Pinch A Penny is a regional pool supply chain with locations across the Southeast

Pinch A Penny operates as a pool supply retailer with stores primarily in Florida, Georgia, and surrounding states. The company sells chlorine, filters, pumps, cleaning equipment, test kits, and other materials needed to maintain residential and commercial pools. Unlike big-box retailers that carry pool supplies as one category among many, Pinch A Penny focuses exclusively on pool maintenance and repair products.

The chain has been operating since the 1970s and maintains both physical store locations and an online ordering option. Store staff typically have training in pool chemistry and equipment, which means you can ask questions about product selection and water treatment while you shop. Many locations also offer water testing services, where you bring a sample and staff analyze it to tell you what chemicals your pool needs.

Key Takeaways

  • Pinch A Penny stocks chlorine, filters, pumps, test kits, and cleaning tools specifically for pools, with staff trained to answer questions about water chemistry.
  • The chain operates primarily in Florida and Georgia, with some locations in neighboring states, so availability depends on your region.
  • Most Pinch A Penny stores offer free or low-cost water testing, which tells you exactly what chemicals to buy rather than guessing.
  • You can shop in person or order online, though online inventory and shipping options vary by location.

Where Pinch A Penny locations are found

Pinch A Penny has the largest concentration of stores in Florida, with additional locations in Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana. The exact number of stores changes as the company opens and closes locations, so the best way to find a store near you is to use the store locator on their website or call their customer service line.

If you live outside the Southeast, Pinch A Penny may not have a physical location in your area. In that case, you would need to use a national pool supply chain, a big-box retailer, or an online-only pool supply company. Some Pinch A Penny locations do ship orders, but shipping costs for heavy items like filters and chemicals can be significant, so local pickup or in-store shopping is usually more economical.

Products and services at Pinch A Penny stores

Pinch A Penny carries the core chemicals needed for pool maintenance: chlorine (in tablet, powder, and liquid forms), alkalinity increasers, pH adjusters, calcium hardness products, and algaecide. They stock filters for common pool filter types, including sand filters, cartridge filters, and diatomaceous earth (DE) filters. The stores also carry pumps, skimmers, brushes, nets, and vacuum equipment.

Beyond chemicals and equipment, many Pinch A Penny locations offer water testing. You bring a water sample from your pool, and staff run it through a test kit to measure chlorine level, pH, alkalinity, and sometimes calcium hardness and stabilizer. Based on those results, staff tell you which products to buy and in what quantities. This service is usually free or costs a few dollars, and it removes the guesswork from chemical balancing.

Some locations also offer equipment repair or replacement services, though the scope varies by store. Call your local store to ask whether they repair pumps, filters, or other equipment, or whether they only sell replacement parts.

How to use Pinch A Penny for routine pool maintenance

The typical workflow is to bring a water sample to your local Pinch A Penny store, have it tested, and buy the chemicals the test results show you need. You then add those chemicals to your pool according to the instructions on the product label. For routine maintenance, you test your water once or twice a week during swimming season and adjust chemicals as needed.

If you prefer not to visit a store, you can buy a home test kit from Pinch A Penny and test your water yourself at home. Home kits use test strips or liquid reagents to measure the same parameters a store test does. The results are less precise than a store test, but they cost less and let you test more frequently without leaving home.

For equipment problems — a pump that won't start, a filter that leaks, or a skimmer that's cracked — you can bring the item to a Pinch A Penny location to ask whether it can be repaired or needs replacement. Not all stores offer repair service, so call ahead to confirm.

Pricing and membership programs

Pinch A Penny does not publish prices online for most products, so you need to visit a store or call for current pricing on chemicals and equipment. Prices vary by location and change based on wholesale costs and local competition. Bulk purchases of chlorine and other high-use chemicals are usually cheaper per unit than small quantities.

Some Pinch A Penny locations offer loyalty or membership programs that provide discounts on regular purchases. The details of these programs vary by store location, so ask staff at your local store whether a program exists and what it costs to join. Not all locations participate in the same program, so benefits and enrollment requirements may differ.

When Pinch A Penny is the right choice versus other retailers

Pinch A Penny makes sense if you have a store location near you and want to talk to staff about your specific pool situation. The trained staff can recommend products based on your pool size, type, and current water condition, which is harder to do at a big-box store where staff may not specialize in pools. Water testing at the store is also faster and more accurate than home test strips.

Pinch A Penny is less convenient if you live far from a store, prefer to shop online, or want to compare prices across multiple retailers before buying. National chains like Leslie's Pool Supplies and online retailers like Amazon carry similar products and may have lower prices or faster shipping, depending on what you need and where you live.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Pinch A Penny test pool water for free?

Most locations offer water testing for free or a small fee, usually a few dollars. Call your local store to confirm whether they test water and what they charge. Results typically come back in a few minutes, and staff tell you which chemicals to buy based on the test.

Can I order online and pick up in store?

Many Pinch A Penny locations offer online ordering with in-store pickup, but not all do. Check the store locator on their website or call your local store to see whether this option is available in your area.

What if my local Pinch A Penny is out of stock on something I need?

Call the store to ask whether they can order the item for you or whether another nearby location has it in stock. Some stores can transfer inventory between locations, though this may take a day or two.

Does Pinch A Penny repair pool equipment?

Some locations offer repair services for pumps, filters, and other equipment, but not all do. Call your local store to ask what repair services they provide and whether they can fix your specific equipment.