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We gather that the original manufacturer of Kayak above-ground pools declared bankruptcy, leaving many Kayak owners stuck with useless warranties. The New Kayak Pool Corp. sells parts to repair leaky Kayaks but isn't responsible for the previous firm's warranty obligations, leaving some pool owners high and dry.
Is the situation better today than it was immediately after the bankruptcy? Hard to say. One thing's for sure: above-ground pools are expensive and more prone to damage than in-ground pools. Consumers should carefully weigh the costs of sinking a lot of money into what is essentially a temporary structure.
Oh, and be sure to read the contract thoroughly before signing it. Completely disregard the salesman's verbal promises. They are meaningless.
Here are a few of the more recent complaints ...
Robert of richmond, VA May 4, 2009
In April of 2008 we purchased a pool from Kayak pools southeast. We order the pool to have a 5 and half foot depth on one end of the pool. On the day that the pool was being installed and water was being put into the pool it was discovered that the liner was not the correct one for the agreed upon depth. We reached an agreement that we would accept the liner the way it was and that Kayak Pools Southeast would in turn provide a cover for the pool, a case of Pool frog bac pac chlorine cartigages and closing the pool in the fall of 2008. To date they have still not provide the case of chlorine cartigages and the President Rick will not return my phone calls. I have tried to contact him on average once a month since july of 2008. The cost of the chemicals on the main Kayak pools site is 189.99 for a case of 12. Mark of Independence, KY March 13, 2009
My Kayak pool has a problem with one of the waterwalls. It tore loose from where it is attached. Kayak states that it has a lifetime warranty on all waterwalls. The break caused my pool liner to be damaged. The business which was a franchise of Kayak pools went out of business so I contacted the corporate office directly. They reviewed my pictures and stated that it was an installation error. They would not do anything about it. I would think that a company would have to stand behind the warranty even if the franchisees do not install their pool correctly. It would have only cost Kayak a few hundred dollars. They are not a good company to deal with. If I were you I would not spend your hard earned money on one of their pools. Now I plan to buy all my parts from other companies that sell parts for Kayak pools. For the few hundred it would have cost Kayak to fix the pool they lost all my purchases in the future.
Sharon of Alma, WV March 3, 2009
I can't believe what I'm reading about a Kayak Pool. My husband and oldest son put my in. We did have a hopper end 8ft. and after our boys grew up and got married we decided to fill it in and that way our grandchildren could enjoy it and I could still swim. We have had our Pool for 24 years. We have put life time walls in and had I think 3 liners, I love my pool and can't wait to get in it with the grandchildren. We have a blast. Sorry so many of you are disapointed with your pools, maybe it was who put them in. The pool its self is great easy to clean and take care of. I still have people want to know where I got my pool.
Philomena of Hinckley, IL January 25, 2009
I love my Kayak pool. Worth every penny! Very low maintenance and easy to care for. Purchased in 2004. Excellent installers. Even gave us pool school showing us everything we needed to know. We videotaped it and watch it every year to open & close our pool. Liner had a tiny pin hole near top and they immediately came out to patch. Have called several times with questions and they have always been incredibly helpful. One time I used the wrong type of lubricant for a large o ring causing it to stretch. They suggested I freeze it to shrink it before buying a new one and guess what it worked. They even saved me . Consumers need to take responsiblitlity for the contracts they sign and do their research on what they buy. Don't blame the manufacturor for buyers remorse or subcontracted work.
Tricia of Latham, NY September 12, 2008
We bought the pool back in 7/2007. Upon opening the pool in May 2008 we noticed that the pool liner was pulling away from the wall so I called the 1-800 number and I was told that they had no one to come up here and fix it but that we can still use the pool so enjoy the summer. I told them that I thought it should be covered under the installation warranty and they said if it would be if it was installation related.
So I just called again, since we are getting ready to close the pool, and NOW they said that the installation warranty expired at the end of 7/2008 and that it will cost me 300.00 to get it fixed. I really think that he scammed me in that he knew by blowing me off for 2 months they could make some money. I don't think that I should have to pay 300.00 because obviously 2 employees were incompetent in their job. 1) the installer obviously did not install it properly 2) the woman that I spoke to initially did not log my call. I am not sure what good it would have done for me to write it down if she didn't write it down.
I may have to incure 300.00 in monetary damages to fix the pool or else it may very well ruin the liner and cost me about 600.00 in the spring for a brand new liner.
Ken of Madison Heights, VA September 2, 2008
on the 13 of june at 7 pm we signed a contract at 7 pm at night the 14 and 15 was saturday and sunday so we tried to call all day on monday june the 16 and no return calls so that night we signed contract to cancell and sent it certified mail on tursday the 17 of june. kayak pools now say were in breach of contract for not going trow with letting them put their pool in our yard and it seems that a lot of people had not had their calls returned as well according to web sites. they sent us two letters saying we had to th 17 to rescin on one and the 16 on another.
ln one letter they say we was approved for financing on the 17 and in the other they say the 18 . then in one letter they say they called on the 19 to say pool was in and we was ok with financing terms and in other letter they say they caled on the 23 to say pool was in and we was ok with terms... my thing is if we canceled contract on the 16 sent by mail on the 17 why would we say ok to financing on the 19 or 23 we never gave permision but for them to run credit throw one company and that company name was on top of letter head not to run it trow 5 or 6 companies..now they was us to pay 15 % for breach of contract and put a mechanics lien on our home.
the cancelation letter was signed on the 16 and mailed certified well before midnight on the 17 what was our last day to resind. the salesman had us post date check to the following monday the 16 because it was after their normal buss hours and to write on top of credit check page do not run till june 17
for them to drop his mechanics lien drop this 15% what is 2953.95 and to return my deposit and my lawyer fees and letter statting that no futher actions can or will be taked
John of Salado, TX August 15, 2008
After one year of research I bought a Kayak pool in 2000 becuase of its structure design and warranties. After one year rocks and sumps formed in the floor of the pool. Some parts were missing to the railing and notified dealer in Dallas, never returned my calls. After several years the liner started to rip. It was tearing at the seams. Notiefied corparate becuase dealer in Dallas went out of business. Corporate said that warranty only cover manufacture defects with the seams.
This suppose to be a 30 year warranty liner. Corporate can not show me any wriiten statement to this fact. I have e-maile and call and they said they will return the calls. After awhile they stop all together leaving you high abd dry. The kick panel lifetime warraty are detiorating. Corparate said that the pool should not be in the graound and backfilled around the side. Who installed it? I did not. Supposely the dealer hired professional to install the pool. Sent pictures to corporate no response. Contacted the local Kayak dealer to have a service tech to check the pool at my cost. The dealer will not send a service tech must go through corporate. Dealer will get back with me. No response. It would be better to buy a cheap pool every three to five years then spend so much money for the Kayak pool. I would not recommend this pool to anyone. I am still fighting with corporate. Going through the BBB now, then to the State General's office, then Federal Trade Commission, I will not stop.
Pool liner tearing at the seam and the kick panel are detiorating. Both have a good warranty, 30 years on the liner and lifetime on the structure. Mary H Creasy of Joliet, IL August 9, 2008
3rd different complaint since installation in november and opening this year. My outside framing has pulled away from the deck flooring and is bowed out.All of the wood spacers used under the frame for leveling I presume have fell out. Once again 27000 dollars for a pool.I am not happy with your services.
Charles of Kimball,, MI August 1, 2008
Nothing!
I bought my pool [16 x 32] 1n the late 80's from a private individual. Had to dismantle it to move it to my back yard. After 30 days/ +/- of preparation and erection of the framework, I started filling it with a garden hose. A Kayak dealer set me up with a 700.00 [approx]+ Kayak liner - I think 748.00 is closer. The only problem I had after that was trying to find a happy medium as far as the chemical application to insure safe swimming water. Sorry people. I can not find fault with the product what so ever. I love it!
Chris of Indianapolis, IN July 24, 2008
We bought a kayak pool in 2007 and and Had an unusually harsh winter. We had a pipe freeze and in the spring we lost all of our water. As you can imagine we were devastated. I called kayak in Indianapolis and spoke with Nita in service. I must say, she was very professional, very sensitive to our problem and took of it immediately. We love our kayak pool and recommend it to anyone. Thank you
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