Central Pools

Useless. Ordered parts on Sunday and were told it would only take 2 – 3 days since they’re just coming from NH. Called the following Friday and they hadn’t even ordered the parts. Turned out the parts were actually coming from Waltham so I went there myself. This isn’t the first time I’ve had issues with them. In-​store assistance is ok but anything more is a waste of your time.

Last summer, we called in to find out what time they closed. 6pm. Arrived in the parking lot at the same time as another customer… we both chuckled as we got out of the car …5:57pm…just in time. Only needed a gallon of shock.
Door was locked and at exactly 6pm the owner came out the door laughed and said… you will have to come back tomorrow. I told him I had cash and only needed shockk… too bad he said…
Never going back!

I don’t know anything about pools and am on the learning curve. First thing that everyone knows it is a lot of work! I myself don’t swim or get in the water and actually love the ocean and the beach. BUT I love my kids and they love the pool = me cleaning and maintaining the pool!
We’ve been going to Central Pool since there are not many places around and the previous owner came here. This is our 2^nd summer with the pool and I still can’t say I have a rhythm to it so I am always looking for help.
There is one man here that has all the knowledge and is very helpful. I don’t want to call him older but he is older compared to all the others in the store behind the counter. There are maybe 2 or three young school/​college aged guys and girls who run the pool water test and ring stuff up.
The customers in the store waiting are all very helpful and it seems we help each other since the folks behind the counter either don’t know or aren’t that interested in helping.
I got my water tested and got the report printed out and handed to me. Ugh quite a list of supplies I need and what does it all mean and where do I get it? Well there was a list of people waiting and the same girl who ran my test was standing back «out in space». I called over to her and asked if she could help me with the list and she seemed to wake up long enough to walk me over to one spot. When I asked her the difference between the two items she was stumped and went over to get the only man who seems to know anything.
With summer here and everyone needing supplies and help it is tough when there is only one knowledgeable person to do EVERYTHING.
A couple hundred dollars later and I am headed back with my scheduled activities to spending the day loving my kids. I have complete most all of my items and now my «what looked clean pool» has a green tint to it. Hmmm. I will wait the 72 hours of filtering to have it tested again and see where we are at and hope it levels out so my crew can dive in over the weekend.
They do have an annual spring sale in April so if you are looking to buy any big items that would be the time to do it.
Also, Central Pools is affiliated with Puraqua which is the service side. Puraqua has come out to open and close our pool but of course for a shiny penny $$$$! Although it is pricey I didn’t want to take the chance of freezing my pipes the first year to spend more $$$$ to dig up the ground so I bit the bullet. They did do a good job closing it when it was pouring and miserable outside.
They cleaned all the leaves out and removed the swamp that appeared on top of the tarp from the winter and got it up and running. They did pick up and put all the winter materials into the shed which was helpful, NOT. Everything was wet and dirty so although it was put away it we had to take it back out and let the small pools of water dry that formed in the shed dry out as well as the tarp and tubes.
As I ramp up my learning curve I will need to figure out how to open and close it myself. Boy do I love my kids! They do thoroughly enjoy swimming in it and I can barely get them out to eat so in the end it is all worth it.
In short:
Go when you have time and not in a hurry.
Plan to wait
Wait for the right guy to help you — you’ll know who cuz he is the only one running around working
Ask the other customers for their option
and search for another pool place — I am going to try McCarthy’s next.

4 stars!
one for their knowledge, one for their inventory, one for their helpful can do attitude and one for those silly signs that tell you not to pee in the pool
–1 for their prices.
hey you could go to walmart but im telling you now, they wont have it and if they do have it, its inferior.
summertime, in the H, A, M…

They have been there a long time. I can see why. One of the gentlemen, Mike seems like he has been there forever. I guess that it has only been about 40 years, He is very professional, knowledgeable and I enjoy dealing with him. I would recommend this place to anyone.