A review like this must be split up into many component parts: the product, the sales experience, the installation, and the after-sales service. Mermaid was the very first pool company that was mentioned to me when we moved to Ottawa in the late 60s, so I knew they had a local reputation. When we decided to buy our own pool, the choice was a foregone conclusion. Sales: We met Chris Bjornedstad at the Mermaid showroom and explained our needs and our budget. Chris was gold (and still is to this day). He showed us options and helped us make the right selections and spend our dollars where it mattered. He found us an "end of season" special and grabbed the last available pool in that price range. We got a heck of a deal. Chris was also totally up-front about the installation costs and potential additional costs should our land not be level. He also recommended the use of a water truck to fill the pool which turned out to be excellent advice. Ask for Chris, you won't regret it. Product: When you buy a pool, you buy a mish-mash of elements from different manufacturers. The pool frame, liners, pump, filter, tools etc may all come from different manufacturers that Mermaid packages together. In our case, the frame and liner are in the very good range, the pump and filter as well, the fittings and pool cleaning supplies were "economy". It didn't matter as we went into this eyes wide open. Mermaid has options for all price ranges and you can opt for what fits your budget. One thing you can be sure of, the pool itself will be very good. Installation: I knew what was entailed in pool installations as I'd done one before (and didn't feel like doing another). We thought that out backyard was relatively flat... we were wrong. There was extra cost for leveling which was well done. The pool was installed in no time and connected professionally. The crew was likeable, professional, and stayed within its stated budget and timeline. After-sales service: As far as water analysis and products to maintain the water, top notch. If you're not used to the maintenance of a pool, go with it. I'm an experienced hand, but I always bring my spring water in for analysis. The repair and maintenance area could use work. It is difficult to get a call-back for an appointment, and since they use sub-contractors for a lot of the work, important information is sometimes lost in translation. This was the only issue we've ever had with Mermaid and the reason for that lost star in our rating. Overall, you can't go wrong going with Mermaid. Especially as a first-time buyer, we encountered numerous staff members who were knowledgeable and helpful. A comfortable experience.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $7,000.00