Ever wonder why a product that makes your job easier somehow never shows up on store shelves? We tackle that head-on with borates: how 50 ppm boric acid helps tame rising pH in saltwater pools, reduces chlorine and acid use, and even cuts down on algaecide. We walk through where to buy it online, how to test it accurately, and why some retailers avoid stocking it despite clear demand. The bigger takeaway: when you meet customers where they are, you win more than a single sale—you win the relationship. From the pad to the pickup, we get practical about business decisions that compound. Thinking about a new service truck? Mileage and condition beat brand loyalty when your route adds 15–20k miles a year. We share real thresholds for when to buy, what to avoid, and why the smartest investment isn’t always the shiniest one on the lot. Then we dive into vac systems with a pro’s eye: carts like Riptide and Power Vac deliver speed in heavy debris, while cordless options like the Bottom Feeder trade thrust for zero-cord convenience and rapid deployment. Client optics matter too. A short, visible vacuum pass can transform how customers perceive value, even when the water looks clean. We offer a simple framework: keep “vacuum as needed” in your agreement, default to a quick cordless pass when feasible, and train your team for consistency. Finally, we break down generic versus OEM parts for popular cleaners like the MX6 and MX8—what’s worth the savings, what can backfire, and how manufacturer contracts shape what local stores can carry. The goal isn’t to pick sides; it’s to protect uptime, margins, and trust. • why borates stabilize pH and reduce chemical demand • why many stores don’t stock boric acid and how to buy it • how to test for borates with reliable strips • business logic of stocking what customers want • how to pick a service truck by mileage and condition • cordless vs cart vac systems and when each wins • whether to vacuum every visit for better optics • using “vacuum as needed” while showing visible work Send us a text Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASA The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100 https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days: https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business. Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs) $59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ] $50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits
