Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Spatini on March 30, 2008, 09:54:30 pm
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After Much wet testing and reading countless posts here, Iam ready to get either the Artesian Piper or the Pelican Bay , I have decided I really want a tub with the footdome feature as I am 5'10" 185 and wife is about 5' 2" 108, my local dealer is HS and I really liked the Vista but without something to brace my feet against I was getting pushed out or straining to much to relax trying to stay seated, tried the tiger river capsian and loved the foot dome but the jets did not hit me right , so I drove about 75 miles to the Artesian dealer stopping at the Sundance dealer in between about 45 miles away, tried the cameo and I really enjoyed it and thought the lounge fit me better than the vista ( I think you need to be about 6'2" to fit the vista ) seats were good and the jets fit me better also , then I tried the Artesian elite Dove canyon and man for me it was awesome, the lounge fit with no floating, the corner seats were awesome and I loved the single seat controls ( one of my favorite things , EASY to use with no trying to figure out the diverters ) but it did not have a footdome ,So the Piper and the Pelican have the dome and the Pelican also has the lounge but its huge, wife says I always overdo everything , but I love the Pelican, any way They want $11500. for the 08 Piper with the DynaBrite Lights and $12,900 for the 08 Pelican with the DyanaBrite and the PolyPlaner stereo ,
also cover, cradle ,steps , startup chems and free delivery on both. does this sound reasonable , they want half down to order and said it would take about three weeks, company is very reputable so that doesnt bother me, any thought would be helpful and appriciated.
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Spatini--having checked out the Pipers ourselves, on line only, since the only 2 dealers we can find are 80 miles (and he only carries an occasional Island series, not even a Grand Cayman) and even further about 150 miles, we haven't visited them yet.
Definately ask about service--should you require service at what cost, if any to you (and as everyone will say here-- in writing). THe State College dealer already told me AT LEAST 150. I personally like to see what I can talk a dealer in to, (no, dealers--not wanting everything for nothing)--espeically if I am traveling 75 miles.
As far as pricing--depends on how comfortable you feel with that kind of cash departure--if the Piper is what you want--see if they'll throw in a stereo for free. Are there any home shows?? Most dealers will run home show prices. (in my expereince.)
I wish I could further provide an opinion about the expense=I haven't really priced them.
wishing you luck--seems there are a few happy Artesian owners on this post!!
Chrisi
WWHT
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I left this for you in another thread , sorry about the repeat
The Artesian Dealer is about 75-80 miles from me and for the first year they will not charge a service fee between 2-5 they will charge a $60.00 fee .You are right I live just on the western side of the mississippi , in AR, I really wanted to go with HS as the dealer is about 5 miles from home but I just could not find one that fit me right, I have been on a quest for about 6 months now .You should take Hubby on a road trip and try the Pelican it is so roomy and the fit and finish is great,I loved the single seat controls , the lounge was countoured perfectly and not so deep to float you out,But $$$$$$$ ouch. good luck in your search
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I know we'll take a drive. For me, it's nothing to go there, my son is in PSU. I worry about the dealer itself----my brief interaction has left me scratching my head [smiley=huh.gif] :question. I am waiting to wet test an Arctic Tundra (and I know that will cost some FAT bank!!) and a Dynasty, either Caspian 55, with nice seats or the Excalibur sereis Titan 5000 with a nice foot well (as well!) We were going to wet test a jacuzzi J470, but sitting in the 480 didn't feel right either--I'd have to sit like I am prim and proper (NOT) to get some calf therapy. THe calf jets on the caldera Niagara--the set up on the one corner seat, left me thinking of giving it a try.
As for HS, many of ther posters on this forum are HS-passionate, so I agree with you there--HS wasn't right for me--or hubby--and we aren't interested. Haven't entirely ruled out Caldera.
I'll post when (and I am sure it will be a when) we drive 3 hours to see a tub!!
8-) 8-)
Chrisi
here's to you and miller time-- [smiley=beer.gif] [smiley=beer.gif] ;)
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I know we'll take a drive. For me, it's nothing to go there, my son is in PSU. I worry about the dealer itself----my brief interaction has left me scratching my head [smiley=huh.gif] :question. I am waiting to wet test an Arctic Tundra (and I know that will cost some FAT bank!!) and a Dynasty, either Caspian 55, with nice seats or the Excalibur sereis Titan 5000 with a nice foot well (as well!) We were going to wet test a jacuzzi J470, but sitting in the 480 didn't feel right either--I'd have to sit like I am prim and proper (NOT) to get some calf therapy. THe calf jets on the caldera Niagara--the set up on the one corner seat, left me thinking of giving it a try.
As for HS, many of ther posters on this forum are HS-passionate, so I agree with you there--HS wasn't right for me--or hubby--and we aren't interested. Haven't entirely ruled out Caldera.
I'll post when (and I am sure it will be a when) we drive 3 hours to see a tub!!
8-) 8-)
Chrisi
here's to you and miller time-- [smiley=beer.gif] [smiley=beer.gif] ;)
I wish that there was a 480 here to test, that lounger looked like it was pretty good for bigger people, I only have a 465 here.
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I liked the Piper Glen -- priced here (Chicago) about the same they're talking with you. I did like the HS, but I'm with you -- I didn't care for the lounger all that much. We tested the Envoy. I did like the tub enough to have tested either a Vanguard or a Grandee, but couldn't find one wet at any of the HS stores around here. Foolish on their part, I thought, not to have a non-lounger wet -- the HS dealer here has 6 or 7 stores in the Chicago area. Not one had a non-lounger wet.
Loungers are very subjective. In all of my wet testing, there were only two I liked -- J480 Jacuzzi and Marquis Epic. J480 was in the same price point as the Piper Glen you're testing -- which was a little more than I hoped to spend.
Good luck with your search!
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Hi Spatini - we have the Piper Glen - bought it in 2006 and paid 10K, so I don't think that 1500 more 2 years later is a bad deal. We love our tub and I bet if they had the Pelican Bay available in 2006 we probably would have been torn between the two tubs as well. We actually wet tested the Dove Canyon too but we knew we didn't want a lounger so we got the Piper Glen.
Our dealer could be better. Where are you located?
Good luck!
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Bohms
If they didnt have the Pelican , I to would get the Piper Glen , although I liked the Dove Canyon, no real foot dome and the lounger took up more room then I would have liked and would rather have the 4 corners , butttt with the pelican I can have both the lounger and the room , a little trade off on the 4 corner seats but still OK , just have to make up my mind , seems like a little better deal on the Pelican than the Piper , I am in AR and ironicaly in the Hot Springs area.
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I think someone else on this forum was quoted $13500 for the Pelican Bay (if my memory serves me right). If you didn't do a search for Pelican Bay yet, then try it - you should come up with one or two other quotes that people were given.
I had the same beef with the Dove Canyon....I wanted more foot dome and just more room in general. We love having four corner seats - they definitely get the most use. My husband and I like to rotate from corner seat to corner seat and that's what we do EVERY soak.
Good luck to you and I hope you're happy with your final decision.
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I was given the price of 12K for a Pelican Bay with all the bling just 2 months ago from the factory here in Vegas.
Scott ;)
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I think someone else on this forum was quoted $13500 for the Pelican Bay (if my memory serves me right).
Bohms--is it possible you may be thinking of my thread about Clearwater Orlando spa-with a quoted price of >13,500?? :-/
WWHT
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I was given the price of 12K for a Pelican Bay with all the bling just 2 months ago from the factory here in Vegas.
Scott ;)
Swell-Tub '
did that include the Poly Planer and dynabrite , that seems to be a good price , But it would cost me waaaay more than $900 to drive there and pick it up , so the price I was given does not seem bad at all.
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Swell-Tub '
did that include the Poly Planer and dynabrite , that seems to be a good price , But it would cost me waaaay more than $900 to drive there and pick it up , so the price I was given does not seem bad at all.
It did have the Poly Planer but I'm not sure what the dynabrite is. I'm guessing shipping costs are why the prices are higher when you get away from the factory here in Vegas.
Scott :)
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Swell,
Dynabrite is the upgraded led lighting, after reading your post on going to the Artesian factory, did you ever wet test that pelican ??
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My husband & I just paid $10,200 (Canadian, but the dollars are about par now) for a 2007 Piper Glen. That includes delivery and set up. The tub was on the floor so we took it as is. It has all the upgrades except stereo. Now if the snow would just melt so we can build our new deck and install it...
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Swell,
Dynabrite is the upgraded led lighting, after reading your post on going to the Artesian factory, did you ever wet test that pelican ??
Yes it had the additional LED lights and no I didn't do a wet test. The local dealers here in Las Vegas really bash the Artesian tubs without any mercy. Only on this forum have I heard good things about Artesian. They were going to fill a Pelican Bay for a wet test but then my doctor told me no wet testing for 4 weeks because I just had knee surgery (what was I thinking?). So during the 4 weeks I reasearched tubs and lost interest in Artesian because of the negative conversations. I thought the tubs were well layed out and the idea of 5 small pumps seemed like a great idea as well.
Scott :)
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Didn't Nevada just pass a law preventing wet testing?
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The local dealers here in Las Vegas really bash the Artesian tubs without any mercy. Only on this forum have I heard good things about Artesian.
Scott :)
Hmmmmm,... so if only Other Dealers were bashing Artesian.........poor salesmanship--unless it was a person really trustworthy.
BTW----were they HS dealers? Ohhhh, my bad, my kneecaps will hurt for that one!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D 8-)
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Before they relocated to Vegas we had Artesian for 3 years and customers loved the spas. They are great tubs and offered a lot of great features that our HS didn't. Personally the only thing i don't like about the Artesian spas is the cabinet and lack of insulation that could easily be in the spa if they were to take more time in design. :-/
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Didn't Nevada just pass a law preventing wet testing?
Are you being serious??? :-?
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Bohms--is it possible you may be thinking of my thread about Clearwater Orlando spa-with a quoted price of >13,500?? :-/
WWHT
WWHT- either that or I'm thinking of someone who was quoted 13K for the Pelican Bay back in August 07 and I was off by $500! I just went back and searched it.
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Yes. My Hotspring / Caldera rep just told me about it at our home show this weekend and it caught me off guard.
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Yes. My Hotspring / Caldera rep just told me about it at our home show this weekend and it caught me off guard.
WTF?? :o :o :o
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Yup i just called him to confirm and he said that the health and safety commission of Nevada passed the law sometime this year. So the dealers have to display some notice in store in regards to it.
maybe to many hookers were wet testing? ;D
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Didn't Nevada just pass a law preventing wet testing?
Yes when you enter a HS spa dealership in Vegas they have the Nevada law posted on the wall. If customers wet test then it is considered a community pool and is then regulated by the health department. The dealers make you sign a legal wavier and no children 12 and under are allowed to get in the spa.
Scott :o
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The local dealers here in Las Vegas really bash the Artesian tubs without any mercy. Only on this forum have I heard good things about Artesian. .
Scott :)
Swell,
I actually visited several other forums and other than one poster that had a problem with jets breaking on one of the older tubs , I never came across anyone with any negative comments , everyone seem to hold Artesian Platinum Elite ,in the same company with the better spas , It was because of all the research I have done that led me try all of the better spa's I could wet test and then and only then make a decision on which spa fit me and my lifestyle the best. Agian I wish HS worked for me as they are only 5 miles from my door , but they just didnt seem to fit me, niether did Sundance , tiger river or cal spa. The Artesian fit me well . I would have been happy with any of the brands I tested if they would have fit me.If I were to have been swayed by the dealer bashing the other brands, I would still be looking ! By the way I just learned there was a Jacuzzi Dealer about 85 miles from me who said they would fill a 480 for me to wet test so I guess that will be my last as there is nothing else close enough to see , tried to contact the D1 dealer who is about 150 miles away and they said they would call back but have not heard from them for about 4days now so I guess they are out .
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I will tell you that I was very impressed with the Artesian manufacturing facility. There top of the line Platinum Elite had the pump for each seat. I might need to revisit the Artesian option.
The closest dealers to my home are Jacuzzi and Sundance and the Sundance dealer services what he sells. The Sundance dealer also sells Artesian but is dropping the Artesian line. I don't have any D1, Bullfrog, Marquis, Dynasty or Arctic dealers in the Vegas area.
Scott ;)
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Well, all,
I have an email into the Artesian dealer in State College to come and wet test a Piper. I am waiting forthem to reply. It is interesting how everyone talks highly of them, yet dealers keep dropping them.
Our most local dealer had carried them for 6 mos. He stated part of the reason, was the manufacturer wanted to make tubs special for some dealers, not all. It was purely business, not the tub. It still makes one wonder.... :-?
It seems size-wise we are down to Dynasty Caspian 55/Titan 5000, Arctics TUndra (though very expensive) and Summit, and the Art. Piper Glen--these are what we need to wet test. We were interested in the JQZ J470 earlier, but having sat in a dry 480--the calf jets would be no where near my calves, and hubby's head is still banging off the shell.
If all else fails, we may revisit the Caldera Niagara, but we want an actual stereo, the new add-on aftermarket thing they do now, is kinda cheesy :D ;)
so, waiting and wondering...
Chrisi
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having sat in a dry 480--the calf jets would be no where near my calves, and hubby's head is still banging off the shell.
Chrisi
I'm going to wet test a J-480 Friday , not sure what you mean Hubby's head is bangin off the shell ???
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Yes when you enter a HS spa dealership in Vegas they have the Nevada law posted on the wall. If customers wet test then it is considered a community pool and is then regulated by the health department. The dealers make you sign a legal wavier and no children 12 and under are allowed to get in the spa.
Scott :o
Thanks for the clarification on that one. :)
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I'm going to wet test a J-480 Friday , not sure what you mean Hubby's head is bangin off the shell ???
I just mean that when he relaxes his head back in a seated position, his head is not hitting the pillows, even thoug Jacuzzi makes an adjustable pillow, with it all the way to the top. Hubby likes to lay his head back as he would if it were ours and filled with water and chillin'.
That's why he wasn't comfortable. I realize you can get toss over pillows for any tub. The nice thing about 470 and 480 is the back part of the tub is much higher than the front. So it all depends on where you are comfy.
Good luck with the wet test!!
Chrisi
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I know you've done a lot of shopping/searching and hate to see that time wasted but I think you need to consider getting a shorter husband!!
I just mean that when he relaxes his head back in a seated position, his head is not hitting the pillows, even thoug Jacuzzi makes an adjustable pillow, with it all the way to the top. Hubby likes to lay his head back as he would if it were ours and filled with water and chillin'.
That's why he wasn't comfortable. I realize you can get toss over pillows for any tub. The nice thing about 470 and 480 is the back part of the tub is much higher than the front. So it all depends on where you are comfy.
Good luck with the wet test!!
Chrisi
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I know you've done a lot of shopping/searching and hate to see that time wasted but I think you need to consider getting a shorter husband!!
OUCH!!! That's going to leave a mark......
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The nice thing about 470 and 480 is the back part of the tub is much higher than the front. So it all depends on where you are comfy.
Chrisi
Chrisi,
I am assuming that you mean the back ( as where the waterfalls are ) and the front up by the controls . At 5' 10" I hope I dont have this problem , cause after draining the margarator my head may fall back also ;) ;D
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Hey all!!
I don't think Tom relishes losing his head or anything else to get a little shorter ;D ;D ;D
Spatini--That is what I meant--the back where the waterfalls are where the tub is higher---almost fit Tom. You should be ok, but hey, after a Margarator draining, whose gonna feel any pain??? ;D ;D :o :o ;D ;D
we'll probably still wet test a J470 just to be sure--waiting for the store to get one in.
In the mean time--gonna call the Artesian dealer 3 hours away...he has a Piper but not wet--I think he has a Cayman though...
But after that--back to 12 hour night shift :'(
LOL all [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif] [smiley=lolk.gif]
Chrisi
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my Jacuzzi dealer had the j 480 dry but I called today and he siad he would fill and it should be ready friday , so thats the plan. I'd ask your Artesian Dealer to fill the Piper for you.
If I 'm right the Piper Glen will be nothing like the Cayman , as it is in the Platinum Elite line , I think It could only compare with the Dove Canyon , Pelican Bay and maybe the Quail Ridge the seat set up is the same / with or without lounge and they are the only ones with a motor for each seat ( man that is a great feature ) no diverters , I tried an Artesian Grand Bahama and though it was very nice it was a different tub that the Elite Line, Wife also said the Platinum ELite Line was also much Quiter than all the others I wet tested ( again I think it has to do with the motor at each seat and not having to go through the diverters ) , I'm sure someone will chime in about this.
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Spatini--
I called the Artesian guy, and requested a wet test on Friday after work, andlet him know it would be towards the end of the day (they close at 8 p) since it is a long drive. He told me, Well, I have a piper in the warehouse, but not on the floor where it can easily be filled. Then, get this, he says "hardly anyone wet tests anymore" ! WTF!!! I said we don't buy unless we wet test. This guy hardly would let me get a word in edge wise, and then sais, well I'll see what I can do, and then I am to call before I leave. Hey, he did offer to fill some Sundances!!-----Go figure. I started to tell him we don't want sundance, and never got to finish.
All in all, we want to go test the Piper. A company rep (artesian) had told us if a Piper was unavailable, the seating of the Grand Cayman would be similiar to the Piper, and is as well, a nice spa. We like the idea of more pumps to control the seats, though.
I am waiting for a Dynasty to come in to wet test, and that is the same dealer that sells Arctics, and she is checking to see what big tubs she has in the warehouse to be available at the same time. THAT is the dealer I want to deal with==they have taken VERY good care of a friend of mine--has a Kodiak Legend Extreme with bar/steps/lift/cover and stools, (wraparound steps) for <$10k!! (floor model and in great shape!) Whena dealer seems to repeatedly make some lame-arss excuses, I don't want to deal with it. I try to do my job to the best of my ability and take care of business, so I have little tolerance for those who could care less to do theirs. I do have some high standards, and I think most of the dealers on this forum do as well.
Most of these dealers (on the forum) that I have seen will transfer water and fill tubs so their customers can test. I seem to be hitting roadblocks. (I believe the dealer mentioned above--Arctic/Dynasty dealer---is willing to do what it takes to make sure a tub is right for the customer!)
Good luck and I'll keep posting the events as they occur--- :) ;)
Chrisi :)
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I'm starting to get the feeling that Spa's are not rocket science! Most brands with a few exceptions offer a variety of seating arrangements and features. Basically you are setting in hot water and it is swirling around. So with this said I think the dealer part becomes even more important.
For me I'm leaning towards a Sundance Optima because the dealer is close to my house and services what he sales. No trip charges and he has been in business a very long time. I really like the Jacuzzi but it is a new dealer and I don't have a comfortable feeling that they are going to continue to sell portable spa's because their main business is in-ground swimming pools and in-ground spa's. The guy has his mother who is a sweetheart selliing the spa's in the store. They carry the less popular models because that is what Jacuzzi sent them for displays (I guessing).
Anyway I'm starting to think the brand is less important than a good dealer.
Scott ;)
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Anyway I'm starting to think the brand is less important than a good dealer.
Scott ;)
It is definitely as important to have a good dealer. You can buy a great spa, but if the dealer isn’t there to assist with warranty or service issues, then you are screwed. I encourage customers to ask for referrals and check out the local BBB of companies as well. That usually gives you a pretty good gauge of what the dealer will be like. :)
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I encourage customers to ask for referrals and check out the local BBB of companies as well. That usually gives you a pretty good gauge of what the dealer will be like. :)
I couldn't agree more!!!!!