Anonymous
map-marker Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

250.00 coupon was never sent/ horrible tile job

The Carlton Company never sent me the $250.00 coupon after there work was done. I called twice with no response. I went to the Warminster store and they told me that I had to go to there headquarters! I thought that was there headquarters! The sale rep will not even talk to me about it. I also took pictures of the horrible tile work they did this summer. I paid $245.00 for two tiles to be put in around the skimmers, what a rip off. What ever happened to keeping you costumers happy! Carlton is your best friend until they get your money then they just *** you around. Carlton has no pride in there workmanship, how sad.
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1 comment
Guest

I can guarantee that this is not true! If you contact us at 215.674.8185 we can discuss this. If you didn't receive your gift certificate we will make sure you get one ASAP.

blvail
map-marker Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Carlton Pools, horrendous customer service

We have had our $70,000 Carlton Pool for 5 years. The spa cracked during the first year. I understand that pools can fail, however, getting Carlton to fix the problem has been a complete nightmare. They have attempted to repair the spa 3 times, however, each time required dozens of calls by us (99% of which they do not return) and countless broken promises on their part. They attempt a quick and dirty fix, then make us wait 1 to 2 years 'to see what happens' before they come back and try again. What happens is that the cracks continue to expand, and I have a beautiful pool that makes me ill because I feel that I gave my money to the wrong company. In April 2009 they fixed the problem again, and by June the cracks had reappeared. We started calling then once again June 2009; finally TODAY, in May 2010 they came to look again and suggested...guess what...that we wait until next year to 'see what happens'. I've done enough research to know that at this point the spa needs to be dug up and reinforced, which of course they do not want to do. I'm frustrated, heartsick, and my next call is to a lawyer. When you make an investment like this you want someone to stand behind their product, which Carlton doesn't do. Stay away.
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5 comments
Guest

Kevin, totally agree. Had our pool installed last year and have had to empty do to poorly installed aqua brite.

Its been weeks now and they still have not completed the task. I am told that at least 12 pools have had the same problem with this finish. The workers used muratic (sp?) acid and a sander.

Now the pool has lumps and pitting in the concrete. We have sent emails for some response so that they do not put the final finish on the pool but no one has communicated with us…poor, very very poor.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-556578

Deborah,

How is you pool today? Did Carlton fix your auqua brite issue?

I am in my 2nd season and just noticed some of the auqua brite paint is peeling off.

I found 6 or 7 pieces of about 2-4 inches in diameter in my pump basket yesterday!

How do you know about the other 12 pools? I'm panicked - Roc

Guest

I am thrilled with my Carlton exprience. It is sad that those complaining do not have the courage to list their work order/purchase order number so the management team can resolve the issues.

Hiding behind blind negative comments does no one any good.

Thank you Carlton for taking care of our minor issues in a timely and efficient manner. I grade you an A+.

Guest

I have cracks on my steps after 5 years. I am working with Carlton now to get them fixed.

They say they are just cosmetic, but I lost 4 inches of water last year I just checked yesterday and I'm down 4 inches from when I closed the pool. They came out last year when I first noticed the crack and said I should wait to see what happens, or replaster the entire steps and acid wash the pool for approx $3500. We will see how this turns out.

I also have experienced broken promises and phone calls that never get returned. After reading these posts, I'm thinking I should probably just start looking for a lawyer now!

Guest

You should have called the BBB and a lawyer to let them know about Carlton. I too have had bad experience with Carlton.

Their salesmen don't seem to keep their words. IF ONLY I KNEW

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amywilde
map-marker Lebanon, Pennsylvania

Worse pool company, buyer beware!!!

We started a pool in 2006 with Carlton Pools. They came on a day that we had rain for 4 days straight. They made a mess of our yard, hit everything in site with their heavy equipment and had total disregard for our property. That was just the beginning. They placed the pool in the wrong place and had our decking too short (measure everything). Then when we made a deal not to move the pool for extra decking they lied that the deal every occurred and totally under estimate you square footage on the contract for your decking (again measure everything). Our pool never primed correctly, the automatic cover box wall was too low and we lost water the first season. We had another pool company to plaster the pool and since then they fixed the problems left behind from Carlton. We now call them the Carlton Curse!!! I can't understand how they are still in business. One of the worst decisions I have ever made. Please save yourself the pure *** we went though and find another pool company.
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Loss:
$54
2 comments
Guest

NOT TRUE. Best pool for the money.

Good luck to those who go with the average landscaper/ pool installer.

Guest

not only did them put tracks in my lawn, they up rooted my electric and said that it was in the way so they can not do anything about it. The electric was under ground.

How could it be in the way when it was underground????

Needless to say, I still do not have any electric in my shed. RUN FAST DO NOT USE CARLTON :cry

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Anonymous
map-marker Fort Worth, Texas

Poor business relationship with installation

i also have had a poor repor with the comapny. the salesman dropped the ball and seemed disorganized from the begiining and your pool will not be finished when the contract says it will be. when i called to talk to the owner- joe solana the third, he was extremely rude and sais just take us to court- they did my families pool 25 yrs ago when joe solana sr was around and he was fine. no problems then. generation 3 results in poor attitude and poor referrals now i guess. very diasappointed in the company. wish i researched more than just better business bureau
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Loss:
$25000
1 comment
Guest

Check out You Tube video titled "Carlton Pools Gun" to learn more about this company

spikeman s
map-marker Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Not Pissed Off

I purchased a pool last year from Carlton Pools and was very satisfied about the quality of the pool and about the service I got. I was very satisfied about the sales team and with how they answered the phone and got back to me. What I WASN"T happy with was they didn't tell me I had to pay for the DAM water that I put in the pool. It was over $300 dollars. I mean please wouldn't you think that if you buy a pool it comes with the water? So be warned that they don't sell you a pool with out water. NO WATER and guess what you can't swim until its full of water.
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2 comments
Guest

If you believe a customer thought that their pool came with water then Carlton has a bridge to sell you. Watch out as Carlton people post most of the positive comments on this site :(

woman Nfn

Must be a small pool. It will cost us $1200 to put water in our pool and we had HORRIBLE experience with this company on top of having to put the water in the pool!

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Rdrunr
map-marker Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Carlton Pools Bait & Switch

May 09, we signed a contract with Carlton Pools, Collegeville, gave them $1,000 deposit for their kidney shaped pool for 30,000.00. It was supposed to be in place by July 6, 2009. We cut down trees in preparation and we planned a party for our granddaughter in August.THEN NOTHING HAPPENED!

It took 4 weeks for them to pick up an application from our township,6 weeks till someone came out to view our property, 8 weeks to find out we needed a topo, 10 weeks to find out we needed 2 variances, so on and so on. Our granddaughter was very disappointed, our yard a mess, our trees are cut down to 4' and we still DO NOT have a pool in 2010.

The only thing they were QUICK AT was CASHING OUR CHECK and putting up an advertizement sign in our front yard! Even before we saw anyone.

I spoke to the owner about their pessimissim, why put in a pool in October just to close it. He had our deposit, I wanted to be first in the spring of 2010 like their ad says deposit now get this years price.

He said he would not honor the same price because they would only profit a few thousand dollars not that it's the old "BAIT & SWITCH" but usually people enhance their pool HIS EXACT WORDS! We didn't matter because he didn't make enough profit.

After reading the horrors of the people who did get a Carlton pool, apparently their product is as bad as their customer service. Maybe I was lucky after all. Consumer beware!

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Loss:
$30
Anonymous
map-marker Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Carlton Pools

They are the worst!!! They do not hold up to their promises, it took weeks to get anyone out for the survey, then about another 6 weeks for them to SUBMIT the permits (this should be done in a few days) then during the job they would not show up for weeks at a time, it took about 4 months for them to finish my pool, my friend had one done and it took a total of 5 weeks from the permit phase to completion!! I would rather swim in a kiddie pool than ever build with them again!! What a nightmare this was and it took the fun out of the pool for the first summer we had it because of the nightmare process. ALSO - during the process they kept trying to raise the cost for this and that saying it was not included in original price and everything WAS>>> What a bunch of liars, cheaters and NOT in the consumers best interest..... GO ELSEWHERE FOR A POOL!
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4 comments
Guest

Me..I dont know what area you live but I live in the Collegeville area and I just had a pool installed by Carlton and I am very pleased.. I also had a salesman named Dan and he was great, so much so I referred him and he is putting a pool in for my boss right now.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-198517

Wow your gonna be fired once Carlton *** over you boss

Guest

John: how much are they charging you for the opening and closing???? I hate Carlton.

It took over one year from the time I sign a contract for my pool to get finished. Everytime you turn around they need money for more permits etc.

Hated my salesman Dan. I have been asked by a few neighbor who did our pool and I tell them NO NOT USE CARLTON

Guest

We've had our Carlton pool for three years and are very happy with their product. They were honest, delivered on time if not before, and returned promptly for very minor adjustments.

In year two our underwater light blew out and the company replaced it promptly at no charge. Also, they perform our pool opening and closing and are always on time and do the work very well.

We highly recommedn Carlton.

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Anonymous
map-marker Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Carlton Pools is by far the worst company

Carlton Pools does not and will not stand behind their warranty-you are on your own. Not one person in that company will stand behind their product or even pick up a phone to talk to you.

You will NEVER hear from your salesperson again once you sign a contract. The President and VP of the company are two of the biggest low life's you will ever meet. Cracked filters, bad tile jobs and the worst cement job in the world. We had the pool inspected by a professional and they said he had no idea what he was talking about.

The owner is rude, crude and about as crooked as they come.

Run don't walk-run away from Carlton Pools.

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8 comments
Guest

I wish I had seen these reviews before I got involved with this company...just hung up on the rude obnoxious owner on the phone. Will take no responsibility for unorganized and lack of communication from the company.

Completely shocked that an owner would talk like that. No one should get their pool installed by this company.

Guest

There is NO WAY a swimming pool company would EVER even consider filling their water truck with sewage.....right?

Go to youtube and search for carlton Pools Crapmobile. I'd tell you but you will have to see it to believe it...happy swimming

(don't go under and keep mouth & nose closed)

Guest

On February 22, 2011, animal activists protested Carlton Pools in Warminster, Pennsylvania, to draw attention to the activities of Carlton Pools owner Joseph Solana, Jr.

Solana participates in live pigeon shoots, an activity in which live pigeons are tossed into the air and shot. Many of the victims are hit but not killed. Many of those survivors are left to die slow, lingering deaths.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-334625

What does this have to do with anything. Pigeons are just rats with wings.

Hows your helicopter? Lol

Guest

The entire employee staff as well as the pres and vp at carlton pools are a bunch of incompetent, good-for-nothing,pompous,money-hungry bafoons.They do not stand by their sub-standard product and never give you a callback. I have had issue upon issue with my inground pool...filter,pump,liner replaced,heater,slide,initial construction problems,hidden costs....and my pool is less than a year old!!!!!!

This so-called company is by far thee worst business that i have ever encountered in my life!!! Stay far away from the incompetence of Carlton.

Guest

I sure can understand that Carlton Pools are the worse.They just contracted with Xiom Corp. Xiom sells equipment to powder coat concrete pools. If you want to talk about "BAIT and SWITCH" and POOR customer service,try Xiom.The way I see it,they deserve each other.

Guest

Elegant Fence did my pool fence also. They were great to work with.

They gave me 2 Tru-Posts for my fence for free.

I recommend them to anyone. Great Job Paul.

www.tru-post.com

Guest

I really liked the fence company that did my pool, it was elegant fence

www.elegantfenceonline.com

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fran M Uyr
map-marker Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Carlton pools- no integrity, good ole' boys, unintelligent

the story of my relationship with Carlton is long and boring. it will be 18 months since i signed the contract and it is still unfinished. their ability to apply reason and creativity is nonexistent. they function within very rigid parameters and anything outside of that is perceived as a threat and they react defensively. they were unresponsive, oppositional, on occasion yelled at me (the co-president), uninformed, made assumptions about my situation that lead them to treat me with such disrespect that I ended up calling a lawyer because i could no longer deal with them in a reasonable manner. it was like talking with an insurance company. what was supposed to be a wonderful event, a reward for my years of long hard work, and cost me over 50,000 dollars, has ended up being the biggest mistake of my life.
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Loss:
$50
14 comments
Guest

They are "good buddies" (Florida style) with the local government. You will have to go above county to get any success. Check with sharkonline (dotcom) for more info on these lowlife *** (I say that with charity)

Guest

Im sorry I sound like such a *** as I really dont know what I am saying...isnt it easy to post a complaint about anybody

Guest

use all the venues avail to expose carlton- call news stations - post on facebook- get on their facebook page and make comments- report on every consumer agency avail and attorney genral-- the more exposure to as many people as possible will prevent them from ripping off anyone else-- bbb is worthless because they can pay them off to keep their A- rating

Guest

its so funny to read all these- its like im reliving my carlton nightmare- from the very beginning they have been unreliable- their depts dont communicate and youre right when you argue with them they msake you feel crazy and just say well just take us to court then-- great professional attitude and this is from co-owner joe solano- they also are "never there" and dont call back- by the way mty pool cant be approved by township and carlton refuses to fix what needs to be up to code

Guest

We are in the process of getting a pool installed by them. It has been a horrible experience.

I've done many major jobs in the past and nothing goes perfect, but their lack of communication and don't care attitude is what is setting us over the top. Plus, they are now 3 weeks delayed and who knows when it will get done. My friend built a pool with someone else. Started 3 days before us and has been in his pool for 3 weeks.

He never had any delay in communication. Someone called him almost daily to tell him what to expect and when. Caralton calls when they want more money. We are very nice people, but they have worn me THIN.

I read all posts with a grain of salt, but there seems to be a theme.

Unless something tremendous happens you can trust we will never recommend them... but they still can change our minds if they would just start communicating.

Guest

I WISH I WOULD HAVE READ THESE "COMMENTS" BEFORE I SIGNED MY CONTRACT IN MAY AND STILL HAVE NOTHING BUT 3 DENIALS FOR PERMITS (DUE TO IMPROPER INFO SUBMITTED) VERY UNHAPPY CAMPER!!!!!!

Guest

Carlton Pools does not stand buy their work. Good luck getting them to address any problems you have with your pool after they install it and are fully paid.

They basically tell you that you your issue is not under your warranty even if the issue arises days after the pool install.

And good luck if you have a pool install at the end of the season - they leave your issues unresolved and have amnesia when they return in the spring. Especially if you are dealing with Paul the service mamanger.

Guest

For what it is worth. I recently discovered that the electrical system was installed, not only well below code standards, but some of the corners they cut rise to the level of dangerous and criminal.

after two long years I have decided to proceed with legal action.

At this juncure I have little options. I was told that your window for legal action likely has a standard of limitations so be advised.

Guest

I to had a pool installed by Carlton. The reason I went with them is because the day I visited their showroom I met customer who used them and her pool failed but as she told me they stood behind the warranties and replaced her pool and she could not happier.

This surley does not sound like the same pool company you all talk about...BTW I checked their BBB rating and it is a A-...this is very good for a construction company. One last note my pool did not go in without some issues but they also never bailed on me so I make a point to recommend them as much as possible

Guest

i made the same mistake in using Carlton. My decking is siverely discolored where they installed my solid achor cover. I spent 2 years going back and forth with hem as they promised to "send our their decking guy" which never happened.

i was recently told by a 3rd party professional that they installed the cover too soon and he see's this alot with their pools. He said it's a shame that it is easily avoideable but not easy to remedy.

my 50K custom Carlton pool reminds me daily during summer months that i selected the wrong pool company to buy a pool from. They just don't seem to care about their customers.

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RitaF
map-marker Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Carlton Pools

if I was in the hospital dying with cancer and Carlton said they had the cure I would pass on haing them implement the remedy. This outfit can't do anything right and the owner doesn't even care. Installing a pool is a multi step process; and they screwed up ever step I suspect the Carlton motto is "Why do it right the first time with professionals when you can employ *** and have them do things that only escapees from a nut house would do. My pet dogs are smarter than the Carlton crew and management combined and the piece of *** owner doesn't have a single desire to make you a satisdfied customer.
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4 comments
Guest

BOTTOM LINE......THEY TOTALLY SUCK!!!!!!!!!

Guest

money first???? after reading these comments, I have not been too comfortable with this situation.

We are installing an in the ground pool. I should have checked this stuff first I was too trusting.

LM

Guest

TOM HOW YOU KNOW????

Guest

You get what you pay for. This company is cheaper because they cut corners and use cheap sub contractors.

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ella Zuq
map-marker Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Bullies Consumers

Carlton tries to bully people into their contracts. They put contingent upon financing, you get denied and they try to not let you out of the contract, as well as trying to tell you you can not build with any other company for two years. Who are they to tell someone what they can do with thier own money on their own property, just because of being denied for credit. Other people have told me horror stories, like they designed their pool wrong and tried to make them pay an extra $10,000! for their mistake. Also, it took them 4 months to build their pool, so they did not even get to enjoy it for the first summer.
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1 comment
Guest

The only guys who I thought were really knowledgable about anything pool related were the guys they sent out to do the pool cover, pool safety systems out of NJ, I think. They were definitely subcontracted, because they returned my phone calls, and showed up when they said they would.

Everybody else they sent was a nightmare, I knew more about pools then they did, and I never owned one before this one, if that tells you something.

It's been a nightmare from the get go, be careful and read the contract, and get everything the salesman says in writing. On second thought don't use Carlton Pools at All!

Anonymous
map-marker Carlstadt, New Jersey

Carlton Pools provide a poor product.

Carlton Pools in PA built our pool 3.5 uyears ago. The tiles on the Hot tub are falling off. Of course the warranity was for three years, and our pool has been running for 3.5 years. What a scam. We are not rich people, and this pool was a major investiment for us We thought we picked a good company. Think twice before you pick Carlton. If thing are going wrong in this short of time, what will our pool be like in ten years when we will just be paying off the pool loan. I AM VERY UNHAPPY!!
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3 comments
Guest

We had Carlton Pools start a pool for us in 2006. They placed the pool in the wrong direction and trashed our yard.

Told us they were no longer placing fire pits as advertised in Chester Co. Magazine and then found out they lied. They under estimate the cost for concrete so when you finish your pool you still have unknown cost (you'll need a lawyer to read the fine print). Are pool never primed correctly and they did not build the cover box wall high enough and we kept losing water, tiles came loose the first year.

It has been a nightmare. We finally had another pool company to finish the pool and fix all the problems. More money!!

But now it's done RIGHT!!! We call them the Carlton Curse.

Guest

So today I called around to hire a pool maintenance company. Carlton failed to do certain things and now my pool is green.

The first question that I asked each company was whether they were affiliated with Carlton in any way. Literally, they laughed. One rep even asked why people keep buying from them.

I was embarressed that I was taken by a compnay that is disdained by its' own industry. Stay away from Carlton pools.

Guest

Before we paid, everyone from the sales rep. to the corp.

office people were very attentive and answered our calls. After we paid, our calls were not answered or returned. It took ONE YEAR for them to finish our plaster pool! We brushed the pool at least 2x's a day as told.

A crew came two weeks later to put in start up chemicals. That's when everything became cloudy in the pool, even the dark colored tile(dolphins)at the bottom. Weeks later the crew came to evaluate, than another crew than another... Turns out to be SEVERE SCALE.

They accused us of putting in the wrong chemicals. Their start-up crew were the only one's who put anything in. They will not make good on resolving the severe scaling WHICH rips up everyone's hands & feet. It's like playing in a pool lined w/sandpaper.

$3000.00 worth of water needs to be drained so that the scaling could be sanded off!! You would think after paying them over $73,000.00 this company would want us to be happy...

NO! they have NO PRIDE!!!

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