Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: VICSWFL on December 29, 2007, 09:43:24 pm
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*BUYER BEWARE*
DEAR CONSUMER:
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING TO BUY A CATALINA SPA I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU SOME INSIGHT AS TO HOW WE WERE TREATED AFTER WE PURCHASED ONE AND YOU CAN DECIDE IF YOU STILL WANT ONE!!!!
A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS AGO MY HUSBAND AND I WERE LOOKING FOR A SPA TO BUY. WE LOOKED AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT TYPES AND FINALLY DECIDED ON THE XL2300 CATALINA SPA.
WE HAD ALWAYS IN THE PAST PURCHASED THE GRANITE LOOKING SPA WITH THE PLASTIC CASINGS AROUND THE JETS, WE WERE HOWEVER CONVINCED TO PURCHASE THE ACRYLIC LOOKING ONE WITH STAINLESS STEEL AROUND THE JETS AS IT WAS THE CADILLAC OF SPAS. WE WERE A BIT SKEPTICAL BECAUSE IN THE PAST WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE ACRYLIC TYPE AND WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE STAINLESS STEEL RUSTING. WE WERE ASSURED THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN AND IF IT WAS EVEN POSSIBLE THAT THE WARRANTY WAS UNBEATABLE.
WHEN IT CAME IN AND WE WENT TO PAY THE BALANCE ON IT THEY WERE RIGHT IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. AS BEAUTIFUL AS IT DID LOOK WE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT FROM DAY ONE.
THE RADIO NEVER WORKED CORRECTLY AND THEY DID END UP REPLACING IT WITHIN ONE YEAR BUT TO DATE THAT RADIO DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. THE CONTROL ON THE TOP OF THE SPA TO CONTROL THE RADIO AND TURBO JETS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND THEY ADDRESSED THAT PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES AND TO THIS DATE STILL DOES NOT WORK.
OH DID I TELL YOU WHAT WE PAID BY THE TIME WE HAD A DECK TO PUT IT ON (OR A SLAB IF YOU CHOOSE), HOOK UP OF ELECTRICAL AND THE SPA ITSELF ($11,390.15) WE HAD A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY $13,000.00 INTO THE PURCHASE OF A NEW SPA.
WELL A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO WE MOVED TO FLORIDA FROM NORTH CAROLINA AND PAID TO HAVE THE SPA PROFESSIONAL LIFTED FROM OUR DECK AND PUT ON A FLATBED TRUCK TO TRANSPORT TO FLORIDA WHERE IT WAS PROFESSIONALY PUT INTO OUR BACKYARD FOR A COST OF $1,500.00 WE ALSO HAD TO PAY $500.00 TO HAVE THE ELECTRICAL HOOKED UP ONCE AGAIN, $5,000.00 TO FENCE THE BACKYARD FOR PRIVACY AND $2,500.00 FOR A NEW DECK TO PUT IT ON.
AFTER USING IT THE FIRST WINTER WE WERE BACK WE DRAINED THE SPA COMPLETELY, CLEANED IT, BLEW OUT ALL OF THE WATER FOR THE SUMMER AS WE HAVE A POOL TO SWIM IN AS IT GETS VERY HOT IN FLORIDA, PUT THE COVER ON IT. WHILE THE SPA WAS DRAINED IT WAS CHECKED ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO MAKE SURE IT WAS OKAY AND FOR AWHILE IT WAS.
ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY HUSBAND WAS CHECKING IT AND NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE SUPPOSEDLY STAINLESS STEEL JETS HAD RUSTED AND DETERIORATED ON BOTH THE INSIDE AND OUT AND THE RUST HAD RUN DOWN THE BODY OF THE SPA AND STAINED IT.
MY HUSBAND SPENT OVER 20 HOURS USING "CLR" TO TRY AND CLEAN THE CHROME PARTS AND THE SPA WITHOUT MUCH LUCK. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE PICTURES OF THE CADILLAC OF SPAS YOU CAN E-MAIL US AT VICNC910@AOL.COM .
WE THEN THOUGHT, YOU KNOW WHAT ? WE BOUGHT THE CADILLAC OF SPAS BACKED BY THE BEST WARRANTY POSSIBLE ! LETS GET IN TOUCH WITH THEM.
WELL WE WERE DIRECTED TO OUR DISTRICT PERSON RICK WHITTACKER AND TO NO AVAIL DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY PHONE CALLS OR E-MAILS. WE THEN GOT FRUSTRATED AND CALLED DIRECTLY TO THE COMPANY IN CALIFORNIA AND THEY TURNED US OVER TO A GUY NAMED BOYD.
HE DID RESPOND PROMPTLY HOWEVER, ALL HE COULD SAY IS HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN HIS LIFE COULD WE PLEASE SEND HIM A COUPLE OF THE JETS.
HE WAS TRYING TO TELL MY HUSBAND THAT IT WAS THE WATER HOWEVER MY HUSBAND ALREADY TOLD HIM THE THE SPA WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED AND WITH THE HIGH HEAT IN THE SUMMER IN FLORIDA ANY WATER LEFT IN THE PIPING WOULD HAVE EVAPORATED JUST LIKE OUR POOL DID A COUPLE OF INCHES EVERY WEEK!
SO WE PACKAGED UP A COUPLE OF JETS (THERE ARE 90 IN ALL), SENT THEM TO BOYD AND HE CALLED MY HUSBAND WITH A VERY BAD ATTITUDE AND TOLD US IT WAS DEFINITELY THE WATER LEFT IN THE PIPES AND THAT IT WAS THE CONSUMERS REPONSIBILITY AND THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO A THING ABOUT IT.
MY HUSBAND ONCE AGAIN TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT THERE WAS NO WATER IN THE SPA AND HOW DID IT EVEN RUST THE SCREWS UNDER THE SEALED PLASTIC PIECES AROUND THE WATER FALL AND OTHER AREAS WHERE THERE WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN ANY WATER AT ALL.
ALL MY HUSBAND GOT IN RESPONSE WAS GOOD OLE' BOYD HANGING UP ON HIM. WELL BOYD SENT OUR JETS BACK TO US UNDERLINING A RESPONSE IN AN E-MAIL TO MY HUSBAND THAT IT WAS CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITY AND UNDERLINED A PRODUCT TO PURCHASE TO CLEAN THE JETS.
HOWEVER EVEN IF THE JETS WERE CLEANED THEY HAVE BECOME VERY PITTED. NOT ATTRACTIVE FOR THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THAT WE PAID AND THEY ARE JUST GOING TO WASH THERE HANDS OF US.
WE NOW HAVE A VERY EXPENSIVE SPA THAT WE PAID THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR JUST OVER TWO YEARS AGO THAT IS WORTH ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. MY HUSBAND AND I THOUGHT IT WAS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE ANY POTENTIAL BUYER KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO US.
WE APPRECIATE AND THANK YOU FOR THE TIME YOU TOOK TO READ THIS. SO YOU AS A CONSUMER MUST DECIDE DO YOU WANT TO BUY A CATALINA SPA???????? :'(
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Thanks for using all caps. Does nothing to entice me to read this rant.
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THATS BECAUSE YOU DID NOT LOSE $11,000 + AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TEARS IN YOUR EYES !
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I'm sorry, but I was only able to get through about half of this post. It was just too difficult to read.
Note to author: In the future, please do not use ALL CAPS. It is very hard to read and, when used in message boards, is considered the same as YELLING. You might also consider using paragraphs. My eyes hurt. Good night.
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At first I thought their caps lock key may be stuck/broke as both their post and screen name are in all caps but then I saw the subject headline and sure enough, it works!
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Sorry but I tried to read it and I can't because of the caps. I am sorry about your issues, it really does suck. If you get a chance to translate, please do. When I looked at a Catalina, two out of six showroom models were faulty. Never went back. Looking forward to the rest of your post
Steve
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I'm sorry to hear about your misfortune. It was a little difficult to read. Perhaps you could edit the post without the caps and separate the sections with paragraphs. It would help us quite a bit--sorry.
Where did you purchase the spa from?
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1) First of all there are varying grades of stainless tell but all SS will rust/pit to some degree.
2) In my experience, I would expect more rusting when the SS is subject to some humidity, much more so than if it is under water. When I was reading it I was waiting for the part about draining it and then later seeing rust. If the spa had been left idle with water the issue would have been MUCH less. I worked in a plating area with a company years ago and when we cleaned SS plates sometimes the guys would get lazy taking them out of the hot stripping solution and left them hanging above the bath too long to drain and that hot humid air caused them to rust pronto. Its the air and water that does it.
3) I don't see that you have much chance at resolution but if you continue to talk to Catalina about this stick to what matters, the jets and the stained spa. All the talk about how much it cost to move it, hook up electrical, build a deck, etc. is TOTALLY irrelevant to the issue.
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Did something happen after the costs incurred to move it? I too couldn't make it through the CAPS.
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ALLAKAZOOLA, MIGICABOOLA, BIPPITY BOPPITY BOO. PUT IT TOGETHER ANDWHATTAYAGOT? BIPPITY BOPPITY BOO!
THOUGH YOU'RE IN PAIN, YOUR METHOD'S INSANE, AND ALL OF OUR EYES ARE STRAINED, TOO! TURNTHECAPS OFF AND USE PARAGRAPHS, BIPPITY BOPPITY BOO!
IF IT'S INDEEDA BROKE CATALINA, THIS IS WHATYOUSHOULD DO: CALLA CONSUMER ADVOCATE GROUP, BIPPITY BOPPITY BOO!
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Im sorry you paid that much for a Catalina. But when you bought your spa did you not notice that your warranty was prorated and basically after year 2 your screwed. If you read the 3rd page of your warranty it lists everything that will void your warranty. I dont even think they cover the radio, you have to go through whoever made it.
Basically your S O L. All your issues are pretty much out of warranty and they will probably void the whole tub since it was moved from the original installation site. We had a Catalina dealer open up in my city for 2 years under cut everyone then closed up shop. I get calls asking if I can find Catalina parts or if I can do warranty because nothing on their tub works.
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Im sorry you paid that much for a Catalina. But when you bought your spa did you not notice that your warranty was prorated and basically after year 2 your screwed. If you read the 3rd page of your warranty it lists everything that will void your warranty. I dont even think they cover the radio, you have to go through whoever made it.
Basically your S O L. All your issues are pretty much out of warranty and they will probably void the whole tub since it was moved from the original installation site. We had a Catalina dealer open up in my city for 2 years under cut everyone then closed up shop. I get calls asking if I can find Catalina parts or if I can do warranty because nothing on their tub works.
Wow. I just read their warranty online and all I have to say is, what a joke.
http://www.galaxy-1.com/spas/catalina/CatWarranty.pdf
They've got premium spa price tags with a Home Depot warranty.
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THATS BECAUSE YOU DID NOT LOSE $11,000 + AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TEARS IN YOUR EYES !
This was 2 years ago and your just here now to tell us about it and you signed up for this forum just for that? Usually that makes me suspicious.
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This was 2 years ago and your just here now to tell us about it and you signed up for this forum just for that? Usually that makes me suspicious
THE PROBLEMS STARTED THE DAY AFTER WE BOUGHT IT,STARTING WITH THE RADIO AND CONTROLS.
THE JETS RUSTED IN THE LAST 30 DAYS, WE WERE GOING TO FILL IT TO USE IT, SINCE THE TEMPS HERE IN FLORIDA FINALLY DROPPED WHERE WE COULD ENJOY THE SPA INSTEAD OF OUR POOL.
BOTH MY POOL SERVICE AND I WOULD CHECK THE INSIDE OF THE SPA AFTER ANY STRONG RAIN TO MAKE SURE IT WAS CLEAN AND DRY AND IF THERE WAS AND CONDENSATION ,IT WOULD BE WIPED DOWN.
I AM SORRY FOR MAKING THE POST HARD TO READ, I HAVE SINCE BROKE IT UP INTO PARAGRAPHS AS SUGGESTED.
PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR PICTURES, THEY ARE WORTH 1000 WORDS !!! :-/
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This was 2 years ago and your just here now to tell us about it and you signed up for this forum just for that? Usually that makes me suspicious
THE PROBLEMS STARTED THE DAY AFTER WE BOUGHT IT,STARTING WITH THE RADIO AND CONTROLS.
THE JETS RUSTED IN THE LAST 30 DAYS, WE WERE GOING TO FILL IT TO USE IT, SINCE THE TEMPS HERE IN FLORIDA FINALLY DROPPED WHERE WE COULD ENJOY THE SPA INSTEAD OF OUR POOL.
BOTH MY POOL SERVICE AND I WOULD CHECK THE INSIDE OF THE SPA AFTER ANY STRONG RAIN TO MAKE SURE IT WAS CLEAN AND DRY AND IF THERE WAS AND CONDENSATION ,IT WOULD BE WIPED DOWN.
I AM SORRY FOR MAKING THE POST HARD TO READ, I HAVE SINCE BROKE IT UP INTO PARAGRAPHS AS SUGGESTED.
PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR PICTURES, THEY ARE WORTH 1000 WORDS !!! :-/
Term, are you screwing with us again?
DIDN'T WE TELL YOU ABOUT THE CAPS? YOU'RE HURTING MY EYES. ;D
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WOW! (Intentionally in Caps)
Stick a fork in me.
I'm done here.
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Well, it sounds like an unfortunate experience, but then you packed it up and took it to Florida with you. Just on a hunch, what kind of sanitizer were you using??
You have a pool also, do you muriatic acid or liquid chlorine for the pool?
Please post your pictures here, let's take a look.
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I am hoping you just wanted to give future spa owners a heads up about the problems you experienced. You can post your pictures right on the forum, if you would like.
Not sure why you thought there was a great warranty, when it sounds from another forum member, who read the warranty after reading your post, commented it was pretty bad. Consumers need to be their own best advocate and not just take someone's word for it.
I have to agree that any expenses beyond the purchase of the actual tub, should not be counted in your bad luck with the brand. You implied that you had owned other tubs and yet you needed to prepare for this one as if you never had owned a tub, even in your original home...
I also feel that FL's very hot humid conditions might have been the reason for your rusting problems and that it was actually made worse by draining and then covering (that is virtually sealing) the tub. Even checking on it periodically would introduce moisture into the environment.
But thanks for the heads up...
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I don't get it...
The spa was never right from day one on a few issues but you chose to incur the costs to move this "less than perfect" spa that you weren't happy with to your new home?
Catalina is a pure glitz and glitter spa with a sub par warranty and generally VERY (sorry for the caps but it was to stress a point ;) ) overpriced!
Sell it, cut your losses and buy a reputable brand.
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I have to say ...even in the scope of things... to use a radio issue as your first argument that your spa is crap is bogus. if you buy a new car and the radio doesn't work... its replaced.. it doesn't make the car crap.
Now, as for the issue with you Stainless Steel rings... if it were me I would have to say..oops..I take partial blame. I feel that anytime you empty a unit that is made to hold water you are asking for problems. I am surprised your seals didn't dry out on you! This sounds partially like a user issue.
I am also in agreement to the fact that you can NOT count your costs for site improvement. If you were that unhappy with the tub you should have sold it with your last home and leave it as someone elses headache instead of incuring more cost.
Finally... I like others am a little surprised that you once again decided to use all caps after EVERYONE asked you to do otherwise! :o
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What kind of a complete total jerk types in caps after we all with kind words ask him (her) not to. Go get a life.
Steve
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This was 2 years ago and your just here now to tell us about it and you signed up for this forum just for that? Usually that makes me suspicious
THE PROBLEMS STARTED THE DAY AFTER WE BOUGHT IT,STARTING WITH THE RADIO AND CONTROLS.
THE JETS RUSTED IN THE LAST 30 DAYS, WE WERE GOING TO FILL IT TO USE IT, SINCE THE TEMPS HERE IN FLORIDA FINALLY DROPPED WHERE WE COULD ENJOY THE SPA INSTEAD OF OUR POOL.
BOTH MY POOL SERVICE AND I WOULD CHECK THE INSIDE OF THE SPA AFTER ANY STRONG RAIN TO MAKE SURE IT WAS CLEAN AND DRY AND IF THERE WAS AND CONDENSATION ,IT WOULD BE WIPED DOWN.
I AM SORRY FOR MAKING THE POST HARD TO READ, I HAVE SINCE BROKE IT UP INTO PARAGRAPHS AS SUGGESTED.
PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR PICTURES, THEY ARE WORTH 1000 WORDS !!! :-/
Why would you start complaining after 2 yrs and 2 moves you should've left it with the old house.
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Mr. VICSWFL, sorry to hear about the Catalina experience. I also looked at Catalina when I was a newbie. They are manufactured not too far from where I live. Once I did a little research, I decided on another brand. I actually have a friend who loves his Catalina. The warranty is what turned me off.
What other manufacturer's did you purchase in the past? Were you not happy with your other spas? Perhaps you could unload your spa and start over with a reputable dealer. Good luck......
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Stay away from this...........
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/MichiganOutlaw/thumbnail.jpg)
Never buy a hot tub with the same name as a salad dressing, it'll leave a bad taste in your mouth ;D
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(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/Jim81542/jetsfootwell.jpg)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/Jim81542/jetsdrippingrust.jpg)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/Jim81542/puddleinseat.jpg)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/Jim81542/jetcloseup.jpg)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/Jim81542/waterfall.jpg)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d34/Jim81542/screwsinfilter.jpg)
My husband and I thought it was our responsibility to make any potential buyer know what happened to us.
I would agree. But, you blame the product for this mysterious development of corrosion on stainless steel.
Obviously, you are personally stressed by this experience and you want to scream from the highest mountain, but let’s try to understand what happened. While Catalina may not want to be responsible for your problem, let’s find out what your problem really is. As you point out, you have a big investment here, and others here, who read this forum, can benefit from your experience, albeit bad.
I have a strong inclination this is more about water chemistry than product deficiency.
“My husband, once again tried to explain that there was no water in the spa, and how did it even rust the screws under the sealed plastic pieces around the water fall and other areas where there would have not been any water at all.”
Exactly, your spa was empty. But, before you emptied it, your spa was full of water and you loved it and enjoyed it. It was then your screws under the sealed plastic pieces around the water fall and filter plate were “poisoned” with some sort of caustic chemical that is a no-no in Hot tubs. Anything that water touches will be affected by water chemistry. If there is anything that will void a warranty, it is water chemistry. This is not a "cop out" because of chrome plated plastic, or low grade SS, which is not the case, but how a manufacturer can not control or prevent anyone from using bad stuff in their Hot Tub.
“My husband spent over 20 hours using "CLR" to try and clean the chrome parts and the spa without much luck.”
First, I do not believe that he spent that much time without much luck that just wouldn’t be smart. Secondly, I would point out that CLR is a very strong chemical that will damage even the best Cadillac of Hot Tubs, why would you use that chemical? Something made your water very caustic, probably acid or some form of it. My guess would be Pool Chemicals which are a NO-NO in Hot tubs. This not only affected the jets with rust staining the acrylic, but it also affected your SS screws around the filter plate. The face of the jets and the SS screws show a corrosive action. This is not about SS jets or even SS screws. This is about water chemistry and really should not be deemed to be Catalina’s fault, or a warrantable condition.
“After using it the first winter we were back; we drained the spa completely, cleaned it, blew out all of the water for the summer as we have a pool…
After moving from Carolina, the spa was set up and put into service for a period of time and then drained. Did you use pool chemicals in the Hot Tub?
about a month ago my husband was checking it and noticed that all of the supposedly stainless steel jets had rusted and deteriorated on both the inside and out and the rust had run down the body of the spa and stained it.
What is happening to the spa, the jets and the screws is IN THE WATER.
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Sorry about your troubles with this spa but I never saw metal bleed like that.
But by what clover is saying I would think that the water chemistry was way off for a long period of time. I have a pool that I have SS parts (screws mostly) and don't have any problems at all. I even close up the pool for 8 months for the winter. I also have SS jets in the tub and again no problems.
On another forum there is a woman with a Catilina and she has never reported these types of problems.
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Dang, Clover! That looks like the hot tub from "The Shining".
Is that your tub or VICSWFL's?
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Stay away from this...........
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v666/MichiganOutlaw/thumbnail.jpg)
Never buy a hot tub with the same name as a salad dressing, it'll leave a bad taste in your mouth ;D
Actually, in the third picture, it looks like Thousand Island.
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Dang, Clover! That looks like the hot tub from "The Shining".
Is that your tub or VICSWFL's?
VICWFL's Catalina.
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Well, it sounds like an unfortunate experience, but then you packed it up and took it to Florida with you. Just on a hunch, what kind of sanitizer were you using??
You have a pool also, do you muriatic acid or liquid chlorine for the pool?
Please post your pictures here, let's take a look.
Spa Time for the spa which is what the Dealer sold us and what we used when it had water in it, Warm soapy water to wipe it down when it was drained & liquid chlorine for the pool which was never used in the spa at any time, this is my 4th spa, I know better.
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I don't get it? How did Clover get the pics?
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What kind of a complete total jerk types in caps after we all with kind words ask him (her) not to. Go get a life.
Steve
Sorry that my wife used caps on this post, she lost the use of her left hand just before she was going to get deployed to Iraq, she was stationed in NC , so the caps looked better than lower case, so please get over it and just read the post if you are considering a catalina spa.
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I don't get it? How did Clover get the pics?
He emailed me and asked to see them... VICSWFL
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I am sorry to hear of your troubles. I have never seen anything that looks like your spa with the rust or what at least looks like rust. I would be curious as someone else asked what were you using as a sanitizer, what type of chemicals ? It was mentioned the "the Cadillac of spas" was that your sales person just saying that and because of that phrase you took him to believe that warranty and the spa were both the best in the industry ? I am really asking because I am always eager to learn what a customer listens to and what matters to them when considering what product to purchase. I hope 08 is a great year for you and your wife I am sorry you had all of these issues.
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Can we just comment on the issue at hand? This is a customer that seems to have had a bad experience with their spa purchase and it seems people are more concerned about the format than the issue...I thought this was a spa forum not a forum for grammar teachers!
Catalina is very questionable as a manufacture and in my experience will not take care of this. Last year our local Catalina dealer went under and we had several customers call us....as a result we approached Catalina and offered to be a warranty service center for them. They agreed heartily and we began to service the spas. It was a BIG mistake on our part...here is what we found;
1. They sent all parts COD and covered nothing under warranty telling us that they don't offer terms for dealers nor consumers
2. Their warranty said that after the first year they would pay 30% and customer would pay 70% when I asked them how this worked the grandson of the owner of Catalina got on the phone and told me that they "really don't pay anything but encourage their dealers to increase their charge to cover the 30%
3. Most of the parts we ordered came in wrong the order dept usually had no clue of what parts we were asking them about and their part numbers don’t seem to match the parts in their homemade parts manual
4. They can't tell you what parts are on specific models older than one year nor do they have a technical department. If your lucky you can talk with Oscar who seems to have some tech ability but no one else does.
5. I started giving customers the factory phone number and having them call direct to see if they had better results...Half of them came back saying they got a call back (usually from someone named Dan) after several messages and the rep was rude and short with them.
I'm appalled by their lack of caring or commitment to customer service...after trying to help consumers out we have given up on working with Catalina. We tried very hard to find a common ground with them but they simply don't care.
Your best bet is to find a reputable tech with reasonable pricing and pay to get it fixed. IMO, continuing to battle it will just make you feel worse....I would fix it, use it and move on.
I also have to say that I asked most of these customers why they chose Catalina over other brands and just about all of them said that the Catalina was cheaper by far than other brands with similar features…I guess they found out why that was the hard way.
If I can be of assistance with repair advice PM or email me
BTW, the worst part of this to me is that these could be decent spas with some factory support.
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After seeing the pictures, your jets rusting is a combination of leaving your hot tub empty with out your cover propped open a bit for ventilation. When you leave your tub empty in a hot humid climate with out venting condensation will build up inside and react with chems left on the surface. I ve seen this on many low quality "SS" parts. Catalina will not cover your jets. Your gonna have to just take the jets out bend the tabs covering the jets and remove the metal.
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Can we just comment on the issue at hand? This is a customer that seems to have had a bad experience with their spa purchase and it seems people are more concerned about the format than the issue...I thought this was a spa forum not a forum for grammar teachers!
Catalina is very questionable as a manufacture and in my experience will not take care of this. Last year our local Catalina dealer went under and we had several customers call us....as a result we approached Catalina and offered to be a warranty service center for them. They agreed heartily and we began to service the spas. I was a BIG mistake on our part...here is what we found;
1. They sent all parts COD and covered nothing under warranty telling us that they don't offer terms for dealers nor consumers
2. Their warranty said that after the first year they would pay 30% and customer would pay 70% when I asked them how this worked the grandson of the owner of Catalina got on the phone and told me that they "really don't pay anything but encourage their dealers to increase their charge to cover the 30%
3. Most of the parts we ordered came in wrong the order dept usually had no clue of what parts we were asking them about and their part numbers don’t seem to match the parts in their homemade parts manual
4. They can't tell you what parts are on specific models older than one year nor do they have a technical department. If your lucky you can talk with Oscar who seems to have some tech ability but no one else does.
5. I started giving customers the factory phone number and having them call direct to see if they had better results...Half of them came back saying they got a call back (usually from someone named Dan) after several messages and the rep was rude and short with them.
I'm appalled by their lack of caring or commitment to customer service...after trying to help consumers out we have given up on working with Catalina. We tried very hard to find a common ground with them but they simply don't care.
Your best bet is to find a reputable tech with reasonable pricing and pay to get it fixed. IMO, continuing to battle it will just make you fell worse....I would fix it, use it and move on.
I also have to say that I asked most of these customers why they chose Catalina over other brands and just about all of them said that the Catalina was cheaper by far than other brands with similar features…I guess they found out why that was the hard way.
If I can be of assistance with repair advice PM or email me
BTW, the worst part of this to me is that these could be decent spas with some factory support.
Thanks Stuart ! The point is there is no factory support, when they call you back they state their position and hang up on you if you question them at all, I paid twice for this Catalina than for any of my previous three spas, I really thought I was buying the best and I would be treated as such.
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There are aftermarket replacement jets that would work but to replace them all it's expensive...I agree that the best bet would be to remove the jets and take the SS eschutcheons off. In doing this you will have to replace a few of the jets but it will get rid of the rust issue.
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Stuart, nice documentation to back up your opinion. That makes it easier for potential buyers. Thanks!
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Happy New Year to all ! While everone was sleeping in and then started watching Bowl games I woke up had some breakfest and went to work on my wonderfull Catalina spa, my wife bought me 4 boxes of "magic Eraser's" by Mr Clean.
You just wet them and erase (clean) I was able to get most all of the rust stains from the jets removed from the spa shell, I would have pictures availible but I just got done after dark.
The inside of my jetless spa looks great, now what ? I put the jets in a bucket after I removed them to clean them and the spa shell from the rust stains. Some of them fell apart when I removed them because the plastic was brittle, I am pretty sure a bunch more would break if I tried to reinstall them or just not work properly.
I did notice that the shell itself is starting to blister in a few spots, I bet Catalina will say that was my fault as well and their "State of the Art Constuction" was not to blame it is what Boyd Cargill from Catalina in CA would refer to as a "Consumer Problem".
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The letter from the head man at Catalina in Perris Ca...
Vic,
We have cleaned your jets with compound and as you can see they have come clean. They do have pits in them and this is due to the chemicals sitting on the jets to long. You need to purchase a product called Metal Gong. This will help the metal components in your water. You should have your water tested and checked. This is a consumer problem. THAT IS NOT BULL! We only spent 3 minutes cleaning the jets and you will see that the compound works and you should take your jets out of the spa to clean them.
In regards to the problem with the radio. The radio and speaker warranty is only one year. If you want to purchase a new one than you can either go to the local store and buy one or you can purchase one from us. IF you have a leak you can have it fixed and we will send you the parts for no charge. This is per our warranty.
We have enclosed a copy of the warranty card with your jets.
As far as your website goes, you might tell them that Catalina is the Cadillac of spas. You have to also let them know Consumers must take some responsibility of the way they take care of a product. Including myself Boyd Cargill. When I spend money on a quality product I know I need to take care of it or it will deteriorate.
If you have any more questions please contact your dealer you purchased your spa from.
Good Day!
Boyd Cargill
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Aside from the humidity and the spa being left dry, what else could cause the excessive rust? I'm asking so that we can use their unfortunate experience to maybe help someone else in the future. Many of you mentioned the water chemistry and what chemicals they were using. Specifically, what should we watch for and what chemicals should we avoid and why?
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Happy New Year to all ! While everone was sleeping in and then started watching Bowl games I woke up had some breakfest and went to work on my wonderfull Catalina spa, my wife bought me 4 boxes of "magic Eraser's" by Mr Clean.
You just wet them and erase (clean) I was able to get most all of the rust stains from the jets removed from the spa shell, I would have pictures availible but I just got done after dark.
The inside of my jetless spa looks great, now what ? I put the jets in a bucket after I removed them to clean them and the spa shell from the rust stains. Some of them fell apart when I removed them because the plastic was brittle, I am pretty sure a bunch more would break if I tried to reinstall them or just not work properly.
I did notice that the shell itself is starting to blister in a few spots, I bet Catalina will say that was my fault as well and their "State of the Art Constuction" was not to blame it is what Boyd Cargill from Catalina in CA would refer to as a "Consumer Problem".
Jet fittings becoming brittle is not unusual. Some companies may provide replacements. Others don't. A few of the ones in my Jacuzzi did break while trying to remove them. I don't think that they were covered under warranty but since I have a good relationship with the service guy and Jacuzzi corporate, they replaced them when they performed some warranty work to replaced my waterfall seals. I don't know what the dealers on here do but some may do the same. In other cases, you may have to buy the "replacement" parts. Heck, a replacement jet is still a LOT cheaper than getting a new tub, right?
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Aside from the humidity and the spa being left dry, what else could cause the excessive rust? I'm asking so that we can use their unfortunate experience to maybe help someone else in the future. Many of you mentioned the water chemistry and what chemicals they were using. Specifically, what should we watch for and what chemicals should we avoid and why?
I think the water chemistry is just a default/convenient excuse. IMO the rust is due to two things
1) low quality SS,
2) leaving the spa empty with teh cover on causing a humid environment for the rust to bloom.