GDL poolshop

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Dawebo
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GDL poolshop

Post by Dawebo »

I would like to warn others about my recent experiences with GDL poolshop in Hua Hin.

I bought all the pumps, filters and chlorinator equipment e.t.c, for my swimming pool from GDL last April. I was advised to buy their more expensive Australian option rather than the Chinese (I think) equipment they had available. I was told it would last longer.

The equipment was installed last April and worked great until the end of January this year when the Chlorinator stopped producing chlorine. I have been trying to resolve the issue with GDL since then. This month GDL told me that the Chlorinator was broken and no longer works.They told me that the product is out of warranty and that I must buy a new chlorinator for approximately 24,000 baht. The lady I am dealing with is relatively new to the company and she did not realise that the company actually gave me a 24 month warranty and not a 12 month warranty.

Once I highlighted this, other excuses from GDL started to emerge. I was first told by them that someone had intentionally broken the unit. They then retracted this and claimed that high levels of calcium in the water had broken the machine. This morning I have received an email from GDL saying "that the warranty does not apply to problems occurring as a result of abuse, misuse, negligent repairs, corrosion or normal wear and tear".

The unit has not received any abuse, misuse or negligent repairs. Am I wrong to assume that "normal wear and tear" and "corrosion" should not render the unit useless within 10 months or even the two year lifetime of the warranty? The manual for the chlorinator advises for the unit to be cleaned internally for calcium approximately every 6 months to ensure optimum performance. GDL themselves cleaned it for me after 10 months.

To be honest I'm quite shocked at the stance GDL has taken. It's quite a clear case for product replacement, yet they refuse to replace it. I had thought that they were a good reputable company, but my experience has just shown quite the opposite.

It's time for me to find out what the effectiveness is of the relatively newly formed Thai consumer protection agency. I've heard that they do a pretty good job.

D
poosmate
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Re: WARNING about GDL poolshop service

Post by poosmate »

The G in GDL is no longer with them ( or the L ). I used them and was happy with them until recently when I too had cause to claim against a warranty. I after a long argument resolved my problem free of charge. I have since taken my business to Siam Pools which is run someone ex GDL and is able to understand Warranties.
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stgrhe
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Re: WARNING about GDL poolshop service

Post by stgrhe »

I suppose the Australian chlorinator is from Poolrite. Why don't you contact Poolrite and complain that their local distributor doesn't play ball? They most likely do not want their products to be shamed.
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Dawebo
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Re: WARNING about GDL poolshop service

Post by Dawebo »

Hi Stgrhe,

I did that first thing this morning. Hopefully I'll get a better response from Poolrite.

D
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JimmyGreaves
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Re: WARNING about GDL poolshop service

Post by JimmyGreaves »

Thanks for the warning!
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charlesh
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Re: WARNING about GDL poolshop service

Post by charlesh »

Thai consumer protection agency looking after farangs - was that another porcine object that I just saw??
Best of Luck.
Poolrite in Oz no probs. Not sure that GDL is a distributor but an importer.
GDL: - god damned laughable!
PS the water here is so awful that I am not surprised that equipment whether it be filters/chlorinators give up the ghost pronto!
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Dawebo
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Re: WARNING about GDL poolshop service

Post by Dawebo »

UPDATE

Thankfully POOLRITE (the manufacturer) are a much better company to deal with than their GDL distributors. I phoned them in Australia and explained how their piece of equipment stopped working after 10 months. A couple of days later they emailed me to say they would replace the chlorinator free of charge. All done and dusted now. They were nice people to talk to and they did not look for any angle not to replace the unit.

It's just a pity that GDL kept insisting that I had to buy a new unit at 24,000 baht instead of getting me the replacement under warranty. They looked for every excuse in the book not to honor the warranty they gave me.
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PeteC
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Re: WARNING about GDL poolshop service

Post by PeteC »

It wouldn't be the first time a company double dipped here. Intimidate the customer and get him to agree to buy a new unit, then claim the old unit back as warranty from the manufacturer. Presto, I've just doubled my money.

Your description of the ease with Poolrite almost sounds like it's a known issue. Great result, glad it worked out well. Pete :cheers:
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JimmyGreaves
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Re: WARNING about GDL poolshop service

Post by JimmyGreaves »

Dawebo wrote:UPDATE

Thankfully POOLRITE (the manufacturer) are a much better company to deal with than their GDL distributors. I phoned them in Australia and explained how their piece of equipment stopped working after 10 months. A couple of days later they emailed me to say they would replace the chlorinator free of charge. All done and dusted now. They were nice people to talk to and they did not look for any angle not to replace the unit.

It's just a pity that GDL kept insisting that I had to buy a new unit at 24,000 baht instead of getting me the replacement under warranty. They looked for every excuse in the book not to honor the warranty they gave me.
I trust you went in and rubbed their nose in it or maybe not all you would have got was a blank look!
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bozzman101
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Re: WARNING about GDL poolshop service

Post by bozzman101 »

also the outrageous prices they charge for parts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Once you go Asian you will never go Caucasian !!
JOHNSON
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Re: WARNING about GDL poolshop service

Post by JOHNSON »

2 sides to every story !! GDL were recommended to me by a friend who's lived in HH many years. I'm glad he did,i found GDL to be polite,courteous,friendly and above all my swimming pool looks and is fantastic, :D
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malcolminthemiddle
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Re: WARNING about GDL poolshop service

Post by malcolminthemiddle »

I haven't placed an order yet but my recent dealings with GDL Pools has been nothing but professional.
poptherock
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Re: WARNING about GDL poolshop service

Post by poptherock »

There is ABSELUTELY NO reason at all for warnings about this company.
We have the last ten months now used GDL for two big jobs with house extensions and pool constructions in SIDA Tropical Villas. We are very satisfied with the work they have done so far...
magobligin
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Re: WARNING about GDL poolshop service

Post by magobligin »

I also had a pool installed and for a time maintained by GDL Pools at my Khao Takieb house and I can honestly say that I was impressed by their professionalism and by their service.
Riversider
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Re: WARNING about GDL poolshop service

Post by Riversider »

GDL left the water running when they topped up my pool during cleaning. As a result the tank ran dry causing the pump to burn out. GDL denied responsibility and I had to replace the pump. On the plus side they also built the pool and I have no complaints about that.
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