contact us for custom pricing using the button below!
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