Hot Tub Forum
General => Beating a dead horse => Topic started by: dead men walking on November 02, 2006, 03:58:26 pm
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I think I am going with a Calspa Avalon A857L. I wet test it and liked it the locale dealer seems nice and the floor model is 6,200. It comes with cover, cover lifter, delivery, set up chems, and a good warrenty. What do you all think about the deal. Thanks for all your help.
PS. The new ones from factory $600 more.
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I'm not a big Calspa fan, but they seem to be getting better. There are some happy owners that frequent this site. That seems like a good deal only if you are happy with the dealer and the tub is comforatble to you. In the past they have had quality control issues.
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Thank You
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$6200 is a steal for that tub I retail that same model for a lot more where abouts are you located?
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Dead you're killing me!!! When we were looking for our first unit 3 months ago, believe it or not, neither one of the CalSpa dealers here in metro Chicago would quote me a price on the unit I was interested in (the A857B, the non-lounger version of yours). One dealer said he wasn't actively selling them any longer and the other would only quote 2 units they he actively stocked and sold. I wished I could have had access to them if that's what they're selling for. I think it sounds like an incredible bargain considering what you get and how many jets they have! If you do get it, please let us know (or PM me) how it works and whether you have any problems. Good luck and you have good taste; both the 857's are nice layouts, especially with the center footdome!
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All I can say is buyer beware when it comes to Cal Spas. All I'm going to say.
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Vanguard, have you any relevant experience with Cal or just third party peanut gallery garbage????
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CalSpas was one of the (many) tubs that I researched when I was shopping. They looked comfy - and they seemed to be priced competitively. I had to give them a miss for two reasons though:
1) I checked inside the cabinets and found less insulation than I expected to see, and
2) The salesperson was clueless. Not his fault - he was just a kid - but he tried to tell me that I should have an ozonator because it would reduce my electric bill. Umm.... time for me to move on.
You were asking about HydroSpas a while back, Dead Men Walking. Approach your research to this tub the same way. Do some digging of your own and see how they compare to others that you've read about. :-/
Your comments about the dealer are good too. You need to feel comfortable with your service as well as the product.
I found it really helpful during my search to compare quality, comfort and dealer competence before I even thought about price. That may be a little backwards, but it made me feel better about dropping several thousand bucks for a big toy.
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Re: CALSPAS what you think
All I can say is I am a Cal Spas owner
(unlike some others that are negative about Cal Spas)
and I love my Cal Spa and would not trade it for any other brand of spa!
But there are alot of great hot tub brands out there.....so pick your dealer wisely no matter what brand you decide on. You want a dealer that will be there for you long after the sale.
Cal Spas offers an enormous amount of choices as far as style and design of your tub.
I would think no other spa maker offers the amount of different tub choices as Cal Spas.
Wet test a few brands and see what you like best.
BTW....Cal Spas are the only tubs in the industry exclusively powered by GE Motors.
My CalSpas tub has 92 jets!
Cal Spas must be doing something right.....Cal Spas just opened a huge new state of the art 500,000 square foot spa manufacturing facility in California that employs 1200 people. With the new facility Cal Spas now has about 1 million square feet of space.
(http://www.calspas.com/press/images/20060420_inlandvalley.jpg)
I personally love the new Cal Stone cabinetry being offered only by Cal Spas. Of course Cal Spas also still offers the traditional cabinetry siding too.
I also love my LED lights and my waterfall.
All spa makers have their detractors and complaints...sometimes people are trying to protect their "meal ticket" by bashing other brands, sometimes others feel their brand is the best.....hey thats what makes the world go around.....everybody has an opinion.....you asked and as a Cal Spas owner I gave my opinion.
Again all I can say is [size=14]I love my Cal Spa![/size]
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/ItsZep/Hot%20Tub/TubDeckJun-1.jpg)
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/ItsZep/Hot%20Tub/Hooters066.jpg)
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/ItsZep/Hot%20Tub/BUBBLES.jpg)
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Again all I can say is I love my Cal Spa!
Zep, that is truly the only thing that's important!
I loved the faux stone cabinet too. Wouldn't be surprised of more companies start offering innovative cabinet designs like this now that skirts are going synthetic.
And CalSpa had a HUGE selection of tubs - some of the nicest styles that I had seen.
Thanks for the first-hand perspective. Happy tubbing!
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What is an ozone jet and what is its benefit? I could not find any info on there heater warranty. Have you seen the heater warranty in writing? Keep in mind that the three 5 horsepower pumps that the advertise are really 2.5's.
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The ozone jet is the same as everyone elses ozone jet its wear the ozone comes out into the tub
XL heater 5 years labour Lifetime on the heater itself there is no element in the water so they can cover it for as long as you own your tub
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Re: CALSPAS what you think
BTW....Cal Spas are the only tubs in the industry exclusively powered by GE Motors.
GE motors are not great motors. There is a reason you don't see them on pool installations. Companies like Pentair and Hayward will not use GE. I get that direct from a person in management at Pentair.
I have been around Cal Spas and known people who have them. I will agree, they are better today than they were a number of years ago. I still just think - and this is fully my opinion - they are inferior in quality, customer support, warranty support to their dealers, etc. to companies such as Sundance, Hot Spring, D1, etc.
I know some customers are happy with their Cal Spa today. Great! Glad they are. Just saying what I've seen out there.
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Hi, again, Dead Men Walking.
Just a little food for thought... Everyone on this forum will have an opinion about just about any brand of tub. We can't help but be biased here because we all chose a different brand of tub for one reason or another. Most of us will acknowledge that whatever brand/model you choose is the right one for you - it's an extremely subjective decision!
You might try this approach to see if you can get any more objective information: Pick up your local phone book and look up hot tub repairmen. Call a few and see which late model brands they service most. If anyone can tell you about a tub's quality, it's the people who service them for a living.
In the end, once you start soaking in your own tub, all the world's opinions won't mean a thing! ;)
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GE motors are not great motors.
Opinion....everybody has one.
There is a reason you don't see them on pool installations.
Ummmm there couldnt be a million other reasons now could there?
Companies like Pentair and Hayward will not use GE. I get that direct from a person in management at Pentair.
Oh well that settles it then!....LOL
they are inferior in quality, customer support, warranty support to their dealers, etc. to companies such as Sundance, Hot Spring, D1, etc.
Not in my experience at all, in fact they have been wonderful!
And that may be one reason they are building huge new plants to build more tubs....again they must be doing something right.
I wouldn't trade my CalSpas tub for any other brand.
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GE motors are not great motors.
Opinion....everybody has one.
[glow]Find someone in the pool and spa industry other than Cal that doesn't agree[/glow].
There is a reason you don't see them on pool installations.
Ummmm there couldnt be a million other reasons now could there?
[glow]Yes, and the main one is quality[/glow]
Companies like Pentair and Hayward will not use GE. I get that direct from a person in management at Pentair.
Oh well that settles it then!....LOL
[glow]Find one pump manufacturer in the pool industry that does use GE motors. You can't. You'd think that at least one would use them. What other hot tub mfg uses GE? I haven't seen one. It is due to quality. GE does some good things. Make a good motor for pumps like these? Have never seen one and I've been around this for a long time.[/glow].
they are inferior in quality, customer support, warranty support to their dealers, etc. to companies such as Sundance, Hot Spring, D1, etc.
Not in my experience at all, in fact they have been wonderful!
[glow]Ask the many Cal Spa owners who have had problems. Just check[/glow] http://www.ripoffreport.com
And that may be one reason they are building huge new plants to build more tubs....again they must be doing something right.
[glow]Okay, so they built a bigger plant. I don't think they come close to maxing it out. Good for them to plan for the future. They did something right. Just hope they can support it. Only time will tell[/glow].[/b]
I wouldn't trade my CalSpas tub for any other brand.
[glow]Nobody is asking you to trade it in. I do, sincerely, hope you get years of use out of it. [/glow]
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BTW....Cal Spas are the only tubs in the industry exclusively powered by GE Motors.
Zep
Don't take this the wrong way because I like your tub, I think the stone exterior really looks good. The only thing that stopped us from taking a better look at Cal Spas was that the local dealer has a very bad reputation.
But the thing is, Vangaurd and others are right, GE does not have a good reputation for thier small hp. motors and I 'm kinda shocked that Cal would hype the fact that they use GE motors
Just my opinion
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Find someone in the pool and spa industry
other than Cal that doesn't agree.
Oh yeah....Like I am gonna really go round up a bunch
of people in the industry to comment on a MB.
Yes, and the main one is quality
Uh no....maybe thats your opinion again.
I will go with billion dollar GE instead of mb poster...but thanks anyway.
Find one pump manufacturer in the pool industry that does use GE motors.
I dont have or want a pool!
What other hot tub mfg uses GE?
I haven't seen one. It is due to quality.
No it's due to exclusive agreements.
Sometimes companies sign exclusive agreements so they can be the only one to offer certain products.....it happens in many industries.
GE does some good things.
Oh really?....Wow now thats very profound!
I guess billion dollar GE does do something right.....lol
Make a good motor for pumps like these? Have never seen one and I've been around this for a long time..
Well since only CalSpa uses the GE motor how do you have such a VASSSSSSSST amount of knowledge about whether GE is such garbage as you claim? Do you own a CalSpas tub?
Ask the many Cal Spa owners who have had problems. Just check www.ripoffreport.com
And you ask people like shown below that own the GOD ALMIGHTY OF HOT TUBS that we must NEVER EVER speak ill of in here......hey there are complaints about all tubs.....my problem is people like you only want to highlight the negatives of CalSpas while silent about any problems with brands like HotSprings.....does Hot Springs EVER EVER EVER make a lemon?.....Has there ever ever ever ever been a Hot Springs customer that thought Hot Springs sucked?
Problems with Hot Springs Spa
by stkt ,Oct 01 '06
Pros: Great when it works
Cons: Not reliable, company does not have replacement parts even under warranty
We have the Vanguard model spa, one year now. The remote panel failed three months ago. The dealer said there were no parts, everything was on back order. We waited a month to get the spa repaired under warranty.
The new panel operated for three weeks, then failed again. The dealer said "They have a problem". It has been a month now and we still don't have it fixed. The dealer said they don't know when Hot Springs will have parts again.
http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-Pool_and_Patio-Pool_Equipment-Spas-All-Olympic_Classic_Hot_Tub/display_~reviews
Hot Springs Landmark Spa
by rogersmith ,Sep 18 '06
Pros: ABSOLUTELY NONE, A real piece of JUNK!!
Cons: OVERPRICED, POORLY MADE INSIDE & OUT! EXTERIOR IS DELAMINATING (CHEAP REDWOOD)
I purchased mine at the end of the year in 1998, the first one Clover Pools in Rochester NY installed had function defects and they were good to come and bring me a second one. That leaked real bad and they brought me a third one, which also had bad leaky plumbing. The forth one (all within the first week) seemed to be okay, except the front door or cover was delaminating....so they brought me a new cover. All was fine for the first couple of years, until most all parts were out of warranty, then it was one problem after another! Their repair man was their only bright spot, he knows what he is doing! I'm sure he gets much experience (unlike the Matag guy!)This year I just paid another $422.00 to replace the heater! I just noticed a big crack in the white coping to add insult to injury! I should have returned the first one and bought ANYTHING but a HOT SPRINGS! (That originally cost $6500.00) Was told it was the TOP of the line!!! All I can say is stay AWAY!!THA
http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-Pool_and_Patio-Pool_Equipment-Spas-All-Olympic_Landmark_Hot_Tub/display_~reviews
Hot Spring landmark Spa
by f4180 ,Jun 14 '05
Pros: Looks like a quality spa
Cons: Front cabinet door poorly attached
Read the owners manual before you buy. They disclaim a lot of things from their warranty.
My 2001 model lasted 4 years til it developed internal leaks because the front cabinet door is poorly attached and chipmunks come and go and chew away at the insides of the spa. Big mistake to buy this spa and the manufacturer has an attitude problem.
http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-Pool_and_Patio-Pool_Equipment-Spas-All-Olympic_Landmark_Hot_Tub/display_~reviews
Hot Springs does not stand behind warranty....after less than 30 days
by crlsn ,Nov 08 '05
Pros: This is a nice tub if you didn't have to worry about the warranty.
Cons: Company does not stand behind their warranty!!!!
My husband and I recently purchased a hot springs spa. We spent over $10,000 on it and after only two weeks, one of the straps that holds the cover on, snapped while putting it back on. The strap clearly showed that 3/4 of the strap was never stitched in. One of the representatives that was sent to our home agreed with that, but still Hot springs(Watkins Manufacturing Corporation) will not replace the cover. It would cost us another $430 to replace the encasement plus $65/hour for installation. I would never recommend buying a hot tub from this company if they won't stand behind their product better than that. We had the tub less than 30 days and already it is a nightmare. Please do your research before purchasing...we were told the cover had a two year warranty...so read the very fine print. It is only covered if you also purchase their pricey retractable.
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Starting to think you work for Cal Spas or are a dealer, Zep.
Guess I hit on a nerve. Why pick on just Hot Spring? Oh, no other manufacturer has EVER had an issue I guess.
You are right, this is my opinion. Yours is yours. I'll stick with my Hot Spring because it would be a cold day in H*** before I bought a CalSpa as I'm sure it would be before you bought a piece of junk, overpriced Hot Spring.
Oh, and most manufacturers don't warrant chipmunk damage, I believe.
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Since we're having a pissing contest... watch:
[glow]I can write my name in the snow![/glow]
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You guys both need to give it up! You're obviuosly not gonna change eachothers feelings. As long as you both like YOUR spa who cares?
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Starting to think you work for Cal Spas or are a dealer, Zep.
LOL......Not hardly....but thanks for the compliment.
I have never worked for, invested in, or had any member of my family or friends work for a spa/hot tub company.
It is not a business I would have any interest in working in....they earn their money!
My passion is just that I love my CalSpas tub and will sometimes defend it against an almost non-stop bashing in here whenever the name comes up.
Guess I hit on a nerve. Why pick on just Hot Spring? Oh, no other manufacturer has EVER had an issue I guess.
Look at your posting name....hello?
That actually is my point. All brands have or have had problems....but we sure don't hear about those problems every time that particular brand comes up...BUT more often than not...everytime CalSpas comes up we always hear the negatives.
You are right, this is my opinion. Yours is yours.
LOL.....hey we agree on something! ;)
I'll stick with my Hot Spring because it would be a cold day in H*** before I bought a CalSpa as I'm sure it would be before you bought a piece of junk, overpriced Hot Spring.
2EachHisOwn.....Except I do not think Hot Springs are junk or over-priced by
any means and it wouldn't have to be a "cold day in...." for me to buy one.
CalSpas was just right for me this time and plus in my mind
"all things being equal" I just absolutely love the look of the
CalStone siding/cabinetry.
But who knows one day I may decide to buy a Hot Springs or
Sundance tub or whatever brand fits my needs at the time. My brother
has a Sundance and loves it.
Oh, and most manufacturers don't warrant chipmunk damage, I believe.
LOL......Uh?
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Oh, and most manufacturers don't warrant chipmunk damage, I believe.
LOL......Uh?
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
For some reason this just cracked me up!
Ya'll go forth and be kind to one another. :)
Your friend,
Terminator
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wow i will say that the"Cal Stone cabinetry " is the ugliest spa i have ever seen.
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wow i will say that the"Cal Stone cabinetry " is the ugliest spa i have ever seen.
I personally really like the stone cabinet look. It would look great in my backyard....
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Hello, I'm the new guy trying to mame decisions on what tub to purchase. Looked at the Cal's today for the first time. They had a new model Atlantic that is not in the brochure yet but sure made a hit with my wife and I.
We both felt the sales person was on board to our needs.
This tub is supposed to be a custom with lot's of +++++s.
But now after reading the messages of HS vs. CalSpa I'm even more confused.
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There is no need for confusion if the the Atlantic has impressed you and your wife and cover all of your wants and needs in a tub dont worry about the ney sayers who have nothing better to do with there time.
HS is a very good product but if your looking at an Atlantic there will be no other model in their line up that will give you the options you are looking at and the best thing with the classic Atlantic is customization.
If you look at who is being negative they arent in the spa industry, dealers,reps,& other professionals wont start bashing someone elses choice bc its a little thing called TACT
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... and the best thing with the classic Atlantic is customization.
I've avoided this thread but the point above I think is where Cal Saps has had their issues. Most spa companies make about 10, 12 or 15 models and each model is made a certain, repeatable way. They zero in on a process and build thousands of spas one after the other, all alike. Cal Spas has decided to try to be everything to everyone and literally has about 90 models and lets customers/dealers customize the spas in a multitude of ways. They loose repeatability in their spa making process by way of this and I'm convinced this has been a PART of their past/present Quality problems (you can argue whether they are past or present issues, that's not my point). I think it's a very bad decision to let customers and dealers decide which jets go where or how many jets the spa gets, etc. I'd want a spa that had a very specific jet/equipment/plumbing diagram that was tested for plumbing, pressure and flow optimization with all of that model built that same way. If I'm on the production floor and a spa comes through to be built I should be able to build it in my sleep (well maybe not when it's new which is why people always say don't a buy a new car in the first couple months of it's introduction). I shouldn't have to look at some shop order or some special instructions to figure out exactly how that spa needs to be built.
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A very valid point to which I wont make any sort of BS retort bc I personally would like to see Cal dump quite a few models and condense a few lines with the preliminary info I have recieved so far for 07 and also just adding the Avalon line.
But the only series in Cal that you can customize is the Classic series all other series are what you see is what your getting with exception to lighting and stereo packages
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But the only series in Cal that you can customize is the Classic series all other series are what you see is what your getting with exception to lighting and stereo packages
Now if they can knock their models offerings down from 90 to 15 they'll be taking another good step.
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Is it my imagination or do a bunch of Cal Spas different series look a lot like competetive brands? IE, a number of the Home Series look like Hot Spring and Caldera? The Journey Series looks a lot like Jacuzzi? Look at the Jacuzzi J-385 and compare to the Cal Spa J508. Compare a Caldera Geneva to the Cal Spa Home Series H902 and the Hot Spring Grandee to the Home Series H908. On the 908, its just the filter moved to a different corner.
I also find it interesting that Home Series - Hot Spring? Journey - Jacuzzi.
Seems like a blatant copy to me. Why do they do that?
I had a Jacuzzi dealer tell me about this and I didn't believe him until I looked and saw for myself. I found it kind of weird that Cal Spas would copy these other brands.
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Is it my imagination or do a bunch of Cal Spas different series look a lot like competetive brands? IE, a number of the Home Series look like Hot Spring and Caldera? The Journey Series looks a lot like Jacuzzi? Look at the Jacuzzi J-385 and compare to the Cal Spa J508. Compare a Caldera Geneva to the Cal Spa Home Series H902 and the Hot Spring Grandee to the Home Series H908. On the 908, its just the filter moved to a different corner.
I also find it interesting that Home Series - Hot Spring? Journey - Jacuzzi.
Seems like a blatant copy to me. Why do they do that?
I had a Jacuzzi dealer tell me about this and I didn't believe him until I looked and saw for myself. I found it kind of weird that Cal Spas would copy these other brands.
That is true. I guess they feel they can say "we've got the same spa here for $xxx less" but is it really the same? It's more of the "be everything to everyone approach" that falls short IMO. It's that kind of thing that really makes me scratch my head that they resort to that kind of approach. I just think that some day they'll have someone take over who'll change that way of thinking. They are certainly a formidable entity but there is still a little bit of a carnival approach that I think holds them back a bit.
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Did you just call me a Carney? >:(
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Did you just call me a Carney? >:(
LOL, no, you're in the sideshow right next to Snakeman!
Hey, aren't you supposed to change your name since you sold out Spaman.com?
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Did you just call me a Carney? >:(
Carnies. Circus folk. Nomads, you know. Smell like cabbage. Small hands....