Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: spahappy on February 06, 2005, 12:01:37 pm
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I've been keeping a secret from most of you. A few months ago the company I work for added Jacuzzi Premium to our spa line.
As most all of you know I've sold Coleman spas for over ten years and I'm a very loyal Coleman girl.
Needless to say I've had a bit of an attitude over this. Jacuzzi has many of the things we've sold against over the years such as full foam, 24hour circ pump, diverter valves, more than one filter.
Some of the simularities, solid pan bottom, skimmer system prior to the filter, programable filter cycles, and waterfalls.
The main store set the Jacuzzis up right away and started selling them shortly after that. Because of space issues at my little store, we just recently filled our J-355 two weeks ago.
I wet tested the J-355 and was amazed, and impressed with the spas's performance and comfort.
Looking at the spa dry next to one of the Colemans on the floor, didn't give me the warm fuzzies. I sat in the spa dry and felt it couldn't be comfortable wet.
Well I was wrong on all accounts. The spa is much more than I anticipated and shame on me for not taking my own and everyone elses advice on this forum to WET TEST.. WET TEST..WET TEST..
We've been having our 04 closeout sale for about a month now. We've sold three Jacuzzi's since I filled the one on my floor.
You're right Zz, change is a constant, and being able to have choices is great!
Spahappy :D
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I've been keeping a secret from most of you. A few months ago the company I work for added Jacuzzi Premium to our spa line.
I'm a very loyal Coleman girl.
Spahappy :D
Your a girl? ;D Goes to show, sex, race, and to some extent age, aren't a factor if your here to discuss hot tubs in an intellegent manor. :) Ok, now back to reading your points.
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I understand completely. My first few years I sold Beachcomber and beleived it was the best and only way to build a spa. No knock on Beach, but my eyes were opened when we switched to D-1 and then added Coleman. Wet tests blew me away.
What I had difficulty with (and sometimes still do) is presenting both at the same time. I would be talking about a D-1 feature and say Coleman or vice-versa.
Another tough part of multiple brands is the "Which is better?" question. I often sound like a politician answering this question. I truly beleive both are great spas, it just depends on what the customer wants/needs.
HTM
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Your a girl? ;D Goes to show, sex, race, and to some extent age, aren't a factor is your here to discuss hot tubs in an intellegent manor. :) Ok, now back to reading your points.
Oops, cats out of the bag now.
Just don't tell me my IQ dropped 10 points after that post, LOL!
Spahappy :D
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Bill Bill Bill.....
Hey spahappy - I know exactly where you are coming from. Thanks for sharing.
;D ;D ;D ;D
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Coleman is a strong seller in my immediate area. We have a very respectable dealer here. There is nothing wrong with offering customers different approaches to building a spa as long as you like the manufacturer. Best of luck with your new line.
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Jeff,
Best way to handle that question is to just say that both are high quality brands that are quite frankly more similar then different. One question i really hate is the proverbial "which one do you like?" Which i always answer with: "it doesn't matter what i like, it's what you like"
We had alot of the same issues that you had spa happy when we brought Caldera spas in. We've sold D-1 for almost 20 yrs now, and some of our sales people still aren't really open to the new line. Some of us have embraced it, b/c more choices ul;timately equals more customers, simply b/c they don't have to go down the street to get the features they like.
Jason,
Store manager for a D-1 & caldera Dealer
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So are you saying your coming out of the closet? ;) ???
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Oops, cats out of the bag now.
Spahappy :D
Now I know why I always seemed to be attracted to your posts. I was getting worried there for a while
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You know, it's funny, but you really aren't alone. When I was shopping, the local Sundance dealer also carried Marquis. The sales guy (acutally the son-in-law to the owner, who did a bit of all of it) didn't want to discuss Marquis with me. Only Sundance. I hadn't found this board yet, so I didn't realize what I was missing, but they had taken Marquis on a few months before, and he was dead set against selling it!
Anyway, just remembering my experience!
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I'm very excited because our Jacuzzi rep. is comming to our little store out here on the praire to do some in store training today.
We're always excited when a rep comes out here to see us because it rarely happens. In all the years I've worked here, I've only had two fireplace reps and one Coleman rep visit this store. They visit the main store 99 miles East of me. After all we're not at the end of the world, but on a clear day you can see it from here. 8)
Thanks for all your comments and advise. I'm so glad I took the wet test myself. I feel we have a great opportunity to offer two different, but well made products to the consumer.
I hope to get my sales pitch down, regarding selling the two spas side by side before our first big home show in a few weeks.
I'm still a Coleman girl, but....I think an old dog can learn some new tricks ::)
Spahappy :D
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So what part of the prarie do you call home?
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I've been keeping a secret from most of you. A few months ago the company I work for added Jacuzzi Premium to our spa line.
As most all of you know I've sold Coleman spas for over ten years and I'm a very loyal Coleman girl.
Needless to say I've had a bit of an attitude over this. Jacuzzi has many of the things we've sold against over the years such as full foam, 24hour circ pump, diverter valves, more than one filter.
Some of the simularities, solid pan bottom, skimmer system prior to the filter, programable filter cycles, and waterfalls.
The main store set the Jacuzzis up right away and started selling them shortly after that. Because of space issues at my little store, we just recently filled our J-355 two weeks ago.
I wet tested the J-355 and was amazed, and impressed with the spas's performance and comfort.
Looking at the spa dry next to one of the Colemans on the floor, didn't give me the warm fuzzies. I sat in the spa dry and felt it couldn't be comfortable wet.
Well I was wrong on all accounts. The spa is much more than I anticipated and shame on me for not taking my own and everyone elses advice on this forum to WET TEST.. WET TEST..WET TEST..
We've been having our 04 closeout sale for about a month now. We've sold three Jacuzzi's since I filled the one on my floor.
You're right Zz, change is a constant, and being able to have choices is great!
Spahappy :D
SpaHappy keep us posted,
Regards, Zz
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For those of you unsure, Lori is also female... Sorry for exposing this Lori but I just couldn't contain myself any longer! ;)
Steve
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For those of you unsure, Lori is also female... Sorry for exposing this Lori but I just couldn't contain myself any longer! ;)
Steve
Its time for you to come clean "Steve"!
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Its time for you to come clean "Steve"!
Well....you've heard of Stevie Nicks right? ???
I think Stuart and Mendo can confirm my stunning masculinity ;)...uhhh that didn't sound right... ??? You know what I mean. ;D
Steve
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I'm impressed and a bit humbled
If you only knew how often I've wanted a woman to say that to me..... :o ;)
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If you only knew how often I've wanted a woman to say that to me..... :o ;)
Wasn't your neighbor from the wolfman story impressed and humbled :) ;) :D ;D 8)
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If you only knew how often I've wanted a woman to say that to me..... :o ;)
Happens all the time to me.
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Well....you've heard of Stevie Nicks right? ???
I think Stuart and Mendo can confirm my stunning masculinity ;)...uhhh that didn't sound right... ??? You know what I mean. ;D
Steve
Yes...Yes...I can vouch for the super studness of Steve....pouty lips.....bedroom sultry eyes....A body to would make Arnie stand up and take notice....wait.....Steve....that is the rep who works with you from Mexico....what is her name... :P...No...No...really...If I were a women I am sure Steve would make the list of the the top 10,000...;)
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Man as big as Mendo is if he gave a description of me that way I would hide!! :o :o :-X
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lol.....now...now...Stuart....you can run.... :o
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lol.....now...now...Stuart....you can run.... :o
Oh yeah, I forgot your bum knee.... ;D :D ;D :D
:P Stuart Running :P
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Well as much as I hate interupting all this male bonding I'm going to anyway.
Spent the better part of the afternoon getting to know more about the Jacuzzi spas and getting to know our sales rep.
I was impressed he'd take the time out of his busy schedule to visit us out here. Turns out he's continuing west to Montana to try to fry bigger fish in Billings and we're along the way. Those were not his exact words but that was the jist of them.
I'm still impressed with the product, and we learned more about the jets and diverter functions from the rep today. In fact I'm down at the store now and as soon as my co-worker gets here with the refreshments we're going to wet test the j-355. She hasn't tried it yet, and I think by wet testing she'll gain some confidence in the Jacuzzi line.
The best part of the day was... I sold Jacuzzi number 4 and it happened while the rep was here. Whats funny about this is, he was going through a sales point by point training guide and was just beginning on how to close the sale...good god...I wanted product training, not how to close a sale.
Well Machelle's here with some beverages, and the windows are fogged so motorists can't drive by and see me in my swimming suit, the tunes are on, and the Jacuzzi 101 class is about to begin..Boy I hate this job, work work work ;)
Spahappy :D
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I forgive you, Steve! I kind of figured everyone knew, considering I am the Goddess! ;D ::) ;)
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Wasn't your neighbor from the wolfman story impressed and humbled :) ;) :D ;D 8)
Impressed no, humbled.....If you call cowering in fear in her house everytime she heard my spa kick on the yes! ;)
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Wasn't your neighbor from the wolfman story impressed and humbled :) ;) :D ;D 8)
That was the funniest story ever.
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A rare jump in here. We've all been in sales for a bit, most of us anyhow. Isn't it pathetic when a manufacturers rep tries to explain to you how to close a sale. I always want to ask them, "soooo, when was the last time you took a check from a customer?" I realy enjoy it when you are busy and they take an up. When the customer leaves they all say the same thing. "That ones a buyer, They'll be back." Manufacturers rep=weakness in an expensive suit.
The best part of the day was... I sold Jacuzzi number 4 and it happened while the rep was here. Whats funny about this is, he was going through a sales point by point training guide and was just beginning on how to close the sale...good god...I wanted product training, not how to close a sale.
Spahappy :D
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still laughin.............
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A rare jump in here. We've all been in sales for a bit, most of us anyhow. Isn't it pathetic when a manufacturers rep tries to explain to you how to close a sale. I always want to ask them, "soooo, when was the last time you took a check from a customer?" I realy enjoy it when you are busy and they take an up. When the customer leaves they all say the same thing. "That ones a buyer, They'll be back." Manufacturers rep=weakness in an expensive suit.
I gotta admit, most sales training seminars i've been to offer the bare minimum in terms of product knowledge. Having said that, D-1 offers EXCELENT and very thorough product knowledge, with a very light dose of sales techniques. Watkins on the other hand (atleast with Caldera anyways, plus many of the dealers there who also carried hot spring complained of this as well) offers very little in the product knowledge department. Their sales training is top notch, and for new and/or inexperienced sales people it is by far an excelent learning experience in sales training.
I also find it funny, and i think wisoki as well as the other dealers who regularly post here would agree that all reps implore to not let customers get on the "be back" bus...............
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The 'be back' bus? ???...Is that anything like the 'Short Bus'?...LOL
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A rare jump in here. We've all been in sales for a bit, most of us anyhow. Isn't it pathetic when a manufacturers rep tries to explain to you how to close a sale.
No, not at all. I think it's pathetic when sales associates feel they have nothing left to learn. I sold over a 100 units per year but learnt a great deal from my rep from Beachcomber at the time. I can't speak for all reps, but most of them got to that position by excelling in retail sales. Not that I took offense to your post or anything... ::)
I always want to ask them, "soooo, when was the last time you took a check from a customer?"
Well, quite often they're excepting very large checks from business owners who are brilliant negotiators. We open up complete businesses and sell in truckloads as opposed to a single spa sale. We are selling an entire company on a product that a company will have for many years, which makes me believe that their sales skills must be polished to some degree.
I realy enjoy it when you are busy and they take an up..
That should never happen. It's up to the sales associate to make that clear if they feel strongly about it. I did just that many years ago at a home show to our rep. Problem is, most people don't mind complaining about it, but don't have the ba**s to voice their concern
When the customer leaves they all say the same thing. "That ones a buyer, They'll be back." Manufacturers rep=weakness in an expensive suit.
You just sound bitter Frank and you've been that way in all of your posts since you left Jacuzzi.
Steve
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Steve,
I rolled my eyes at his predictable Archie Bunker-like post and considered a response but figured "why bother". You followed through with a critque that covered each point very well.
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Yeah...it's not hard to spot the people that have been in retail longer than they can personally handle.
The unfortunate part is that we use to have a mutual respect for one another which I thought we still had right up until he completely dissed me and my profession in that post. Oh, well, I know Lori still loves me and that's what's important to me! :-* ;D
Steve
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Yeah...it's not hard to spot the people that have been in retail longer than they can personally handle.
The unfortunate part is that we use to have a mutual respect for one another which I thought we still had right up until he completely dissed me and my profession in that post. Oh, well, I know Lori still loves me and that's what's important to me! :-* ;D
Steve
Well yeah but Lori loves most everyybody... :D ...your going to have to get more than her to stand with you........ooooooook...........count me in....... ;)
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Wow, I'm beginning to wonder what will happen if/when I ever have to make a similar confession....
Could happen you know!!
:D
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You just sound bitter Frank and you've been that way in all of your posts since you left Jacuzzi.
Steve
I've wanted to say this for a long time...I refrained only because with the sheer level of knowledge that Frank has to offer I hoped he would get over his frustration and lighten up!!
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Oops, cats out of the bag now.
Just don't tell me my IQ dropped 10 points after that post, LOL!
Spahappy :D
Depends...Are you blond?
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A rare jump in here. We've all been in sales for a bit, most of us anyhow. Isn't it pathetic when a manufacturers rep tries to explain to you how to close a sale. I always want to ask them, "soooo, when was the last time you took a check from a customer?" I realy enjoy it when you are busy and they take an up. When the customer leaves they all say the same thing. "That ones a buyer, They'll be back." Manufacturers rep=weakness in an expensive suit.
The truth is a mfg rep position is just like any other position. Some get it because their uncle owns the company while others work for it. Same in any business. I try to judge based on observation rather than to pre-judge. Sounds like you've run into too many of the "relative" version recently. Hang onto that skepticism because there are still good ones out there. The best offense is a good defense. If a salesperson is going a direction you've heard 1,000 times, just cut them short and prod them for other pearls of wisdom. Once you've cut them short 4 or 5 times in a row, it's time to show them the door IMHO...
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Well as much as I hate interupting all this male bonding I'm going to anyway.
Spent the better part of the afternoon getting to know more about the Jacuzzi spas and getting to know our sales rep.
I was impressed he'd take the time out of his busy schedule to visit us out here. Turns out he's continuing west to Montana to try to fry bigger fish in Billings and we're along the way. Those were not his exact words but that was the jist of them.
I'm still impressed with the product, and we learned more about the jets and diverter functions from the rep today. In fact I'm down at the store now and as soon as my co-worker gets here with the refreshments we're going to wet test the j-355. She hasn't tried it yet, and I think by wet testing she'll gain some confidence in the Jacuzzi line.
The best part of the day was... I sold Jacuzzi number 4 and it happened while the rep was here. Whats funny about this is, he was going through a sales point by point training guide and was just beginning on how to close the sale...good god...I wanted product training, not how to close a sale.
Well Machelle's here with some beverages, and the windows are fogged so motorists can't drive by and see me in my swimming suit, the tunes are on, and the Jacuzzi 101 class is about to begin..Boy I hate this job, work work work ;)
Spahappy :D
I think I can speak for all the male posters here... Any pics? Of both of you in the store's Jacuzzi #5? You know... for professional reasons. Have to see how those units are being so effectively promoted and all.
::)
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Well yeah but Lori loves most everyybody... :D ...your going to have to get more than her to stand with you........ooooooook...........count me in....... ;)
Awwww shucks ya big galoot.. ::) Careful of the reputation you are giving our spa Goddess though! ::)
Steve
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I think I can speak for all the male posters here... Any pics? Of both of you in the store's Jacuzzi #5? You know... for professional reasons. Have to see how those units are being so effectively promoted and all.
::)
Yes, my thoughts exactly but I'm new here and I didn't want to make her mad by asking for pictures :-X I have to confess though Spahappy, the thought of two women in a hot tub with beverages and steamed up windows has me a little turned on right now.
Heck, if the men out there in the prairie get word that you and Michelle are doing soak/ sales pitches, you're going to sell a bunch of tubs.... ::)
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Yes, my thoughts exactly but I'm new here and I didn't want to make her mad by asking for pictures :-X I have to confess though Spahappy, the thought of two women in a hot tub with beverages and steamed up windows has me a little turned on right now.
Heck, if the men out there in the prairie get word that you and Michelle are doing soak/ sales pitches, you're going to sell a bunch of tubs.... ::)
I think I'm starting to realize why she didn't specify her gender previously. ;D
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the thought of two women in a hot tub with beverages and steamed up windows has me a little turned on right now.
too.......much .......information!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *bangs head on desk trying to get mental image of BigBender being turned on out of her head* LOLOL (only joking BB)
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Depends...Are you blond?
Yes ;)
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You only feel "dissed" if you qualify.
Yeah...it's not hard to spot the people that have been in retail longer than they can personally handle.
The unfortunate part is that we use to have a mutual respect for one another which I thought we still had right up until he completely dissed me and my profession in that post. Oh, well, I know Lori still loves me and that's what's important to me! :-* ;D
Steve
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Ahh, must be nice up there with the high and mighty.
Steve,
I rolled my eyes at his predictable Archie Bunker-like post and considered a response but figured "why bother". You followed through with a critque that covered each point very well.
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Based on Steves responsorial post, I'd say the lightening up need spread around.
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Logged out, over and out.
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Ahh, must be nice up there with the high and mighty.
I'm not the one who walks around with a black cloud over my head. If you won the lottery all we'd hear is you pissing an moaning about the taxes you'd have to pay.
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Frank,
I don't think that the goal of anyone here is to run you off....you have a lot to offer to the forum with your experience however, when several people point out that your posts have taken a grumpy and somewhat hostile tone, you might consider looking at changing that.
I hope you stay and I hope you offer experience without constant slaps.... :(
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I'm gonna get back on topic and report the results of our very technical product research and testing. Or... our wet test results.
I love the way the Jacuzzi J-355 fits my body. The jets are positioned right for me and the jet pressure is awesome. I don't float at all in this tub.
My favorite seat is the one next to the waterfall. This seat has the power pro sx jets. These jets have no moving parts but you'ld swear they do because they swirl the water stream as it comes out giving it a rifling effect. It feels like a rotating jet, but has no moving parts very cool.
The lounger was OK but if your legs were not the right length you wouldn't get the full effect of the foot jets. My feet landed right on the foot jets and I'm 5'4" so I'd think that the other 90% of the population who are taller than me wouldn't fit as well.
I liked the ability to divert the water from one area to another, but felt the tub had more than adequate
pressure when the diverters were in the middle.
I think the waterfall is nicer than Colemans (I feel so guilty saying that) I liked that this spa had a jet in the cool down seat as most cool down seats don't.
Machelle floated like an ice cube in every seat(even before we uncorked the second bottle of wine ;D) She had to fight to stay in every seat on any speed. In fact she felt that since she was fighting to stay seated the whole time, the jets did very little for her. This goes to show how important the wet test is.
Sorry no pics but I've extended an invitation to Lori to join us the next time we conduct a product research seminar and we'll try to remember to take some pics then :o
Well it's 55 degrees here and The hubby and I are headed up to our cabin on the beautiful but frozen Lake Sakakawea for a well deserved rest, relaxation, ice fishing, cross country skiing, beer drinking weekend.
I'm leaving the teenagers home alone so Stuart do you think you could check on them and break up any parties :-* ;D
And play nice with each other while I'm gone!
Spahappy :D
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Oh my! :o
I take a rare day off and go shopping with my Mom, and look what happens!
Thank you, Steve, for defending my honor! :-*
Mendo, I know what you were trying to say! ;)
Spahappy, I think I need to make a road trip! ;D
I know better than to be gone for very long!
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"soooo, when was the last time you took a check from a customer?"
The last time you ordered a spa from him.