Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: IL Parrothead on January 04, 2008, 09:42:06 pm

Title: Spa Expos
Post by: IL Parrothead on January 04, 2008, 09:42:06 pm
I see that here in IL there's a Spa Expo. The host of the event has held these before. They're very cagey about any specific information though -- they just say "browse major hot tub brands". Their website is www.spaexpo.com and their company name is spa, pool & patio, Inc. Anyone have any idea what makes are shown at these shows? I called the toll-free number and sent an email asking, but both went unanswered. It's a long drive, and I don't care to make the trek if it's substandard tubs. Although, it is in the same town as the Marquis dealer. Maybe I'll go visit him and see if he's got the 2008 line on the floor.
Is this one of those traveling Master shows?
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: Scaramanga on January 05, 2008, 12:54:08 am
Master Spa. ::) :P
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: wmccall on January 05, 2008, 09:43:42 am
Its funny, I was thinking about that show this morning before getting out of bed. My brother in law called from the home show that fortunately has divorced itself from this show.
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: Vanguard on January 05, 2008, 11:48:36 am
That is a Master Spa show.  BEWARE!!
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: loosenupspas on January 05, 2008, 11:50:51 am
It isn't that Masters is a bad product.  I feel that the circumstances of these expos diminish the brand's reputation.  It is probably a hard sell, one of kind offer, ready for immediate delivery, a lot of make up your mind right now type pressure.  I have spoken with people who have purchased from these shows, specifically a Masters Spa, and have been treated to the worst service after the installation.  The service is slow, surly or non-existent.  Is the deal at an expo so much better than one from a fully function dealer?  
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: glfahlc on January 05, 2008, 12:12:35 pm
it is in fact master spas expo... that is masters and they're lower priced line, downeast. now masters makes a good tub but i would suggest finding a dealer close to you as opposed to buying from their expo... just my 2cents
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: IL Parrothead on January 05, 2008, 01:48:27 pm
That was my suspicion.  My wife and I might shoot up there today, and go visit the Marquis dealer again in the same neighborhood.  I've never seen a Master Spa.  I may go take a look, just to see them.  I don't know if I'll be able to bite my tongue when they start talking about their thermal pane insulation, though.
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: MarKee on January 05, 2008, 01:59:38 pm
I would disagree that Master is in the same quality category as a HotSpring, Sundance, Marquis, Jacuzzi, Caldera.  
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: clover on January 05, 2008, 02:29:10 pm
Quote
I would disagree that Master is in the same quality category as a HotSpring, Sundance, Marquis, Jacuzzi, Caldera.  
IF it was, they would market their product more professionally, and and with pride.  

They would NOT need resort to such a scam to market their wares with misleading come on's to unwitting consumers.  This sort of deceptive marketing practice has proven to be financially successful for them, as they generate sales with high margins, leaving the consumer without service support.  They create a less than desireable impression of our industry.
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: stuart on January 05, 2008, 10:43:38 pm
You will find one or two people here happy with Master however, I can give you at least 50 of my own customers that are dissatisfied with the product, the company and even us for having sold them.

There one and only goal is to sell spas...from that point on they could care less if it's ethical, fair or even if the product holds up. They simply seem to want to sell spas.

Saying that they are a quality product is like saying that even though someone steals for a living they are still a "good person".... We need to call it like it is!
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: Gomboman on January 05, 2008, 10:49:23 pm
Quote
IF it was, they would market their product more professionally, and and with pride.  

They would NOT need resort to such a scam to market their wares with misleading come on's to unwitting consumers.  This sort of deceptive marketing practice has proven to be financially successful for them, as they generate sales with high margins, leaving the consumer without service support.  They create a less than desireable impression of our industry.

I think Markee is saying that he believes they are not equal.
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: clover on January 06, 2008, 11:06:32 am
Quote
I think Markee is saying that he believes they are not equal.
I understand and I agree.  MS appears to do more damage to our industry to consumers and other Hot Tub sellers with their deceptive marketing methods.  Stuart is right also.  Even the customer that buys it from a good dealer, blames the dealer for the decision they made when they have a bad experience.
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: Vanguard on January 06, 2008, 02:51:25 pm
Quote
I understand and I agree.  MS appears to do more damage to our industry to consumers and other Hot Tub sellers with their deceptive marketing methods.  Stuart is right also.  Even the customer that buys it from a good dealer, blames the dealer for the decision they made when they have a bad experience.


Just ask Terminator about their tactics when they do a show down the road from his store.  They tell the unknowing customer that East Texas Spas will service the spa until their new dealer is up and running.  Of course, they have not even approached East Texas about service and they have no dealer currently being set up.  

They did the same kind of thing at a home show in Houston that I saw one time.  They were telling customers about who would service their spas.  Of course, that dealer wasn't at the home show to verify that and they hadn't agreed to service the spas and there is still no Master Spas dealer in Houston.

Despicable.  
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: IL Parrothead on January 06, 2008, 04:54:38 pm
Yeah, after giving it thought, we decided not to even drive up there.  I had read all of Term's posts when he made them, and I didn't need to take an hour long drive to say "Yep, I knew he was right!"   ;D
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: Scaramanga on January 07, 2008, 12:13:05 am
If there is one thing I've have learned during my times lurking on this forum it is to never questiorn east tex's authority in these matters!
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: Mendocino101 on January 07, 2008, 01:00:20 am
Quote
If there is one thing I've have learned during my times lurking on this forum it is to never questiorn east tex's authority in these matters!


Ohh Yeah right old Chris is a like cold a drink on a hot day....or like still waters with his depth of useful information.... ::)...lol...now of course if you are talking beer, guns or hydro technicians well he does offer some genuine insights...
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: Spatech_tuo on January 07, 2008, 11:10:45 am
Quote
...now of course if you are talking beer, guns or hydro technicians well he does offer some genuine insights...

Don't forget fried foods. ET is the resident connoisseur when it comes to what is best battered and fried. Then again in Texas they probably even have deep fried Skittles!
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: Mendocino101 on January 07, 2008, 11:32:33 am
that's right I forgot about that. I think the next time the "Iron Chef" show does its fried fair challenge he is going to be one the "celebrity" judges.... ;)
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: clover on January 07, 2008, 11:39:29 am
Quote


Just ask Terminator about their tactics when they do a show down the road from his store.  They tell the unknowing customer that East Texas Spas will service the spa until their new dealer is up and running.  Of course, they have not even approached East Texas about service and they have no dealer currently being set up.  

They did the same kind of thing at a home show in Houston that I saw one time.  They were telling customers about who would service their spas.  Of course, that dealer wasn't at the home show to verify that and they hadn't agreed to service the spas and there is still no Master Spas dealer in Houston.

Despicable.  
Term was totally unaware of these phoney road shows until they came to his neck of the woods last year and began affecting his market area.  We have been dealing with MS sales tactics, their pool and spa expos and their cash back rebates for over 6 years in our area, Michigan, Ohio, Ind.  We have watched them screw hundreds of people on the "Cash back rebates", and the strange thing is, when you told the consumer what the real truth was, they would NOT believe  competing dealers.  They wanted to believe it was real and did it in spite of the multiple warnings.    

They thought the dealers that were warning them of the truth were just "sour grapes" as the lambs were led to slaughter.  It was truley amazing, just watching consumers do it to themselves after being warned by different dealers in the area.  We are talking about some serious money here, $10,000 and more in some cases that they thought they were getting back in 36 months only to find out that they were fooled and that there would be NO money rebates.

"Let me see now, if I buy that $14,000 top of the line model and I get $10,000 back, that spa will only cost me $4,000, that is awesome.  No wonder the other dealers don't want me to buy this spa, theirs will cost me $8,800.  I will buy the cheaper one for $4,000, here is my check for $14,000"

As a result, the consumer grossly overpaid for what they bought, the sales person was highly compensated at the show to close the deal, and more often than not, the spa was delivered and no service was available from a dealer network.

Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: wmccall on January 07, 2008, 12:29:02 pm
Quote
It isn't that Masters is a bad product.  I feel that the circumstances of these expos diminish the brand's reputation.  


Thats is almost exactly what the local MS Dealer of many years told me after they switched to Hawkeye.
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: BauerN on January 07, 2008, 01:59:33 pm
Total agreement with "The Terminator Principles" here.

"Expos" are BAD NEWS!  The money spent with a reputable dealer of a high-tier manufacturer will be worthwhile, if not for support from a local business, then for peace of mind with local service.
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: Mendocino101 on January 07, 2008, 02:10:36 pm
I took so much heat from Master Spas apologists regarding these events a few years ago when they first started and I went to one as a consumer not knowing until I got there what a complete and utter sham they were and continue to be. I think Master does hurt the entire spa industry with these shows. People go and get burned and the next thing you know they are telling their friends not of what a great experience of owning a spa is, but the horrors of getting ripped off at a event like this.
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: wmccall on January 07, 2008, 02:20:18 pm
I suspect some of the venues weren't real happy with those shows either.  Here in Columbus, they teamed up with a pretty good home show, but the show got lots of complaints. The show goes on with the usual local contractors and businesses When they show came back to Columbus in early 07 it was by itself at a different location.
Title: Re: Spa Expos
Post by: Scaramanga on January 07, 2008, 03:04:52 pm
http://consumerist.com/consumer/master-spas/hot-tub-dealer-sets-up-competitive-fair-where-its-the-only-seller-219550.php

This is a news reports about the shows. If yuo ask me they seem like decievers.