Did u negotiate the price and features?

[dzmconstr]

Hi,
We have not started yet, as we're still working on which PB/pool to use so this may be the wrong forum, but I have a question: We're down to two PBs, each offering nearly the same pool design, features, and amenities (we're negotiating a 16 x 40 fiberglass pool from a Viking dealer and a Trilogy dealer) and each offer is nearly identical in price. As a frame of reference, both proposals are in the $44k realm, but one vendor has already offered an end of season discount to get his price down to the $44k realm, and the other has only offered a free "cascade" which I'm not to sure I want.

Do you negotiate on price or do you negotiate on free/upgraded features, or do you not negotiate and accept their proposal?
TIA
Dan

 

[bpricedo]

I negotiated some features like free upgrade to LED lights and 2 speed pump.

 

[mpkelley20]

The PB's in my area all do different style pools and include different options so it was very difficult getting an apples to apples comparison. It took a while but I finally narrowed my decision down to 2 PB that were similar in price but one did steel and the other polymer. The polymer guy was a little more money and he said he could offer a "swim out" for free (a $2000 value). The steel guy was pretty firm saying he has no room and his supplier was actually raising prices. He said this even after I told him the other option might be cheaper. At this point in overall cost, the price didn't matter anymore because I had gone way over what I thought this would all cost. I "believed" the steel PB more for some reason so I decided to go with him even though I couldn't really negotiate on his "package deal".

Where I was able to negotiate were on the extras. My PB did not include the patio/decking in his package price but gave me a per foot cost. I know he has some profit built in since that is one of the few things he contracts out for. So after doing a little bit of calling around to get other prices, I was bale to get him down $2 a square foot from his stated price. It is now in line with cost if I found a company to do it for me. But this way, the PB is responsible for the setup and install and I technically save quite a bit of money in the process had I not done some research.

I also got my PB to dig a few extra trenches for things like natural gas hookup for my heater. Normally the plumber woul do it and I;ve found that plumbers are the highest paid people on the planet. By having my pool guy dig the trench, I save over $600 (seriously!!).

Finally, while I haven't narrowed down my search for various items like robotic pool cleaner and things like that, my PB said he can match or beat any price I see online like Amazon. I think at this point he's just offering me that stuff at or close to his cost since I've spent way more than either of us originally thought!

I;ve heard that other places around the country have better negotiation opportunities. Unfortunately here in MA, while I tried my best to find several PB that install the same kind of pool, I had terrible responses from many companies or no response at all. So I got stuck with one PB for each main type of pool I could choose from (Steel, Polymer, concrete).

 

[Todd117]

Yes and yes i put two PBs against each other in a bidding war, and then asked both for best and final for decision day. Once I made my decision I called and said throw in the 2nd LED and sundecking on existing patio and I will sign today. Deal was reached.

 

[dzmconstr]

Thanks all for you replies. This helps a bunch. I'm meeting with one today, and another I just found offering Barrier Reef pools in two days. So now I have three. We'll see what develops.

Dan