Maytronics and Dolphin Products

[TAXMAN]

I would like to express my thoughts on how difficult it is to do business with Maytronics and and a purchase of the Dolphin product line. I started out trying to find various reviews of the Dolphin lines vs. Aquabot. After many hours of searching and reading various review, I determined that the Dolphin Supreme M-5 looked like a product that fit my needs. I read closely on the product brochure that if you buy their product from ANY internet retailer, the product warranty is null and void. I did find one internet retailer that said they were a dealer and that the manufacturers warranty would apply, but then when ready to purchase, they said the warranty was one that only they provided, and not the manufacturer.

Then I called all the dealers that the Maytronics site said to contact. Not one person answered the phone and not a single person has called me back when even the Maytronics phone representative called them. The bottom line is that it looks like this company does not want to do business in an internet world. They only want to deal with dealers, but we the customers have to go through another layer of red tape to make our purchases. So, very frustrated about my experience in trying to spend over a grand for their product. Sounds like a good product, but, not worth the hassle on the purchase side.

Anybody else have any experiences with these guys? Thanks, The Taxman

 

[vinouspleasure]

there's a pretty good post about the warranty in this forum, I'll try to sum it up here: The m4 and m5 were manufactured to enable them to be repaired in local pool shops, at a lower cost, rather than send them into maytronics for repair. Other dolphins, using an older design, still carry a valid internet warranty.

I've probably read a 1000 reviews, it seems to me dolphin probably makes the highest quality residential pool robot. Having said that, it's pretty clear to me they (like everyone else in the business) expect their units to fail before or around the warranty expiration.

I had it narrowed down to the dx5 and thepoolcleaner, in the end decided to go with thepoolcleaner.

 

[Zadd]

I've had good overall experiences with my dolphin units. They are simple enough to work on at home when warranty is up and I have a good working relationship with the closest certified repair guy. I don't have much experience with Maytronics to speak of.

 

[jtech1]

I have to agree with TAXMAN. Closest retailer is an hour away. They gave me very good price after 3 days wait but when I called back to order it they said they would not honor it since it was incorrect. Not even a small discount for the inconvenience. I knew from this forum that they already sold to another person at the price they gave me. So, on to other stores... many wanted list price, IF they called back at all. Some never called back... some did not want to bother ordering it for me. And NONE repaired them in store. So, here I sit, still wanting an M5, but with no-where to get one... waiting for two more stores to call me back... after 2-3 calls each. My PB even checked with his distributor and they said they could not get it.

I can order off the internet right now and have it in a few days. But no warranty.

So, Maytronics... if you ever browse this forum and see this... I ask, is this in any way customer centered? It is ridiculous! Money I want to give to you... but you give me no easy way to do it. And plenty of time to look at other manufacturers now.

 

[tcat]

I sent 1 Stop Pool and email (my email at the bottom):

We do.

Joe Delzingaro

Joe Delzingaro
Senior Product Specialist
1 Stop Pool Supply, Inc.
26479 Rancho Parkway South
Lake Forest, CA 92630
P 866/384-7665
F 949/424-8119
www.1StopPoolSupply.com

Your Online Source for Everything Pools!


-----Original Message-----
From: Tom
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 2:13 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support: Enquiry from Tom

Do you honor Maytronics warranty on their products you sell? In particular:
Dolphin Supreme M4 w/ Caddy

I've heard they don't warranty anything bought online.

 

[Rescue30]

Jtech1 does the store's name start with "S" and is located in B ? That's where I got mine. I think when I picked it up they realized their mistake.

 

[jtech1]

Yes. As much as I feel they should have honored the price they gave me (took 3 days and 3 calls to get this price... supposedly from the owner), I understand that if it was below cost they could not take a loss on it... if they would have offered me any kind of discount, or even credit for future purchase, etc. I probably still would have bought it. It would not have killed them to even sell it at cost or slightly above to honor a price they gave me. I am also in the market for a heater, and misc pool stuff... they could have easily had another 3-4k in sales from me. But it was hard line... full price, nothing else they can do. So, instead of gaining a long term customer, they lost one.

 

[jtech1]

OK. I found a local store that can get me an M5... decent price. Again, hoping Maytronic Googles this some day... I really appreciate all that Maytronics has done for me... created a unit that can be dealer serviced and requiring that it be sold through dealers for that reason, but for some reason no dealer services them. The local dealer I bought it from said they do not even send it to Maytronics for service.. that is my job. So, thank you, Maytronics, for making me buy this locally with the threat that you will not honor the warranty if I buy it on-line... thank you for costing me over $200 out of my pocket for absolutely no benefit to me (except that you will stand behind your product now). Hopefully, one day you will reconsider your policy, and realize that it is not very customer friendly.

 

[Rescue30]

Wow , I'm still so suprised the other place wouldn't have given you a better price just to save face. I can't imagine the $1150 was at a loss otherwise they wouldn't have sold it to me. I did put the 50% deposit onto my Amex card they're pretty good with sticking up with the customer in any transaction dispute. If the dealer you bought it from won't service it what's the point of the whole warranty for in store service ??? Shipping ot back to Maytronics can easily cost $50 !!!!

 

[ACPS]

Hi, I am a pool dealer in Colorado. I have been selling Maytronics products for over 10 years now. I believe that the Dolphin products are far and above the other robotic cleaners in quality and customer service.

It is sad that retailers do not take the time to call potential customers back. We answer all of our phones personally, and if all of our phone lines are tied up, we return calls promptly. My mom has personally had a Dolphin pro for at least 7 years but I think closer to 10. She has not had any problems and we have not had to send her unit in for any repairs. Maybe she was lucky, but I have many other customers who have also had the Maytronics brand cleaners for many years. Every year, we have previous Dolphin Pro or M4 owners come in to our store and see that someone is looking at them and actually go up to the other customer and tell them how great they are.

I actually prefer the M4 over the M5 for a couple of reasons: 1) up front cost is higher 2) I believe an extra motor is more to go wrong in the future and more money to spend when one or both motors fail. I will be happy to try and answer questions any one may have. FYI, I might not be as quick to answer internet questions as I am not on the internet most of the day.