This is an excellent question, which many people would like answered.

Unfortunately, even after 25+ years in the pool industry, I can't answer it very well because the right answer for Camden, NJ is probably not the right answer for Dalton, GA, Little Rock AR, San Jose CA, Tampa Fl, or Windsor Ontario.

Checking the BBB is good; asking people who have pools they LIKE is good; checking references is good. Distrusting slick sheet sales claims is very, very good.

But honestly, pool purchases are somewhat risky. At least 1/3 of people who buy pools end up regretting it, either because of problems, or because they find that pools are more work and less fun then they imagined.

If you've never had a pool before, one method that has worked for quite a few people, is to buy a $500 - $2,000 Intex pool, and use it for a season or two. If you enjoy that, and can handle the maintenance, then it's MUCH more likely you'll enjoy a better pool AND you'll be in much better position to make a knowledgeable purchase.

That's the part we can help with -- if you service your pools with the methods we teach, it will take much less work and less money than it would otherwise.