CAUTION - Large down payments are a big red flag

Over the last several weeks we have met with many families that are looking for a new pool and are excited to order. Over a dozen of those families have reported they have had encounters with Columbus pool installers that are asking for 40% OR MORE of their contract as a DOWN PAYMENT. Two families reported that they were asked for 70% down. That much money is absolutely not needed and would suggest that the installer is cash strapped. BEWARE. That much money is a HUGE warning sign.

In most cases 20% or so is all that's needed to secure the items needed to permit and secure the pool shell and other equipment. Once it is time to dig another 20% to 30% is fine but that should be about a week before. Once the shell is installed, another 20% is reasonable but that needs to be the end of payments before concrete.

We are seeing in large increase in BAD INSTALLATIONS and lawsuits popping up in and around Central Ohio. The 'landscaper gone pool installer' business model is not working out. This has put some 'larger' installers in a cash pinch and big down payments are an attempt to get out of their predicament. It doesn't work. Ever.

We know that most of the pool builders and installers follow us closely. We hope that they adjust what they are doing and be fair and just with central Ohio families. If not YOU as the consumer need to look out for yourself and use caution. If it doesn't look and feel right... It's probably NOT.

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