I am never getting involved with a swimming pool at a property that is for sale again!
'Anthony' from North Jersey called me last Wednesday and asked if I could inspect a pool in Warrington, PA at a house that he is buying this week. I agreed to squeeze the job into the schedule first thing Friday morning(aug.4).
We agreed on a price for the inspection which includes me checking the overall condition of the structure, pressure testing all plumbing, identifying approximate age of pool/equipment, documenting everything I see-good or bad- in a letter, sending it to both real estate agents, the buyer(Anthony), and the seller.
Last Friday, I went to the property. After 2.5 hours of checking stuff out, I found problems with almost everything. I wrote it all up in a 3 page letter and emailed copies to everyone involved. Done.
Today I got a phone call from Anthony.
A: Mike, the current owner contacted me and says that his pool pump has been running with air in it ever since you left on Friday, can you go out there and see whats up??
Me
knowing that most people know NOTHING about basic hydraulics/pool pumps/waterflow etc.) Anthony, the valves on the suction side of the pool pump leak, and therefore pull an air into the system, just like I stated in the letter I sent you.
A:..but he said the pool never had this problem prior to you being there..
Me: possible, but not likely. The pool is 20+/- years old with original equipment. He knows the pool has issues, he just doesn't want to pay for repairs. But, for good customer service, I'll take a ride back out there this afternoon to have a look. Contact him and let him know I'm coming and he should be there.
So, I went back out there today to meet the current owner(name unknown, so we'll refer to him as Ahole)
I got out of the van and he came outside....
Ahole: What the F@#$ are you doing back here?
Me: (at my immediate wise a$$ best) I'm great!, How 'bout yourself?? Anywho, Anthony called me and said you were having problems with my service and I wanted to go over the issues that I found last Friday. Didn't he tell you I was on my way??
Ahole: Who's Anthony??
Me: The guy that is buying your house this week...
Ahole
dumb look on his face)...........Oh, Anthony.
Me: Well, I'm here. Let see if we can find the source of the air in your pool equipment.
After a series of simple tests to show him that his valve were a problem.
Ahole says: Well all I can say is that this wasn't a problem before you were here.
Me: Well, sir, these valve weren't the best quality 20 years ago. So if they have been good this long, think of it as a 19 year bonus round. Maybe you just didn't notice them before. I have never seen a valve made by that company that doesn't leak.
Ahole: ARE YOU CALLING ME A LIAR??
Me: no sir, I'm just saying that this is only a small air leak, and maybe you just didn't notice it earlier.
Ahole: YOU F%$^IN' POOLGUYS ARE ALL THE SAME! YOU ARE ALL THIEVES, EVERY F$%^IN' ONE OF YOU!
^^that really burned my diesel^^^
Me: By the sound of things, you have obviously had the same fortune told by other 'poolguys'. You obviously won't be happy with anything I say or do for you. And to be honest, you cursing like a sailor is quite embarrassing and making me blush, So I'm going to leave now.
I left him there all bitchin'
Now for the part that really set me off.
I called Anthony back.
Me: Anthony, I just left there, and that guy is on fire. The suction valves are the cause of the problem, and need to be replaced.
A: How much, Mike?
Me: $350 for three valves and a couple hours installation
A: Well, how are you going to work with me on this??
Me: What do you mean?
A: Meet half way on the price..
Me: I don't follow..
A: Well, being that you made him all mad and everything, and I don't know anything about pools but, it sounds like you broke his stuff.
Me: Let me get this straight...YOU hired ME to inspect a pool and find or not find potential problems to protect YOUR best interest, Which I did, and YOU paid me for it?! Now you want me to discount my time/material because the he(Ahole) says I broke his 20 year old J-U-N-K? Do you realize what you are asking me to do??
A: Don't make me contact my attorney over this.
Me: Wow! you and the seller are both 'off your onions'. I'll just contact the district justice and file a rush mechanics lien on the property for the unpaid dues of todays service call, then you won't be able to do anything until I am satisfied. Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it!
A:Well.....
Me: To late, my friend. You went down 'Attorney Road'. I don't like lawyers and never will, although I have a good one. You obviously have some mutual connection with the seller of the property, otherwise you would be asking him to take the $350 off of the price of the house. This conversation is over.
A:ummm
Me: *click*
Sorry for the excessive rant, but the situation SUCKS! A 2.5hr service call to help a potential home buyer, and I get threatened with a lawsuit. ARRRGGGHHH!