Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: megan on August 03, 2012, 02:21:50 pm
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Hi guys! Great forum!! Im a newly single mom and I need help purchasing a spa for my new home. I have champagne taste on a beer budget now! ;) I wanted to see what brands the pros on the forum would suggest! Im afraid to make an expensive mistake! I would like a salt water hot tub. The pool I just "left" was a salt water pool. Now Im getting a hot tub to take the place of a pool ;(! I have two teenage girls......I would like a bigger hot tub so they could have some friends over.
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Hi Megan,
Welcome to the forum. I can't comment on salt water hot tubs, but I probably wouldn't make that my limiting factor. My next thought is bigger usually means more expensive. Many people plan on having lots of guests and then find they don't have as many, but judge for yourself. I'm guessing your salt water hot tub preference maybe related to having saltwater pool?
As for hot tubs, many people find water care harder in a hot tub than a pool, but people usually pick it up quickly. However ,I will say teenage girls are a hot tubs worst enemy! I would lay down the law with them especially about showering before using the tub. Normal water care takes care of sanitary issues, but teenage girls love to use large amounts of moisturizers, perfumes, conditioners and these wreck havoc on water care. Also they seem to like to dunk their hair in the water. I would discourage that with a taser if necessary.
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Hahahahah.....ALL true!!!! ;D That was great advice!!! With all that being said......is it "easier" to control a salt water spa or a chemically treated spa? And does one do a better job at killing all that stuff?! I looked at the Hotsprings, Caldara, Sundance and Jacuzzi tubs. All seem great. Is there a 'trick" to getting a good deal? Im great at buying a car, shopping and negotiating but this seems like such a blind item???? I dont know why?! :o To be honest I have a modern house so I want a sleek looking tub! I saw an "infinity" edge hot tub for 30K!! WOW was that cool!! Okay back to reality..... :-X Any advice you can give is much appreciated!!! Im looking up the taser next!!! KIDDDING!
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Dichlor (powdered chlorine) is by far the easiest, cheapest way to keep a spa healthy. If you do it correctly, you should not smell chlorine in the tub, or on your skin as you exit the tub.
Salt is an added expense, starting with the equipment and continuing through the test strips and down to the salt itself. The best systems are complicated - when they work they are amazing. When they don't...
8)
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I can't speak for all manufacturers and/or dealers, but I will relay something the local dealer for Arctic hot tubs told us when were doing our shopping. He told us flat out to avoid the salt water system from Arctic. He said that there have been many problems with it.
As for the size of tub, we planned on having a lot of people over, too, and we do do that from time to time. BUT...we went with the tub we were most comfortable in that fit our budget (it just happened to be the smaller of our two finalists). After all, only my wife and I were going to be in it 95% of the time anyway. Even when we have guests over, people just rotate in and out because nobody can stand to be in for very long due to the heat. Hasn't been a problem, and I enjoy not paying more for empty seats.
We ended up with a Sundance Certa, by the way, and we are quite happy with it. Good luck in your search.
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Hahahahah.....ALL true!!!! ;D That was great advice!!! With all that being said......is it "easier" to control a salt water spa or a chemically treated spa? And does one do a better job at killing all that stuff?! I looked at the Hotsprings, Caldara, Sundance and Jacuzzi tubs. All seem great. Is there a 'trick" to getting a good deal? Im great at buying a car, shopping and negotiating but this seems like such a blind item???? I dont know why?! :o To be honest I have a modern house so I want a sleek looking tub! I saw an "infinity" edge hot tub for 30K!! WOW was that cool!! Okay back to reality..... :-X Any advice you can give is much appreciated!!! Im looking up the taser next!!! KIDDDING!
The good news is you're looking at 4 of the best brands out there though I tend to favor Caldera and Hot Spring ;). Take your time, ask lots of questions, use this site for a sounding board and wet test.
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"Modern house and Sleek spa" You should take a look at the Jacuzzi JLX series!
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I have been shopping spas recently. One trip to our county Fair and I now have the bug!! Wow. What a confusing item to shop for!! I am also looking at Jacuzzi, Sundance, Caldera, and Hot Springs.....I was looking at LA Spas but not anymore! I have found out in my research that salt water systems are just a fancy name for chlorine generators. They do well in pools, but not so much in spas/hot water. I was also told that they are $$$$ to replace. I am avoiding ozone altogether for the corrosion horror stories. Maybe an expert or two can elaborate.
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I am avoiding ozone altogether for the corrosion horror stories.
I don't see corrosion from ozone. I think you're mixing that up poor grade of stainless steel and/or high salt concentration.
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Oh MY gosh!!!! What great advice here!!! I just came back from the beach wondering if i had any reply's!!! I think Ill skip the salt water idea!!!! I need an easy"ier" than harder system! As far as size.....I'll cut back on the size....all you mentioned that it's our family will be in it the most 95% of the time and not to pay lots for unused seats!!!! Hehe! Well said!! Its like buying a crazy big car to drive all my kids friends in!!! I never did that and we were just fine!! ;)
Okay.....does anyone have a thought on Cal Spas???????? And one more question..........any tips on getting a fair price?!
Thanks so very much to all those who responded with great advice!!!
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http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Ozone
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Megan!! Um, no----Go to: www.consumeraffairs.com 77 reviews---well over half are absolute horror stories. That's the first place I considered and boy am I glad I asked. Seems they are decent tubs, but their service after the sale is awful. Even the guys who sell the cheap spas tell me to avoid. I've considered a used tub as well. There's one or two guys in my area that sell name brands refurbished. Panel?
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Thanks for the link....very informative! ;)
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I just used that link.....wow 77 reports!!! God love the web!! But... I typed in all my favorites just to check on them!!!
Much less to no reports!!! Anyone out there with a HotSprings tub, there is a fire hazard recall for 11' tubs. Just FYI!
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I have been shopping spas recently. One trip to our county Fair and I now have the bug!! Wow. What a confusing item to shop for!! I am also looking at Jacuzzi, Sundance, Caldera, and Hot Springs.....I was looking at LA Spas but not anymore! I have found out in my research that salt water systems are just a fancy name for chlorine generators. They do well in pools, but not so much in spas/hot water. I was also told that they are $$$$ to replace. I am avoiding ozone altogether for the corrosion horror stories. Maybe an expert or two can elaborate.
swcg (salt water chlorine generator) have been called that for years now, sorry but that is no groundbreaking news, and what is your experience with them in pools/spas? just curious if you have first hand experience or if your just listening to a random salesperson? also your ozone info. is off base as well just so you know...looks like all you picked up at the county fair was mis-information....just an fyi for those shopping a fair or homeshow is the absolute worst place to gather information on spas because "hired guns" don't care about the customer, all they want is your check or CC so they can sell you a spa and move on to the next one so they will tell you about anything to get you to buy
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Hi Twin Citi
I just wanted you to know that I LOVE Hot Springs hot Tubs! Problem - There is only one guy/store about an hour away from me. They are not friendly, snobby and don't negotiate well. I shop all over the country for things I need or have to buy. Id rather give the sale to a nice salesman that deserves it. Do I have to buy from him???? I think I do??? Dont I also have to get it serviced by them???
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Hi Twin Citi
I just wanted you to know that I LOVE Hot Springs hot Tubs! Problem - There is only one guy/store about an hour away from me. They are not friendly, snobby and don't negotiate well. I shop all over the country for things I need or have to buy. Id rather give the sale to a nice salesman that deserves it. Do I have to buy from him???? I think I do??? Dont I also have to get it serviced by them???
You will be serviced by whatever store you buy from. All the major spa makers have a dealer locator on their websites where you simply enter your zip code and they tell you who is local, use it to see what options you have for good brands like Caldera, D1, Hot Springs, Jacuzzi and Sundance.
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Hi Twin Citi
I just wanted you to know that I LOVE Hot Springs hot Tubs! Problem - There is only one guy/store about an hour away from me. They are not friendly, snobby and don't negotiate well. I shop all over the country for things I need or have to buy. Id rather give the sale to a nice salesman that deserves it. Do I have to buy from him???? I think I do??? Dont I also have to get it serviced by them???
I just don't want anyone to make an uninformed decision, I know the web can be good for research but in this business it is also full of people with an agenda and bad information, luckily, you stumbled upon this site where most of us give a straight honest answer. Myself, Chas, Spatech, Jacuzzi Jim and a few others are just lowly spa guys with some extra time on our hands occasionally that we use to help others out with no set "agenda"
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"I'm looking California, but feeling Minnesota" after that post!!! I see the Hot Springs logo on your profile. I am sure you are loyal to them at the very least. Thanks for insulting my intelligence, btw. Would I really base a $10,000 purchase on a "random salesperson."
As for ozone, yes, I have experienced my spa cover and my sap pillows get DESTROYED by it. I owned a Coleman for years with ozone.
MEGAN--I WILL FIND THE POST REGARDING HOT SPRINGS SPAS CATCHING ON FIRE AND THE ENSUING RECALL OF THEIR HEATERS.
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Hi Guys!!
Thanks to ALL who responded to me!!! :) It is nice to see that others are willing to help on this forum...agenda or not! ;) Everyone has their favorites! I like the fact that good or bad you guys took your time for me! And I agree..... the ultimate choice is mine! I like to always be informed....I didnt know anything about this!! Haha...and still dont!!! I just want to sit in my HOT Tub!!! ;) Sooner than later!!
Any negotiating tips........? No one touched on that sensitive topic!!!
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As a dealer, I have had to make a change in the way we have done business for over 25 years. So many customers were walking out because I quoted a price and stuck with it. I have never played games: the price I set at the beginning of the year used to be the price everyone paid until there was a reason to change it. That usually came in the form of an increase with a new model year, or increase in some other costs.
But this year I have had to jump into the games with the rest: I now quote a bit higher, and 'let' them talk me down. I assure you, I end up at the price I have to get to keep our doors open and my family fed, but I have seen more sales as people feel they are getting a deal.
So - be aware that a dealer may do the same to you. Or they may still be doing what I have done for over two decades and only just changed: they may quote a price and stick with it. Either way, you are NOT going to somehow beat the guy out of a price even if he says you are! You will pay what the dealer needs to get to stay in business.
I hope I'm coming across in a helpful way here: you asked about negotiations, and I'm trying to say that you should not be afraid to ask for a lower price, but don't storm out if the dealer quotes one price and sticks with it either. You may be a top negotiator, but you are simply not going to get some dealer to give you a spa for less than they need to survive.
Having said all of that, let me suggest that once you get the bottom line price, you can still ask for inclusions. Covers usually come with a tub, some even include ozone systems. Ask for steps, Cover Lifting Devices, extra chems, maybe an extra filter to put on the shelf, things like that.
HTH
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Top notch reply Chas!!
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With regard to negotiations, I found this very difficult, too. Not because I don't know how to negotiate, but because I didn't know if the prices I was being quoted were the full MSRP or if they had been discounted. Also, it is tough because you really have limited choices in many areas. I was fortunate that I had two Sundance dealers within an hour of me, and I liked them both. We had seriously considered Arctic, but our closest dealer was 90 minutes away. The next closest was 5 hours away. In the end, we couldn't justify buying the arctic for $2500 more. So, it came down to sundance. By asking both for quotes and then seeing who would give us the best deal we saved $1400. I was surprised the difference in price was that big ($8400 vs. $7000), but it was. Do your comparison shopping.