Esprit Harvest 27' Above Ground Pool Product Review

Product Dudz recently reviewed the Esprit Harvest 27' Above Ground Pool. Our review will cover our experience with the company that the pool is offered and sold by, price, delivery, and installation.

The Company
The Esprit Harvest series was found on Pool Supplies.com online. This company also is known as Leisure Living. The current Leisure Living was originally established by Richard Gerspach in 1958 as a swimming pool installation, service and repair company and continues today as a 2nd generation family owned and operated business.

Originally named Island Pools, this nationwide distribution facility has expanded into a warehouse and office complex of over 245,000 sq ft. The focus of the company has changed over the years to include becoming the largest independent source of parts to fit Kayak Pools®, manufacturer of parts for the solar deck heated Fanta-Sea pools, a widely distributed 60 page color catalog along with a prominent position on numerous web sites.

 

Pool description:

Esprit Harvest

• Pool Size: 27 ft Round
• Pool Style: Esprit Harvest
• Protection: Resin
• Top Ledge: 6 Inch Steel
• Uprights: 5¼ Inch Steel
• Wall Height: 52 Inches
• Warranty: 30 Years

Total Price:
$ 1209.94  

What we ordered:
There are varying packages available depending on what your specific needs are. We did not need a pool pump which saved us a lot of money in the purchase of this pool. We purchase the kit that offered 52"  walls, 6 " ledges, 5 1/4 " uprights, plain blue liner, and skimmer. Accessory kits that include a pump, ladder etc are available and start at price of $ 369.99

Size availability:
You can order this particular model in 12' X 52", all the way up to 27' X 52 ". Prices range from : $ 649.99 to $1199.99 for kits that just include pool, skimmer and liner. As mentioned before, you will need to add $ 369.99 if you need a pump, ladder, etc. There are upgraded accessory packages but this is where the price starts at.

Shipping:
Free. We searched high and low to make sure that the pool we selected was the best deal all around including free shipping. We also looked for a company that offered "lift gate service" which is a service that places the pool on a lift gate and lowers it to the ground for you.

Lift gate Service:
Yes. Cost $50.00. Note: if you absolutely must have this service be sure when ordering to specify that they send  a truck with a lift gate. Although we paid for lift gate service, the truck that delivered our pool did not come equipped with this device. We were refunded by Leisure Living.

Delivery:
Ordered pool on 4/01 received pool on 04/10. Your pool arrives by a large freight truck. Ours came via an 18 Wheeler. You must have someone home to accept the pool otherwise they will return it to the warehouse.

Installation:

This pool comes with a dvd detailing how to install. This helped tremendously. We suggest you view it well ahead of installing your pool. As with all above ground pools, you will need at least 4 people for installation. The ground must be prepared a head of time. I have yet to see an above ground pool that is easy to install aside from the cheap metal frame pools. However, a permanent pool like this one reviewed will last a much longer time.




Pros:

Price:
We simply could not find one company that offered a better pool package for the money. An extensive 2 month search of both local, and online companies resulted in our visiting this particular company. $1199.99 for a 27' round above ground pool with liner and skimmer with the same sized uprights, ledge and at a 52" wall depth is a great price.


Installation video:
Easy to understand and simple to follow.


Attractive design and quality:
For the money, the quality of this pool is very good. There were no rough edges, packages were complete and wrapped well, metal components and screws were sufficient and there were no missing parts. While not overly visible in the pictures, the pools design is quite attractive with a vine pattern that goes around the bottom border of the pool wall.


Customer Service:
This company was great. Before purchasing any pool online, emails were sent to the top contenders to see what sort of communication efforts each company made. Many wanted to "talk" to you on the phone, only to upsell you a more expensive model, while others simply took a long time getting back to you. Others did not want to be bothered answering any questions via email and continually sent a phone number instead of answering even the simplest of questions. In our opinion, if I am fixing to spend that kind of money on your product you should be able to answer and respond to emails, and phone calls. Leisure Living answered a barrage of questions through email, and were easy to get a hold of via phone, even on the weekend. That's worth a lot to the consumer.


Warranty:
This pool comes with a 30 year warranty. It was hard for us to find many companies that were willing to offer any warranty beyond 15 to 25 years.

Cons:

Muted design
The only cons was the design on the pool is not quite as detailed and prominent in person as it appeared online. The design is more muted. Some may prefer this look so it can go either way.

Lift gate service
Although we were refunded a month later, which seems too long to wait for $50.00, it still bears reporting to our readers. While the company offers this, we unfortunately did not get it with the truck sent to our home for delivery. Keep in mind this was one experience, and may have been an isolated occurrence.

The Bottom Line:

It is the opinion of the reviewers at Product Dudz that this company is a winner and you can buy from them with confidence. We received adequate correspondence and communication. Our questions and concerns were addressed in a professional and timely manner and the price and quality of the pool we reviewed was as described and met and/or exceeded our expectations.
We will provide an update review at a later date to inform our readers of any changes with this product.



Interested in a Salt water filter system? Then you've got to read our Intex Saltwater Filter System Product Review.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tips for buying an above ground swimming pool online

If you're like many that are feeling the crunch from the economy, you may be resolved to skip going on vacation this year and invest in entertainment at home. If you're interested in cooling off this year with a new pool there are some key things you need to know in advance. Here's a few good tips to consider before buying from any company online.

• Do your research. Above ground pools are for sale all over the internet and even may be available from retailers in your area. Prices can vary a great deal and you want to make sure you're getting the best deal for your money. Start at least a month ahead before you plan on making your purchase. Be sure to factor in shipping and handling costs, installation costs etc. into your budget before deciding which pool to purchase.
  
• Make sure you aren't required to have a permit. Some areas require a permit, and some also require that you have a fenced in yard or an enclosure to your pool. If you haven't factored that into your budget, do so. Pools are considered to be “an attractive nuisance” and you can be liable for damages or injuries.
  
• Always purchase from a trusted dealer especially if you're buying online. Make sure the company is an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau. Search online for customer complaints and reviews of the business you're considering purchasing from.
  
• Before purchasing any pool from any company online, it is important to establish a means of communication with them ahead of purchase. Be sure to contact via their customer service telephone number or email. Their professionalism, timely response, and willingness to take time and answer any and all of your questions is a good indication of what sort of experience you'll have with them. Always write down the name of the customer service representative you speak with and ask for their personal extension.
  
• You'll need to be home when your pool arrives. If you can't be home, have a neighbor or family member present. Otherwise your pool will get shipped back to the warehouse. Shippers aren't specific with regards to the exact time they will show up so if you can't be home for the day, you may want to look into picking the pool up yourself at the nearest shipping depot. Call and make arrangements.
  
• Check your shipment for all the parts against the list supplied with your purchase ahead of time. Preferably during the delivery. If any parts are missing, make sure to inform the shipper and contact the pool company you purchased from immediately. Many times they will overnight your missing part. Don't wait until the day you install your pool to discover missing pieces.
  
• Be wary of companies that practice the “old bait and switch” routine. There's always a few companies out there that get your attention by advertising what seems like a really cheap price to come and install a pool, but once you inquire further, try to up sell to you a model that is far beyond what intended on spending. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
  
• Look for pools that have a warranty and get it in writing. Some online sites may not post the warranty on the website. Contact the company directly and have them send you a copy of the warranty of the pool you are interested in.
  
• Make sure that you read the pool descriptions carefully. Some pool kits may not include things like a sand filter, pump, or liner. If you are buying a pool for the first time you'll need a ladder, pump, liner, skimmer, a sand filter. Ideally buying a salt filter in advance is a good measure as it is far easier to maintain a pool with a salt filter than with chemicals. Most online sites either include these things in the price or allow the buyer to choose which items they need. However a first time buyer will need most of these items. Be leery of any company that is reluctant to communicate with you online. If they press you to call and are reluctant to answer questions via email, it could be a red flag that they don't want to put anything into writing.
  
• Never buy or attempt to install a pool that does not come with complete instructions. If you're not sure, contact the company and verify that instructions are included. Most provide a DVD, and a written manual. Do not assume if you have installed a pool in the past that you'll be able to do so with a new pool. Some pools have design features that are specific to that brand and model. Look for sites that offer online instructions, and a hotline for any help you may need. Check out my review here on the Intex Saltwater Pool Filter.
  

Related articles

• Weed remedies that use no poison

  ---

• Ninja Master Prep Professional Blender Product Review
• 
  

  ---

• Nutrisystem Journey

  ---

Ninja Master Prep Professional Blender Product Review

You've seen the commercials, night and day, you've heard the claims,
The Ninja Master Prep Professional Blender is a whiz in the kitchen and can do it all. Can it? Well Product Dudz gave this item a thorough review and lets take a look.

Price:

Available all over the internet, and average price was  $ 59.19

What you get:

Food and drink maker
2 16-oz bowls
40-oz processor bowl
48-oz pitcher
Interchangeable 450W motor head
Various blades
Dishwasher-safe parts
ETL listed; 1-year Limited Manufacturer's Warranty
Lids that can be fitted over the different sized containers to allow for handy storage in the refrigerator




What we tested:
This item was tested for several things, ease of use, ability to crush ice into snow like consistency, chopping and pureeing ability, ease of cleaning


What we found:

1. Ability to crush ice:
This item was first tested for the ability to crush regular refrigerator icecubes into snow like consistency. The Ninja Master Prep Professional Blender was able to do this task in a matter of a few pulses. Depending on the consistency desired, you can have crushed ice in a matter of a few pulses, or slushie/snow like ice after about 30 seconds or so. We used anywhere from one cup of ice cubes to two cups and experienced no difficulties and there were minimal "chunks" of ice in the results. The Master Prep Professional Blender did not overheat, and did not appear to have any problems. You should always use liquid to help the blender process and crush any ice in the system for best results.

2. Ease of use:
The Ninja Master Prep Professional Blender was extremely easy to use, and we were able to begin testing it right out of the box. The blades easily remove and insert and the lids etc.

3. Chopping, pureeing, processing ability:
As you can imagine, anything that can easily convert ice cubes to snow can easily puree anything. No issues found.

4. Ease of cleaning:
Product is dishwasher safe, was washed in a standard dishwasher on a heated, sanitized cycle and no problems resulted. Items were placed on top and bottom racks, and there were no issues as a result.

Cons:
Almost too powerful
You must be careful when using The Ninja Master Prep Professional Blender for chopping small foods like onions. It's speed and power will turn almost anything into a puree if you over process it. Use limited short pulses only.


The pitcher
The pitcher has a shallow and wide pour spout. This makes pouring things like smoothies and slushies into normal sized glasses difficult as too much comes out too soon. A deeper, smaller spout would work better for any liquids and drinks.

No recipe book included
It would have been great to get a recipe book with The Ninja Master Prep Professional Blender. However, many recipes can be found online, including from the The Ninja Master Prep Professional Blender website.


The Bottom Line:
This is a dieters dream machine. It really does what it says it can do and it beats traditional blenders in price and power hands down. It's easy to clean, handy to use and not expensive for what it can do. It's great for slushies, smoothies, pureeing cooked veggies for soups, and sauces as well. It is therefore the opinion of Product Dudz that this product is well worth the price and an asset to those who are looking for a quality blender.
Products gives this item : Two thumbs up!! For great recipes to use your Ninja with, check out: Recipes from a Southern Kitchen.

Mother's Day Gift Suggestions hand picked by Product Dudz

Mother's Day gift options
Mother's Day is May 13^th and we're all busy thinking of what we can give to mom that she will enjoy and cherish. The gift ideas listed here will appeal to mom's everywhere. Whether your mom is into hobbies, gardening, or cherishing memories, she'll love these gifts even more because you put the extra thought behind it. Take a look at the suggestions listed here:

FYI- If you're interested in any of these gifts, just click the picture to go to the Amazon page.


Scrapbook making kit



Mom's love looking at photographs and usually she has a story to tell with every photograph she has. One great gift for mom may be this scrapbook making kit offered from Amazon.com. K&Company Ancestry 12-by-12-Inch Scrapbook Kit includes 1 12-Inch by 12-Inch designer scrapbook, 10 designer papers, 8 stickers, 12 die-cut stickers and 24 adhesive chipboard pieces. If you have a mom that is into genealogy she'll love this kit that is specifically suited for keeping records and photos of the family tree. It currently sells for $28.43. Click the picture to go to the page to order yours.

Socks



These aren't just every day ordinary socks. Far from it. These are called Moisturizing Natural Cotton Foot Socks with Reviving Mint 100% Shea Butter. Mom will feel pampered and so will here feet . It's easy to care for those tired dogs when you follow the easy instructions. Simply warm shea butter (included) in your palms then apply. Slip on moisturizing cotton socks to keep sheets clean during overnight use. For only $ 8.99 on Amazon.com, these socks make a great addition to a personalized gift basket. Click the picture to purchase.



Garden Folding Chair with Tools



This is a nifty gift for any mom that loves to garden. Offered by Amazon.com, the Picnic Time Gardener Folding Chair with Tools makes a practical gift mom can appreciate. The chair makes it easy for mom to tend to weeds and pruning because it has handy pockets to keep her special tools in built right into the chair. Better still, it comes in two different designs, one is tan canvas, the other design is a flower motif. It has the tools included and the storage canvas becomes a detachable tote. This gift is perfect for moms that have small gardens and who love to putter here and there out doors. Click on the picture to purchase.

A new digital camera



We all know mom loves pictures, but digital cameras today can be confusing to use and they don't always take great pictures to capture family memories. The GE Power Pro X500-BK 16 MP with 15 x Optical Zoom Digital Camera is the exception to the rule. This camera is an upgrade to many of those digital cameras you see in the cute little neon colors. Easy to use, beautiful quality photographs, and oh so simple to upload to mom's computer, just plug it in and your beautiful photographs can be stored, burned to DVD to last a lifetime. If you want more details check out this product review: GE Power Pro X500 product review. This great camera is offered from Amazon.com to purchase yours, click the picture.