The Great Escape Joliet — Local services in Joliet

We purchased a table and chairs at Great Escape over 15 years ago and it is a wonderful set that continues to be quality product. This is the reason I went to get a quality chair for my grandson with special needs who likes to rock. I mentioned this to Vinnie Piotone, who directed me to a chair that he told me "will last over 15 years". We purchased the Kenzo padded sling chair, but approximately 3 weeks the chair broke. They were very good about exchanging it for a new chair. However, the new chair broke about a week later, but this time at the welds. This had nothing to do with him rocking. Thank goodness he didn't get hurt. I was told to e-mail pictures to Vinnie Piotone. I asked for either my money back or store credit. I was told to return the chair and would be given store credit. When I returned the chair, I was repeatedly told it broke because of "abuse". I tried to explain there was no abuse, but they wouldn't listen. Vinnie assumed my grandson rocked so hard it broke. I tried to explain this wasn't the case. Vinnie told me I was getting store credit, but wouldn't give me a card or paper that indicated I had store credit and made it sound like I had to choose an item to purchase that day. I felt pressured to find something. I was told I could not purchase any type of rocking chairs. I found a bistro set with 4 chairs, and once again was told by Vinnie, he would not sell it to me, because it had chairs that rocked. Why does he get to make the decision what I can and can't purchase?? I felt forced to buy a table. Yes, we could use the table, but not at this time and I really didn't want to spend another $1000.00 on it. However, in order to get the credit, I felt like I had to make that decision that day. I was told by Vinnie, that he was "doing me a favor". He proceeded to call me "honey". He told me he felt bad for me and that is why he made the decision to give me store credit, and that he probably would get in trouble for doing it. This is why I give this store a 1 rating, and will NEVER return! He wasn't doing me a favor, and I know they get reimbursed for the chair. It was a faulty weld!! When my husband picked up the table and tried to address Vinnie, he told my husband "I don't want to talk about it" . My husband addressed Vinnie's inappropriate behavior with the manager. I felt disrespected, therefore will...

Update: 3 weeks later and hoop still not installed. I am quickly learning this is all due to the company the contract out for these installs. A&D services. While the crew is great they do not control the business or the scheduling. That is where the problems lie. If you purchase a hoop or pool through Great Escape and they tell you that is who will be doing your install, run...or it will be a nightmare.

Tried to order a basketball hoop last year with no luck. They gave me a tip and told me if I put it on layaway in the fall then I would first in line for install in the spring. They earned my business that way even though they are not even the nearest Great Escape to me. Every place else just gave the short answer they are out and I’m SOL. Fast forward to fall. I think they got sick of me calling every week because after a few weeks they finally gave in and let me put the hoop on layaway. Great, should be first in line come spring! Fast forward again to May 3rd. Hoop delivered, delivery guys said I would be getting a phone call right away to schedule installation. No call, called GE. They said they would email them and if I don’t hear anything in 24 hours call back. Didn’t hear anything so called back again Wednesday, we’re going to send another email and to call back again if don’t hear anything in 24 hours. No call. So I called back on Thursday, this time I got a manager and I was asking for the installation people’s number so I can bug them instead since I’m not getting anywhere with GE. He would not give me the number, basically laughed at me and said “I don’t think you need to call everyday” (even though this is exactly what the salesman told me to do) and assured me “I’m sure you’re on their list”. Totally dismissive that I have a $2500 unassembled basketball hoop laying in my front yard for anyone to come steal. He didn’t care. Called Friday and got the salesman again who said he knows Dave personally and will give him a call and assured me he will call me back. This is late Monday night and still no call. I don’t know what else to do! So incredibly frustrating! Why was it even delivered with no installation in sight?? Side note: does anyone know the number to A&D? I don’t have anymore information than that (that is who one person told me they use for...

I’m very happy with the sale & install of my 27 ft pool (Aug 2019). Gus was awesome at explaining everything in detail since I never owned a pool before. From the beginning of sale, installation, balancing water chemicals and closing of my pool for the season we had nothing but a great experience with the Joliet location. Highly recommend.

What to expect during install.. nothing negative about it and sorry for long review but if your like me and never owned a pool before the more facts the better. No surprises

Before I purchased a pool I needed to make sure that a digger would fit thru my fenced in yard without tearing down any panels. 1st contractor didn’t have the right equipment but another one did. Take it into consideration that a digger driving thru your yard will leave you with dead grass spots and worn down tires tracks .. I threw down grass seed and watered the worn down spots and my grass was good as new in a few weeks.. maybe use boards of your own for them to drive on if your worried about it. Next, the contractors did not tear down the empty boxes that all the equipment came in. Not a big deal to me as I broke down the boxes myself and recycled them for garbage day. Once I got my pool filled I had a couple minor leaks dripping from my skimmer and pump. They came out the next day and tightened up all the fittings and checked everything over. They offered to backfill my pool with pea gravel for additional fee. They did a great job on that. We buried our pool 10” down. After all I don’t like my neighbors much and it’s perfect that my pool sits below my 6 ft fence. If your considering digging deeper down it does get costly .. cost me additional $2000 to go 10 inches. It took about 4 truck loads to haul the dirt away but discuss the price with the contractor so your not surprised if you decide to dig deeper.. My yard is not just dirt it has lots of big rock buried into it . Can’t wait till...