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Show Notes – Mondays Down Under | Talking Pools Podcast

Hosts:
🦘 Peter (Australia)
🌊 Lee (East Coast Australia)
🏔️ Shane (New Zealand)

Episode Summary:
G’day, pool pros! This week on Mondays Down Under, Peter, Lee, and Shane take you on another wild ride through the highs, the lows, and the absolute WTF moments of the pool industry. Peter’s therapy session from last week must have helped—because now we’re diving headfirst into restocking fees, annoying customers, and the ongoing battle with ORP probes.

Shane kicks things off with a supplier charging a brutal 15% restocking fee, leaving the team questioning how much is too much? Sure, suppliers have to restock, but where’s the fee for pool techs when suppliers send the wrong stuff? Ever had to return stock and wait weeks for a credit? Yeah, we feel you.

The team also tackles no-access service calls and why you should be charging for wasted time when customers lock gates, unleash their pet velociraptors, or leave their pools bone-dry. If you’re not charging a call-out fee for these headaches, you’re leaving money on the table.

Then, it’s onto the ORP rollercoaster. How do you adjust setpoints when the probe reading seems to have a mind of its own? What causes ORP to go rogue? Is your fancy automation system really helping maintain chlorine, or just adding to the chaos? And most importantly, why is AI still spitting out nonsense about ORP readings?

Plus:
🔥 A heated discussion on pool service software price hikes that have some pool pros in the U.S. ready to riot.
🧠 Why cleaning up your database is the secret weapon for boosting your business.
💡 The true cost of bad customers and when it’s time to fire them.
📢 A PSA on checking probe storage solutions before they dry out and die a slow, useless death.

And of course, we wrap things up the only way we know how—ranting about things that don’t make sense while dreaming about the pub.

Topics Covered:
✔️ The Great Restocking Fee Debate: Is 15% reasonable, or is this supplier having a laugh?
✔️ No-Access Fees: If they waste your time, they should pay for it. End of story.
✔️ ORP Probes & Setpoints: Why they’re unreliable, what affects them, and how to fix your readings.
✔️ Pool Service Software Drama: One U.S. software company just doubled their prices overnight. Not cool.
✔️ The Importance of Data Ownership: Why you should own your own customer records and not be held hostage by a supplier’s software.
✔️ Staffing Your Weaknesses: Do what you’re good at, outsource the rest, and never let bookkeeping ruin your life.

Listen & Subscribe:
🎙️ Available on all major podcast platforms.
🌐 Follow us on Talking Pools Facebook Group for more discussions, memes, and general pool pro therapy.

See ya next week, legends! 💦

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In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Rudy Stankowitz discusses the impact of upcoming trade shows and the implications of proposed tariffs on the pool industry. He explores how these tariffs could affect costs, supply chains, and employee morale within pool service businesses. The conversation emphasizes the need for strategic planning and adaptation in response to economic challenges, while also highlighting the importance of maintaining a motivated workforce.

takeaways

• The pool industry is facing significant changes due to proposed tariffs.
• Trade shows provide valuable insights and networking opportunities.
• Tariffs can lead to increased costs for pool service businesses.
• Employee morale is crucial during times of economic uncertainty.
• Businesses must adapt to changing market conditions to remain competitive.
• Strategic planning is essential for navigating tariff impacts.
• The importance of maintaining strong supplier relationships is highlighted.
• Alternative materials may become more prevalent in pool construction.
• Communication with employees about financial health is vital.
• The future of the pool industry will depend on how businesses respond to these challenges.

titles

• Navigating Tariffs in the Pool Industry
• The Future of Pool Service Businesses

Sound Bites

• "This is the Talking Pools Podcast."
• "Tariffs function as an additional tax."
• "We are in this together."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to the Podcast and Upcoming Events

01:43
Understanding Tariff Challenges

16:57
Economic Impacts of Tariffs on Pool Service Businesses

22:17
Employee Morale and Operational Costs

26:39
Future Outlook and Industry Speculations

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Episode Summary: In this episode, hosts Steve Sherwood and Wayne Ivusich discuss the challenges and intricacies of pool industry insurance and post-fire cleanup. They share valuable insights on various types of insurance that pool professionals should consider to protect their businesses, employees, and clients. The conversation also touches on real-life scenarios involving post-fire cleanup, the costs, and the insurance implications.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The distinction between main structures and other structures in insurance terms, including how pools, garages, and other ancillary buildings are categorized.
• The significance of having comprehensive insurance coverage, especially in regions where homes start at high values and total loss claims can involve millions of dollars.
• Case studies and real-life scenarios highlighting the importance of adequate insurance coverage, including situations where clients lost entire structures.
• The complexities of cleaning pools post-fire, particularly when ash and debris are involved, and the impact of heavy rains washing contaminants into pools and the ocean.
• The logistical challenges of removing contaminated water from pools, including the costs and regulations surrounding water disposal and trucking.
• Challenges of assessing and documenting damage in hazardous conditions, such as areas affected by severe fires, and the need for proper protective gear.
• Real-life experiences and personal updates from Southern California, including the aftermath of recent fires and the associated cleanup efforts.

Hosts: Steve Sherwood and Wayne Ivusich

Listener Feedback and Contact: We value your opinions, comments, and suggestions! If you have an idea, thought, or question, feel free to reach out to us at TalkingPools@gmail.com.

Conclusion: Thank you for joining us on this informative episode. Stay safe out there, and we'll see you next Thursday!

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resumen
En este episodio del podcast Talking Pool, Pedro comparte valiosos consejos para los profesionales de la piscina sobre cómo optimizar su tiempo y eficiencia durante las visitas de servicio. Enfatiza la importancia de comprender cuánto tiempo asignar a cada grupo, priorizar las tareas y usar la tecnología para optimizar las operaciones. Pedro también analiza la importancia de una comunicación eficaz con el cliente y las estrategias para la fijación de precios, especialmente para los grupos problemáticos. Al implementar estas estrategias, los profesionales de la piscina pueden mejorar la calidad de su servicio, aumentar la satisfacción del cliente y, en última instancia, ganar más sin trabajar demasiado.
Conclusiones
El tiempo es dinero en el negocio de las piscinas.
Priorice las tareas para optimizar la eficiencia del servicio.
Asigne un tiempo específico para cada visita a la piscina.
Use tiras reactivas para obtener lecturas químicas precisas.
Registre los problemas inmediatamente para futuras referencias.
Implementar sistemas de pago automáticos para los clientes.
Evita detalles innecesarios para ahorrar tiempo.
Cobrar más por las piscinas que requieren extra

Invierte en equipos de limpieza de calidad.
Utilice la tecnología para gestionar rutas y clientes.

Fragmentos de sonido
"Revisa la piscina en dos minutos".
"Invierte en equipos de calidad".

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In this episode, Andrea talks with Paulette about her involvement as a panelist in the upcoming Life Saver Pool Fence Conference and F*CK Drowning Summit are scheduled for February 20-22, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Florida. This event brings together Life Saver Pool Fence dealers, franchisees, and families affected by drowning incidents to collaborate on water safety and drowning prevention initiatives. The conference will feature a range of sessions, including business development workshops, legal discussions on liability, marketing panels, and networking opportunities. Notable speakers include Eric Lupton, CEO of Life Saver Pool Fence, and Rich Specht, co-founder of the ReesSpecht Life Foundation. Attendees can look forward to events such as a welcome dinner, awards banquet, and a closing party. For more details and registration information, visit the official conference page.

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Mondays Down Under | Talking Pools Podcast

🔊 Hosts: Peter, Lee, and Shane

Welcome to the first Mondays Down Under of 2025! This week, Pete needs a therapy session—and you’re all invited. Brace yourself for a whirlwind of horror stories about bad pool designs, poor construction, and downright frustrating equipment installations.

This Episode’s Topics:

• 🏊 Infinity Edge Fiasco: A green pool recovery gone wrong—because someone thought a 250L trough was enough to handle a 25,000L pool. Backwashing? Forget about it.
• 🛠️ No Room to Move: How stepping stones, glass walls, and impossible access points make servicing pools a nightmare. Bonus: Cutting down vacuum heads just to fit!
• 🏗️ Equipment Location Disasters: When the equipment pad is placed in the worst possible spot—like, say, behind a six-foot timber screen or buried in a basement.
• 🌳 Heat Pump Headaches: A top-venting heat pump… completely covered by trees. Leaves and debris galore!
• 🚗 Luxury Living, Poor Planning: Another case of a multi-million dollar property with a tiny, inconvenient trough and an impossible driveway.
• 💦 Filter Size Madness: A 10,000L plunge pool with a 400-square-foot quad cartridge filter—because why not? Spoiler: The service price had to go up.
• 🎮 Overcomplicated Automation: When pool control systems start responding to garage door openers and wireless doorbells, you know there’s trouble.
• 🎨 Not Black Algae?! A pool covered in black stains—but not from algae. Pete investigates the mess and unravels the mystery.
• 🧪 Stain Removal Science: Alum sulfate, oxalic acid, and the never-ending battle to find the best stain remover.

Listener Challenge!

If you could wave a magic wand and remove one major headache from your pool service business, what would it be? Send us an email at talkingpoolsmail.com—we’d love to hear from you!

📅 Catch us next week for more pool industry rants, laughs, and expertise!

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#TalkingPools #MondaysDownUnder #PoolServiceNightmares #InfinityEdgeFails #PoolTechLife #StainRemoval #PoolAutomation #HeatPumpHorrors

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In this conversation, Rudy Stankowitz discusses key financial concepts such as earnings amortization and EBITDA, emphasizing their importance in understanding a company's operational profitability. He introduces the FAFO method as a dynamic pricing strategy for small businesses, encouraging owners to test their pricing against market demand. The discussion also includes a comparative analysis of chlorine dioxide and traditional chlorine in pool sanitation, highlighting the advantages and challenges of each.

takeaways

• Earnings amortization provides a clearer picture of profitability.
• EBITDA is a useful metric for comparing businesses.
• The FAFO method encourages experimentation in pricing.
• Dynamic pricing can maximize revenue for small businesses.
• Not all customers are equally valuable; some drain resources.
• Testing price increases can reveal market tolerance.
• Chlorine dioxide offers advantages over traditional chlorine.
• Seasonal pricing strategies can enhance profitability.
• Understanding customer behavior is key to effective pricing.
• Chlorine dioxide's adoption in pool care faces regulatory challenges.

Sound Bites

• "Let's move on to something that has a name."
• "Dynamic pricing is adjusting prices based on demand."
• "Some customers simply aren't worth the trouble."

Chapters

00:00
Preparing for Pollen Season

04:05
Innovations in Pool Maintenance

04:10
The FAFO Method: A New Approach to Pricing

14:10
Implementing the FAFO Method in Business

14:35
Understanding EBITDA: A Key Financial Metric

21:28
Exploring Chlorine Dioxide: An Alternative Disinfectant

30:59
Barriers to Adoption of Chlorine Dioxide in the U.S.

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Episode Summary: In this episode, we sit down with Pat Grignon, a leading expert in pool insurance, to delve into the intricacies of pool industry coverage. Pat shares his valuable insights on various types of insurance that pool professionals should consider to protect their businesses, employees, and clients. From general liability to workers' compensation and commercial auto insurance, Pat provides a comprehensive overview of the essential coverage areas and best practices for managing claims and protecting oneself legally.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Introduction to Pool Insurance and CPA
• The Evolution of Pool Insurance
• Understanding General Liability Insurance
• Custom Endorsements and Hazmat Coverage
• Workers' Compensation and Employee Coverage
• Commercial Auto Insurance Essentials
• Faulty Work Coverage Explained
• Claims Management and Best Practices
• Protecting Yourself as a Service Provider
• The Importance of Contracts
• Liability and Legal Protection
• Real-Life Case Studies in Liability
• Understanding 1099 vs W-2 Employment
• Insurance Implications for Cash Payments
• Getting Started with CPA Insurance
• Future of CPA and the Pool Industry

Guest: Pat Grignon, Insurance Expert

Hosts: Steve and Wayne

Listener Feedback and Contact: We value your opinions, comments, and suggestions! If you have an idea, thought, or question, feel free to reach out to us at TalkingPools@gmail.com. If you need to contact Pat Grignon or CPA and don't remember their information, send us an email, and we'll ensure his team gets it.

Conclusion: Thank you, Pat, for sharing your time, expertise, and involvement in the industry. It's been a fun ride, and we look forward to Part 2, where we'll dive into topics we couldn't touch on today. Stay safe out there, and we'll see you next Thursday!

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Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com