Pool toys: running out of puff!
Pool toys: running out of puff!
This year has seen an explosion in pool toys being punctured and needing replacement. When we first arrived, we bought expensive toys from a specialist pool company which lasted better than the cheaper stuff but, eventually, always punctured along the seams where repairs weren't successful. Recently, we've bought cheaper toys whose longevity is reflected in their price. Mostly, it proves impossible to repair the punctures.
In the past, guests automatically replaced damaged toys but this no longer seems to happen. I've noted that, if we don't supply toys, the guests will buy their own (and take them home) but that seems a bit mean. I'm thinking about putting an 'honesty box' at the pool next year for donations - three large toys were punctured last week (another 40 euros up the air - literally!).
What do other pool owners do?
Jim
In the past, guests automatically replaced damaged toys but this no longer seems to happen. I've noted that, if we don't supply toys, the guests will buy their own (and take them home) but that seems a bit mean. I'm thinking about putting an 'honesty box' at the pool next year for donations - three large toys were punctured last week (another 40 euros up the air - literally!).
What do other pool owners do?
Jim
Similar story Jimbo. We never supplied them (tbh I never thought about it) so the 1st guests of the season used to buy them from the local shop and subsequent guests would replace.
Over the last couple of years that hasn't happened.
Guests still buy them and usually leave them. They're very cheap here so it doesn't seem to be an issue. Occasionally they take them home.
If your guests can buy them easily I wouldn't bother supplying them. If not then what you suggests sounds a good solution.
Mouse
x
Over the last couple of years that hasn't happened.
Guests still buy them and usually leave them. They're very cheap here so it doesn't seem to be an issue. Occasionally they take them home.
If your guests can buy them easily I wouldn't bother supplying them. If not then what you suggests sounds a good solution.
Mouse
x
One martini, two martini, three martini floor!
We don't supply the, Jimbo, and never have done. If guests leave them behind, OH removes them, which may sound very mean but he is ultra safety concerned.
If guests have an accident on faulty pool equipment we have supplied, he worries we will be sued ie. little children who cannot swim in deflating flotation rings that might sink when parent not paying attention and so on.
He even went to huge expense at the start of our business venture, to have the pool completely rebuilt to accommodate shallow Roman steps incase a child got in trouble. Prior to this there was only a steep ladder for exit. The rebuild of the pool nearly cost the same as installing a new pool, so I know he doesn't take this stance about flotation devices lightly.
If the guests purchase them themselves, most of them do, they only have themselves to blame if things go wrong with the equipment.
He leaves raquets, toys and other such things but is ultra careful about the pool and children and has a bit of a thing about it.
If guests have an accident on faulty pool equipment we have supplied, he worries we will be sued ie. little children who cannot swim in deflating flotation rings that might sink when parent not paying attention and so on.
He even went to huge expense at the start of our business venture, to have the pool completely rebuilt to accommodate shallow Roman steps incase a child got in trouble. Prior to this there was only a steep ladder for exit. The rebuild of the pool nearly cost the same as installing a new pool, so I know he doesn't take this stance about flotation devices lightly.
If the guests purchase them themselves, most of them do, they only have themselves to blame if things go wrong with the equipment.
He leaves raquets, toys and other such things but is ultra careful about the pool and children and has a bit of a thing about it.
Noodles??? Is that what UK guests seem to know as 'woggles' - bendy sticks about 1.5 metres long? We always put in some of those because we use them for ourselves and so do our guests and they seem to perish after a certain amount of time so they might as well be used.
We find that the first guests of the season usually buy some inflatables and tend to leave them behind. Subsequent ones buy more or replace them - they are pretty cheap here. Until the group this year who have also removed two pillows and pillow cases. When they arrived I pointed out the toys and said they had been left by previous guests and they were welcome to use them. USE THEM, I said, not take them home, which they did. I was really mad because it was the week before the grandchildren came and I had intended to take most of them home for them!!
We find that the first guests of the season usually buy some inflatables and tend to leave them behind. Subsequent ones buy more or replace them - they are pretty cheap here. Until the group this year who have also removed two pillows and pillow cases. When they arrived I pointed out the toys and said they had been left by previous guests and they were welcome to use them. USE THEM, I said, not take them home, which they did. I was really mad because it was the week before the grandchildren came and I had intended to take most of them home for them!!
For true domestic harmony it is essential that dogs know their place, which is below all cats
LMH Accommodation Offers Report
www.villa-rental-andalucia.com
http://www.fincalaserenidad.com
LMH Accommodation Offers Report
www.villa-rental-andalucia.com
http://www.fincalaserenidad.com
- Bellywobble
- Posts: 1262
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2006 7:40 pm
-
- Posts: 13173
- Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2005 8:42 am
- Location: French Alps
- Contact:
There I go again. We arrived to pool toys, have always supplied them and assumed that everybody did the same. But obviously not. Thanks all for your comments.
The foam tubes (which seemed damage proof) have also been under attack this year, with kids gouging lumps out which I find in the skimmer baskets.
Jim
The foam tubes (which seemed damage proof) have also been under attack this year, with kids gouging lumps out which I find in the skimmer baskets.
Jim
From what I remember from looking at your web site in the past your main picture was of "fun in the pool" so maybe a guest would not be surprised to find a selection of inflatables.Jimbo wrote:There I go again. We arrived to pool toys, have always supplied them and assumed that everybody did the same. But obviously not.
The foam tubes (which seemed damage proof) have also been under attack this year, with kids gouging lumps out which I find in the skimmer baskets.
Jim
What is it with those foam tubes, I've stood and watched kids destroy them in front of their parents and then deny it when asked about it.
I was thinking about this when I had one of my, very rarre, moments in the pool yesterday.
We supply woggles (or frites as we call them) about 4 per pool at the beginning of the season (cost 2€ per frite). Then we usually have a few other inflateables around. The life expentancy is anything from 2 days to 2 years, so I was thinking why?
I think I have come up with the answer - anything that adults can sit in/ lounge on or in partiular jump on, such as lilos, boats etc last a very short time. I've seen many a grown man jump straight into a dingy, and the plastic just can't take the stain of 15 stone suddenly hitting it.
However things like inflateable animals (I have a turtle currently which has lasted 4 months which is great for kids but adults can't get on it) or better still a jet ski ( currently well into it's second season and still going strong) neither of which are any good for lounging or dingy diving, last much much longer.
I wonder if you can get an inflatable hedgehog?!?
We supply woggles (or frites as we call them) about 4 per pool at the beginning of the season (cost 2€ per frite). Then we usually have a few other inflateables around. The life expentancy is anything from 2 days to 2 years, so I was thinking why?
I think I have come up with the answer - anything that adults can sit in/ lounge on or in partiular jump on, such as lilos, boats etc last a very short time. I've seen many a grown man jump straight into a dingy, and the plastic just can't take the stain of 15 stone suddenly hitting it.
However things like inflateable animals (I have a turtle currently which has lasted 4 months which is great for kids but adults can't get on it) or better still a jet ski ( currently well into it's second season and still going strong) neither of which are any good for lounging or dingy diving, last much much longer.
I wonder if you can get an inflatable hedgehog?!?
I think you are right, Ju, the boats and lilos definitely suffer from the adult effect and the 'animals' survive much better. The sharks/dolphins do well. Not seen any hedgehogs but you can get crocodiles - maybe that would help?Ju wrote: However things like inflateable animals (I have a turtle currently which has lasted 4 months which is great for kids but adults can't get on it) or better still a jet ski ( currently well into it's second season and still going strong) neither of which are any good for lounging or dingy diving, last much much longer.
I wonder if you can get an inflatable hedgehog?!?
For true domestic harmony it is essential that dogs know their place, which is below all cats
LMH Accommodation Offers Report
www.villa-rental-andalucia.com
http://www.fincalaserenidad.com
LMH Accommodation Offers Report
www.villa-rental-andalucia.com
http://www.fincalaserenidad.com