I used Advantage for about a year (2010-2011ish) and had major issues. At the time I was purchasing pump assemblies for Sundance and Jacuzzi products, among others. The problem, at first, was actually getting the product. The wait times were ridiculous, even after multiple calls to customer service and multiple promises that delivery was forthcoming. While I understand that a reman product is limited to the core available, they shouldn't take orders on something they were unable to deliver, or at the very least make the consumer aware of the painfully long wait times.

Besides the wait times, when I was finally able to secure pumps the failure rate was very high. I'd estimate 50% within one month, if not higher. This created an unacceptable financial strain on my business. My two biggest contracts (Jacuzzi/Sundance) both do not put service valves on their products. If I had installed a pump that failed, as many did, between travel time and having to do a drain and refill to swap it out, I could easily lose a half day without reimbursement. At my current labor rate of $150/hr, it's frightening to even begin to calculate my losses.

Recently, after discovering Advantage had a particular circulation pump that I use very often available, I decided to give them another shot. To this point I've had good luck with the 48 frame pumps. I've installed 10 or so over the past few months without a failure, unfortunately the circulation pumps have been failing spectacularly. Just in the last week I had to drive to Steubenville Ohio and Wheeling WV, both nearly 2 hours away, to replace recently installed circ pumps. One was excessively noisy and the other causing the breaker to trip. I've spoken with the CS manager and he was receptive to my issues and is working to make it right.

I would love to be red hot on Advantage, and am certain between myself and 3 partners (whom in knowing my problems won't consider using them) could be one of their best customers, but can only muster lukewarm. It doesn't serve myself or my customers well to save on service if the product is inferior. That said, I'm rooting for Advantage because the option of remanufactured products over grossly overpriced OEM is one I'd love to provide for my loyal customers.

Mark Bodnar
Pittsburgh PA