Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: stuart on August 10, 2004, 06:16:28 pm
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OK, you guys where such great help with the Phoenix info I thought I would get your input on another brand that a friend in Canada is looking at.
I pulled up the website for Polar and they kind of look like a "re-branded Arctic" does anyone know anything about these spas? Are they made by Arctic or do they compete with them? It really did not look like a manufactures site. Do they also have a brand of Pool Tables?
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Polar has recently come into the market relying heavily on their cashable rebate program which IMO, is a less than reputabe way of promoting any product. I'm not sure if they're offering it where your friend is or not? Tell him to run very fast in the opposite direction.
What I do know is that the local dealer here suggests about a 4 month wait for any Polar spa. I can't figure how any company can survive offering that. The local dealer here has recently brought in another line which they are promoting far more now.
They are not linked to Arctic in any way other than Polar bears come from the Arctic! ;D
An OK entry level spa at best. Nothing I would spend more than $4000 on.
Tell your buddy totay far away from the cashable rebate program. Nobody gets $8000 back on a $10,000 spa after 3 years. It just don't happen.
Steve
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Thanks Steve,
I'm not sure why he's asking, he's a dealer and I think is looking for another line.
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Polar was the first company we talked to when we decided to buy a spa. My personal impression was one of caution. They have been holding a grand opening sale for months now. Twice I have been into their showroom, and twice I have been told that their “sale ends today” and I “must place an order to get the sale price” I don’t like the way these guys list their prices for example:
List Price $20,000
Sale Price $12,000
Rebate $8,000
TOTAL COST $4,000
When I looked up this company with the Better Business Bureau, I found reference to the questionable rebate program and a list of other names the company trades under.
On the two occasions I visited the store, the sales staff were unable to answer ANY of my questions about the product. Instead they persistently told me that their rebate system made them the “best value in town”. As for their spas, who knows? Hopefully, they are better than their sales tactics.
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These are companies looking to make a "quick buck" and get out of town (with your warranty may I add). They train their staff on how to sell the "cashable rebate" hoping the tub itself will be just a formality to the customer.
I'm all for building value but come on... do real people really buy from these guys? ???
Steve
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Ive seen a lot of dealers over the years do that cashable rebate. Ive only heard of one person getting their money back. One out of thousands ???? No thanks, I bet my odds are better on the lotto ....
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I have been told that their “sale ends today” and I “must place an order to get the sale price” I don’t like the way these guys list their prices for example:
List Price $20,000
Sale Price $12,000
Rebate $8,000
TOTAL COST $4,000
When I looked up this company with the Better Business Bureau, I found reference to the questionable rebate program and a list of other names the company trades under.
On the two occasions I visited the store, the sales staff were unable to answer ANY of my questions about the product. Instead they persistently told me that their rebate system made them the “best value in town”. As for their spas, who knows? Hopefully, they are better than their sales tactics.
I have to wonder is it only the very slow or the very greedy that buy into that kind of a sale promtion.....it has zero creditability and is a horrible reflection upon those who sell under its umbrella....
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I am not defending Polar Spas by any means. However, do not put much trust into any kind of consumer advocacy program (BBB) they (most) are paid for there endorsement, and take money to prevent bad reviews. Including the BBB.
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Polar will not survive....like Steve said they just wan't a quick buck and then they will leave town. In fact, I don't even know if the dealer is still in my city. They were selling spas out of his apartment.... :o
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They were still in Calgary on Friday. Still promoting their "grand opening sale" with some guy strutting up and down 32 Ave dressed as polar bear. There latest gimmick (apart from the 75% cash back coupon ) is a "guarantee" that their spars will cost less than $20.00 per month to "heat". Strange thing is, until Polar started giving us all the cash back hype, (and not knowing anything about spas at the time) we were considering them as a suppler. But then again, we were also considering Call Spas for their bells and whistles. Boy, how I am glad I came across this forum:-)
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With reference to the polar spas being a "rebranded arctic", I may be able to help you out there. It is my understanding that those who started the Arctic line began at Polar Spas...a family business. Based on the ease at which you can get information, those at Arctic have probably done a better marketing job, but in my research, the products are very similar in their technology and design. I own neither, but I am a dealer of Nordic and Softub (and sunlight saunas) and I am considering carrying Polar. With that said, I could have easily picked Arctic if it were not already available here in the local area. I hope this helps.
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Polar has recently come into the market relying heavily on their cashable rebate program which IMO, is a less than reputabe way of promoting any product. I'm not sure if they're offering it where your friend is or not? Tell him to run very fast in the opposite direction.
What I do know is that the local dealer here suggests about a 4 month wait for any Polar spa. I can't figure how any company can survive offering that. The local dealer here has recently brought in another line which they are promoting far more now.
They are not linked to Arctic in any way other than Polar bears come from the Arctic! ;D
An OK entry level spa at best. Nothing I would spend more than $4000 on.
Tell your buddy totay far away from the cashable rebate program. Nobody gets $8000 back on a $10,000 spa after 3 years. It just don't happen.
Steve
Agree with Steve.
They opened a 7,000 sq/ft store here in London mid Jan. and have yet to sell a spa. Here they sell Polar as an entry level and Dynasty as their upper end with the voucher program. They also have pool tables and tanning beds.
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With reference to the polar spas being a "rebranded arctic", I may be able to help you out there. It is my understanding that those who started the Arctic line began at Polar Spas...a family business.
Just for your information. The people that started Arctic Spas have nothing to do with Polar Spas. I know. My partners and I started Arctic Spas. The family that started Polar Spas came from Surrey, BC. They used to own Malibu Spas in the early 90's. I don't know any details regarding Malibu Spas, except they are no longer in business.
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Just for your information. The people that started Arctic Spas have nothing to do with Polar Spas. I know. My partners and I started Arctic Spas. The family that started Polar Spas came from Surrey, BC. They used to own Malibu Spas in the early 90's. I don't know any details regarding Malibu Spas, except they are no longer in business.
Thanks JP, I was wondering about that. Arctic would take full credit if they were out there doing it so I though they were a "copycat"...
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Thanks JP, I was wondering about that. Arctic would take full credit if they were out there doing it so I though they were a "copycat"...
You know we would. ;)
James
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Has anyone recently tried using one of polar spas $2000 gift certificates? I think it is a scam.
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Man gotta love the gimmick, you see a spa that they claim has a msrp of 20,000 and you buy it and told there is a rebate and you end up only paying 3,000... thats good... that to me is some hike for a makup, I also always love the last day to buy or no deal,,,, thats the oldest trick in the book.... If it were me i would stay away from them, Buy reputable brands, D1, Sundance, Jacuzzi, Hot Springs..etc.....
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Run Away!
Here is my experience..
Initially, the tub was delivered and the lifter was back ordered. I called multiple times to ask for it to be delivered. Eventually they had one and told me I could pick it up. I asked them to deliver it and install it as I paid for that service. They eventually agreed. When they arrived, they discovered the tub had been placed too close to myself to install the lifter. It was winter by then, so they told me I would have to wait for spring. In the mean time, my stereo quit working. They tried fixing it unsuccessfully so we decided to wait until the lifter was installed to fix it. When spring came, it took multiple calls to eventually get an appointment to have the lifter installed and the stereo fixed. In the mean time, had a deck built. My deck had access underneath and 6" clearance to allow removal of the panels. They moved the tub to fix the stereo. Not only was the stereo not fixed, but the tub was put back crooked. When I re filled it, it didn't work. I assumed I had created an air lock based on the error code. I emptied and re filled the tub and it still didn't work, despite following the air lock relief procedure. As a final step I was going to release the fitting at the top of the pump. The tub, now crooked, was too close to the deck at one corner to remove the top screws. I asked the, to come back and fix the problem. They told me it was my fault that there was an air lock and that the tub was in the wrong place (even though they moved it). I had the tub, empty and non-functioning for about 6 weeks. The owner eventually called and I told him I had hired someone to move the tub back to where it was to which he replied "Awesome". I told him it wasn't particularly awesome as I wasn't particularly happy. He replied sarcastically, "why, because you had to move your OWN hot tub?" I cursed and hung up. The owner then texted me, called me a baby and that I was being refused service for being abusive. I paid another company to move the tub and get it working. They discovered that there was no air lock, the Polar Spas techs had unplugged the pumps from the circuit board. Polar Spas continues to blame me, the customer, for any and all problems. I would NEVER recommend ANYONE, EVER, buy a tub from this company. My stereo still doesn't work, incidentally.