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Costco vs Dealer

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dtraist:
Hi and thanks for any help.    I'm looking at local dealers have plenty in the $10-12,000 range.  They sound good. 
ex.   https://www.calderaspas.com/shop/paradise/makena


But Costco has some that actually sound way better for $7000. 

ex.  https://www.costco.com/Divine-Hot-Tubs-Sinclair-115-jet%2c-6-person-Spa.product.100338547.html

The Costco's have double the jets:  115  vs. 45.   And it comes with the cover lift and Bluetooth built in.  Those are extras with the Calera / local dealers. 

What am I missing?  What's wrong with the Costco one?  It has more features and is less.  I know install is not included, but I could pay the local expensive dealer $500 for that...

Thanks!

castletonia:
The simplest answer is quality and after sale support.

Using the Caldera Makena as the comparison.  Better build quality, better insulation, more efficient, probably better layout, better warranty, support after the sale, etc.  More jets do not mean better.  Take away the 16 jets on the calves, the other 99 could probably be replaced by 30-40 and offer better massage.  You also cannot try before you buy at Costco.  You also probably will not find a local dealer willing to install your Costco hot tub, they are prioritizing their customers.

Tman122:
Costco.....a box of swirling hot water

Caldera....A hydrotherapy machine

Now that doesn't mean a box of swirling hot water isn't good enough for you.

Personally, I would have to do a wet test to find the right feel for me.

Hottubguy:
So the Costco tub isn’t a divine brand hot tub. That brand doesn’t exist. That is a tub made by Clearwater Spas. This was there entry level model. Lots of jets not much performance, not well insulated at all and the factory is on the difficult side to deal with. I used to sell this brand but got rid of them A few years back.  You could buy a very similar line from a dealer for roughly the same price. Agree with you it looks really good on paper until you actually sit in it and compare it to a quality tub which I would consider the Caldera to be. Funny thing is is I got rid of Clearwater for Caldera. Great factory support. Few warrantee claims and a
Much better experience as a dealer

Spatech_tuo:
All jets are not alike, all controls are not alike, all warranties, all dealers, all manufacturers... a true comparison is needed and you won't get that by looking at a spec sheet which can be very deceiving (sometimes the truth comes with a wink).

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