Lynne of Abington, PA, writes:

I contracted for a pool in Dec. 12,1998. with Blue Haven Pools Inc. I was promised by John C., the salesperson, that the pool would be constructed within 30 days from the day the dig began.  I was advised that the majority of the work can be done in 3 days.  

I contacted Rachel the scheduler. I advised her that all the trees that needed to be cut down were removed the week before Christmas.  She advised the ground had begun to harden and they couldn't start the dig.  I called again in Feb.  several times, it was still hard.  Supposedly.  I continued to call in March specifically the week of 3/8th. I wanted to get the dig scheduled prior to leaving for Florida for vacation  3/26th.  

Rachel said she would try to get them out the week of the 15th of March.  She called back and said it would be pushed back till the 23rd of March.  On the 23rd she stated it would be pushed back to 3/24, then she called and said the 25th.  We discussed if they excavated on the 25th I would need to make a 40% deposit,  the steeling could be done on the 26th and the concrete could be poured that I didn't have to be home for it.

I called her on the 26th, no one showed and since these people refuse to let people know status reports it was up to me to call to get info because they were just too busy or they forgot.  I spoke with Rachel and requested that when I return  4/10 I would like to have the dig begin.

I asked that she schedule me so in case it rains and I get pushed back a day I will take off Monday the 4/12/99.  I called her from Florida for an update, she said it was raining on Friday the 9th and all work would be pushed back so I would have to wait until the 13th.  She called me on 13th and said the excavator broke something on his bulldozer and would not be out until the 15th because he needed the 14th to get it fixed.  

The 15th they showed up they would not begin the job until they had a check for 40% of the pool building charges.  I was told I needed to pay them $11,860. I did only then to know that I should have only given them $11,464.  

They began to dig but stopped at 2:00pm claiming that the dump was only open until 2.  I sat with 3/4 of a hole dug for 2 weeks.  The claimed the ground was too wet.  I have marked down the days when it was raining and the clear days and temps.  I had 3 days of rain between 4/15/99 and 4/28/99 when they finally came out to complete the dig.  The 29th, another contractor came out to hook up the pump and heater.  

I had flipped the pool from one side of the yard to the other,  assuming that since all the equipment is closer to the house I would actually save money.  I was wrong.  I had to pay an additional $105.40.  

The steel guys came out to pre set up 5-2-99 for 1hr.  they then came out on 5/4 to complete steel work.  The inspector came out on 5/5 .  The concrete was shot on 5/13.  It rained once on the 8th.  All other days were clear and sunny.    Remember the contract says this will be completed within 30 days weather permitting.  

The electricians of course are sent out on a  day that it is supposed to rain.  They will not start the job unless we pay upfront.  I was quoted $1,526.  with 170 feet of electrical footage.  I flipped that pool and placed the equipment 13 feet from my house instead of 50 feet away and I still ended up with 79 addional. feet of footage plus I am told that the salesman John C. forgot to add the charge to install the ozonator in the pricing for electrical connection.

I pay the check of $1,988.53, -- 400+ over original quoted contracted price, because if I don't they'll leave.  I had a call into Ray trying to get him to call to get this corrected so the electricians can begin. He never calls back, The guys take my check, begin to trench and it starts to pour. They leave with my check.  They reschedule for the 24th of May.  They work and then hit a water pipe.  They can't come back until after that is fixed. 

We call Blue Haven and RDS the plumber on 24th he doesn't show up until the 27th it takes him 45 minutes to fix it. I was promised they would come out as soon as it was fixed.  They show up on 5/30 to complete all outside work they can.  In the process the electricians curse out my neighbor, because she told them at 7am to stop screaming at the top of their lungs.

The police even rode by Sunday morning because other neighbors complained. 

I was not home I was away and no one told me this till I returned.  I contacted Scott the owner of K&S Electric , he said he would take care of it.  I contacted Blue Haven , Ray said he would check it out.  I spoke with John C. and so did my husband.  He said he couldn't believe it.  My husband and him had words.  

The electrician said he would come out at night to complete the work, now he says after the decking is poured.  The tile and coping was done on the 29th of May.  they were supposed to come out the 27th, no show, no phone call, until I called they were supposed to finish up a job on the 27th and come out later that day, they didn't , then the 28th, they didn't,  (I stayed home from work each time to make sure)  Tile and coping completed 29th.  

I contacted Ray C. and reiterated my total dissatisfaction with this whole operation.  I don't understand how these companies can get away with the total disregard of business ethics and the customer is totally at their mercy.  I am sorry to have taken up so much of your time I am at the end of my rope. 

I know I am not alone and I bet if you contacted all of BHP customers you would get a mouthful from each one of the customers because my experience with calling and trying to discuss issues with Ray or anyone there is they have irate customers calling on a daily basis.  They recently just concreted someone's decking.  His pool has been sitting since Sept 98 and he used to be Ray's best friend.