Hot Tub Forum
General => General info Somewhat hot tub related => Topic started by: Wisoki on April 04, 2006, 12:20:00 pm
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BE WARNED! I DON'T WANT THIS HAPPENING TO YOU, LIKE IT HAPPENED TO ME. I
FEEL SO FOOLISH (AND CHEAP).
I don't how many of you shop at Costco, but this may be useful to know. I have become a victim of a clever scam while out shopping there. This happened to me and it could happen to you. Here's how the scam works:
Two seriously good-looking 18-year-old girls come over to your car as you are packing your shopping in the trunk. They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy t-shirts. It is impossible not to look. When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' and instead ask you for a ride to another Costco. You agree and they get in the back seat. On the way, they start having sex with each other. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and performs oral sex on you, while the other one steals your wallet. I had my wallet stolen last Tuesday, Wednesday, twice on Thursday, again on Saturday... and also yesterday............. and most likely tomorrow.
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And wouldn't you know it, I shop at BJ's. :-[
(remeber years ago, when they first came to MA, (20 years now?) they had several young, attractive ladies walk around town wearing buttons/pins that said "Ask me about BJs!".
I wonder if they could do that today and not get into trouble?
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drewstar, only if they're NOT wearing HOOTERS t-shirts, I'd guess?
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One of the HotSpring dealers I'm friendly with told me this story about his girlfriend when we were in Australia:
Back in the late 70's during the CB radio craze, my buddy's girlfriend (Jean) and another girl (Barbara) decided to take a road trip from the northeast through the southwest. The car they rented had a CB and they listened in fascination as truckers and travellers bantered back and forth over the airwaves. Being a couple of young women in their late teens, they thought it would be fun to chat with people along the way.
They needed a handle.
Jean had a suggestion: "Let's call ourselves the 'JB Express'".
Barbara said: "That sounds good, but since I'm older than you, we'll be the 'BJ Express'".
And so the BJ Express was formed.
"Breaker, breaker 1-9, this is the BJ Express saying a big 'Hello' to all you truckers out there in Texas!"
The airwaves erupted!
"Come on back BJ Express, this here's Little Weasel. What's your 20?"
"Howdy BJ Express! They call me the LadyKiller. Wanna pull over at the local 'Choke and Puke' and have a cup of coffee?"
"Breaker, breaker, this here's Turkey Gobbler lookin' for the BJ Express, come on back now."
And on and on and on and on.
Now the BJ Express was oblivious to the, um, titillating connotation of their chosen handle as they were virtuous young women who were unlearned in the more sordid ways of the world.
As the traffic of 18-wheelers rapidly increased and encircled their vehicle, a Texas Highway Patrolman (Smokey Bear) caught up with them on the flip side and pulled them over much to the consternation of the truckers.
"What in the HELL are you two gals doin' stirring things up like that?" Smokey Bear growled. "Turn that damn radio off and if I hear one more peep out of the BJ Express, I'm takin' ya'll to jail."
The girls never realized until 20 years later what caused all the fuss. They had finally lost their innocence.
True story.
Terminator
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Huh. My friend Richard Smocah had a similliar problem when he drove through San Francisco. ??? ::)
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Huh. My friend Richard Smocah had a similliar problem when he drove through San Francisco. ??? ::)
Dick Trickle probably had no problem, though, as his car is very fast.
Terminator
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(http://www.costco.com/Images/Content/Product/999704L.jpg)
Recent developments at Costco.com
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?whse=&topnav=&prodid=11112486&ec=BC-EC877-CatHome&pos=11#Top
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(http://www.costco.com/Images/Content/Product/999704L.jpg)
Recent developments at Costco.com
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?whse=&topnav=&prodid=11112486&ec=BC-EC877-CatHome&pos=11#Top
Wow.
Chas, as a HS dealer, what's the deal here? Honestly, I'd be very tempted at this...very much so.
Wait...1 pump? 110v? ahhhhh.
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It's a rehash of an old model HS discontinued awhile back. Very roomy, deep, has a Moto Massage and several other types of jets, a unique siding design unlike HS or TR tubs. Comes with step and lifter. It's a good solid tub for the money though - IMO.
It can be converted to 220 so you run jets and heat, but yes, the pump is not exactly huge. To convert you need to spring for the subpanel - or provide two GFI circuits to run the tub.
These just came on line today, or yesterday I think. The dealers in the local area will do the delivery, and the warranty support - and yes, we get paid by the factory to do so.
80% of the dealers in the US are part of the program. I'm one of them.
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(http://www.costco.com/Images/Content/ProductLarge/999704LL_v3.jpg)
Very much like a Sovereign on Steroids. OK, maybe HGH.
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These just came on line today, or yesterday I think. The dealers in the local area will do the delivery, and the warranty support - and yes, we get paid by the factory to do so.
80% of the dealers in the US are part of the program. I'm one of them.
Damn. Even with springing for the extra sub panel I am impressed.
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They should sell a TON of them. There's no Costco near us but I guess when folks order them off the internet in our area, we'll deliver them.
Terminator
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can you add ozone?
Are these built and tested in the same factory as the rest of the HS line?
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Yes, you can add Ozone - $399 from most dealers, $799 from East Texas and $299 from me.
And yes, they are built and backed just like any other HotSpring spa. The main difference would be options: you can get it in any color you want, as long as it's Sand, siding is redwood colored: but it's not exactly the same stuff as the regular HS line.
The light is a lovely, unwavering, very dependable blue.
The lift is the ProLift/Lift and Glide - which is our very finest lifter in the entry-level category.
And the tub ships with a step! It's a nominee for 'best supporting accessory' and is made of a wonderful, all-organic material known affectionately as "Wood."
It has many jets, some of which can be run at the same time, and the world-famous MotoMassage jet is right there in the lounger just waiting to relax you in ways you never dreamed - unless you have been in the spa industry as long as I have.
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If that's got the standard HS warranty ... It's probably the best HS deal I've seen. I think my local HS dealer was selling the Soveriegn for $6800 in 2004.
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Wow, is this a late April fools joke? I actually like the siding. Are you saying that the local dealers are delivering or just providing warrantee work? Should be a great seller.
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Watkins is paying the local dealers to deliver. $700 is the going rate I'm told. Not bad. None the less, it's a bad move by Watkins, driven purely be the desire to grab market share. Only time will bear this out.
Wow, is this a late April fools joke? I actually like the siding. Are you saying that the local dealers are delivering or just providing warrantee work? Should be a great seller.
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If that's got the standard HS warranty ... It's probably the best HS deal I've seen. I think my local HS dealer was selling the Soveriegn for $6800 in 2004.
5 year shell and structure
1 year no leak plumbing
1 year equipment
1 year LED light
Not quite the same warranty, only short by about 4 years.
This is only available online and not at local Costco warehouse locations.
The spa will not be branded with the HS logo anywhere, and it will be sold as a Watkins product from the "Makers of HS"
As far as it being a good or bad business decision? Well, from a manufacturers point of view, selling a few thousand more spas a year never hurt anyone. It gives the dealers an chance to make a few bucks for delivery and service, add on items like ozone, 220 sub panels etc... and should anything happen outside the warranty period, service call charges and labor and part costs would only benefit the dealers. Plus, the chances that someone sees the spa online and becomes curious about the actual HS product, means more floor traffic for me with the opportunity to sell. No brainer if you ask me! ;)
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Not a bad deal. We'll have to change our tune now when we talk about Costco spas. ;D
What would it cost to add the 220 conversion kit and ozone through the dealer?
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Not a bad deal. We'll have to change our tune now when we talk about Costco spas. ;D
What would it cost to add the 220 conversion kit and ozone through the dealer?
About $700.00 depending on the dealer.
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We shall see. I know a few things about getting paid for warranty work from Watkins, well see if they have the same issues with this delivery payment. Most likely in the form of credit.
5 year shell and structure
1 year no leak plumbing
1 year equipment
1 year LED light
Not quite the same warranty, only short by about 4 years.
This is only available online and not at local Costco warehouse locations.
The spa will not be branded with the HS logo anywhere, and it will be sold as a Watkins product from the "Makers of HS"
As far as it being a good or bad business decision? Well, from a manufacturers point of view, selling a few thousand more spas a year never hurt anyone. It gives the dealers an chance to make a few bucks for delivery and service, add on items like ozone, 220 sub panels etc... and should anything happen outside the warranty period, service call charges and labor and part costs would only benefit the dealers. Plus, the chances that someone sees the spa online and becomes curious about the actual HS product, means more floor traffic for me with the opportunity to sell. No brainer if you ask me! ;)
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Not a bad deal. We'll have to change our tune now when we talk about Costco spas. ;D
What would it cost to add the 220 conversion kit and ozone through the dealer?
The 'conversion kit' is nothing more than a raintite load center or 'subpanel' and two GFI breakers. I sell them for $150 to $225 depending upon how many breakers are inside. The one for a Higlife has a 20 and a 30 amp GFI breaker.
You can get them locally, but the price is generally higher - those GFI breakers aint cheap.
You can run the breakers in your main panel if the tub is close to that panel - again, you will have to buy two GFI breakers.
To change the tub, you simply remove the power cord, change some jumpers on the power block, and then change one jumper on the mother board.