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Industry News
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Video Gallery
 Check out the videos featured in the Pool & Spa News Video Gallery. The videos showcase the latest projects, products and equipment, as well as in-the-field demonstrations.
Latest video: Get a behind-the-scenes tour of a Pool & Spa News Masters of Design winner.
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Service Tip
Metallic Stain Test
If you’re unsure about a stain in the pool, it’s a good idea to test if it’s a metallic stain by using some vitamin C tablets. Simply place the tablets against the stain and let them sit for 15 minutes. If the stain starts to lift, it was most likely cause by minerals. If it’s a single stain, consider loading a sock full of vitamin C tablets and rubbing the rest of the stain out. If the entire pool needs to be treated with ascorbic acid, neutralize the chlorine and dose the acid accordingly. Using a metal sequestering agent should help ensure the stains don’t return.
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Visit our Website to find industry experts’ tips on installation, troubleshooting, repair and maintenance.
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Top 50 Builder Buzz
 What new initiative are you working on?
We are continuing to expand. That’s not huge news, because we’ve always been trying to open up new locations, but we’ve increased our efforts recently to look for new prospects. In fact, we just opened a brand-new office in San Luis Obispo (Calif.).
How does it work?
We believe that if we can expand now, we’ll capitalize more on the economic turnaround when it really hits.
We’re looking in Northern California and other western states, including Utah and Nevada. We’ve been in Nevada before, pulled out at just the right time, and we are now looking to go back. We think it’ll recover, although it’s probably going to trail behind some of the other states.
What we’re really doing is trying to find the right people more than the right office. This is a people business, so it’s really more about finding the right prospects. There are good people out there who built pools in the past under their own name, but with the downturn in the economy see the value in aligning themselves with California Pools, as a well-known brand.
— Ryder Steimle, CEO, California Pools Inc., West Covina, Calif.
Pool & Spa News Top 50 Builder (No. 3)
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Retail Snapshot
 “We’re in the Detroit metro market, which has the worst economy in the world. But, we’ve still sold 100 spas this season without doing any marketing. However, our average spa sale is around $6,000, down about $3,000 from several years ago. We took on a more entry-level spa line in addition to our [more upscale] line to help with sales… and we take trade-ins and sell the refurbished, used spas.
“We’re doing everything we can to keep business going and costs down. It helps that our 15,000-square-foot showroom is on a very busy road. We’ve been here for over 30 years in this location. And, we’re diversified. We also sell sunrooms, solariums, patio covers [and more]. But, I’ve had to cut my staff back to deal with the economy, which means there can be a two- to three week wait at times for our service department. That’s been a challenge for some customers … they get mad about the wait.”
— Mike Redman, general manager, Funspace Direct, Clinton Township, Mich.
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Trade Show News
Executive Academy Returns to the 2009 International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo
Created specifically for retailer/builder/service/landscape designer senior-level executives and company owners, the Executive Academy is a three-day, four-course program features high-level classes over and above the traditional conference program.
• Send Your Web Rankings to the Moon – Advanced Web Mastery Secrets
• Navigating Change: Managing Impact
• Strengthening the Foundation of Your Business
• If Patton Ran Your Business…
Receive discounted registration rates — register online now!
• More Expo News
Get the latest news about all the events and opportunities available at this year’s International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo.
 Exhibits: Nov. 16-18
Conference: Nov. 13-18
Mandalay Bay Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada USA
972.536.6350
www.PoolSpaPatio.com | info@PoolSpaPatio.com
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