Looking to purchase a robot, experience with Pelican Shops?

[ramblinwreck001]

Hi folks.

Has anyone purchased a robot from Pelican Shops in New Jersey?
Looking to purchase my first robot to supplement my pressure side cleaner (Polaris 280).
Looking at an Active 20, which seems to be a very popular no-frills model which is exactly what I want.

My local pool store (Pinch A Penny) carries it for $1199, or I can get it from Pelican Shops for $1049 (maybe less with discounts):

Maytronics Dolphin Active 20 Robotic Pool Cleaner

What's the Difference Between Dolphin Models? here is a chart to help you with that! Tech Specs For The Dolphin Active 20 Pool Attributes Pool Size/Cable Length Up to 50 Ft Pool Type In-Ground Cleaning Filter Type Fine Filters and Ultra Fine Filters Filter Description Extra Large Basket...

pelicanshops1.com

[NOTE: Pelican Shops is a legit physical store in NJ who does Maytronics robot service. This is not a fly by night drop shipper as far as I can tell.]

Now, I know the big advantage of buying local is you can drop it off for service, but Pelican claims to have a one of a kind "exclusive" Dolphin warranty program (see image below) where they'll cover shipping for any warranty issues, which would ostensibly eliminate the 'local' advantage. I'll keep my Polaris 280 running, so it's not a big problem if I have to ship the robot off for a couple of weeks for a warranty claim.

My question is, does anyone have any experience with Pelican Shops and/or this specific warranty program?
Does that seem like an OK option or should I buy local even at additional cost?

I found the Pelican Shops site and the affiliated Dolphin Doctor YouTube channel have a lot of really useful info for comparing the different models and making a selection. They seem legit as far as I can tell, but would like some input.

Thanks!
Chris

Here's the Pelican exclusive warranty program info:

 

[Jimrahbe]

Chris,

If you are going to buy a robot, your first place to check would be Marina Pool and Spa..

Margaret Mills
Marina Pool, Spa & Patio
7777 West Jewell Avenue
Lakewood, Colorado 80232
303-985-0077
[email protected]

You have to call them or use e-mail for it to count as an in-house sale..

Check out this review...

New EVO 614i Robot Pool Cleaner Review

About a month ago I needed a new robot pool cleaner and I contacted Margaret at Marina Pool and Spa. My initial goal was to buy another S200 "style" robot as I have been happy with them so far. Margaret suggested that I might want to look at a new line of robot cleaners that Marina is now...

www.google.com

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ramblinwreck001]

Hi Jim!

If you are going to buy a robot, your first place to check would be Marina Pool and Spa..

I ask this as a truly genuine question, why does Marina get recommended so much here on TFP?
Is there a connection to the forum? Is it just reports of good service/experience from forum members? Other?
I'm just trying to understand why I see that one specific retailer (and no others) recommended so much here.
Call it a healthy skepticism.

From someone who has never ordered from them before, their site looks a bit dated. For example, seems I can't order without making a phone call or email, is that to do with warranty eligibility? And the warranty situation doesn't look as generous as the other folks I found. In fact, Marina explicitly states "Products should NOT be returned to Marina".
Again, no malicious intent here, just asking. If there are good reasons to use them I'm happy to do so. Their pricing is good (it matches the other folks I found), but I worry about having to deal directly with a large manufacturer for warranty claims (vs a service center) in the unlikely event I need warranty service. This will be my first robot so I'm not really sure what to expect there.

Check out this review...

Thanks, I'll check it out. On a quick look, the EVO robot looks interesting. No pricing for the 604 on Marina's site (???), but I can get the 604 from a local store for $899, so it would appear to be attractive from a cost perspective. I'd just have to come to terms with that blue & yellow color scheme.

Chris

EDIT TO ADD: I've just noticed the other retailer I mentioned also requires a phone call to order, so that's not unique to Marina as I suggested above.

 

[mknauss]

No connection to forum except a small discount on robot parts or other items if you are a forum sponsor.

Many of us have had great customer service from Marina.

You don’t know what the price is from them unless you speak to them.

 

[ramblinwreck001]

Thanks Marty.

You don’t know what the price is from them unless you speak to them.

I wonder if that's because the EVO is a Polaris/Zodiac/Fluidra product, they seem to be the worst about this. I notice the Maytronics price is listed, but the EVO is not.
As someone relatively new to the pool world, I am not a fan of all this opaque pricing, cross-branding, and 'trade exclusives'.
Seems like a step backward for us, as the consumer.
Reeks of mattress or car shopping, both of which are unpleasant.
It is what it is, though.

 

[mknauss]

The Maytronics price listed is MSP. If you call, the price is adjusted.

 

[ramblinwreck001]

Ah, got it. I'll call and find out (I'm assuming this means it won't be any higher than that..).

 

[Jimrahbe]

001,

I recommend what works well for me..

I also recommend Toyota and Samsung.. I don't get anything from them either...

I have three pools and they all have robots.. I have bought most of them through Marina. I find they have the best pricing, no tax and free 2nd day shipping.

I just like them, you are free to buy wherever you like.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Newdude]

Barring a sale being particularly good somewhere else, Marina has historically had great prices. And there's a looooooooong line of members that she took good care of before and after the sale. She talked me and an IRL buddy out of the more expensive models based on our needs (when she had both available to sell). Seriously, who does that ? The same has been reported by more members than I can count, but I saw it firsthand twice.

Anywho, Pelican is 100% legit and they do repairs as you found. I wouldn't hesitate to use them if I had a need.

 

[ramblinwreck001]

I called Marina and chatted with Margaret for about 10 minutes, she was very helpful, and she helped address my warranty/service concerns.
Her Dolphin prices were better than I'm seeing online, so that's good.
And the EVO 604/614 prices were less than the Active 20, so those are appealing as well.

I'll order from Marina when I make a decision. I appreciate someone answering the phone who actually knows what they are talking about, and free shipping and no tax helps. I'm not a fan of the colors on the EVO, but I think I can get over that.

In Jim's other thread about the EVO, it seems like some Arizona folks say the EVOs don't handle really fine dust/sand as well as the Dolphins, but I'm in a suburban area and I don't think I suffer from particularly fine dust/debris, so I don't think that would be an issue for me.

@Jimrahbe

I just like them, you are free to buy wherever you like.

Please know that wasn't directed at you, specifically. As a relative newcomer here I have seen Marina recommended again and again from many different folks (almost unquestionably) so I just wanted to know the story there. After speaking with Margaret, I see why everyone likes them. They've earned my business from that one phone call, I just need to make a decision on which model. Likely between the Active 20 and the EVO 614. I think the 'done' notification in the app might be pretty useful.

 

[Newdude]

After speaking with Margaret, I see why everyone likes them. They've earned my business from that one phone call,

Same. And we've read more posts than you backing it up. Maybe I want a robot they don't sell, or somebody else has a stupid good deal going on. But they earned me checking with them first, eveytime.

* I'd also like to point out that taking 10 mins to speak with potential clients means they can be hard to reach at times. Some complain they should hire a bunch of staff but I see how the bigger they get, the harder it would be to maintain that same standard of customer care. So please be patient if it's hard to reach them. You'll get your turn when it's your turn.

 

[Jimrahbe]

001,

No matter where you order your robot, please keep this in mind...

The Dolphin's have a weekly timer.. The EVO does not...

So for me personally, the EVO works great as I only put it in the pool once or twice a week.. But I have two rental house pools that need a weekly timer, so the EVO will not work for those pools.

Also... I love robots, but they should be considered a "consumable", just like a salt cell.. Use them up and buy a new one... The latest Dolphins seem to last between three and five years... Simple things can be DIY fixed, but once the motor box floods, it cost almost as much to repair one as it does to buy a new one..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ramblinwreck001]

Thanks, Jim.
My expected use is also once or twice a week to supplement/assist my Polaris 280 which does a 2hr run daily.
So the lack of a weekly timer is not a dealbreaker for me. I do not intend to leave the robot in the pool.

Point taken on consumables, I'd be very happy if I got 5 years out of the machine, less than 3 and I won't be so happy.
Margaret did tell me there are basically 3 things you can replace on these machines: power supply, cable, and motor (which I assume this is the prohibitively expensive part you mention).

 

[JamesW]

It looks like they are a legitimate operation.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Chris,

One of the great things I like about a robot, is that you don't have to look at it in your pool...

I suggest that you remove the 280 and just use the robot once or twice a week and see how you like it.

I doubt you will miss the 280..

Anyway, whatever works for you works for me..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ramblinwreck001]

Chris,

One of the great things I like about a robot, is that you don't have to look at it in your pool...

I suggest that you remove the 280 and just use the robot once or twice a week and see how you like it.

I doubt you will miss the 280..

Anyway, whatever works for you works for me..

Thanks,

Jim R.

I may end up doing that in the long run, but the immediate issue is we have a couple of trees (providing needed shade) over the pool area which are constantly dropping some kind of debris (twigs, acorns, leaves) in the pool. I don't like seeing that debris on the bottom of the pool, so I like the idea of having a cleaner that lives in the pool and runs reliably, every day, with zero input from me. The Polaris is great for that, and handles the tree debris really well. All I do is swap out the bag a couple times per week.

I know the robot could do what I use the Polaris for, but I'm not comfortable leaving this expensive piece of electronics in the pool 24/7 like I do my Polaris. I know some folks do that, but I'm not willing to. Not yet, anyway. I'm still battling some pH issues that might put the equipment occasionally at risk.

So my initial plan is to keep running the Polaris daily (maybe I will cut back the run time a little bit), and run the robot once or twice a week for a deeper clean and some scrubbing action.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Chris,

I am not sure the robot will run with the 280 still in the pool.. Not sure if anyone has tried that or not...

I agree on not wanting to see any debris in the bottom of the pool... My wife likes to say... "There is a leaf in your pool".. She knows I'll have to go take care of it...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ramblinwreck001]

It won't. I expect to disconnect/remove the Polaris when the robot goes in.
Normally that should be once or twice a week, and then occasionally for special occasions where we will have guests over.