Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: ski bum on September 09, 2015, 08:01:56 pm
-
First post, I'm a ski bum living in Montana. Naturally, I had to have a hot tub for the Apres Ski this coming winter.
I've narrowed it down to Bullfrog and Hotsprings. Both have great dealer support in my town, both are high quality tubs that are efficient and reliable. The R6L and Sovereign/Prodigy/Aria are the right size for my wife and I (and the occasional guests). I've seen prices all over the board, but nothing that recent. Without negotiation, the Bullfrog dealer is quoting me $7700 for the R6L including cover, lift, chemicals, steps, delivered). No quotes from Hotsprings yet, but they say they are having a factory sale starting September 15th on the highlife collection, including a $1000 discount over the normal pricing.
We are scheduled to wet test this weekend. Depending on how that goes, we want to get our order in soon. I am hoping that some of you can help me with pricing for negotiating the price down.
Thanks in advance!
-
I've looked at both the Bullfrog R6L and the Hot Springs Aria... Prices in New England were about $6999 for the R6L and about $10500 for the Aria. Hope that helps. For what it's worth, I did like the R6L but loved the Aria. If you want a similar price point to the R6L, check out the Hot Springs Flair. I believe that's around $7500 and has a similar seating style to the Aria. Good luck!
-
Bullfrog was having a Labor Day $500 rebate... might give your dealer a call and see if you can still get that if you buy soon...
I don't have an R6L quote, but do have R6 quote, and I think they are the same $. My quote was $7200, that included ozone and circ pump option, cover, delivery and hauling my old tub away. Did not include lifter or step as I didn't like their options for those. This was before any negotiation. Also, California if that makes much difference.
After further discussion and negotiations, we ordered an R7 with the same options for $7600 and will get $500 rebate as well. Original quote on R7 was $8200
-
Thanks for the info...anyone else know what these tubs are actually selling for? I hate not knowing what price is a good deal or not on these brands.
-
I am in the process of buying the Sovereign. Not sure if my price was good or not, but I got the Sovereign for about 9.1K. It includes the salt system, the steps, cover, cover lifter, chemicals, and delivery. It was the floor model, so we didn't get to pick colors, but it's a really nice spa. We loved the Envoy but felt we got a better $$ deal with the Soverign and honestly, it was just a nice. Just doesn't have the Captains chair that the Envoy does. We went to Hot Springs first for wet testing, and after they offered us the floor model with free salt system included, we didn't go on to try the Jacuzzi or Calderas we were going to try.
-
Any dealers on the forum that can chime in? Anybody have a price list for either brand?
-
Bullfrog was having a Labor Day $500 rebate... might give your dealer a call and see if you can still get that if you buy soon...
I don't have an R6L quote, but do have R6 quote, and I think they are the same $. My quote was $7200, that included ozone and circ pump option, cover, delivery and hauling my old tub away. Did not include lifter or step as I didn't like their options for those. This was before any negotiation. Also, California if that makes much difference.
After further discussion and negotiations, we ordered an R7 with the same options for $7600 and will get $500 rebate as well. Original quote on R7 was $8200
That is a ridiculously good deal for an R7. Good job.
-
Any dealers on the forum that can chime in? Anybody have a price list for either brand?
LOL, good luck with that. One of the things that has frustrated me in the shopping process is the lack of information on pricing data. They seem to keep it stored in an underground vault deep in the Rockies. In most cases, even manufactures won't list MSRP on websites... Jacuzzi/Sundunce excepted. Or if they do, they are crazy high so dealers can play the huge discount card in their sales game.
So the consumers are left to try and compare notes to try and figure out what reasonable is. We can hope that WikiLeaks digs it up one of these days. ;D
-
After further discussion and negotiations, we ordered an R7 with the same options for $7600 and will get $500 rebate as well. Original quote on R7 was $8200
The price you quote is what at least 2 dealers locally were able to offer us a few weeks ago. Sounds like it's a decent number.
-
Any dealers on the forum that can chime in? Anybody have a price list for either brand?
LOL, good luck with that. One of the things that has frustrated me in the shopping process is the lack of information on pricing data. They seem to keep it stored in an underground vault deep in the Rockies. In most cases, even manufactures won't list MSRP on websites... Jacuzzi/Sundunce excepted. Or if they do, they are crazy high so dealers can play the huge discount card in their sales game.
So the consumers are left to try and compare notes to try and figure out what reasonable is. We can hope that WikiLeaks digs it up one of these days. ;D
If you do searches here, you will find dealers that say its a good price or where it should be on many brands. I have even posted what we sell Bullfrogs for and Jacuzzi's over the last 5 plus years I have been around here. Now it might not be the price some one is going to get from their dealer but it's a ball park.
To original poster we sell the R6 or R6l for 6995.00 or so.
-
Any dealers on the forum that can chime in? Anybody have a price list for either brand?
LOL, good luck with that. One of the things that has frustrated me in the shopping process is the lack of information on pricing data. They seem to keep it stored in an underground vault deep in the Rockies. In most cases, even manufactures won't list MSRP on websites... Jacuzzi/Sundunce excepted. Or if they do, they are crazy high so dealers can play the huge discount card in their sales game.
So the consumers are left to try and compare notes to try and figure out what reasonable is. We can hope that WikiLeaks digs it up one of these days. ;D
If you do searches here, you will find dealers that say its a good price or where it should be on many brands. I have even posted what we sell Bullfrogs for and Jacuzzi's over the last 5 plus years I have been around here. Now it might not be the price some one is going to get from their dealer but it's a ball park.
To original poster we sell the R6 or R6l for 6995.00 or so.
What does that price include? Could I expect to get the R6L with my personalized color combination, jet packs, cover/lift, steps, intro chemicals, with local delivery for that price? Would the ozonater and circ pump be extra?
Thanks for the real world info everyone.
-
Just purchased a Soverign yesterday for $7900. Included steps/delivery/cover/lifter etc.. Didn't do the ACE, seems that people either love or hate it, plus the $800 replacement seems steep in the long run.
-
Any dealers on the forum that can chime in? Anybody have a price list for either brand?
LOL, good luck with that. One of the things that has frustrated me in the shopping process is the lack of information on pricing data. They seem to keep it stored in an underground vault deep in the Rockies. In most cases, even manufactures won't list MSRP on websites... Jacuzzi/Sundunce excepted. Or if they do, they are crazy high so dealers can play the huge discount card in their sales game.
So the consumers are left to try and compare notes to try and figure out what reasonable is. We can hope that WikiLeaks digs it up one of these days. ;D
If you do searches here, you will find dealers that say its a good price or where it should be on many brands. I have even posted what we sell Bullfrogs for and Jacuzzi's over the last 5 plus years I have been around here. Now it might not be the price some one is going to get from their dealer but it's a ball park.
To original poster we sell the R6 or R6l for 6995.00 or so.
What does that price include? Could I expect to get the R6L with my personalized color combination, jet packs, cover/lift, steps, intro chemicals, with local delivery for that price? Would the ozonater and circ pump be extra?
Thanks for the real world info everyone.
Depends on the promo we are running, I often use a cover lift or ozone at no charge for closing the deal. Shell which ever color they offer, as far as the packs (acrylic upgrade) that's up to the dealer, we have it priced in on ours. Circ pump would be extra 350 I think.
-
Any dealers on the forum that can chime in? Anybody have a price list for either brand?
LOL, good luck with that. One of the things that has frustrated me in the shopping process is the lack of information on pricing data. They seem to keep it stored in an underground vault deep in the Rockies. In most cases, even manufactures won't list MSRP on websites... Jacuzzi/Sundunce excepted. Or if they do, they are crazy high so dealers can play the huge discount card in their sales game.
So the consumers are left to try and compare notes to try and figure out what reasonable is. We can hope that WikiLeaks digs it up one of these days. ;D
If you do searches here, you will find dealers that say its a good price or where it should be on many brands. I have even posted what we sell Bullfrogs for and Jacuzzi's over the last 5 plus years I have been around here. Now it might not be the price some one is going to get from their dealer but it's a ball park.
To original poster we sell the R6 or R6l for 6995.00 or so.
What does that price include? Could I expect to get the R6L with my personalized color combination, jet packs, cover/lift, steps, intro chemicals, with local delivery for that price? Would the ozonater and circ pump be extra?
Thanks for the real world info everyone.
Depends on the promo we are running, I often use a cover lift or ozone at no charge for closing the deal. Shell which ever color they offer, as far as the packs (acrylic upgrade) that's up to the dealer, we have it priced in on ours. Circ pump would be extra 350 I think.
Are the ozone and circ pump a must with a Bullfrog? When do you recommend them and when do you not?
-
Just purchased a Soverign yesterday for $7900. Included steps/delivery/cover/lifter etc.. Didn't do the ACE, seems that people either love or hate it, plus the $800 replacement seems steep in the long run.
Floor model or special order? What area of the country? I like the idea of a Sovereign for entertaining while still not being overkill day to day. Did you wet test and did you try any others?
-
No it is being ordered. I would have preferred the floor model as it was exactly what we were looking at.
We wet tested the Vanguard/Flair.
My wife and I really loved the Flair, and we changed to the Sovereign at the last minute. We don't need a ton of jet, and really like the Moto jets in the lounger. Are hoping we don't float out of the lounger, as we didn't have that issue in the Flair. The angle is a bit different, but seem to be sitting fairly upright in it, so we thought it wasn't an issue.
I looked at the Bullfrog (R6/R6L) and it just seemed like a cheaper spa than the hotsprings. I loved the idea of the jetpacks, but the price of that line @ $6500 sure seemed expensive. When we were looking at bullfrogs we were comparing against the Flair (Which we were looking at just over $7k).
-
Depends on the promo we are running, I often use a cover lift or ozone at no charge for closing the deal. Shell which ever color they offer, as far as the packs (acrylic upgrade) that's up to the dealer, we have it priced in on ours. Circ pump would be extra 350 I think.
What is an "acrylic upgrade"? Even the Bullfrog people couldn't tell me.
-
Any dealers on the forum that can chime in? Anybody have a price list for either brand?
Depends on the promo we are running, I often use a cover lift or ozone at no charge for closing the deal. Shell which ever color they offer, as far as the packs (acrylic upgrade) that's up to the dealer, we have it priced in on ours. Circ pump would be extra 350 I think.
What is an "acrylic upgrade"? Even the Bullfrog people couldn't tell me.
Isn't that just painted/colored jet packs? As opposed to the black ones.
-
What is an "acrylic upgrade"? Even the Bullfrog people couldn't tell me.
That's color matched jet packs. I think it's $250 or so. I think it's somewhere between silly and underhanded for them to charge extra for this, but I guess that's the way they do it. I guess I compare it to buying a car and getting charged extra if you want the doors to match.
That said, I ordered mine with plain black jet packs. The shell is the dark sapphire blue and I think it will look kinda cool.
-
What is an "acrylic upgrade"? Even the Bullfrog people couldn't tell me.
That's color matched jet packs. I think it's $250 or so. I think it's somewhere between silly and underhanded for them to charge extra for this, but I guess that's the way they do it. I guess I compare it to buying a car and getting charged extra if you want the doors to match.
That said, I ordered mine with plain black jet packs. The shell is the dark sapphire blue and I think it will look kinda cool.
Huh....neither dealer I spoke with mentioned this. I'll have to call the one we ordered from and see what he ordered.
Thanks
-
Just purchased a Soverign yesterday for $7900. Included steps/delivery/cover/lifter etc.. Didn't do the ACE, seems that people either love or hate it, plus the $800 replacement seems steep in the long run.
You got a screaming deal. Hope you are not setting unrealistic expectations.
-
We both got a pretty good deal though right? If mine was at 7.9 and his was just over 9 and he got ACE, we got about the same deal correct?
-
What is an "acrylic upgrade"? Even the Bullfrog people couldn't tell me.
That's color matched jet packs. I think it's $250 or so. I think it's somewhere between silly and underhanded for them to charge extra for this, but I guess that's the way they do it. I guess I compare it to buying a car and getting charged extra if you want the doors to match.
That said, I ordered mine with plain black jet packs. The shell is the dark sapphire blue and I think it will look kinda cool.
Huh....neither dealer I spoke with mentioned this. I'll have to call the one we ordered from and see what he ordered.
Thanks
A lot dealers don't even mention this, myself included. The reason being that you can only get the neck masseuse jetpak if you go with the acrylic color match and the neck masseuse is the most popular jetpak. The black ones are made from ABS, not acrylic.
-
What is an "acrylic upgrade"? Even the Bullfrog people couldn't tell me.
That's color matched jet packs. I think it's $250 or so. I think it's somewhere between silly and underhanded for them to charge extra for this, but I guess that's the way they do it. I guess I compare it to buying a car and getting charged extra if you want the doors to match.
That said, I ordered mine with plain black jet packs. The shell is the dark sapphire blue and I think it will look kinda cool.
Huh....neither dealer I spoke with mentioned this. I'll have to call the one we ordered from and see what he ordered.
Thanks
A lot dealers don't even mention this, myself included. The reason being that you can only get the neck masseuse jetpak if you go with the acrylic color match and the neck masseuse is the most popular jetpak. The black ones are made from ABS, not acrylic.
That's what my dealer said too...they eat the cost and always just provide the acrylic versions.
Sam, what are the R6L's going for out the door with all the goodies these days? Thanks!
-
A lot dealers don't even mention this, myself included. The reason being that you can only get the neck masseuse jetpak if you go with the acrylic color match and the neck masseuse is the most popular jetpak. The black ones are made from ABS, not acrylic.
Could be interesting then... we ordered ours with two neck masseuse packs. Guess we'll see what they do...
-
A lot dealers don't even mention this, myself included. The reason being that you can only get the neck masseuse jetpak if you go with the acrylic color match and the neck masseuse is the most popular jetpak. The black ones are made from ABS, not acrylic.
Could be interesting then... we ordered ours with two neck masseuse packs. Guess we'll see what they do...
Then they have to be acrylic match color. I think that this is what most dealers do.
To answer ski bum, not including tax or stereo or wi-fi, you should be around $7k. I don't recommend the wifi or stereo options personally, but a lot of people like them.
-
Dealer quoted me (without negotiation) $8700 for a Flair. What should the out-the-door price on this including all the goodies delivered really cost? Thanks.
-
I think I was getting a screaming deal, and I eventually switched to a soverign, but I was quoted $7400. That included steps/cover/delivery/chem startup and also an ozinator.
-
What is an "acrylic upgrade"? Even the Bullfrog people couldn't tell me.
That's color matched jet packs. I think it's $250 or so. I think it's somewhere between silly and underhanded for them to charge extra for this, but I guess that's the way they do it. I guess I compare it to buying a car and getting charged extra if you want the doors to match.
That said, I ordered mine with plain black jet packs. The shell is the dark sapphire blue and I think it will look kinda cool.
Huh....neither dealer I spoke with mentioned this. I'll have to call the one we ordered from and see what he ordered.
Thanks
A lot dealers don't even mention this, myself included. The reason being that you can only get the neck masseuse jetpak if you go with the acrylic color match and the neck masseuse is the most popular jetpak. The black ones are made from ABS, not acrylic.
Thanks. Confirmed that we're getting acrylic (Mirage color) and yes...Neck Masseuse is one of our choices!
-
Update: Wife and I wet tested the Hotsprings Jetsetter, Prodigy, Flair, and Vanguard this weekend. Since we'd like to have friends and family join us occasionally, the mid-size 4-5 person tubs were the best fit. Loungers in general were great, especially the ones that had the calf and foot jets. Moto-Massage was nice, but only for a few minutes. The Highlife tubs felt a lot more solid in the controls than the limelight tubs which were louder and made some strange rattling noises when changing the flow.
At the end of the day, we both really liked the size and layout of the Flair. Lounger was amazing for me, but was too deep for the wife. Deep seat had great lower back jets that I really enjoyed. The no-bypass filtration system on the Highlife tubs was also a big benefit, especially with the prospect of children in the tub in the near future.
So I'm really interested in finding a Flair-equivalent in the Highlife series....Dealer suggested the Sovereign, but I think the Aria is more what I'm looking for in terms of jet layout (has the calf and individual foot jets, as well as a deep seat with good lumbar jets). Sovereign is only 1 pump vs the Aria's 2. Next step is to find out when the dealer will get the Aria and/or Sovereign in stock to wet test. I can't imagine buying something like this without a wet test first.
QUESTION: Anyone know if the Aria lounger is shallower than the Flair? Anybody regret paying the Highlife premium instead of just going with a Limelight? I'm thinking this will be in our backyard for 15+ years, so trying to make the best decision possible.
-
Update: Wife and I wet tested the Hotsprings Jetsetter, Prodigy, Flair, and Vanguard this weekend. Since we'd like to have friends and family join us occasionally, the mid-size 4-5 person tubs were the best fit. Loungers in general were great, especially the ones that had the calf and foot jets. Moto-Massage was nice, but only for a few minutes. The Highlife tubs felt a lot more solid in the controls than the limelight tubs which were louder and made some strange rattling noises when changing the flow.
At the end of the day, we both really liked the size and layout of the Flair. Lounger was amazing for me, but was too deep for the wife. Deep seat had great lower back jets that I really enjoyed. The no-bypass filtration system on the Highlife tubs was also a big benefit, especially with the prospect of children in the tub in the near future.
So I'm really interested in finding a Flair-equivalent in the Highlife series....Dealer suggested the Sovereign, but I think the Aria is more what I'm looking for in terms of jet layout (has the calf and individual foot jets, as well as a deep seat with good lumbar jets). Sovereign is only 1 pump vs the Aria's 2. Next step is to find out when the dealer will get the Aria and/or Sovereign in stock to wet test. I can't imagine buying something like this without a wet test first.
QUESTION: Anyone know if the Aria lounger is shallower than the Flair? Anybody regret paying the Highlife premium instead of just going with a Limelight? I'm thinking this will be in our backyard for 15+ years, so trying to make the best decision possible.
I had narrowed things down the to Bullfrog R6L, R7L, Hotspring Flair and Aria.... I've put a deposit on the Aria. Comparing the Flair to The Aria, the Aria just seems to beat it out everywhere. The corner seat is fantastic but I was surprised that I found all the seats comfortable. You really can enjoy the extra 3 inches in the foot well as it's not as crowded as the Flair. The two foot jets in the well are fantastic and positioned perfectly. I did wet test both. I'm sorry but I don't remember the differences in the loungers, just that I liked them both. One thing we discovered in the Aria (which may seem a little strange) was you could sit the opposite way on the lounger. It put the foot jets on your lover back (instead of the moto) and the calf jets are nice on your thighs. It was really nice to be able to sit both ways and get multiple uses out of the jets. You couldn't do this with the Flair due to the filter being at the foot of the lounger. All in all, even though the Aria is the most expensive of our "final four", we feel it will be the best for us in the long run... Like you, I plan on having it for at least 15 years!
-
Update: Wife and I wet tested the Hotsprings Jetsetter, Prodigy, Flair, and Vanguard this weekend. Since we'd like to have friends and family join us occasionally, the mid-size 4-5 person tubs were the best fit. Loungers in general were great, especially the ones that had the calf and foot jets. Moto-Massage was nice, but only for a few minutes. The Highlife tubs felt a lot more solid in the controls than the limelight tubs which were louder and made some strange rattling noises when changing the flow.
At the end of the day, we both really liked the size and layout of the Flair. Lounger was amazing for me, but was too deep for the wife. Deep seat had great lower back jets that I really enjoyed. The no-bypass filtration system on the Highlife tubs was also a big benefit, especially with the prospect of children in the tub in the near future.
So I'm really interested in finding a Flair-equivalent in the Highlife series....Dealer suggested the Sovereign, but I think the Aria is more what I'm looking for in terms of jet layout (has the calf and individual foot jets, as well as a deep seat with good lumbar jets). Sovereign is only 1 pump vs the Aria's 2. Next step is to find out when the dealer will get the Aria and/or Sovereign in stock to wet test. I can't imagine buying something like this without a wet test first.
QUESTION: Anyone know if the Aria lounger is shallower than the Flair? Anybody regret paying the Highlife premium instead of just going with a Limelight? I'm thinking this will be in our backyard for 15+ years, so trying to make the best decision possible.
I had narrowed things down the to Bullfrog R6L, R7L, Hotspring Flair and Aria.... I've put a deposit on the Aria. Comparing the Flair to The Aria, the Aria just seems to beat it out everywhere. The corner seat is fantastic but I was surprised that I found all the seats comfortable. You really can enjoy the extra 3 inches in the foot well as it's not as crowded as the Flair. The two foot jets in the well are fantastic and positioned perfectly. I did wet test both. I'm sorry but I don't remember the differences in the loungers, just that I liked them both. One thing we discovered in the Aria (which may seem a little strange) was you could sit the opposite way on the lounger. It put the foot jets on your lover back (instead of the moto) and the calf jets are nice on your thighs. It was really nice to be able to sit both ways and get multiple uses out of the jets. You couldn't do this with the Flair due to the filter being at the foot of the lounger. All in all, even though the Aria is the most expensive of our "final four", we feel it will be the best for us in the long run... Like you, I plan on having it for at least 15 years!
Can I ask what you ended up getting it for? I really like the idea of being able to use the lounger in reverse to get those tight hamstring muscles after a long run in the mountains.
-
Just under 11K out the door... That includes sales tax, cover lifter, steps, delivery and chemicals. It already comes with ozone and sub panel. I'm passing on the ACE system. Try and wet test and sit in reverse on the lounger... it will surprise you!
-
Just under 11K out the door... That includes sales tax, cover lifter, steps, delivery and chemicals. It already comes with ozone and sub panel. I'm passing on the ACE system. Try and wet test and sit in reverse on the lounger... it will surprise you!
Yes, if I could only find a dealer with an Aria on the floor! Might have to order it sight unseen.
-
Honestly, if you liked the Flair, you will love the Aria...
-
Really wanted to talk the Wife into the Aria, but man that is 3k more than the Soveriegn if that price holds similar.
-
Really wanted to talk the Wife into the Aria, but man that is 3k more than the Soveriegn if that price holds similar.
I agree, I was quoted $8700 for the Sovereign and $12,000 for the Aria. Huge price difference for two fairly similar tubs. Pmang got quite a deal, especially considering tax was included.
Maybe I'll just go with the Flair and get a booster seat for the wife when she wants to use the lounge.
-
Update: Still haven't tried the Aria or Sovereign yet, but got out to the Bullfrog dealer to try an R7L....it was nice, but not as nice as the Hotsprings spas we tried. Although the jets were good on the BF, the fit and finish did not feel as nice. More importantly, the BF spa lounge did not fit me well....I felt more upright than the lounge in HS tubs we tried.
At this point, we tried finding a dealer with an Aria and Sovereign, but there is only one dealer 2 hours away with a Sovereign. At this point I think we've narrowed it down to either the Flair (with a booster seat for the wife), an Aria (if we can ever find a place to wet test), or a Sovereign (seems like the most promising).
Any Sovereign owners out there that regret not going with a larger/deeper/2-pump tub?
-
Isn't the A series Bullfrog a better comparison to the tubs you're considering?
-
Isn't the A series Bullfrog a better comparison to the tubs you're considering?
The dealer only had the R-series filled so that's what we had to try. However, the size and jets would be the same from the A to R series, so no change there. You're right that the fit and finish might be a little better.
-
Isn't the A series Bullfrog a better comparison to the tubs you're considering?
The dealer only had the R-series filled so that's what we had to try. However, the size and jets would be the same from the A to R series, so no change there. You're right that the fit and finish might be a little better.
Sounds good. Have fun shopping.
-
So far, the best prices I have actually heard from the dealers (including steps, cover, lifter, chemicals, subpanel, delivered to the house):
HS Flair: $7700
HS Sovereign: $8700
HS Envoy: $11500
Are these good or bad?
-
I got my soverign for 7900
And the flair was quoted at 7300
-
I have just started looking at HS spas as well and really like the Envoy. Have a quote on it for 10.9k after a rebate. That doesn't include the tax, but includes the cover, steps, and delivery. I believe I was quoted around 9k for both the Aria and Sovereign. I am looking at the Oklahoma state fair and there are many different booths with different vendors, and I felt like HS was the best. We may buy one but are not planning a wet test. Still trying to figure out if its worth the extra 2k to get the Envoy. Decisions decisions...
-
Tried the Sovereign...liked the layout, lounge fit great. Jets were okay but not as good as the flair because it's only a single pump system. If we turned up the jets on one section, we lost power somewhere else. You can definitely notice the 33" deep sovereign from the 36" deep flair.
Debating now whether the sovereign or the flair or something else is right for us. Is the no-bypass system and textured shell that much of an improvement. I know the flair and sovereign aren't completely apples-to-apples in comparison, but these too are our favorites at this point. Wondering if we should also consider the Envoy, which has two pumps, better jets, and all the highlife features we like.