Pool toys: running out of puff!

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Jimbo
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Pool toys: running out of puff!

Post by Jimbo »

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
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse »

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.

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fincafern
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Post by fincafern »

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.
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Post by la vache! »

I used to supply them and replace them when they were punctured, but this season I haven't really bothered. In previous seasons guests left theirs behind, but didn't last year and Super U didn't have much stock, so I'm afraid I haven't made the effort :(
Fraise
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Post by Fraise »

I never supply pool toys.People simply buy their own, they usually leave them behind. Often we just throw them away, other times we leave them in an undercover area to be discovered but rarely do people use them. We also get lots of adults who don't want that type of pool toy, LOL :wink:
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Vera
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Post by Vera »

We supply a few noodle floats but inflatables come and go during the season. We have been left a rather nice inflatable chair complete with cup holder that takes a G&T perfectly.
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enid
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Post by enid »

I supply foam noodles; arm bands and floats, a baby ring and 2 small rubber rings. The games are diving sticks and diving circles which have worn well. I don't supply lilos and big inflatables.
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pepsipuss
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Post by pepsipuss »

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!!
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enid
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Post by enid »

people are amazing - fancy taking anything that isn't yours. yes it is the foam tubes I'm talking about
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Bellywobble
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Post by Bellywobble »

I've never had so many! We've had lots of kids staying and they are always delighted to find some when they arrive but somehow the parents seem to think they need to add to the stock.
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Post by Hells Bells »

As ours is a shared pool, I have never provided any, but every time we visit, there is something new in our changing cubicle.
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Jimbo
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Post by Jimbo »

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
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Vera
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Post by Vera »

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
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.

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.
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Ju
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Post by Ju »

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?!?
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pepsipuss
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Post by pepsipuss »

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?!?
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? :P
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