Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: FoCoNoCo on February 06, 2013, 01:35:53 am
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Hello all - My wife and I are looking to purchase a new hot tub within about a year. We had previously owned a 1999 Marquis Coastal Series, which we loved, though it had a board failure and ozonator failure within 3 years. We are living in northern Colorado and have found local dealers in town for Artesian, Maax, Coleman, Dynasty, Hot Springs, Master Spas, Bullfrog, Jacuzzi, and Sundance. Within an hour and a half drive are dealers for Caldera, Cal Spas, Marquis, and D1. At this point we are eliminating the Maax and Dynasty spas completely. I also understand that the Caldera/Hot Springs models are somewhat similar (and our local HS dealer carries the Hot Spot line as well). We have not decided on a price point at this stage of the game. We are wanting a high quality unit with a good warranty that will be honored if need be. I know that Hot Springs are generally at the top of the reliability and quality list. We were not overly impressed with the Bullfrog models, and have read horror stories about the Dynasty models. I know nothing about Coleman, and mixed reviews about Master Spas. My top picks to investigate further at this point would be the Hot Springs (of course), Artesian, Sundance, Marquis, and Master. We have not wet tested any models as of yet, as we are simply wanting professional recommendations on which brands to pursue further. Thanks for any and all help and suggestions.
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Look at Master first. Make sure to take off the equipment panel and look inside. Then go look at your other choices. Take the equipment panel off of those also.
IMO you have about three different classes of tubs your looking at with Jacuzzi, HS, Marquis, Sundance, Caldera at the high end of the quality scale. Then you have some upper middle of the road quality wise choices in Artesian, Hot Spot, Bullfrog. And some lower middle of the road choices like Master, Dynasty, Calspa, Maxx, Coleman. You should get a wide band of pricing.
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Welcome to the forum. I think you have a good "big picture" already. My only advice comes from your own words in that you will buy this year. Don't be in a hurry, enjoy the experience and let them come to you.
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One thing that helped us make our decision after I narrowed it down to three companies Hot Springs, Sundance and Jacuzzi was the wet test. All three of these hot tubs had great warranties and all had great local stores to back them. After the wet test my wife and I wrote down what we liked and disliked about the tub. Then we were off to wet test the next tub. We were able to wet test two tubs one day and the other two days later. Writing down what we liked and disliked we were able to make a decision with out trying to remember what the other tubs felt like.
I do have to say i got way to caught up in the inner workings of all the different manufacters. That is why I had to narrow it down to three companies that I felt would do a great job. If the wet test went well I would feel good buying that tub.
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Hello again. Thank you all for the advice. I've been busy with work and haven't had a chance to return to the forums until now. I was able to go to our local Sundance/Jacuzzi dealer as well as another dealer who sells Artesian and Maax brands. Really liked the Sundance/Jacuzzi models....the dealer? Not so much He wouldn't give me the time of day knowing I wasn't buying today. Also really liked the Artesian models and yes, even the Maax (formerly Coleman) models looked very nice, with great features and a great warranty as well. This dealer was MUCH more pleasant to deal with. One of the co-owners spent nearly an hour talking with me and showing me various features, etc., fully knowing that I was not in a position to buy right now. Even if he doesn't carry the absolute Rolls Royce of spas, I really liked the fact that he spent so much time with me. Not to mention the pricing nearly $3000.00 less than HS, Sundance/Jacuzzi, and $5000.00 less than Master. I guess the hunt will continue and will wet test some tubs in the future and see what we like.
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4+ months and I've been happy with our decision to go with a Maax.
http://www.whatsthebest-hottub.com/forum/index.php/topic,16022.msg170929.html#msg170929 (http://www.whatsthebest-hottub.com/forum/index.php/topic,16022.msg170929.html#msg170929)
Having a good dealer that will work with you and trust will stand behind the product is key.
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If you like the quality of the Hot Spring but not the price definitely check out the Hot Spot line. We carry both and have had a ton of happy customers with the new Hot Spot line. Have fun shopping and yes Wet Test! :)
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Look at Master first. Make sure to take off the equipment panel and look inside. Then go look at your other choices. Take the equipment panel off of those also.
IMO you have about three different classes of tubs your looking at with Jacuzzi, HS, Marquis, Sundance, Caldera at the high end of the quality scale. Then you have some upper middle of the road quality wise choices in Artesian, Hot Spot, Bullfrog. And some lower middle of the road choices like Master, Dynasty, Calspa, Maxx, Coleman. You should get a wide band of pricing.
Having been in the industry for almost 20 years and sold many major brands, I have to disagree with your positioning of Bullfrog Spas. I would rank Bullfrog with or above any of the others that you have listed. They are by and far my favorite hot tub that I have ever worked with. Hot Spring spas get quite a bit of fluff around here, but I would choose Bullfrog first without hesitation. Down to the most minute details, Bullfrog does it right. Additionally, they have made some great design changes for 2013 that I am very excited about.
For the record, I am currently a Bullfrog dealer (among other brands) and have sold Hot Spring in the past.
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Hey Sam.....You said Hot Springs spa and fluff in the same sentence. :o I can hear the attack dogs coming now. Good luck ;D
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Look at Master first. Make sure to take off the equipment panel and look inside. Then go look at your other choices. Take the equipment panel off of those also.
IMO you have about three different classes of tubs your looking at with Jacuzzi, HS, Marquis, Sundance, Caldera at the high end of the quality scale. Then you have some upper middle of the road quality wise choices in Artesian, Hot Spot, Bullfrog. And some lower middle of the road choices like Master, Dynasty, Calspa, Maxx, Coleman. You should get a wide band of pricing.
Having been in the industry for almost 20 years and sold many major brands, I have to disagree with your positioning of Bullfrog Spas. I would rank Bullfrog with or above any of the others that you have listed. They are by and far my favorite hot tub that I have ever worked with. Hot Spring spas get quite a bit of fluff around here, but I would choose Bullfrog first without hesitation. Down to the most minute details, Bullfrog does it right. Additionally, they have made some great design changes for 2013 that I am very excited about.
For the record, I am currently a Bullfrog dealer (among other brands) and have sold Hot Spring in the past.
You'll note he used the term "IMO" so he was just giving that, his opinion. We all have our "favorites" list and everyone's varies so your opinions and your own list are certainly welcome (not that I'm on the welcoming committee or anything).
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It didn't take long
It didn't take long for what?
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It didn't take long
Well, if you are implying that was an 'attack dog,' then I would say: At least he is housebroken. That was the nicest 'attack' I have seen here on this board! ;D
8)
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I just find it amusing when some one has the nerve to say anything about Hot Springs that is not HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY or say another tub is better, it doesn't take long for "someone" to make sure they respond. I hope it never stops because it makes this forum fun. If it's a boring day all I have to say is anything about Hot Springs and we get to have a good time on here. I'm glad there are so many hot tub manufacturers and every one has an opinion on each one.
Remember this is my "IMO" so don't beat me up or I will have to let the attack dogs out ;)
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woof ;D :D ;)
8)
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I just find it amusing when some one has the nerve to say anything about Hot Springs that is not HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY or say another tub is better, it doesn't take long for "someone" to make sure they respond. I hope it never stops because it makes this forum fun. If it's a boring day all I have to say is anything about Hot Springs and we get to have a good time on here. I'm glad there are so many hot tub manufacturers and every one has an opinion on each one.
Remember this is my "IMO" so don't beat me up or I will have to let the attack dogs out ;)
You had a bad expereince with a hot springs salesperson in your local store when you were shopping and have been negative about them since you got here and people responded (imagine that). Then you called Dr Spa "stupid and wrong" (I'm paraphrasing but i could easily get it and paste it) when he was pointing out an issue with the picture you posted of your setup (then u realized later he was correct lol). Then you jumped into this thread seemingly looking to start something IMO with that smartazz remark about expecting attack dogs when i've seen none and then you added the "it didn't take long" remark which made no sense since no one was attacking.
I don't get it. You come to this site a few weeks ago and almost immediately started pointing fingers at people on this site, people who've been here for years making no sales on this site but helping people continually. I don't get what drives your venom but whatever floats your boat (or rubber duckie)!
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I just bought a tub. I looked at jacuzzi , marquis, artesian and hot springs. I didn't set test hot spring. Just pricing there were extras for delivery. Artisan we tried 648 it was stingy to me. I liked the island series. My wife like the jacuzzi and we had to decide between 365and 470. It was more but the size and jets were worth the splurge. I Also tested marquis which felt nice also. I say wet test and let that make your decision they are good tubs. The marquis dealer also sold bullfrog and told me he would rather go marquis. Hope it helps
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I just find it amusing when some one has the nerve to say anything about Hot Springs that is not HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY or say another tub is better, it doesn't take long for "someone" to make sure they respond. I hope it never stops because it makes this forum fun. If it's a boring day all I have to say is anything about Hot Springs and we get to have a good time on here. I'm glad there are so many hot tub manufacturers and every one has an opinion on each one.
Remember this is my "IMO" so don't beat me up or I will have to let the attack dogs out ;)
You had a bad expereince with a hot springs salesperson in your local store when you were shopping and have been negative about them since you got here and people responded (imagine that). Then you called Dr Spa "stupid and wrong" (I'm paraphrasing but i could easily get it and paste it) when he was pointing out an issue with the picture you posted of your setup (then u realized later he was correct lol). Then you jumped into this thread seemingly looking to start something IMO with that smartazz remark about expecting attack dogs when i've seen none and then you added the "it didn't take long" remark which made no sense since no one was attacking.
I don't get it. You come to this site a few weeks ago and almost immediately started pointing fingers at people on this site, people who've been here for years making no sales on this site but helping people continually. I don't get what drives your venom but whatever floats your boat (or rubber duckie)!
You seam to be the one that has a problem with some one who actually won't just sit and let people put their propaganda on here and not be called out on it.
Let me for the 20Th time for you and I will go really slow so you can understand it (yes I'm being a smart ass because you deserve it) I got pissed at Dr Spa for not talking to me but speaking to the forum. If I do something wrong or you see something that might be wrong ( which it wasn't if you take time to read VERY slowly what I wrote in response to his post) I will respond and be polite about it. The way it was written came across to me "IMO" as saying "look at this guy he screwed up". Everything passed code and the picture made it look closer then what the box was. I did apologize to Dr Spa in private messages for the way I came across. I do believe he understands where I was coming from. You spatech seem to be the one that can't let things go.
Next. Lets see this will be the 18TH time I have said this. I have nothing against ANY tub manufacture. God I get tired of writing this part. My wife didn't want the Hot Springs not me. I got mad at my salesman when he said things that he could not back up. If you Mr. spatech want me to list everything he said that he could not back up with actual proof not just "I've seen it with my own eyes" I will be more than happy to again.
If some one comes on here and says their hot tub is better then some one else and it has a IMO then I'm cool with that. If it is "ours is better because we clean the water better then theirs" and they have NO PROOF to back it up and it has no IMO then yes I will be there politely asking for proof. If this is hard for you to understand........sorry but I'm tired of people rolling over and never questioning why.
Last thing. If I am doing so many things wrong in your eyes spatech then I would expect the forum moderator to let me know I'm crossing the line. I don't feel I have crossed that line. I will continue to voice my opinion to help others make decisions that are the best for them.
Have a good day :)
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Let me for the 20Th time for you and I will go really slow so you can understand it (yes I'm being a smart ass because you deserve it)
Really? This rudeness is something that is new to this site as of recently.
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I will continue to voice my opinion to help others make decisions that are the best for them.
Have a good day :)
I'm not sure how voicing your opinion will help others do what's best for them.
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You know what you guys are right. Keep your little click going and promoting your products as the best with out any one questioning you is the best way to have a forum.
But sorry I'm not going anywhere because people will read post made by me or others that may never ever post on this forum but will learn things just like I did before I ever signed on. So get used to it boys I will keep asking questions and anytime I see "we are the best" you better be able to prove it. It is that simple.
Have a great day :)
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You know what you guys are right. Keep your little click going and promoting your products as the best with out any one questioning you is the best way to have a forum.
But sorry I'm not going anywhere because people will read post made by me or others that may never ever post on this forum but will learn things just like I did before I ever signed on. So get used to it boys I will keep asking questions and anytime I see "we are the best" you better be able to prove it. It is that simple.
Have a great day :)
nobody with any shred of credibility on this site has every claimed "we are 100% the best" we simply give recommendations of the best companies...ie "I'm in the market for a good spa, who should I look at?" and 98% of the replies are Hot Spring/Jacuzzi/Sundance/Marquis/D1 from there people may "fight a little" over who has best features, jets, lighting, insulation, etc. but the fact of the matter is that the first part of the statement holds true in that all the mentioned brands are good, just comes down to price, personal preference, wet-test, etc.
not 1 single product on this planet is the best in any industry, I don't care what anyone says and everyone on here realizes it...you seem to be the only one struggling with this concept
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You know what you guys are right. Keep your little click going and promoting your products as the best with out any one questioning you is the best way to have a forum.
But sorry I'm not going anywhere because people will read post made by me or others that may never ever post on this forum but will learn things just like I did before I ever signed on. So get used to it boys I will keep asking questions and anytime I see "we are the best" you better be able to prove it. It is that simple.
Have a great day :)
So you're here as the consumer advocate because as you stated "you know who you guys are"! Wow, what nerve to say the things you do. You've been here for about a minute compared to most of the people on this site and you sure do have it all wrong. There are so many people here whose agenda begins and ends with helping people with no monetary gain in site. T-man, Jacuzzi Jim, Twin, Dr Spa, Bill... you think they're here for an agenda!? Maybe its just me with who has the agenda. Funny that I never have issues with any other people on this site, that I'm aware of anyway. If only I ever made a red cent out of being here lol. I'll give you credit for one thing, you showed your true colors pretty much from Day 1. You have a lot of nerve thinking you have to somehow save people from us.
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You know what you guys are right. Keep your little click going and promoting your products as the best with out any one questioning you is the best way to have a forum.
But sorry I'm not going anywhere because people will read post made by me or others that may never ever post on this forum but will learn things just like I did before I ever signed on. So get used to it boys I will keep asking questions and anytime I see "we are the best" you better be able to prove it. It is that simple.
Have a great day :)
So you're here as the consumer advocate because as you stated "you know who you guys are"! Wow, what nerve to say the things you do. You've been here for about a minute compared to most of the people on this site and you sure do have it all wrong. There are so many people here whose agenda begins and ends with helping people with no monetary gain in site. T-man, Jacuzzi Jim, Twin, Dr Spa, Bill... you think they're here for an agenda!? Maybe its just me with who has the agenda. Funny that I never have issues with any other people on this site, that I'm aware of anyway. If only I ever made a red cent out of being here lol. I'll give you credit for one thing, you showed your true colors pretty much from Day 1. You have a lot of nerve thinking you have to somehow save people from us.
:'( sorry I hurt your feelings so bad. I have never once said the people you listed above can't type anything they want. I really don't care if some one has been on here for 40 years. Where I do draw the line for anyone on here is when a statement is made not an opinion with no proof to back it up. Do you have any idea how many people read the post on here that will never ever think of joining the forum? Should they not get the full truth about a subject they are looking into? I guess in your world if some one has 100,000 post then anything they type must be gospel.
My only agenda from day one was to piss you off spatech_two. I think I'm getting there. (just kidding....no really I am just kidding)
It is kinda funny the private messages I get thanking me from not backing down to some on here.
I'm sure spatech_two you are a good guy and I think I'm sorta OK when I don't forget to take my meds. We can get along and I have absolutely no problem with you questioning me on what in the hell I'm doing on here. Now I will let you have the last word on this thread because I know how important that is to you. :)
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You know what you guys are right. Keep your little click going and promoting your products as the best with out any one questioning you is the best way to have a forum.
But sorry I'm not going anywhere because people will read post made by me or others that may never ever post on this forum but will learn things just like I did before I ever signed on. So get used to it boys I will keep asking questions and anytime I see "we are the best" you better be able to prove it. It is that simple.
Have a great day :)
So you're here as the consumer advocate because as you stated "you know who you guys are"! Wow, what nerve to say the things you do. You've been here for about a minute compared to most of the people on this site and you sure do have it all wrong. There are so many people here whose agenda begins and ends with helping people with no monetary gain in site. T-man, Jacuzzi Jim, Twin, Dr Spa, Bill... you think they're here for an agenda!? Maybe its just me with who has the agenda. Funny that I never have issues with any other people on this site, that I'm aware of anyway. If only I ever made a red cent out of being here lol. I'll give you credit for one thing, you showed your true colors pretty much from Day 1. You have a lot of nerve thinking you have to somehow save people from us.
:'( sorry I hurt your feelings so bad. I have never once said the people you listed above can't type anything they want. I really don't care if some one has been on here for 40 years. Where I do draw the line for anyone on here is when a statement is made not an opinion with no proof to back it up. Do you have any idea how many people read the post on here that will never ever think of joining the forum? Should they not get the full truth about a subject they are looking into? I guess in your world if some one has 100,000 post then anything they type must be gospel.
My only agenda from day one was to piss you off spatech_two. I think I'm getting there. (just kidding....no really I am just kidding)
It is kinda funny the private messages I get thanking me from not backing down to some on here.
I'm sure spatech_two you are a good guy and I think I'm sorta OK when I don't forget to take my meds. We can get along and I have absolutely no problem with you questioning me on what in the hell I'm doing on here. Now I will let you have the last word on this thread because I know how important that is to you. :)
LOL, sorry but you'd have to do far more than this to hurt my feelings or piss me off. These aren't the kinds of things that make me lose sleep.
"Should they not get the full truth about a subject they are looking into?"
People have been getting good advice here for MANY years and it will continue. There are plenty of checks and balances in place largely due to the people who are here regularly, pros and owners. If someone is misrepresenting the truth or greatly exaggerating it there are people here who speak up and balance that out and have been doing so for years. There are people here who have always railed against people using the term "best" and trying to shove their a certain agenda down others throats. I'm not sure why you think that just began last month. You don't know the history of someone like Jim Arjuna and why he was banned from this site due to his agenda and because of the people on this site who stood up against his BS. Whether you want to be here to help others is up to you but please don't think that you’ve all of a sudden added something that was missing, its been here all along.
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;D
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You know what you guys are right. Keep your little click going and promoting your products as the best with out any one questioning you is the best way to have a forum.
But sorry I'm not going anywhere because people will read post made by me or others that may never ever post on this forum but will learn things just like I did before I ever signed on. So get used to it boys I will keep asking questions and anytime I see "we are the best" you better be able to prove it. It is that simple.
Have a great day :)
Can't remember the last time someone younger than me called me a boy. Thanks old man.
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It is kinda funny the private messages I get thanking me from not backing down to some on here.
Kinda funny the PM's I get thanking me for my experience.
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It is kinda funny the private messages I get thanking me from not backing down to some on here.
Kinda funny the PM's I get thanking me for my experience.
Agree, they're never necessary but always appreciated.
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You know what you guys are right. Keep your little click going and promoting your products as the best with out any one questioning you is the best way to have a forum.
But sorry I'm not going anywhere because people will read post made by me or others that may never ever post on this forum but will learn things just like I did before I ever signed on. So get used to it boys I will keep asking questions and anytime I see "we are the best" you better be able to prove it. It is that simple.
Have a great day :)
Can't remember the last time someone younger than me called me a boy. Thanks old man.
Would you rather I call you "girl"? Didn't know it would offend you so. Old man you are right. I have seen 7 different decades. I will go back to the old folks home now....they have better wifi there.
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It is kinda funny the private messages I get thanking me from not backing down to some on here.
Kinda funny the PM's I get thanking me for my experience.
Don't get upset that a few like what I do on here. I'm positive you get 1000's of PM's thanking you. You are the King....I'M just a loyal subject. I know my place on the food chain...wait, spa chain.
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It is kinda funny the private messages I get thanking me from not backing down to some on here.
Kinda funny the PM's I get thanking me for my experience.
Don't get upset that a few like what I do on here. I'm positive you get 1000's of PM's thanking you. You are the King....I'M just a loyal subject. I know my place on the food chain...wait, spa chain.
While you may not have said anything that others don't also say or have said a couple hundred times previously on the site its good to have a mix between professionals and consumers on this site and the more people who can say "yeah I had that same question when I was looking and this is what I found out..." the better. I know if I was on a car buying site I'd want to have a Jaguar Jim there to answer questions but I'd also want people who bought one of the brand I'm looking at or can make me think of a question I didn't even know I should be thinking about... Thats what makes this site so valuable.
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No dog your the king and you know it. Just ask yourself.
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No dog your the king and you know it. Just ask yourself.
Hope you don't mind but i printed this out...well I did leave off the "Just ask yourself" part. My wife will be so proud of me that some one else thinks I'm the King. I really appreciate it Tman. Thank you.
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Funny, I did the same thing. I got my post from you earlier so my g-friend believes me. LOL
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See we can be a good team ;D
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Hey Sam.....You said Hot Springs spa and fluff in the same sentence. :o I can hear the attack dogs coming now. Good luck ;D
I understand the sentiment of what you are trying to say, even if I don't agree with the sentiment, but I would prefer you do so in a manner consistent with the good nature and polite environment of this forum.
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Hey Sam.....You said Hot Springs spa and fluff in the same sentence. :o I can hear the attack dogs coming now. Good luck ;D
I understand the sentiment of what you are trying to say, even if I don't agree with the sentiment, but I would prefer you do so in a manner consistent with the good nature and polite environment of this forum.
If my statement was not "with the good nature and polite environment of this forum"
What would this post be considered? Posting a picture of a guy with a gun who is not even me yet saying it was me. I hope this person who posted this was given the same statement as I got.
I wouldn't trust me I'M a shady person 8)
Agreed.
http://www.okcupid.com/profile/BimmerDog/photos (http://www.okcupid.com/profile/BimmerDog/photos)
are you serious!!!! go online and find a guy with the name bimmerdog and you think it is me. God I want to say so many things but I will keep them to myself but one thing I will say is that is about a childish post you could make.
so let me help you since you have a "thing" for me
(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy209/bimmerdog/itsbig.jpg)
and here is bimmerdog just so you can sleep better at night. the name bimmerdog comes from BMW=bimmer my yellow lab=dog together they are bimmerdog.
(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy209/bimmerdog/drinkingbuddy-1.jpg)
Lets hope every one has to play by the same rules.