Original > Hot Tub Forum
Another Newbie, Another question. Something a bit different - water changes?
swilly1000:
--- Quote from: silversun on October 28, 2018, 07:24:05 pm ---I think the real reason why dealers don't show pricing is not because they can't, or that they would be chased out of business, but because it's in their best financial interest to be opaque. The dealer is at a significant advantage if they can select the price from which to start negotiations.
--- End quote ---
Exactly!
Roeboat:
Long Thread. Buyer a hot tub is a luxury item. It's different from car buying. You get out there, visit the dealers, get the brochures and prices and do you due diligence. Then if your smart, you come to a forum like this and get input from some really nice owners and dealer who help you drill down on you decision. My wife keeps asking me how do I know we are getting $5,000 off the Caldera Makena we are looking at, well I know form this forum it's about $3,000 off what they go for.
castletonia:
Here is my take as a dealer.
There are a lot of variables that go into the price of the hot tub. Most manufacturer's do have an MSRP. That MSRP is for the hot tub and usually the cover. It doesn't include a step, cover lift, chemical kit, shipping from the manufacturer to the dealer, delivery from the dealer to the customer, or any other accessory you may want. You also have different price point accessories. Shipping will cost more the further you are from the manufacturer. Each delivery is different. Each dealer handles service different. Some contract out. Others handle it inhouse. Some don't charge travel fees and some do. With all the variables, how can the manufacturer list a price that applies to everybody? The answer is they can't.
I invite anyone to argue this statement. People only hear or read what they want to. If I put on my website that a hot tub starts at $10,000, consumers usually miss the "starts at" and assume the hot tub is $10,000. They don't want to be told there are extras that they think should be standard and that the cost could be more. It is always easier for me as a dealer to take away than to ask for more.
I've tried pricing my products at the lowest possible price and with haggle room. It didn't work well because all my competition had negotiable prices.
Most consumers understand that nothing sells for MSRP which means that MSRP is then irrelevant. Every dealer has different overhead costs, different costs of doing business, which affect what they sell for. Every business is in business to make money and if you think otherwise, you are mistaken. I do like to think most are trying to make an honest profit and not screw the customer.
bachman:
--- Quote from: Sam on October 28, 2018, 05:13:24 pm ---This post is not meant to defend the industry's pricing policies, but it's a little more nuanced than it appears.
When price shopping, these things are often overlooked. People just want the best "deal". Sometimes to offer the best deal, these are the corners that get cut.
Again, I agree that our industry could do better than it does. I'm at least glad that they don't do what the mattress industry does. Mattress companies change the label and model name for every different store so you cannot compare at all between them.
Sorry for the rant. I do indeed agree that our industry has issues that need to be addressed, specifically with customer's having difficulty getting prices and comparing.
--- End quote ---
--- Quote from: castletonia on October 28, 2018, 10:51:46 pm ---Here is my take as a dealer.
There are a lot of variables that go into the price of the hot tub. Most manufacturer's do have an MSRP. That MSRP is for the hot tub and usually the cover. It doesn't include a step, cover lift, chemical kit, shipping from the manufacturer to the dealer, delivery from the dealer to the customer, or any other accessory you may want. You also have different price point accessories. Shipping will cost more the further you are from the manufacturer. Each delivery is different. Each dealer handles service different. Some contract out. Others handle it inhouse. Some don't charge travel fees and some do. With all the variables, how can the manufacturer list a price that applies to everybody? The answer is they can't.
I invite anyone to argue this statement. People only hear or read what they want to. If I put on my website that a hot tub starts at $10,000, consumers usually miss the "starts at" and assume the hot tub is $10,000. They don't want to be told there are extras that they think should be standard and that the cost could be more. It is always easier for me as a dealer to take away than to ask for more.
I've tried pricing my products at the lowest possible price and with haggle room. It didn't work well because all my competition had negotiable prices.
--- End quote ---
Excellent points by both !
Silversun points out some specific questions on a few items but in the general scope of things, consumers are trying to get educated fast via the internet, forums and whatever else we find to peruse as 'trusted sources'. At the same time, many good folks as reputable dealers and service centers are vying for customers trying to get them in the door so they can get a shot at building trust/rapport educating them and creating a beneficial relationship. Specialty stores and products really need to represented and backed up this way (expert trained staff and service) versus the big box stores and customers benefit in the long term.
I've been in a specialty business and retail sales side to know this and experience that success with long lists of clients, word of mouth, solid reputation that cuts through the big box, high volume B.S. - Those that net the unsuspecting customers and (unfortunately) sours them on ALL sales professionals eventually.
HTU- I felt lucky to find that source for learning some on tubs and even though Chris wears a MASTER TUBS bumper sticker on his forehead (jk)..... He seems sincere in the way he tours some of the plants and expresses his concern or accolades about a few named brands.
The thing that I trust and sticks with me is his line about the few key things every tub maker has to get right or cut corners on as most won't do everything at the optimal level. That makes sense and he seemed to back it up with a number of brands he named as good considerations. I think many can cut through the weeds and find his information helpful as they go shopping and comparing.
In the end, my situation solved itself before making any big $$ plans just as we were going to go "looking" and an offer of a freebie came up that very day. We were gifted an older but well cared for Marquis, had it professionally moved and are very excited to have it filled and ready to go, first soak was today.
~ bachman
swilly1000:
--- Quote from: castletonia on October 28, 2018, 10:51:46 pm ---I've tried pricing my products at the lowest possible price and with haggle room.
--- End quote ---
Have you tried publicizing your pricing?
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