Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supplies

The guy in San Marcos sells you what he wants to, they don’t care about your pool just making money

Went it trying to pick up some boric acid, the guy working treated my like an idiot because I knew and requested supplies by their chemical name. Kept trying to tell me I was doing it wrong and I should use their store branded products. If you don’t know what Cyuranic Acid, Monopersulfate, Borates or even Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) are then you don’t get to talk down to me.
Leslies: Fail
Crystal Clear down the road: WIN! — much nicer and WAY more helpful.

I really miss a day when all businesses were as helpful and professional as this Leslie’s is. Maybe I am being nostalgic, but it’s really rare to walk into a strip mall store and walk out smarter and happy.
I got my pool resurfaced by Gardener, who was well priced and pretty quick about it, but didn’t give me much info on the care of my new pool. Leslie’s filled the the gap and then some. My pool is now running at perfect levels and I am maintaining it myself (it’s my first pool), thanks to their patient answers to my persistent questioning.
They even took back a half ton of salt that I inadvertently bought, because, based on the fact that I had to do all my own startup chemicals, I thought I’d have to do the salt (but Gardener provided it). Mind you, it helped that it was I who loaded and unloaded, they cheerfully took it back.
Speaking of loaded, I sent my wife into buy a Hayward Explorer and they loaded it for her. She was very impressed by their customer service.
Every person who walks in the door is acknowledged, yet no one is hurried.
The only thing I’ve heard about Leslies is that you might be able to find some things elsewhere, cheaper. There are two flaws to that logic: 1. You are discounting the price of gas and the fact that you *know* Leslie’s has it. 2. They give you the information, tools, and the confidence to maintain your own pool, saving you a huge monthly bill for the stoner who rolls up in his pickup truck and barely does anything.

I recently called this Leslie’s looking for a part for pool equipment. I had the product name, the product number.
I just needed to check price and availability, so I could send my hubby over to get it. The guy on the phone said it would take 20 — 30 minutes and he would call me back. I asked why. He said it takes a while to look things up.
I didn’t buy this. It’s 2011. I don’t think he is looking through a 1000 page parts book. What a joke!
So I called Leslie’s in Encinitas. I got a price and the info I needed in about 45 seconds.
When the San Marcos location did call back, over an hour later, the guy asked me what I needed the part for? I told him for my pool. Duh! He then said, «No. I mean what are you trying to do?». Umm… fix the pool.
Well he said he could not find the part based on manafacturer’s number, that I needed a Leslie’s number. I told him the Encinitas store could and he said they have a different system. WTH More like the guy at Encinitas had a brain.
Anyway, I told him I would be leaving a review since I was «unhappy». He said okay. So …