Chemical purchasing question

[hottubdan]

As a dealer, I am curious where you consumers buy your watercare products.  And why?

Possible places are:

Dealer I bought spa from.
Another dealer.
Mass merchant.
On line.

Reasons could be price, location, service...

Thanks for the info.

[Snyper]

I do my best to buy from my dealer, but since he is located 20 miles away, this is not always possible, especially since a Leslie's is right across the street from where I work.

[rick_in_cleveland]

I buy all my products from my dealer, although he is 60 miles away.  Once a year I usually drive there when he has his special sale and then if needed he mails me products in the fall.  Buying from him keeps my name on his mind so when I had a pump problem last fall he was out to repair it in 48 hrs.  The little extra I may pay is more than made up for in service if it is needed.  Support your dealer!!

[georgiapeach]

I buy from my dealer, even though he's like 20 miles away and I could probably get the same thing at AAA Pools, but I'm with Rick; it keeps my name in his mind if something needs to be taken care, as was the case over the weekend.  

[vlady]

I purchase from the dealer where I bought the spa.  They are an hour drive away so I just call them and they ship whatever I order overnight.

[Brewman]

My sanitizer & shock,  I've been getting at a dealer, certain things I have to buy from my original dealer (microfilter, etc).
My Ph and alk increase and decrease stuff I get at a big box store, and the grocery store.

[Anoroc]

I have purchased a few things from my dealer but I must honestly say that I have made most of my purchases online.

Reason:  Just a matter of dollars.  I don't have a strong relationship with the dealer in town.  I have never met the owner and I have only dealt with a young salesperson.

There test strips sell for $15 and their chemicals about 35% higher than what I can get online.  Like I said; just dollars- nothing personal.

[Bill_Stevenson]

I buy my chemicals from a local pool and spa supply store that specializes in chemicals and such.  The Spa dealer is where I go for the silver ion exchanger only because the local guy sells the Nature 2 (yellow) version and the HS (grey) version is slightly different.  The local store is set up to do water testing and is right near my house anyway.  The spa dealer is waaay out of my way, 20+ miles in the wrong direction.

Bill

[Vinny]

I buy my spa chemicals on-line since that place has great prices and I get great info! And I recommend him to others as well.

Things like alk up (baking soda) and ph down (white vinegar) from a grocery store.

[windsurfdog]

Doc's site just can't be beat,.great prices and great products delivered to your door quickly.  And free shipping for orders over $60.  I especially like the AllClear dichlor he sells....it's the 62% available chlorine stuff and the 5 lb. container is extremely easy to use with it's handle and oversized lid......makes it easy to get your whole hand into once the quantity gets close to the bottom.

And Doc is a regular on this and other forums so he's a "homey"......

[devilwoman]

My dealer sucks...and is 180 miles away...he is no support whatsoever.  I have to purchase my products on line.  Since shipping to Alaska is outragous on most of the sites, the spadepot has a small handling charge, so I purchase 90% of my products from them.  They are fast helpful and most of everything I need.  I love to purchase chemicals from Doc, but the shipping is way too much for me.

[wmccall]

As a dealer, I am curious where you consumers buy your watercare products.  And why?

Possible places are:

Dealer I bought spa from.

Not an option for me  

Another dealer.

Sometimes. With me being moderator here, I use that as an excuse to visit as many different showrooms as I can to keep up. Frequently I will buy what I need while there.

Mass merchant.

I did buy cheap dichlor from Lowes, but after seeing them cause mass layoffs demanding lower prices from American Manufacturers (one I worked for) in order to increase their profits (using BS claims of better prices for consumers) I rarely buy there.

On line.

I've tried a few, currently I buy a specific product (SeaKlear MPS) from Doc.

[PaulMc]

  I buy from the dealer I bought from. Great people to talk with, answer questions, test my water etc. so I want to help keep them in business.   paul

[Tatooed_Lady]

I've discussed this with my dealer, and I plan to buy a FEW items from them, but the majority on Doc's site. The prices are just that much better, and the dealer understands that for identical products, a few bucks is a few bucks......hey, they got a HUGE chunk of money initially, and I've told I don't know how many people that we know about the great service we've got through them...word of mouth in that way is worth more to them than my buying chemicals.

[bubbleboy]

I buy from my dealer. He is located about an hour away but they come my way every week and drop anything I need off.