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Considering American Whirlpool⁹

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babs75:
I am thinking about purchasing an American Whirlpool spa.  I cannot afford a Hot Springs. Super expensive where I live. I felt for the money that the American Whirlpool would be what I needed and I liked the idea of the removable insulation. We used to have a full foam hot tub over 10 years ago and when the leaks started, the repairman had to literally tear out all the insulation to find them.  Huge mess.  The American Whirlpool dealer is very close to where I live and super nice people.  I'm looking at the 471.  Any new feelings about this brand?   I hear the steel frame could rust.  It rains a lot where I live but I don't live near saltwater.

cranbiz:
American Whirlpool is a Maax Spa company. Maax is not high on the list of manufacturers that I would consider. The steel stand is because the shell is not self supporting, meaning a thinner shell. For the most part, they use Gecko electronics, which most consider not as good as Balboa.

However, if the price is right AND the dealer has good reviews and an in house service department, then you can still get many years of enjoyment out of one.

What other dealers are in your area? Do you have a Sundance, Jacuzzi, Artesian, Marquis or Bullfrog dealer within an hour or so of you?

babs75:
I have Sundance/Jacuzzi dealer a few miles away but I had heard some bad stuff about their spas and not sure I wanted to go there.  Our last spa from 10 years ago was a Marquis.  Had soooo many problems. It became very expensive. Not going back there.  We do have an Artesian dealer.  He said he was out to 2024 for ordering a spa but had some things coming in that he ordered at the beginning of covid but they weren't spas I was interested in and he seemed to be a bit of a 'used car salesman'. Wasn't impressed.  Bullfrog might be ok but don't care about he interchangeable packs.  My husband and I are in our mid/late 60s. We don't need something to last 20 years because we probably won't be here by then anyway!

cranbiz:
Sundance/Jacuzzi Spa's are very good quality and have a good reputation, solid shells, great insulation and off the shelf Waterways jets and Balboa components. If the dealer in your area is the issue, then yes, don't buy one simply because your dealer is your lifeline. If the dealer is good, then go talk to them. Ask questions and see if you can wet test a tub that interests you. If the Artesian dealer didn't make you feel comfortable, same thing, don't buy one. Especially if they don't have a unit coming that you don't like.

That leaves you with the American Whirlpool. As long as you go into this with your eyes wide open and not expecting the world out of it's performance and longevity (and again, not paying Jacuzzi pricing, it would have to be a good price for me) AND have researched the dealer for the things I mentioned earlier, go for it. It's going to be your tub, not mine. If your expectations are not for a 15-20 year tub, you should be just fine (and who knows, you might get that 15-20 years).

BullFrogSpasMN:
what's the price point? also what is the warranty? can't find it anywhere on their website which I don't like, doesn't look like a bad 'value' spa though as long as the price is right

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