Posted by Glen Clark on November 24, 2012
Well......it's finally over. More or less. We have 1 more day in the next couple of weeks of blowing out sprinkler systems. But those are just the add on's that will trickle in. It was a gruelling 6 weeks. I've been rained on, blown across a few yards, frozen as an ice cube, sweated in the sun. I've torn the skin off my fingers, cut myself, bruised myself. I've taken sprinklers spaying me in the face, the side and back of my head, shoot up my butt, and get me right where it hurts. (many times). I've had a mouth full of dirt, an ear full of water, and rubbed sand from my eyes. I've had dog crap all over my shoes and even my hands. (not on purpose). These are not complaints, I am thankful for the business but I can't say I'm not happy it's over for another year! Lol. By next summer you start to forget all these things and look forward to the fall season where we wind down and put all the systems to bed. But for now.....I'll heal the body and get the dirt out of my ears.
Posted by Glen Clark on October 19, 2012
Hi. As you may have seen there is a hot tub sale going on in the parking lot down by Canadian Tire here in Campbell River. The hot tubs are made in the US, and the company is from down island. At least they're from Vancouver Island. The hot tubs that I sell are H2O hot tubs made in Delta BC and CR Hot tubs sells Beachcomber tubs made in Surrey. Both are reputable companies that have been around for many years. Why would you buy a hot tub made in the US if it offered nothing better than something made in Canada? I have been in the industry for over 20 years, and our family business is 32 years old. I can assure you that you are getting nothing better than what the two CR dealers can offer you. What kind of servicing will you get? When you need parts do they come from over the border? And how about this one: I live here. I have a family here. I spend my money here. I buy my groceries, vehicles, office supplies, tools, building materials, household items, electronics, furniture, etc. all here in my home of Campbell River. I have my vehicles repaired here, support the smallest local businesses as possible. I hire local service people, yard maintenance people, painters, builders, etc. I pay taxes, my kids go to the local schools, I am a dedicated devoted Rotarian, I support several local community projects and donate thousands locally. I support sport groups, seniors, youth etc. I advertise locally, eat in local restaurants, etc. This is what keeps our local community running. It's people with that sort of thinking that keep our local economy running. When I support all those businesses, they go and support local businesses as well. When we buy out of town and out of province, and out of country we are damaging the very community, we live and breathe in. We are teaching nothing to our children about supporting and sustaining a healthy local economy and community. I believe in free enterprise, and to each there own. I just know that when I shop locally it feels good. When I support small business it works. When I go to bed at night I can sleep well knowing I am an honest local business person that tries to always do the right thing and that I have served my community well. In the end, I will likely make more money off of a customer that buys a hot tub out of town. Just as we get lots of calls to fix irrigation systems put in by poor irrigation installers, etc. If I had a dollar for every customer that told me they wished they had bought their hot tub from me or had us install their irrigation system I wouldn't be writing this blog as I would be retired! Thanks for reading.
Posted by Glen Clark on September 30, 2012
So last week I had to pick up a couple fittings and a piece of pipe from a competitor. A "big box store" that people think are so much cheaper etc. The fitting was $0.69 each and I charge $0.32. The pipe was $0.77 per foot and I charge $0.49. That's over 100% more on the fitting. And....I can guarantee you they're paying less for those parts than I am. So why is that people have that perception of
the big box stores always been cheaper? Have we lost our ability as a society to reason and think for ourselves? Do we flock to the big box stores because we like the walk we get from the parking lot to the door? When you look at who's turning over the economy in Campbell River it's not the low paid workers of the big box stores. It's the managers and higher paid work force, the business owners, etc. of the smaller stores, the ticketed tradesmen, the public employee sector and the self employed. Can't remember the last time I sold a hot tub or installed an irrigation system for someone that worked in a big box store for $10.50 an hour selling fittings and pipe at twice my prices.
I originally posted this on our Facebook page but I got so worked up writing it I had to post it here too.
What do you think? Bigger is better? The bigger the better? Screw the small local businessman and just go big?
Posted by Glen Clark on August 03, 2012
Good day! What a beautiful summer we are turning out to have. When the sun is out like this and it's hot out, it is important to remember there are a few key steps to making sure you don't get algae in your pool. #1 keep chlorine in the water. You want to make sure your chlorine level is at 1.5ppm at all times. Algae can't grow if the chlorine is at the right level. And don't fall into the trap of thinking that because your pool is small that you don't need as much chlorine, or better said that you don't need to keep it at the same level. Or another myth is that if there is only a few people using it the level can be lower. Not true! You need that level of 1.5ppm to ensure that there is no bacteria in the water. #2 circulation and filtration: The biggest problem with the cheap pool from the big box stores is not the pool itself, they are actually a pretty good quality for the price people are paying. It's the pump and filter set up. It, for lack of a better description is complete junk. It is not designed to give you the proper circulation and filtration that is needed for a pool in this climate with these temperatures. Many people upgrade to a sand filter and pump set up that will take many hours of grief out of your life. These will range from about $350-$500 but well worth the money. One of the best ways to clean up a pool is use it! Get a bunch of people in there splashing around and moving the water. Your pump isn't capable of reaching all the little areas, but people are and it's amazing how a well used pool is easier to maintain than the leisure pool that sees a pair of feet once every 2 weeks. #3 brush: Algae loves to sit in little cracks and crevices and porous places, and when you brush you suspend the algae so the chlorine can better attack the spores.
Trust me….algae is lot easier and less expensive to treat than the green monster we face when one neglects the pool for a few days in this kind of heat.
Happy safe swimming!
Posted by Glen Clark on June 14, 2012
Paul Simon sang it first. Well close, and I'm still crazy after all these years too! When we made big changes and closed the walk in store front of our business I wondered if my new hot tub sales would simply dry up. However, I apparently in our 32nd year of business our customers believe in our company. I can offer lower pricing now as I don't have the same overhead, and I can also take more time with the customer to make sure they're getting the right tub for their needs. Add that to over 32 years company experience and a trusted name in the hot tub industry and we've got a sale. A win win for the customer and myself. Now.... if only the rain would stop we could start enjoying our sunny season!
Posted by Glen Clark on June 02, 2012
Every year, or I should say every spring we get a whole lot of calls for fixing sprinkler systems because they weren't winterized properly. The homeowner always says the same thing…..I did it myself with my own compressor and I used 80 psi. Well……..pressure is next to meaningless when it comes to blowing out sprinkler systems. Air, like water take the path of least resistance. This means as soon as you have a place for the air to go, unless you have enough volume to keep pushing the water out to the next place, the air simply escapes out the first place it can. Now, will all your heads pop up? Maybe, but that doesn't mean there is no water in the lines. It merely means that you have blown out enough water to create an air channel. What you need folks, is air volume. This is why we use a large tow behind compressor. It's not so I can improve my trailering skills, or because for several weeks I like not been able to park in a normal parking spot, no…it's because of the air volume a big compressor like that produces. You need the volume to push all the water out of the lines. However, as I often say to people that don't want to spend the $43 to blow out their sprinklers properly……don't! We'll make a lot more money from you coming to dig up and fix broken pipes than we'll ever make off of a $43 blow out charge. I mean really…..when did you ever hear of a $43……never mind…….. :) Lol.
Posted by Glen Clark on May 06, 2012
Well the home show is over. I am tired, and my feet are sore. But... sold some tubs, have some new customers, talked to a lot of people and saw a lot of old friends and customers. That's always nice. Bought too much stuff there though, I'm always a sucker for buying junk because it looks neat. Didn't buy the laundry ball though, apparently it's a waste of money and doesn't work. Got some fudge though! So, glad you came if you came and if you didn't, well you missed out on my chocolate mints, pens, and Clarks...The Water Shop lip balm with sunscreen. If you wanted a tub and missed the event check out H2O Spas web site at www.h2ospas.ca
Posted by Glen Clark on April 30, 2012
One of the biggest obstacles of having our new style of operating without an open showroom is of course selling hot tubs. Today I spent about a half an hour with a nice man looking to make a purchase of a hot tub for his family. The nice thing, is that I can spend the time with someone like this, at the warehouse, at their home, or anywhere they would like. Although my phone was ringing a lot I can control when I answer and I don't have other distractions of an open store. Our 32 years of experience and been the longest running store that sells hot tubs and accessories north of Victoria speakers for itself and on top of the time I'm able to spend 1 on 1 with a customer, and the experience our company has the best part of all is money talks, and I am able to lower the prices of our tubs to an unbelievable low as my overhead is way less, and I can pass on those savings to my valued customers! Come see us this weekend at the CR Home show and check out our low prices and awesome deals. Thanks for reading! Glen.
Posted by Glen Clark on April 27, 2012
Yes, it's true.... Clarks...The Water Shop will be in the Campbell River Spring Home & Garden home show May 4th, 5th, 6th at Strathcona Gardens. We will have several hot tubs there and we are offering smoking hot deals! Save thousands of dollars on all sorts of models. We also will have a 3 person sauna on an amazing clearance price. This is the sale you won't want to miss. Come say hi and check out our sale.
Posted by Glen Clark on April 11, 2012
Well I have officially received an order every which way can. I have had customers order products by text, email, web site, phone, facebook, twitter & fax. Pretty cool.
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