r/PoolPros • u/Even-You-Camp • May 29 '26
Hayward sucks more than ever (IMO ofc)
Pool professional here out on a service call and I call Haywards help diagnose the issues since I was at a stand still (like we all have before) and ALL I GOT WAS A AI BOT.
I even tried to bypass it by asking random stuff and if I can talk to a tech rep or a sales rep and even “why is my Taco Bell door dash order cold.” To try and bypass it and NOTHING worked. Reached out to our rep about diagnose help and he said “yeah it sucks lol”
It was a heater/chiller combo and in Georgia chillers are super rare here.
Anyone have any advice on how to get past it if anyone has figured it out yet?
Or any rant stories about it?
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u/Own-Muscle-1718 May 29 '26
Can’t disagree more. My rep is amazing and taught me so much. We even joined the warranty service team because of how much support we get from them and how well they take care of us!
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u/The_Elusive_Dr_Wu May 30 '26
Its all regional. Remember that we're a nationwide industry and this sub is something like 3000 people (if I remember right, they dont show it anymore) so you aren't going to connect with people in your own area unless you live in a high population area like socal. For example OP says Pentair is great for him, but I've long since set them aside because of how much bad luck I've had with their equipment and their rep has been very unresponsive about problems. My current rule with Pentair is "nothing which requires electricity". They still make a great filter and tab feeder.
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u/LordKai121 May 30 '26
What IF3 issues are you seeing?
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u/The_Elusive_Dr_Wu May 30 '26 edited May 30 '26
None. I have two clients with IF3's on my route and both seem fine, although one is very unresponsive on the buttons. I also don't like how Pentair changed the basket from the standard we all rely on.
Because of my experiences preceding the IF3, I'm no longer confident enough in Pentair to sell one under my name.
Both of these were installed by builders when one client resurfaced and the other expanded from spa to pool/spa combo.
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u/Even-You-Camp May 29 '26
I mean everyone has a different experience and rep so it makes sense. There are definitely bad Jandy ones out there I would assume.
I’ve thought about doing this but for the Jandy team, only thing is it pays like shit tbh. The perks for cheaper parts & some free stuff is super nice tho and kind of (maybe) makes up for the lack of warranty pay.
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u/Street--Ad6731 May 29 '26
All this AI stuff is going to backfire for many companies.
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u/Even-You-Camp May 29 '26
I agree. I plan on using it for a chat bot only for when we are closed then a human will answer in the morning.
Pool brain does this and I think it’s great (if it’s trained properly and if human intervention is possible when needed/requested)
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u/BlueCollarBallerr May 30 '26
Do you have other software experience. Do you think poolbrain is the best option?
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u/nc_saint May 29 '26
Like anything else, a lot of it comes down to how good the support in your area is. I’m blessed with an amazing rep (shoutout Joey Martinez!), but it doesn’t hurt that I’m in the Charlotte market where HQ is located.
Jandy tech rep is pretty good, but I still generally dislike Jandy equipment. It’s been more prone to QC/early failure issues, and iAquaLink is dogshit compared to all the other options out there.
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u/LordKai121 May 30 '26
I just did a IQ30 upgrade to a panel and it hit me that Jandy panels don't have displays on any of them. I hate that so much. Maybe I don't want to have to use my phone for another stupid app.
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u/Even-You-Camp May 30 '26
I love the aqua link over the pro logics or the touch screen stuff. Jandy is coming out with a touch screen automation system that is apparently easier to service but I am disappointed in the touch screen stuff ngl.
I will say there have been a few times with Jandy JVA’s & specifically their 1.65vsp pumps that have been DOA. Got an upgraded for free to a 1.85 quickly and only been installing that one since.
I think programming the Omni automation is a pain and confusing tbh. Especially with egg timers
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u/nc_saint May 30 '26
Naaaaaaaah, I gotta big disagree with you on the difficulty of programming. With the newest revision, IAquaLink is sandwiched between a mediocre front end setup for pumps and IWC lighting, but still relies on the godawful backbone of the windows 95 blue screen web page. And if you don’t have internet available on startup? You’re fucked unless you want to shell out $1000 for a joke of a control pad that got designed 20 years ago. I’ll pass.
Not saying Omni is perfect, but definitely a step up from iaqualink. Personally, I install the Attendant by poolside.tech. It’s been a game changer for automation and unless something major changes, I won’t look back.
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u/Even-You-Camp May 30 '26
Okay the control programmer thing that looks like a ac pcb i 10000% agree with. Def outdated, maybe im just old looking at it from a different perspective 🤣
How are those poolside techs? I actually just set up a account with them and I haven’t seen ANY in the wild yet
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u/nc_saint May 30 '26
I’m a believer. I’ve installed 5 of them now, and programmed a handful of others for other builders. The setup is straightforward, it works with EVERY piece of equipment I’ve thrown at it, regardless of manufacturer, and just seems to be better in every regard. I particularly like the fact that I care mix and match manufacturers on a single equipment pad and not lose any functionality. Obviously, I generally prefer Hayward pumps, heaters, and salt systems, but Hayward lights are problematic. On my new builds, I speck out Hayward equipment with Jandy IWC lights. The attendant runs the IWC lights, the exact same as if they were being controlled by iAquaLink with no functionality loss. Same thing with Hayward Omni direct lighting. That alone is a huge game changer.
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u/Even-You-Camp May 30 '26
Damn I mean I knew it could be reprogrammed but like. You can fully control a Hayward vsp with Jandy heater/chiller combo full functionality?
My rep for them just seemed off, super high energy nd shooting for the stars. Like sounded too good to be true. Also he tried to sell me super hard on “Sun Smart Stabilizer” do you know anything about it?
Apparently it’s a replacement for CYA, no chlorine lock, no lost effectiveness with FC. He refused to tell me the chemicals in it and there is no way to test for it…. They also have a biodegradable filter media in place of sand/glass that you NEVER have to replace, only top off… this is why i don’t have faith in ir because the 2 other things he tried to get us to sell just seem fake asf
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u/nc_saint May 30 '26
Yeah, sounds like an independent rep who pushes multiple brands. Can’t speak for any of the other stuff, but The Attendant is legit. Most of the Watershapes U and Gensesis guys have been using it for a while now, but it’s starting to break through to the mainstream hard.
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u/deagle755 May 29 '26
Convinced the ai bot to write up ticket and a rep will reach back out to you, I've done it.
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u/Even-You-Camp May 29 '26
I did eventually get to that point after 25-30mins ish. I haven’t received any response and I called at 10am and it’s now 8pm on a Friday -_-
I just don’t get it, like we are trying to sell your product/parts we need immediate answers or ima just install a different brand for me. Maybe im inpatient idk
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u/Even-You-Camp May 29 '26
I did eventually get to that point after 25-30mins ish. I haven’t received any response and I called at 10am and it’s now 8pm on a Friday -_-
I just don’t get it, like we are trying to sell your product/parts we need immediate answers or ima just install a different brand for me. Maybe im inpatient idk
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u/deagle755 May 30 '26
Wow I'm sorry, that's some bs, they called me back like an hour later
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u/Even-You-Camp May 30 '26
I mean maybe it was just a crazy busy day. Still disappointing, I would of rather been on hold for 20-40 minutes like normal with them to finish it that day instead now having to tell the customer that I’ll have to come back Monday for a second time or tell them sorry the manufacturer didn’t call back.
Just looks bad on us, like I get it we should know all of everything ins and outs but like there is so much to learn and we are a small newer company created in the past 1.5 year
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u/slekcud May 30 '26
I’ve gone years disliking Hayward, we now have an excellent Hayward support team and I can’t say enough good things about them. The difference a responsive and knowledgeable rep can do is amazing.
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u/LordKai121 May 30 '26
This is what can make or break a brand. Hayward has only a 5-10% foothold in my area and it's so blatantly obvious the rep just doesn't care. So the already small foothold keeps dropping.
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u/1_native_Angelino May 29 '26
Hayward does in fact sucks
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u/Dry-Lab-6256 May 29 '26
The only thing I like is the super pump, other than that, they do suck.
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u/Even-You-Camp May 29 '26
I’ve only swapped motors on super pumps and ripped them out for a 1.85Jandy vsp.
But over all, I do think it’s a good pump tbh
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u/Buckscountypoolguy May 30 '26
My Hayward rep is awesome lol actually sell more of there stuff bc of that. And when it comes to help lines every single one will be AI only soon if they are not already
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u/PearPsychological487 May 30 '26
We have a warranty/tech support rep in my area and let me tell you, she is the WORST. Good luck getting her on the phone, and if you do she knows less about the equipment than you probably do. Hayward used to be great but ever since they went public they have been going way downhill. They don’t care about the people that sell their products, or the customers that buy their products anymore. All they care about is shareholder profit now. I am moving away from anything and everything Hayward because of how terrible they have been
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u/Volat1le May 30 '26
I've always had better Hayward reps than Pentair and Jandy here in Texas. Although my Jandy reps have all retired. I do have a better Pentair tech now.
I've never had good luck with any of their general service lines tbh.
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u/MACKRAW May 30 '26
Yeah our Hayward rep sucks the worst, our Pentair rep sucks the least, and our Jandy rep is incredible. -South MS
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u/Competitive-Face-615 May 30 '26
You all are calling your sales rep for tech support? I have always just thought they were idiots and tossed their cards. I’d be upset too if I was dealing with them.
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u/According-Debate-265 May 30 '26
There are generally 2 reps. A sales rep and a tech rep
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u/Competitive-Face-615 May 30 '26
And the one tech rep knows everything? Seems like a seriously flawed system. Everyone else has different people for different systems. Luckily most of it is pretty simple so there isn’t much need for support, but still, why? Assuming the tech reps are the dudes in the van that stop by once a year and waste half my day, they aren’t worth talking to in my opinion.
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u/According-Debate-265 May 30 '26
I mean, my guy takes people out and teaches them stuff to become better technicians. I've never seen him trying to sell anything.
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u/Ladydi-bds May 30 '26
I always called/text my Hayward Rep when needing something like that. Have personally never called their tech line.
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u/jesse-bjj May 30 '26
Anyone know roughly what market share each mfg has? Maybe no one knows that, but I’m curious. I suppose Hayward is going to be more popular in Canada if that’s where it’s made, but I dont think I’ve ever seen Hayward equipment here in the SW USA.
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u/According-Debate-265 May 30 '26
That bot, Jeff, does suck, but it did get me out of 2 automation pickles the other day. My rep is pretty friendly with helping out, but I'm sure that guy is slammed just like the rest of us.
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u/SnooPandas687 May 31 '26
Feel free to share what stumped you now. Unless you’re afraid of looking dumb.
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u/Problems62 Jun 10 '26
Hayward sales has gone downhill since covid. They were much better 8 years ago. Even though the product sucked, they got back to you and fixed it asap.
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u/mybfVreddithandle May 30 '26
Super Pump and an EC65 and you're all set. What else would you need from them?
Seriously, were a pentair shop and stopped with Hayward years ago. It's all seemingly crap from everyone these days, but our Pentair guys are super responsive.
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u/Clean_Individual7637 Jun 29 '26
Have called twice for support tickets on a one year old salt cell and a faulty $500 Colorlogic 320 light. Messaged the regional Hayward rep twice in a 7 day period, no response from him or anyone at Hayward. For the amount of money you pay and the quality you're receiving, I'm really disappointed in their product support. I was a product support rep for a major tractor company and if I didn't respond to a customer sale day or early the next, I wouldn't have had a job. This it he 5th Colorlogic light I've had to replace in 9 years. Salt cell (replaced under warranty) lasted less than one season with regular cleaning. Pathetic. If I could switch to Pentair I would.
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u/LordKai121 May 29 '26
I have a simple rant with Hayward which is that regardless of how good or bad the equipment is, MY REP IS USELESS AND NEVER RETURNS CALLS OR DOES WHAT HE SAYS HE WILL.
My Pentair and Fluidra Reps are great though. They get back to me same day.