Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Eau Claire buyer on September 29, 2016, 01:27:18 pm
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Hello, I am 6'4 250 lbs and want an outdoor spa that is efficient in WI winters. I have enjoyed Sundance, and hot spring in the past, but also have purchased a cheap spa online that was a headache.
I have seen that buyers in the past weeks have been able to purchase a Marquis Euphoria for $9000 including stairs, cover, lifter and chemicals, but the best price I have found in my area was $10,195 for a new 2016.
I like the idea of a super reliable spa with strong pressure massage. I got a high quote today for a Sundance Cameo, or optima for the same price at $11,113. I spoke to a bullfrog dealer in St Paul MN today, to see if I could match the outstanding offer of a R* for $7394, and he told me he would be $2000 higher.
Any advice on how to find a great value is appreciated.
Thanks :)
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Even at $10,200 that's a really good buy on that euphoria. If that's more then you are looking to spend check out the vector 94 from Marquis. It is my best selling Marquis tub and my customers love them. The bullfrog price that the other poster in here got is ridiculously low as in so low most dealers would lose money doing that deal
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Eau Claire, Thanks for calling up and chatting with me today, sorry we can't come together on an R8 but of course the offer still stands if you'd like to swing in I'd be more than happy to educate you on some of our options and/or wet test a few spas if you'd like. If you are more comfortable doing business in your area I understand that as well and would wish you good luck on your search!
-Eric
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$10,200 is a great price on the Euphoria, most places they would sell for $12-13K+
$9000 is way low, perhaps they purchased a used Euphoria or a blemished model of some sort.
Like hottubguy said, the V94 is a great model and is probably Marquis #1 selling model this year. Good luck in your search!
You might also talk to castletonia on this forum, I believe he sells Marquis in Wisconsin.
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Thanks for suggesting me Markee :D. Unfortunately I'm about 3 hours away from Eau Claire Buyer. He has a great dealer in Swimrite Pools & Spas who I'm sure can help him out. As Markee and Hottubguy suggested, check out the V94. Its a great spa with a really unique therapy design and should be possible for $9k. Otherwise, if you don't need a spa that big and want to stay in the Signature series, then look at a 2-Pump Promise. It will really only fit 4 adults but it does have two deep seats and if you can get a Euphoria for $10k then you should be able to get into the Promise for $9k.
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Thank you for the great ideas. I just wet tested in a hotspring Vanguard, and was quoted $10,500 delivered with steps, lifter and starter chems. I wet tested a marquis epic with microsilk, and I loved the 2 powerful jets that moved water.
The price on that one was more than I wanted to consider, but what a great spa.
I really can see the difference in the dealers, I appreciate you professionals offering your wisdom to me. I went to two different low grade spa dealers yesterday, and was tempted to buy a $5500 spa that looked great empty. I know I would have regretted that for years.
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I was called by an energetic Sundance Dealer from St Paul who is offering a great package on a Sundance Optima for $10,399 with an extreme MN cover, hydraulic lift, chemicals, and stairs. What is a better tub for the money, the Optima, or the Hotsprings Vanguard? They are both about the same price.
Thanks for any guidance.
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So you are at 10200 for euphoria, 10500 for vanguard or 10400 for a optima. Which one feels the best to you? All 3 great tubs. I would let the wet test and dealer determine which one I got. How far is St. Paul from you? Check on trip charges for warranty work especially if the other dealers are close to you.
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I was called by an energetic Sundance Dealer from St Paul who is offering a great package on a Sundance Optima for $10,399 with an extreme MN cover, hydraulic lift, chemicals, and stairs. What is a better tub for the money, the Optima, or the Hotsprings Vanguard? They are both about the same price.
Thanks for any guidance.
There is no best choice between the two, its all about which is better for you. In your original post you stated you are 6'4" and 250 lbs so you're a big guy but you didn't mention anything about wet testing which is important for everyone but especially so if you are not an "average" sized person. I assume both dealers seem like they'll be good to deal with and you already said the prices were about the same so I'd suggest you set up a time to wet test both of them (preferably on the same afternoon) because there's a good chance one will feel like the better fit and if they're still the same I'd just say go with your guy, or let the family vote.
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Did you ask about the Epic without MicroSilk? It should be fairly close in price to the Euphoria.
You are looking at some good brands but here are some advantages in my opinion of the Marquis over the HotSpring or Sundance:
-Stronger DuraWood cabinet material on Marquis that doesn't fade after years of being in the weather (similar material to Trex decking)
-ABS plastic DuraBase on Marquis (the Vanguard is a wood bottom w/ exposed foam underneath, Sundance used to be the same type of wood bottom, not sure if that has changed recently)
-Both pumps 2 speed in the Marquis, Sundance both pumps single speed, HotSpring one pump single speed and one 2 pump speed
-Nicer fit-and-finish underneath the hood on the Marquis, no screw driver needed to get in to the access panel. Open up the access panel on the Marquis and do the same on the other brands, you'll be surprised.
-Higher jet count on the Marquis
-Inline SpaFrog cartridge system for easy maintenance on the Marquis
-Heavy-duty DuraCover will come standard on the Marquis, no need to upgrade it
-Marquis made in USA, Vanguard made in USA, Sundance made in Mexico
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I was taught of "The shop keepers law" It implies that it is un ethical to waste a merchants time, unless you are confidant you are going to purchase from them. I feel bad going into numerous spa dealers knowing that I am only going to buy one spa.
The Hot spring dealer i saw yesterday, was telling me that Marquis is inferior construction as they don't use treated wood under the panels, He also showed me a 5 year old Marquis just out of warranty that was having problems that he took on trade. It had mold, and He went on about how Marquis was a good spa until the warranty runs out. In fairness, he knew I just came from a positive experience with the Marquis store, and was leaning that way.
I am leaning toward the Sundance optima, for perceived value. The dealer is about 70 miles away from my house, do you think they will honor warranty work?
The Sundance dealer is giving me until Saturday to take his offer.
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You are spending several thousands of dollars on this purchase. That's what the dealers are there for - to help you make an informed purchase decision. You asking for a wet soak is not costing them anything - the salesman is getting paid the same if you come in for a wet soak and don't end up buying or if the store is completely empty. I wouldn't buy a car without a test drive. Nor would I buy a $8-$10k hot tub without a soak.
Lastly, don't put too much stock in the "price is only good through Sunday" routine. That's a pressure tactic, and if the dealer really wants to make the sale, he'll happily take your money on Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday... Etc.
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Lastly, don't put too much stock in the "price is only good through Sunday" routine. That's a pressure tactic, and if the dealer really wants to make the sale, he'll happily take your money on Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday... Etc.
Hahahaha!! I went through this with the Sundance and Hot Springs dealer. "Price is only good through...". Once I told him I was going with a Marquis (a far superior spa for my needs and wants), his prices suddenly dropped. Nothing pisses me off more than a sales person who plays the old fashioned car pricing game. Those days are over.
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I was called by an energetic Sundance Dealer from St Paul who is offering a great package on a Sundance Optima for $10,399 with an extreme MN cover, hydraulic lift, chemicals, and stairs. What is a better tub for the money, the Optima, or the Hotsprings Vanguard? They are both about the same price.
Thanks for any guidance.
you might wanna soak in a Bullfrog...R7 has much more value in my opinion...Vanguard is nice but it's a 3-4 person tub Max because its missing a corner seat, it also has 2 moto massages so if you get bored with those jets you really don't have any variety
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I was taught of "The shop keepers law" It implies that it is un ethical to waste a merchants time, unless you are confidant you are going to purchase from them. I feel bad going into numerous spa dealers knowing that I am only going to buy one spa.
The Hot spring dealer i saw yesterday, was telling me that Marquis is inferior construction as they don't use treated wood under the panels, He also showed me a 5 year old Marquis just out of warranty that was having problems that he took on trade. It had mold, and He went on about how Marquis was a good spa until the warranty runs out. In fairness, he knew I just came from a positive experience with the Marquis store, and was leaning that way.
I am leaning toward the Sundance optima, for perceived value. The dealer is about 70 miles away from my house, do you think they will honor warranty work?
The Sundance dealer is giving me until Saturday to take his offer.
Did the Hot Springs dealer give you any reasons why you should buy his spa or only reasons why not to buy the other one? I'm a Marquis and Watkins dealer (Caldera which is very similar to Hot Springs in a lot of way). Build quality on the Signature line of the Marquis tubs is a lot different ways superior. From the full bottom ABS pan, the cabinet quality, the power on the jetting and the multiple seat levels I would give Marquis the advantage. Lighting and the controller is more sophisticated on the Hot Spring. Both are great tubs. One thing I've learned is never bash the competition especially when they are a equal or superior product to what you sell. Give them reasons why they might enjoy your product more.
The only way to know about warranty work is to check with the Sundance dealer. I'm sure they will honor the warranty. If they sell it they must warranty it in almost all cases. The only thing I would check with them on is trip charges under warranty. Have you wet tested the Optima yet? I wouldn't put much stock into the only by Saturday unless it's a corporate rebate offered through the manufacturer. Caldera just had one and I've never used the you must buy by a certain date more in my life but it was a real rebate that had a official end date. Try them all and pick the DEALER and the tub that works best for you.
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The Marquis uses a cedar construction which is very unlikely to ever rot, in fact there is never any wood near the ground, so how could it? I have never seen any issues with mold in my 12 years selling them. Inferior construction? Not sure how he could say that. I will let these pictures speak for themselves:
(http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae63/mayopdx/HotSpringBase_zpscsodklwz.png) (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/mayopdx/media/HotSpringBase_zpscsodklwz.png.html)
(http://i958.photobucket.com/albums/ae63/mayopdx/durabase_zpswqykhzb5.png) (http://s958.photobucket.com/user/mayopdx/media/durabase_zpswqykhzb5.png.html)
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Im thinking sd optima vs mq euphoria
Does either one have better, easier water control
Which has more power?
I wet tested a sd cameo today and was unimpressed with the pressure it gave,
Sd does seem to have great technology to keep the water clean without much chemicals
Does any Sundance dealer know if there is any legitimate deadline I need to have a payment made by Sunday at 5 pm to get a price?
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Im thinking sd optima vs mq euphoria
Does either one have better, easier water control
Which has more power?
I wet tested a sd cameo today and was unimpressed with the pressure it gave,
Sd does seem to have great technology to keep the water clean without much chemicals
Does any Sundance dealer know if there is any legitimate deadline I need to have a payment made by Sunday at 5 pm to get a price?
Both will need the same amount of chemicals. Sun dance touts the uv and ozone combo. Neither of those is a sanitizer so you will still need to use chlorine or bromine. Marquis uses spa frog. It is a inline system that you replace one cartridge every month or so and the other every few months. You will need to shock periodically. Is either system better or easier? No they both will get the job done and be effective. The Jet power on the euphoria is nearly identical to jet power on the epic which you said you wet tested.
I just looked on the sundance website and they have no promotions so it sounds like they are just trying a hard close technique. If the deal is there on Sunday then it will still be there Monday or Tuesday (unless it's a floor model then it will be there until it's gone).
Sounds like your becoming a very educated buyer and are finding the few key things you are looking for in your new hot tub. You have narrowed it down to 2 of the better tubs made. Are you more comfortable with either dealer? You sound like my favorite type of customer someone who is serious about a hot tub purchase and someone who knows what they are looking for in a spa. By your description of the optima I think you would enjoy the power of the euphoria more but that's only up to you to decide.
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Thank you for the great advice. My understanding is that the euphoria only has HK 40 jets and does not have the HK 80 jets that are in the epic.
Is there any difference in the 2015 and 2016 model years euphoria?
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Correct Eau Claire Buyer. There is no difference from a 2015 to 2016 model on the Euphoria or Epic. 2017 model should also be the same on both of those tubs, no changes that I know of.
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The epic has two HK80 towers, correct? I loved those most in my test soak. I am told that the Euphoria has zero HK80 jets, thus it will not have the power of the epic. Is that clear logic, or am I missing something?
Thanks
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The epic has two HK80 towers, correct? I loved those most in my test soak. I am told that the Euphoria has zero HK80 jets, thus it will not have the power of the epic. Is that clear logic, or am I missing something?
Thanks
The geyser jets aren't there but the upper back will be the same as the epic. If you are looking good a non lounge with the geyser jets check out the 2 pump promise. It's a smaller multi level seating tub with no lounge but it has the geyser jets
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Im thinking sd optima vs mq euphoria
Does either one have better, easier water control
I am a new owner of a Marquis (Promise). Still trying to understand the chemicals and how they should be done. In the meantime, I am using the Frog system that comes with the Marquis with no issues at all. I haven't had to do a thing in the week it has been turned on. However, when that cartridge goes empty, I may consider the "bleach and dichlor" method which is described in detail in the Trouble Free pools forums (spa section). That forum is how I learned about proper water chemistry for my pool and the chemicals needed. Very easy and a lot cheaper than spending hundreds of dollars on useless products that a lot of pool stores carry. It is worth visiting and reading through the process.
My spa dealer (Hottubguy) even told me I would most likely move away from the spa frog system to a cheaper alternative that is just as easy. I believe he mentioned Dichlor as well. And he sells chemicals at his place and could have easily told me to stick with the more expensive option...but he did not.
Although....I have seen some videos of people reusing the spa frog cartridges. Might try and see if it is still possible then I can just buy inexpensive bromine and refill the cartridge for a fraction of the cost!
Ozone, UV, plutonium...whatever the hot tub has, won't do much if your sanitizer is all messed up.