TFP branch out to brick and mortar?

[swimmynoodle]

I walked into the local pool store (I know I know, I took a shower once I got home) and was shocked at how uneducated the employees were. One did not know what a Taylor 2006 test kit was and tried to sell me test strips. The manager "heard of CYA but doesn't believe it is important." The kicker was when I said I had slight issues with pH rising and the employee brought me over to a shelf trying to get me to spend $100 on chemicals. I walked out laughing thankful I have TFP for support.

Seeing TFP is so knowledgeable, has any of the owners and experts every considered opening a brick and mortar store called 'TFP'? The industry needs knowledgeable experts and I can only assume most people aren't turning to online forums for help because they trust the ineptitude of pool store employees. Perhaps many of the experts in here do work in the pool industry? How and why did you all become so knowledgeable? Are you scientists, engineers? Weekend warriors who learned from trial and error and are now masters of the pool universe? I read many posts in here and am blown away by the science, chemical explanations, history, and expertise in the field.

Thank you!

 

[TinFoilHat]

There doesn't need to be a pool store that sells only liquid chlorine, muriatic acid, CYA, salt water chorine generators and test kits. That store would go broke because it wouldn't sell any of the magic potions that pool stores sell to keep the profits rolling in.

 

[swimmynoodle]

There doesn't need to be a pool store that sells only liquid chlorine, muriatic acid, CYA, salt water chorine generators and test kits. That store would go broke because it wouldn't sell any of the magic potions that pool stores sell to keep the profits rolling in.

This is hilarious. Pool stores sell hundreds of items and all we need are six

 

[Gambit80]

I had the same train of thought, wondering if there was any pool maintenance companies who follow TFP for their clients. Obviously, we know it is easy for anyone, but there will always be a subset of people who do not want to or make the time to take care of their pool. It would seem a TFP clear pool would be amazing, but I could only see it working as a company if people had SWCG. It would be impossible to manage liquid chlorine pools daily as a company.

 

[Newdude]

Much of the MO is to ignore science and have people target levels that all but ensure alage so that you can sell then a host of algae control products and devices.

You also lace most of your stash with copper, which also has many recurring fixes, both for the algae and the stains.

As a side quest, you send them on a TA/PH roller coaster that constantly needs a $50 fix which also jacks or tanks the other half of the equation, selling then a fix for the fix of the fix.



When all else fails........





Then you convince them that the testing is 'free' because folks line up around the corner for free stuff. Doesn't matter how much you charge them, the test was free and they chose to buy all that stuff on their own.

So yeah. No. There's no profit in teaching folks how to not need you and purchase their generic supplies on the cheap.

 

[swimmynoodle]

Much of the MO is to ignore science and have people target levels that all but ensure alage so that you can sell then a host of algae control products and devices.

You also lace most of your stash with copper, which also has many recurring fixes, both for the algae and the stains.

As a side quest, you send them on a TA/PH roller coaster that constantly needs a $50 fix which also jacks or tanks the other half of the equation, selling then a fix for the fix of the fix.



When all else fails........


View attachment 608060


Then you convince them that the testing is 'free' because folks line up around the corner for free stuff. Doesn't matter how much you charge them, the test was free and they chose to buy all that stuff on their own.

So yeah. No. There's no profit in teaching folks how to not need you and purchase their generic supplies on the cheap.

Phosphates

TFP should offer online classes and courses followed by a timed test where, once we pass, we can receive an official TFP Course Completion Certificate (TFPCCC).

 

[Katodude]

^^^^^^^^

I have a feeling that @PoolStored is printing out 1000s of these right now.

 

[JohnT]

Phosphates

TFP should offer online classes and courses followed by a timed test where, once we pass, we can receive an official TFP Course Completion Certificate (TFPCCC).

View attachment 608143

There was some discussion about in-person seminars a few years ago, but COVID restrictions put an end to the idea.

If folks are interested, I know some people who would make for a “memorable” day or two of discussion.

 

[swimmynoodle]

There was some discussion about in-person seminars a few years ago, but COVID restrictions put an end to the idea.

If folks are interested, I know some people who would make for a “memorable” day or two of discussion.

Youre all welcome to hang out for burgers and hot dogs if you bring your knowledge, text kits, and magic to get my darned swim spa to stop acting up Fix one thing, something else pops up