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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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Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

Text a pool service question HERE!

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

Support the show

Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:

• Facebook
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• Tik Tok

Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

Text a pool service question HERE!

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!

Support the show

Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Tik Tok

Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com