my construction company, has been swamped with work and so the project has sat  still now for a quite a few weeks.

We've opted to simply clean up the landscaping and place the pool in a heated storage area.

Im going to phone 7-11 pools and let them know I wont be assembling, mostly in hopes that I'll still get service next year just in case something is missing.

We spread the sand out and covered it with black poly so the roaming cats and other wildlife wouldn't think they had just stumbled across the largest litter box on the planet.

a few photos of where things are at now.

Pool prep, 12 sided polygon

we had to excavate quite a bit more soils than we thought, I knew I was going to have to build up a retaining wall but was expecting only about a foot - and not 2 feet.

either way, the wall is built out of pressure treated 6x6 logs - the pool will sit inside of the polygon with about a foot of clearance. I intend to use river washed gravel (small round stones).

as soon as I have time and weather permitting I will backfill and get the sand loaded into the middle. currently there are about 5 yards of sand on my front yard waiting to be moved.

7-11 pool products - pools tubs liners PTL Direct

I created this blog as I was looking for an above ground pool and found a huge array of costs from used to new and continued to stumble over a too good to be true advertisment for poolstubsliners.com PTL Direct  and 7-11pools.

http://www.poolstubsliners.com/   https://www.711pools.com/

My well formed google queries for company reviews turned up 18 terrible reviews, I spoke with someone via facebook who gave me an incredibly unfortunate story.

Given the cost differences - even end of the year blow out discounts - I thought the perceived  risk was worth it.

The complaints that stood out to me:

1.) No one would answer calls
2.) Wrong or Missing items in the shipment  and months would go by with no resolution
3.) bait and switch - this complaint had little substance, sounds like the customer didnt know what they were ordering and wasnt expecting what they recieved.

I have a seasonal business and I work full time - so this blog will reflect a bit of a time frame that may be different for you the reader as I wont touch my installation for days or weeks. Ive prepped my neighbours that the hole I just dug out of my yard might be an ice rink this winter as I may not get the pool set up.

What follows is intended to be chronologically accurate - and it will be - just not a %100 on the actual dates simply because I suck at dates.

June 1 2017:

Called the phone number on the website, had a conversation with Kristina. Phone was answered on the second ring, no voice mail. This was my feeler conversation, some questions, some banter, I hung up the call somewhat surprised based on the complaints.

June 3 2017: 

I called late in the evening, given the time zone differences I'd say, inappropriately late. Kristina answered the call on her cell phone, she was the passenger in a vehicle. I was a little more aggressive in this call and had her answer to each of the complaints I could find online, honestly, I read them out... she answered. I think if someone was up to no good, they would avoid the question like a politician and not actually tell an untruth. Either way, I was happy with the conversation.

During this call we discussed a 30 foot above ground pool, the premium kit etc etc, and those things I would have to purchase over and above what was shipped.

I was told I would need to buy a few bags of pool filter sand and some 2x9x12"  ish patio/paver blocks.

June 7 2017:

I called and placed the order, Kristina answered again, during this call I asked for a drop in ladder that would hook to the deck I would build around the pool, and also added an ionizer.

I dont mean this in a bad way, but Kristina could have sold me more upgrades - I was open to several thousand more dollars in options simply because the costs were very well positioned. She was very very passive - no sense of pressure or sales tactics.

3rd week of June:

Pool arrives at trucking company - it was a skid and 1 loose boxes.

We bring home the items and begin the process of unloading the skid. Everything was delivered in good order, from what I can see nothing is damaged and all items (including assembly screws) are included.

Finally, a mistake !!! I was almost excited to call Kristina and have it out with her. They shipped me a drop in step and not a ladder ... so ripe and ready to have a fight with Kristina... omg, you have no idea how vindicated I felt !!

So, I called...you wont believe it... honestly... you know what she said ?... are you sitting down ?

she said... "sorry"  !!  and then, and then she said -I'll get a "ladder out to you right away... and we'll figure out the return later"

that bitch... can you imagine !! I was so ready to fight and argue, to be hung up on and placed on her block list...and she offered to make it right.

June 29 2017

So here is where I am at today,

I have spoken with Kristina a couple times about the steps/ladder I offered to deliver it to a customer if she wanted to ship out a ladder and refund any difference.

I called a couple days later and decided to keep the steps as they are pretty nice and if someone is unable to hoist themselves up a vertical ladder we can simply drop in the steps for them.

My "circle" is dug out and level, my brick sand delivered and now Im just waiting for some time to work on building a little retaining wall and cleaning up the landscaping.

Also should point out, I have called Kristina a few times now for information and advice - shes been great on every call.