Eleri Mnu

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Merritt Island, Florida

It was a mess . Took months to complete and my pool was fine . I was changing to salt for health reasons .

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Pinch A Penny - It was a mess . Took months to complete and my pool was fine . I was...
Pinch A Penny - It was a mess . Took months to complete and my pool was fine .... - Image 2

I called and asked for pricing . They never came out to look and they quoted me a price less than competitors.

However my pool was fine . No green just changing to salt to use for exercise. I have multiple sclerosis .

Immune issues . Pinchapenny came out on a rainy day and he didnt want to be here .

My neighbor can attest to that . He didnt finish and I had replaced the valve a couple years ago . I had no issues suddenly Im waiting for weeks . Pool was so green and the cost of trying to keep it from staining the sides .

600.more for the part!? .when it kept shutting off and stayed green they blamed me . I didnt set the timer . They were called several times .

The owner demanded a.check. For the remaining 600. is was on hold it isnt finished.Then they tell me that my sand filter may need replaced WHAT??!

I was overcharged . It took months and I called an electrician .

It wasnt my breakers . I called pinch a penny and told them like before it is not turning on . The salt generator . You set the timer .

I didnt touch it . He came out and said it was loose . This was the absolute worst service . I was told just now we are not coming out again .

This is their fault . I called and I had to pay an electrician to come out and check my breakers and my panel . . It wasnt my panel .

I had to pay for him. 300.00 It has to do with the pool people . I am so disappointed and Im a disabled veteran . 100% service connected .i felt like he was a bully and threatened to call fwc on me because I wouldnt give him a check .

The man looks sick. He about fell. He called me names and refused to leave until I had to call sheriff . I will never send anyone to them.

My parents use them . They were not informative . She had 5 jugs of chlorine and they were no good . Someone should have told them you cant stock pile chlorine .

It turns . Cant use it .

What is wrong with these people .

Bob was not helpful at all . TJ was the manager and he talked to me a couple of times . Why is my pool so green .

I was hospitalized and still my pool was not finished . I had to stop payment . They got their money and they are not coming out again . My neighbor was on hand and I called them.

They put 5 bags of salt and chlorine . I bought 20 bags of salt and I had it delivered. I put in 4 bags .the salt generator was not turning on and the pump was humming and not cleaning like it should . This was the third time they came out .

It was shutting off and I didnt touch the timer . What a horrible company . They came out after I called and complained luckily to corporate.

I thought it was all good until today . Terrible business man.

It was over 3000.

Still stopping . Hes been paid .

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User's recommendation: Do not trust punch a penny

sharon p Ppo

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Howey-In-The-Hills, Florida

Franchise sucks and wanted you to know why I left you guys for good

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This is the review I am posting about your company:

REFINISHING A POOL-Pinch a Penny should be called Pinch a Crook. For anyone trying to refinish their pool, look elsewhere.

Last year Pinch a Penny in Clermont did mine and it was a nightmare. We started in March 2022 and got a quote. We liked it and wanted to proceed. We bugged the store constantly and finally around August 2022 they told us they had never returned any of our calls or visits because they did not have anyone who could refinish pools that year as their people left and try them next season.

Thanks for wasting 5 months before telling us. Fast forward to March 2023 and new quote for the same standard work- nothing premium, had gone up by $6,000. While discussing this with the manager and trying to get the price lowered, they came out to the pool several times to decide to decrease the tile from $42/ ft to $34/foot- and yes- this is for the 4 inch tiles around the top of the pool. They also promised the job could be started in beginning of May.

They started the job over a month after the start date they stated claiming sick call issues. Then they started tacking on more charges. They stated we needed a new light bulb because they saw water in our light housing unit. They charged us $699 for ONLY a light bulb.

We asked them to change the wire attached to the light since I heard they are usually done together with the housing unit but they stated they couldn't (for less than an additional $2000 extra). They said we had to pay extra because it took the grout guy longer to do his job so we had to pay. They should have just watched the hours of video that showed the guy sitting down talking on the phone or leaving after 2 hours of work. They saw the pool before and gave a quote- I shouldn't pay more because the guy wants to talk to family and friends rather than work.

Then we had to pay for the granite spill over between the spa and pool. $300 for the granite and $80 to get installed. Why wasn't that part of the original quote? They were the ones who removed it stating it was part of the work.

I also have an in-floor cleaning system that had two heads that occasionally get dirt trapped and then don't rise so you have to remove and clean. The first pool guy told us he checked them and the heads were good and system good, just needed debris cleaning, then the manager called and said the employee was wrong and we needed a new system- and then charges us for a Rebuild Kit and new Drive and $95 to repair and would not answer our questions regarding why two kits and why replacing 3 heads. And the finish we picked was not a roll on paint but what we saw on the home video was a roll on job whose color does not match what we ordered. We complained and they told us it would get darker with time.

It is a year later and we do not have the color we requested. Also we paid for them to brush the pool every day for 2 weeks because they said if we did not brush it properly we would develop mineral deposits that will appear as white marks on the finish. We gave them the remote to our gate so they could come and brush without us having to be there. Home video shows they only came 3 times in 2 weeks but charged us anyway and we do have mineral deposits.

If they had told us they weren't going to do the job they were paid for, I would have arranged for someone else to brush my pool. The spill over took a few weeks for them to get in but when they did place it, they never bothered using grout around the sides to complete the look.

I've attached the invoices and a picture of what we ordered and what we got (the blue paint Lowe's sells for pools). Overall a waste of money and a lot of aggravation.

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Pros:
  • Location
Cons:
  • Everything else overpriced liars

User's recommendation: Refinish your pool with anyone else

1 comment
Guest

T-Mobile pre-pay is literally the worst company I have ever had to work with you can only get there very abusive call center overseas who think they are having a conversation with us that's *** sorry. The problem is even the people in the United States don't bother to check on their rights so nobody Does anything about it.

Policy by any corporation or company based in the United States has to make their corporate number public to the country where they are headquartered and our is Government is not protecting us! We are not the greatest country in the world anymore when our government allows this! I don't like being scammed by corporations who keep themselves protected by using overseas call Centers that will do anything for a paycheck include Hurt other people, People need to get a clue and stop this there are people here who are hungry and can't afford to pay their bills and these corporations are sending business overseas so they don't have to pay!

I have the same problem with Xfinity all of these kind of places.WE NEED TO STOP BUYING INTO THIS POLICY CRAP ! No corporate policy overrides state or federal law, Come on people get it together learn your rights stand together stand strong against these companies!

Ron F Kqv

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Oldsmar, Florida

RIP OFF

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Pinch A Penny - RIP OFF
Pinch A Penny - RIP OFF - Image 2
Original review Jul 20, 2024

The guy who owns this store in Oldsmar FL is a joke and will try to take advantage of you. Case in point, last month while I was getting my water tested, I asked if they had a couple of plastic screws for either a Jandy or Hayward ball valve.

The young girl came back with two of them, packaged individually. When I went to pay for them, I was asked for over $50.00. I was in disbelief and said no thanks.

Fast forward two weeks later, I was in once again and showed the owner the package below from Amazon, that had three pieces for $7.00. He tried to justify the price difference, and I walked out because of this woke mentality.

Now, I have been going to this store for a decade, where I usually get salt, acid, filters, etc. So today, he starts another conversation, actually arguing and still trying to justify the cost. At this point, I looked at him and told him the conversation was finished. Guess he didn't like that and now he's shouting at me and telling me to get out of the store.

Do not ever use this store as they are a total rip-off joint and the owner is a total woke moron. Look at the pictures below and please remember they wanted $25 each.

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Cons:
  • Woke

Preferred solution: WILL NEVER GO BACK WOKE OWNER

User's recommendation: STAY AWAY

Ron F Kqv

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Oldsmar, Florida

Divice will not connect, with audio!

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Pinch A Penny - Divice will not connect, with audio!
Pinch A Penny - Divice will not connect, with audio! - Image 2

The guy that owns this store is a joke and will try and take advantage of you, case in point, last month while i was getting my water tested i asked if they had a couple of screws plastic for either a Jandy / hayward ball valve, they young girl came back with 2 of them packaged individually , when i went to pay for them i was asked for over $50.00 i was in disbelief and said no thanks.

Fast forward 2 wks later i was in once again and showed the owner the package below from Amazon, that had 3 pcs for $7.00, and he tried to justify the price difference, and i walked out because of this Woke mentality now i have been going to this store for a decade i get salt, acid, filters etc, so today he starts another conversation actually arguing and still trying to justify the cost, at this point i look at him and told him the conversation is finished, guess he didn't like that and now shouting at me and telling me to get out of thew store, do not ever use this store as they are total RIP off joint and the owner is a total Woke MORON, look at the pics below and please remember they wanted $25 ea.t to my Roku TV or my Samsung phone

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JJenkins

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Mason, Ohio

Poor customer service! Equipment rip off!

I used the store in Cape Coral on Hancock. I live out of state.

They called me to tell me my pump needed to be replaced. I am in Ohio. Tristan told me it needed replacement. I had used their weekly pool maintenance for several years.

When I asked for someone who was a equipment tech to go to the house and verify the problem Tristan told me it was not necessary. He recommended A Pentair pump. I agreed to the replacement. One of the owners JOHN of the store that I knew and trusted would do the installation.

When I arrived JOHN had installed the pump knowing it was incompatible with my Hayward automation. I did not have a smart phone and no internet at the home because it is only used two months a year. This pump was only control with a smartphone and wifi. I had no way to control any aspect of the pump.

JOHN never called me to tell me the Pentair was not going to work with my Hayward equipment. I needed a Hayward compatible pump. Yet he installed the wrong equipment anyway knowing I would not have any way to control the new pump. Actually there is a Pentair pump with a control panel mounted on the top of the pump but JOHN never called to recommend that model.

I went to the store and spoke to the salesperson Tristan who set this whole disaster up. He acted like he had no idea about the difference between Pentair and Hayward automation. In fact I asked him to call JOHN to ask him what I should do. JOHN refused to talk to me as Tristan was speaking to him in front of me on the phone.

He said he would call me. It has been over a month and I never heard from JOHN. I had to go to another company who came out to the house imediately and explained the screwup to me. Even this tech could not explain why pinch a penny would do this to someone that was a regular customer for years.

I have never had a company like pinch a penny treat me so bad. I would not let them change a light bulb if I needed any service.

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User's recommendation: pinch a penny is not trustworthy

1 comment
Jacori Ahd

My Telenor f

Mandy A Xya

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Houston, Texas

Contact manager info

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Employee extremely rude and combative. Reached out to talk to manager and said employee calls me instead, very unprofessional!

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Preferred solution: Apology

User's recommendation: Don’t show up early and park in front of the store waiting for it to open.

Charles B Iuf
map-marker Bradenton, Florida

Horrible Pool Service and Disrespectful Owner

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In essence, for many months, I have used Pinch-a-Penny as my pool cleaning company to obtain weekly cleaning, chemicals, and monthly filter cleaning. I thought all was well until I went into my pool and there was a thick layer of algae on the stairs.

I then learned that my pool filter was horribly dirty and required me to clean that myself. So, I decided to check my surveillance videos and found that my pool was not being cleaned in a manner consistent with my payments and understanding. As per the door hanger where the technician states what was performed, every week since January 2024 has the same things checked off: Brush Walls, Clean Tiles, Clean Strainer Baskets, Skim Surface, Leaf Rake, Test Water. The service was also supposed to include monthly filter cleanings, though this was NOT checked off the door hanger on any visit in January, February, March, or April.

I thought this might be an error, but after realizing the pool had not been brushed correctly and the filter not cleaned for months, I reached out to the store.

When called about this issue, the Pinch-A-Penny service manager (Paul) did not return the call and I called back the following week. On 04/30/2024, the owner (Bo) stated that I was entitled to my opinion about the pool services and that he would not return any amount related to the pool services that were not provided as contracted. He also stated that, even though the pool services were canceled in mid-April, he would not return the past charged amount for April because there is a handshake agreement that he would be provided at least 30 days notice for any cancellation of services. He was the rudest and most unprofessional person I have ever spoken with at any business, let alone one that should be focused on customer service and returning business.

The dates and times below are only the most recent examples of the service provided since February 22, 2024.

These are actual time stamps obtained from my surveillance cameras at the front driveway and overseeing the pool equipment. Note that the pool technician was at the house for between 4 minutes and 9 minutes each week this is not enough time to perform all the services noted and definitely implies the filter was never cleaned (which takes more time than that to remove it from the housing and hose it off). Even with this information, the owner stated that he would not refund any potion of the past charges.

I asked only for one month to be refunded, as it was clear the pool technician did not do his job for at least the past four months. Bo refused and said that he would not refund anything and then welcomed me to do your best to spread the word about their unprofessionalism and poor service.

DATE AND TIMES:

April 18, 2024 -- In Driveway: 1:00pm 1:12pm and At Pool: 1:02pm 1:11pm (Pool Cleaning Time: 9 Minutes)

April 11, 2024 -- In Driveway: 12:37pm 12:44pm and At Pool: 12:38pm 12:43pm (Pool Cleaning Time: 5 Minutes)

April 04, 2024 -- In Driveway: 2:07pm 2:23pm and At Pool: 2:13pm 2:22pm (Pool Cleaning Time: 9 Minutes)

March 28, 2024 -- In Driveway: 2:14pm 2:23pm and At Pool: 2:16pm 2:22pm (Pool Cleaning Time: 6 Minutes)

March 21, 2024 -- In Driveway: 1:42pm 1:50pm and At Pool: 1:43pm 1:49pm (Pool Cleaning Time: 6 Minutes)

March 14, 2024 -- In Driveway: 1:58pm 2:09pm and At Pool: 1:59pm 2:05pm (Pool Cleaning Time: 6 Minutes)

March 7, 2024 -- In Driveway: 1:46pm 1:58pm and At Pool: 1:50pm 1:54pm (Pool Cleaning Time: 4 Minutes)

February 29, 2024 -- In Driveway: 1:31pm 1:39pm and At Pool: 1:34pm 1:38pm (Pool Cleaning Time: 4 Minutes)

February 22, 2024 -- In Driveway: 2:00pm 2:08pm and At Pool: 2:02pm 2:07pm (Pool Cleaning Time: 5 Minutes

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Loss:
$220
Pros:
  • Conviently located
Cons:
  • Poor customer service and lies

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: Find a more reputable and local vendor that does not overwork or overschedule their technicians.

1 comment
Guest

The same thing happened to me, Bo does not return phone calls or emails. I had to clean the pool filter myself, there was no video evidence of them ever cleaning it.

I canceled my service before they started any cleaning in May and they have no returned my $110. Store # 217 is awful!

Perlita Vdi
map-marker Kissimmee, Florida

Promise that they would make it out all week took my money. It never came out.

I went to the Pinch, Penny and St. Cloud Florida we paid them to do a pool service. They told us they would be out every day this week never came out and said it have to be mid week next week meanwhile told us today that they would be here

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User's recommendation: Go to a different pool company

Anonymous
map-marker New York, New York

They were honest about our pool repair!

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Our pool man said our pump quit working. We need a new one but he couldnt put it in that week.

Our house is a rental so very important pool stay clear & clean! I called Pinch a Penny.

They were there 2 days later & said our pump was wired incorrectly (it was there when we bought the house). The tech re-wired it and said it didnt need replacing.

The cost was very fair!

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Todd K Qny

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Winter Haven, Florida

Poor customer service

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I have an Anthony pool sweep, and the motor died on me this weekend. I went to my local Pinch-a-Penny store, with a new motor and old motor in hand, hoping for assistance in taking the impeller off of the old motor and putting it on the new one, having called the store before I brought both motors in.

My new motor was not the same as the old motor, so they would not do it. But they would sell me a new motor for $339. I really wanted to get the pool up and running, so I reluctantly agreed, even though I could get the same motor from Amazon for $100 less, I did not want to wait a week for it to arrive in the mail, so I decided to pay the extra money. The tech did not think he had a seal for the impeller, as it was not a ps-200.

When I told him the last time I was here years ago for the same issue, the tech eventually found one on the shelf that fit. So, I felt he didn't really want to, he eventually found one that fit. I needed a gasket, but he said they didn't have one for such an old system as mine. I said I would go back home and bring the old gasket back with me.

The old gasket, unfortunately, was in no condition to bring to the store as it practically disintegrated when I attempted to take it off of the old wet end. But, I looked up on line, and eventually discovered a parts list for Anthony AJ booster pumps. The gasket was a g-54, 6" flat o-ring type of seal. I went back to the store, and asked for the gasket, and that same tech told me they didn't have one for it.

I told him it was a 6" gasket, and he said they didn't have time to check all the gaskets for me. So, after I drop over $300 for a new pump, what am I supposed to do? I now have a non-functioning pool, which I did not want, while I have to try on my own to find a gasket for it. Needless to say, I am very frustrated with the service I received from the store.

So much so, that I am very close to disconnecting the pump and bringing it back to the store, and order it from Amazon! I expect the local Pinch-A-Penny to be helpful, after all, pools are their job. Not mine. You go to an expert for assistance, and when they don't help, what are supposed to do?

What did the tech think...that he got all the money out of me that he was going to, now go away?

That he didn't want to really work at helping me. What really upsets me, is that I have a non functioning pool and I have no idea what I am supposed to do next?

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Preferred solution: I would be satisficed with the cost difference between Amazon and Pinch A Penny.

User's recommendation: If you want your water checked, go here to spend lots of money on checmicals! If you want any other customer servcie, don't go here!

Anonymous
map-marker Tampa, Florida

Chlorine not as potent as before, I truly believe it has been watered down. I literally put my nose to the jug and could barely smell the chlorine. I purchased 6 refills for $53 and feel like I was

Provide 100% chlorine that we are paying for, prices have increased and potency has decreased. Doesn't seem like a good sales practice to me.

Eventually all of your regular customers will figure out what you are doing by watering down the product. Extremely disappointed.

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User's recommendation: Check the refill before leaving.

4 comments
Guest

I would write this review on Google Review. You cannot let the owner get away with this.

Guest

I been having the same issue! Thought I was going crazy the chlorine does not have the same strong smell and it’s not really doing anything for my pool. I’m so glad you posted this

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-2542463

Write a Google Review! The owner should know not to do all this.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-2542463

Me too

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Anonymous
map-marker Land O Lakes, Florida

Company chemical pricing

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I have no issues with the individiually owned stores, just the fact that the company has raised chemical prices over the last 2 years over 60% which is absolute greed. Stores themselves are not to blame, forcing pool owners to shop online. Chemical prices are obscene.

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User's recommendation: Buy what you need when Pinch a Penny is on sale, local stores are not to blame.

george s Bpl

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Verified Reviewer

Had a pool light installed

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Pinch A Penny - Had a pool light installed
Pinch A Penny - Had a pool light installed - Image 2

Had a light installed developed a leak after came twice for the leak still leaking had Sherlock leak detection come out he removed the light fix the leak no problem now same repair as pinch a penny repaired. Would not recommend pinch a penny for anything.

View full review
Loss:
$200
Cons:
  • There service

Preferred solution: Nothing will not use again

User's recommendation: No thank you

Anonymous
map-marker Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Inexperienced people who have no idea what they are doing.

All employees are new since the new owner took over.Prior ones(who were knowledgeable)have all quit due to working for new owner and not getting along which would be understandable if they were replaced with people who knew how to do water testing correctly.Three times that I have had testing done the results were wildly off.This will result in mass exodus of customers.Such a shame because for many years it was a reliable and trusted business.

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User's recommendation: Customer beware of insane results on testing pool water.Also they no longer have an installer since he quit also.

Tiffany S Pjc

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Verified Reviewer

Bad service

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Hello, I am a customer of pinch a penny and pay $150 for service on my pool. The last 2 weeks no one has shown up to service my pool.

I have called to talk to Eileen twice about this and I cant get a phone call or email back from her. She is very unprofessional for being a business owner. The store that was assigned to my location is 6952 Florida ave south.

I have read online she has done this to multiple times. How is this lady still in business for pinch a penny?

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Loss:
$150
Cons:
  • Bad service and no service done

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: Do not do service there someone needs to do something about it.

Anonymous
map-marker Margate, Florida

Concern regarding customer service

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Been with the Palm City, FL store for 10 years.

Concerned about the lack of customer service and spin I receive after four times at the same location within the previous months.

Attempting to get rid of Alge. Reports consistently say to add Chlorine.

Org correspondence was alge problem in Sept.

The store doesnt have any reports of the previous prints, but they do have my transactions. I find it very odd.

I am asking for credit on the four jugs of chlorine I just purchased.

Beyond frustrated over $150 later and the current employees take absolutely no ownership. Didnt even ask how was it going.

Just went through the motions. Blaming it on all on the customer.

Based on the previous 10 years experience, there has been a change for the worse recently.

Just asking for help here.

Thank you!

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About

Summary

Operating from Clearwater in Florida, Pinch A Penny is a chain of stores offering varied pool solutions. Nowadays, the company has close to 200 stores and grows the business day by day. The departments of Pinch A Penny include chemicals, equipment, liners, cleaners, and accessories for pools etc among others. Leisure and recreation product line showcases water guns and games for children, loungers, floats, swimming gear for toddlers etc. Hot tubes and spas of Pinch A Penny chemicals present a selection of fragrances, chlorine, clarifiers, bromine, and stain treatment remedies among others.

Pinch A Penny reviews and complaints

Pinch A Penny is ranked 88 out of 339 in Pools, Spas and Plumbing Supplies category

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