Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: homer16 on June 28, 2005, 09:06:00 pm
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We our buying our first spa and have narrowed our choice down to the Sundance Cameo 880.We have a price of 8,995 dollars and don't know if that is too high? Any help would be great as we are new to this spa thing.
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That is a green light to go. What was included in that price? That is a very good price. What else have you looked at?
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Thanks for the reply we also like the Hot Springs Envoy which is 8,650 dollars. When we went back to Sundance he sold us on the whirlpool and the hugh filter.Any suggestions would be helpful.At Sundance the Cameo comes with steps,cover lifter,extra filter and chemicals. But so does the Envoy at HoSprings. We started our Hottub search in the beginning and only wanted to spend between 6 and 7 now we are up to 9 so really need to know if we are doing the right thing.
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We ordered, and are about to take delivery on July 11, of the Sundance Cameo!!!
With what you got included, I'd say your price is very good!!!
Susan
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homer16, you are certainly NOT doing the wrong thing. Both manufacturers are excellant choices and either choice is a good decision. You have indicated a very good price for both, however the Cameo has more content than the Envoy (i.e. for what it's worth, air injector system with aroma therapy, exclusive fluidex and vortex jets, as well as whirlpool jets, and I think the cabinet material is a good thing to compare closely).
I believe the SD price to be favorable and justifies a little higher price than the Envoy which is also an excellant product. Two very good choices that do not allow for a mistake. You will own either one for a very long and enjoyable time. ;D
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I don't know much about the Envoy, but I absolutely love my cameo. I got the built in speakers/subwoofer option, and though expensive, I'm now convinced it was worth it. I have the 2004 model... so no waterfall. Gosh... darn. lol. Anyhow, I sit in just about every seat, using all the different jets. Love the whirlpool jets at times, love the power going to the seat jets the other times... and when it's loaded with people I have everything spread equally.
Not sure how well the Sunscents works though... seemed to work for a day, then maybe my nose clogged up or something.
Anyone have a good experience with it so far? How long should one of those little pebble packs last?
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No Free Stereo?
Sigh.
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We've given up on the pebble packs. Can't say how long they last, since I can hardly smell them when they are new. Even Mrs. Brewman, who can outsniff a bloodhound, has trouble detecting their scent.
There are a lot of liquid and crystal scents you can try that you can actually smell, and they don't require the use of the blower like the jet dry packs do. Not that there's anything wrong with using the blower.
Brewman
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Brewman, try using the "pebble pack" as the delivery system and apply essential oils to them rather than purchasing new ones all the time. That keeps them fresh and also delivers a heavier scent. Spazazz also works great but that is introduced directly to the water.
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I'll give that a try. Thanks for the suggestion.
Brewman
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That price is in line with what I was quoted.
Mine arrives today!!!!
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We chose the Envoy because it had 5 completely different seats and my wife likes the moto massage. The Cameo seemed to have only 3 different seats. and the tri x filters are great as a bonus.
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We bought our sundance cameo in the middle of May and we paid $9200 which included the cover lifter, steps, stereo, oznator, beginner chemnical set, delivery and set up. We got a good deal because the color I choose the blue was only in stock with a stereo which we really didn't have to have but they made us a deal we couldn't refuse. We love our tub and have been in it just about every day since we have gotten it.
Enjoy
Karen
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No Free Stereo?
Sigh.
No Free ozone? ??? ;) ;D
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It took me 3 hours to find a Spa forum and finally found this one. So far it’s very helpful. As a first-time spa buyer it only took me two days to narrow my search down to the Cameo OR Jacuzzi 365 or 355. Today, the Sundance dealer in Southern California quoted me at $7600 with the cover lifter, steps, oznator, beginner chemical set, delivery and set up. I told to Sundance dealer that the Jacuzzi is very comparable in the specs and priced at $7695 with a bonus of $300.00 if I paid by check. Jacuzzi is running the same bonus items as Sundance. Tomorrow my goal will be to get the Sundance dealer down to $7400.
Buying a spa seems much more difficult than buying a car! ::)
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We chose the Envoy because it had 5 completely different seats and my wife likes the moto massage. The Cameo seemed to have only 3 different seats. and the tri x filters are great as a bonus.
Jets is jets. You can tell which ones you like by sitting in front of them. It is odd to hear the original postersay something like...
"He sold us on the whirlpool".
If you like it, like it because you like it, not because someone has made an argument for you to like it! 8) Unless your salesguy will be in the tub with you! Same for the moto-massage, fluid-x, vortex, and nimbus-2000 jets.
;D
The filter comparison is hooey (yes, a technical term....). There have been lots of discussions about filters, multiple/redundant versus single/monolithic, ease and cost of maintenance, square footage, the good (and bad and.. mythical) of 1 micron filtering, etc... Both SD and HS filters will keep your tub clean. SD might cost more if you have the kind you need to replace 1-2 times a year, but only by about $30 or so. HS says their tri-x last for about 7-10 years.
I own a HS, a good friend owns a 2003 cameo. We both love our tubs.
-Ed
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Yeah, what a joke that promotion is.
No Free Stereo?
Sigh.
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Buying a spa seems much more difficult than buying a car! ::)
YES......Becasue its a large ticket item that most have no experience with and really do not what to look for...what represents a good or fair value ....it is the unfamiliarity that makes so tough ....
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MsGreek is that the Cameo 880 the price he gave you? The price on the spa at our store is 8,995 you think we can get him to come down?
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MsGreek is that the Cameo 880 the price he gave you? The price on the spa at our store is 8,995 you think we can get him to come down?
Hi Homer16
The price is for the SunDance Cameo 880 Series. Now that I am reading his guaranteed price it is actually $5.00 less than what I originally posted last night - $7595. The extras included with the spa are on my original post.
I'm assuming this is a good price ??
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Msgreek I would say your price is a really good one. We are looking at 8,995.00 and that includes all the same stuff as your dealer has for your Cameo. We are going today to order the tub hope we can get him down alittle on the price. We did alot of spa shopping and the Sundance is the best we have seen so far.
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Hi Homer16
The price is for the SunDance Cameo 880 Series. Now that I am reading his guaranteed price it is actually $5.00 less than what I originally posted last night - $7595. The extras included with the spa are on my original post.
I'm assuming this is a good price ??
Now that you have your price, go back to the dealer and ask about the Free Steroe promoted on the manufactuers website. I'd be very interested in hearing what they said.
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Now that you have your price, go back to the dealer and ask about the Free Steroe promoted on the manufactuers website. I'd be very interested in hearing what they said.
That promotion ends today.
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Thanks for the info about the stero we will try to get the stero if he will put it in the already quoted price.I know at this store they say on their web site they will guarantee their price if another store has the same product.
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Thanks for the info about the stereo we will try to get the stereo if he will put it in the already quoted price. I know at this store they say on their web site they will guarantee their price if another store has the same product.
Don’t be surprised when he says no. To honor the lower price, he will probably require you to have a quote sheet from another Sundance dealer to show you are not making the price up. He probably won’t take the word of a poster on an online web forum.
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Ok...new update on the Sundance vs. Jacuzzi saga. I just found out the bottom of the Sundance DOES NOT have the ABS as does the Jacuzzi. Should this be a major concern ???? ???
Additionally, according to the salesman with Sundance the Maxxus and Cameo's lounger is a bit to long for my 5'7" height but perfect for my son’s 6’2” frame….am I buying this for me or my son :o Apparently the Altamar lounger is ideal for someone shorter than 5'8".
And lastly, the new Jacuzzi location I spoke to said they would fill the J-385 especially for me! Wow, he deserves the 'salesman of the year' award 8)
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I just found out the bottom of the Sundance DOES NOT have the ABS as does the Jacuzzi. Should this be a major concern ???? ???
It should not have any bearing on your purchase at all. Just note that the components in Sundance's 780 series are the same as the Jacuzzi 300 series. The 880 series from Sundance has the upgraded components.
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Regarding pricing; I found out that most spa dealers will price-match another location. I've always had the nap to bargin shop. After getting within a price range I'm happy with I then throw in "how much of a discount for cash". It always works ;). Jacuzzi is offering a $300.00 discount and Sundance only $200.00.
Wow...another update. Jacuzzi saleman just told me he would sell the 385 for $8695 PLUS a free stereo ! :o
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Don’t be surprised when he says no. To honor the lower price, he will probably require you to have a quote sheet from another Sundance dealer to show you are not making the price up. He probably won’t take the word of a poster on an online web forum.
Bu...but....but the Manufactuer says free steroe on all 800 series tubs... ::)
Lower quote sheet on exact tub: Dollars to donuts he's the only Sundace dealer around. You'd probably have to find a dealer on the net that would be willing to fax you a quote sheet. But then again I'm a cyncial one....
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No Free ozone? ??? ;) ;D
Sundance is promoting free ozone too? ! ?
Why they're practically giving the store away! it's crazy! :o
(This is no reflection on Sundance, but more on the stupid hype consumers have to wade through. ) 8)
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Hi Chris.
Thank you for the information. Please verify if I am correct to understand the ABS bottom of the Jacuzzi is not superior to the treated-wood bottom of the Sundance? My concern would be when washing down the flooring around the spa; would this cause premature dry-rot or enable mice to chew through?
Regarding the model comparison of the Jacuzzi and the SD; it is certainly helpful to know the comparison. It seems the major factor is price difference. The SD 800 series is priced MUCH higher than Jacuzzi's 385 - 375 - 365 and 355.
NOW I'M REALLY CONFUSED :-[
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Hi drewstar...
Yes, I was able to get the quoite sheet from both Sundance and Jacuzzi. I always make it a point to get things in writing ;)
Thanks for the info of a free stereo on the 800 series.
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Bu...but....but the Manufactuer says free steroe on all 800 series tubs... ::)
Lower quote sheet on exact tub: Dollars to donuts he's the only Sundance dealer around. You’d probably have to find a dealer on the net that would be willing to fax you a quote sheet. But then again I'm a cyncial one....
Read my post again. I could care less what Sundance is advertising. I am just saying what he is going to have to do to get a lower price honored.
No dealer is dumb enough to fax a quote (there are probably some). Honestly, dealers go through this stuff all the time. The dealers know when people are doing something shady and requesting a price quote over the phone/fax is shady. The consumer would most likely be required to physically go to another store for a quote.
Read my post again. I could care less what Sundance is advertising.
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I understand your point. Also, I would never request a sales rep to fax me the pricing. That would be too shady. If I am in the market for something over x dollar amount I owe respect to the salesperson with a physical presence.
Ok....I'm leaving for my wet-tests.
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Actually, I think it is better than wood-treated bottom. However, this should not be the deciding factor to purchasing the Jacuzzi. Honestly, in my opinion, that is the only added benefit to purchasing the Jacuzzi. The Jacuzzi line is more in line with features and warranty to the Sundance 780 series. The 780 series should be about $1,000 to $1,500 less than the Jacuzzi.
The Sundance 880 Series offers much more flexibility in their jets mainly the choice to change a jet from oscillating to non-oscillating. The Jacuzzi only has the ability to go in one direction. The filtration is far superior to the Jacuzzi. The 880 Series filters down to 5 microns and has the slipstream filtration weir door that traps all the debris into one area. I deplore you to remove the cartridges from the Jacuzzi to see the stuff that comes out of the cartridges and is exposed to the rest of the spa. The debris would not be exposed.
There are other things, but I just wanted to give a synopsis of the features.
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Jacuzzi Premium spas have the ABS bottoms. Sundance has a hard plastic sheet over the treated bottom. They are different, but the SD does have plastic against your pad.
Although JP has gone to the same ProPlaner stereo that SD uses, I do not believe they use the subwoofer in the cabinet. There are differences.
That being said, the 385 is a lot of spa for the money.
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Hi everyone.
Just an update to everyone regarding this thread. Today I wet-tested the Jacuzzi 385 and bought it 5 minutes after getting in! I absolutely loved it. It is really strange….almost like you sense if it’s the spa for you. Gone are my hesitations of different model features or mechanical uncertainties. Another determining factor is that the comparable Maxxus is approximately $3,000 more than the 385. And well, what the heck…I’m not married to the 385. If it lets me down I can sell it in for a different model ;)
Thanks again to Chris H, Tony and everyone else for your help.
Have a great 4th of July. Too bad my 385 won't be delivered till the 14th :-/
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You found the right spa for you, and that's a good thing.
Enjoy.
Brewman
Boy, I sure find myself saying, "Ditto what Brewman said" a lot lately.
Ms Geek should be able to have a relaxing holiday putting the buying experience behind her.
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My local Sundance dealer quoted me 8679w/out stereo or ozonator but a standard pcakage of lift,steps,chemicals, delivery and indo, but only for like another week. The filtration system on the 880 series seems to be much more advanced than the hot springs and in terms of maintenance...a breeze. Sundance looks sweet :)
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My local Sundance dealer quoted me 8679w/out stereo or ozonator but a standard pcakage of lift,steps,chemicals, delivery and indo, but only for like another week. The filtration system on the 880 series seems to be much more advanced than the hot springs and in terms of maintenance...a breeze. Sundance looks sweet :)
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We just bought the Sundance Cameo 880 and when all was said and done we spent 9500.00. That included steps, hydrolic lift cover, chemicals,drink holder,extra filter and of course taxes. I hope we did OK.Now we have to wait 4 weeks.
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You did fine, and you'll forget all about how much you spent on the spa about 13 seconds into your first soak. I'd honestly have to pull my paperwork to see what we paid for our Optima 2+ years ago. After the purchase, you just don't care anymore.
Brewman
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No no no Brewman it's NOT Geek ! :o 8)
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Congratulations MsGreek!
I will give you the official blessing when it arrives! Brewman has a point, you won't remember all of this after being in hot water!!!! Especially when it bubbles!!!
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Sundance/Jacuzzi both good spas. Probably expect to pay more for Sundance. A dealer will not be able to match Jacuzzi price...most of the time.
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SD filtration may not be so superior if depth filters cannot be cleaned, replacement cost high and horizontal location keeps rotation a necessary requirement. I still question this marketing strategy...so far. If you get kids, dirt etc. you could replace filter very frequently @ $80 - $129 a pop. Could be great...but?
Bromine tabs too close to pumps/heater in container on weir.
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SD filtration may not be so superior if depth filters cannot be cleaned, replacement cost high and horizontal location keeps rotation a necessary requirement. I still question this marketing strategy...so far. If you get kids, dirt etc. you could replace filter very frequently @ $80 - $129 a pop. Could be great...but?
Bromine tabs too close to pumps/heater in container on weir.
Kyle, I am a bit confused by your statement. The 5 micron filter is a disposable filter for consumer convenience of not having to clean them. That way they are not buying filter cleaner, and taking the time to clean it 4 times a year.
BTW, the dispenser in the floating gate has been there for 28 years. If it was a problem as you seem to suggest, wouldn't they have changed it by now? ???
It seems you are trying to create a negative here.
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If bromine is anything like chlorine, and I am guessing it is, it forms an ion that immediately tries to get as far away from the other ions as fast as possible. Therefore, like chlorine, the ions move almost instantly through the system. No matter where you put the bromine, it will make it to the pumps in roughly the same amount of time. The main goal is to not have the bromine tabs sitting on the shell.
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I think one of the reasons people use bromine is that it stands up to the heat a lot better than chlorine.
I've seen that people who use chlorine (or dichlor) use the tub daily and don't mind putting some in every day.
People who use bromine (only a trend I noticed) seem to not use the spa every single day and only adjust chemicals two or three times a week (or even once a week if it wasn't used that week).