Original > Hot Tub Forum
Thermospas -vs- the Competition
Mendocino101:
Jeff you wrote.....
"And finally the question of wet-testing. No, you cannot wet-test a Thermospa. But how can you be 100% positive that any tub you wet-test at a dealer will be identical in performance to the tub you actually receive? If you were a dealer wouldn't you go out of your way to make sure the tubs in your showroom performed as impressively as possible even though it may not be a reflection of what the customer will actually receive? Also, with Thermospa we are talking about a different level of spa...just as I don't need to test-drive a Ferrari to know it will be impressive, there's no need to wet-test a Thermospa to know it will be perfection."
You know that old song "things that make you hummmm"...perhaps that might be the least credible and one of the silliest things I have read on a web site...dealers basically doctoring their tubs to wet test better...a bold accusation to make and something I have never even heard the faintest of whispers about before...
jeff_redden:
Ok Mendocino...dealers never, ever, ever misrepresent their product or lie...yeah, right.
Not all of them do of course, but I think the wet-test can be manipulated in so many ways that it usually is worthless. For instance...the sales-rep discretely adjusting diverter valves to increase pressure where his customers are sitting, but not telling them that he's decreasing pressure in other areas. Or...the air intakes for bubbling systems/water jets pulling in the warm air in the show room is obviously not quite the same as how the tub will perform when it's installed outside on a snowy night around freezing.
But, yes there are dealers out there who trick out their demo tubs and if you think that doesn't ever happen I'm sure the used car salesmen love it when they see you on the lot.
Gerrym:
I reckon the number one motto when buying a spa is "if you can't wet test it, then steer clear, it is not worth the risk".
I do not understand why people but a spa without wet testing. Do you buy a bed or sofa without testing them for comfort?
ZNICK:
As far as the full foam vs. pane insulation, both have their pros and cons. You should look at a lot more than just that when choosing a tub.
Full foam can become a nightmare to fix, and any dealer that tells you their tubs never leak is a liar. Thermo tubs are easier to fix, and although many companies have converted to this style recently, have their drawbacks as well.
Both types insulate well if it's from a good company that does it "right", no matter which route they take.
I live in Chicago and the non-foam tubs insulate here just fine... as do full foam tubs.
As far as Thermospas, they have local servicemen in every area they sell in, so when a competitor says "what about service?, Who's gonna fix it?", the answer is the Thermospas employee that lives across town. A lot of competitors use that as a way to "overcome an objection" when a customer mentions Thermospas... but there ARE local servicemen.
Spa dealers also scream "you can't wet test you can't wet test" when you mention Thermospas... they're trained to say that. Sure, it's totally true, and it's a great thing to be able to wet test, but I've sold HUNDREDS of tubs to people who have never wet tested, and they all love their tubs.
There's a lot of people who go to a dealer and have the option to wet test, and refuse it anyway. They don't want to hop into a tub that 50 others have already been in that morning, or they are too "shy" to do it! :-[
Brewman says: "Be wary of any dealer who uses negative selling." There's a LOT of that going on against Thermospas, not only in dealer showrooms, but on THIS page. It's sad some dealers have to cut down the competition to sell a tub, instead of pump the benefits of their own products.
For some reason, Spatech t.u.o. roams the industry message boards with a vengeance posting all types of negative things about Thermospas. I wish you would educate yourself a bit about them, because you post hearsay and your statements are so far from what a Thermospas is all about. You really need to learn more about the company and the Thermospas tubs... PLEASE!
I don't mean to sound rude, apologies in advance, but it's obvious you truly have no clue about how the tubs are made and the dedication to quality that goes into them.
Someone mentioned Thermospas "high pressure salesman"... trust me, a LOT of spa salesman are high pressure (not the good ones though), and they sure don't all work for Thermospas. You'll find them in dealerships across the country, selling all types of spas... and pools... and cars... and etc etc. Unfortunately, the small minority hurt the majority of us.
Thermospas are higher priced than some tubs, and lower priced than others. In any case it's a high quality product with some of the longest warranties in the industry.
(continued on next post)
ZNICK:
(told ya so!)
Thermospas was just given an award from the National Spa and Pool Institute that states they did more to "move the industry forward" than any other spa manufacturer. This award was voted on by industry insiders, the officers of OTHER spa manufaturing companies.
Here's a quote from the NSPI site:
Established by NSPI’s Hot Tub Council in 2003, The INSPIRE Award stands for and promotes the “Industry Nomination for Spa Promotion and Innovation, Recognizing Excellence”. The INSPIRE Award recognizes a company’s total contributions to the industry.
PURPOSE: To recognize a company whose efforts have demonstrated an overall commitment to the hot water industry, embodying an overall spirit of pride, dedication and service.
First recipient: ThermoSpas (2003).
Here's the Link, check it out:
http://www.nspi.org/industry_awards/the_inspire_award/
Thermospas is also the ONLY spa company ANYWHERE with the "Ease of Use" commendation from the National Arthritis Foundation. NO other tub has this... and it's because of the work Tspas did modifying the spas for severely arthritic folks to use. It made them easier to get in and out of, to change the filters, to use the controls, etc etc.
Thermospas was rated by Consumer Digest as a "Best Buy", (the highest quality rating) and in the "premium" category for quality, alongside Dimension One and Master Spas. (April 2003) It ranked Hot Springs and Artesian as "midrange", along with Marquis, and ranked Sundance and others as "economy". For the record, I think Hot Springs and Sundance should been ranked higher.
Who do you want to believe? A Thermospas competitor on a internet forum, or the Arthritis Foundation, National Spa and Pool Institute, and Consumer Digest?
I'm not trying to say that Thermospas is the only good tub out there, nor am I saying it's the "best tub made". (although you never know! ;) ) What I AM saying, is that it can compete with any other tub on the market in quality and value, and has thousands of happy customers to prove it. $57 million in sales last year is a testament to its reputation.
Thermospas uses titanium heaters, non-pvc patented jet fittings, has an optional chemical delivery system so you don't have to add the chemicals, has a shell close to an inch thick, weighs hundreds of pounds more than other manufacturers tubs of the same size, offers a cover (standard on most models) that holds over 500 lbs., reversable/removable cabinet panels, Aquaflo pumps with Viton seals, your choice of seat depths, offers tubs with up to 160 jets with 6 pumps, offers bars/cabinets with Corian tops and sharper image refrigerators, a plasma screen tv, JBL stereo/CD, etc etc.... it's all TOP quality from top to bottom... and made right here in the USA!
Did I mention that not ONE shell produced since October of 2002 has delaminated (bubbles/blistering) or been reported with any cosmetic defects? ;D Yes... 100% perfection!
Thermospas may have the best warranty in the industry... most companies warranty their pumps/blowers/heaters for 3-5 years. With Thermospas it's a 10 year warranty. Shell structure is covered for 20 years, and they offer a generous trade-in policy!
Anyway, look at every tub in your area, then let the Thermospas guy come out, and make up your mind for yourself. He'll measure your gates and fences, check your deck/patio for structural integrity, make sure you have enough "juice" electrically to power up your tub, and let you know exactly what you have to do to get ready for your tub to be delivered. He'll spend hours answering the questions the dealer in your area might not have had the time to answer for you... except for Chas :D , who will "make" the time for you if he doesn't have it .... then make your decision.
If nothing else, you'll have a great education on spas, and get some good ideas for your particular application.
Z
P.S. Now, I'm going to bed... I've been reading these and other boards for almost 5 hours, and my wife thinks I'm out of my mind!
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