Original > Hot Tub Forum

How important is choosing a local dealer?

<< < (2/2)

Spatech_tuo:

--- Quote from: lugoismad on August 28, 2020, 09:49:50 am ---The hot tub world seems very similar to the RV world. Dealers aren't required to service units they didn't sell, even if its a brand they carry. Brands don't have the testicular fortitude to stand up to dealers and tell them they have to service everything from their brand. Warranty and other work seems to be a loss leader, vs a main source of income like in the automotive world.

--- End quote ---

You're looking at one side of the coin when you say "Brands don't have the testicular fortitude to stand up to dealers and tell them they have to service everything from their brand" and you're missing the true situation.

Manufacturers do indeed protect individual dealers by not forcing them to do warranty work on spas they did not sell but they also do force whoever did sell that spa to do cover the warranty work so the customer is protected as well.

The point is stopping out-of-area dealers from underselling in someone else's market, taking that profit and leaving the local dealer to take it from there when the profit has already gone. By doing it this way the Manufacturer is protecting the dealer network while also protecting the customer. The customer is not left out to dry and its better for everyone.

lugoismad:

--- Quote ---You're looking at one side of the coin when you say "Brands don't have the testicular fortitude to stand up to dealers and tell them they have to service everything from their brand" and you're missing the true situation.

Manufacturers do indeed protect individual dealers by not forcing them to do warranty work on spas they did not sell but they also do force whoever did sell that spa to do cover the warranty work so the customer is protected as well.

The point is stopping out-of-area dealers from underselling in someone else's market, taking that profit and leaving the local dealer to take it from there when the profit has already gone. By doing it this way the Manufacturer is protecting the dealer network while also protecting the customer. The customer is not left out to dry and its better for everyone.

--- End quote ---

So what happens when I buy a spa but then have to relocate across the country for work? I'm SOL on my warranty.

Warranty work should be paid by the manufacturer and not be a loss leader for the dealer.

Spatech_tuo:

--- Quote from: lugoismad on August 28, 2020, 10:52:20 am ---
--- Quote ---You're looking at one side of the coin when you say "Brands don't have the testicular fortitude to stand up to dealers and tell them they have to service everything from their brand" and you're missing the true situation.

Manufacturers do indeed protect individual dealers by not forcing them to do warranty work on spas they did not sell but they also do force whoever did sell that spa to do cover the warranty work so the customer is protected as well.

The point is stopping out-of-area dealers from underselling in someone else's market, taking that profit and leaving the local dealer to take it from there when the profit has already gone. By doing it this way the Manufacturer is protecting the dealer network while also protecting the customer. The customer is not left out to dry and its better for everyone.

--- End quote ---

So what happens when I buy a spa but then have to relocate across the country for work? I'm SOL on my warranty.

Warranty work should be paid by the manufacturer and not be a loss leader for the dealer.

--- End quote ---

Legit follow up question but no you are not SOL. In that case a local dealer should not hesitate to take you on since its not as if it was sold by someone else in his territory but if they balked about it you would just call the Manufacturer and they would need to resolve it by letting the dealer know what is expected or getting you set up with an independent (sometimes the case when you move to an area without a nearby dealer) who they would contract to do the job. Of course I'm referring to the many well respected manufacturers who do a good job of honoring their product warranties.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[*] Previous page