Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Anoroc on November 21, 2005, 09:37:50 am
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I have been online trying to find out where I can get my spa chems for the most reasonalbe cost. Anyone know of a good website or how to order bulk? Mostly looking for Clorinating concentreates, weekly shocks and TA increaser.
Thanks in advance
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I typically order from:
http://www.spadepot.com
or
http://www.rhtubs.com
Both have a good selection and pretty good prices.
Ken
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Thanks, I will look at these sights. Do you know if the chlorininating products they sell for pools works for hot tubs too? I can get some Chlorine Dichlor at Sams in a bulk box.
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Be sure it's dichlor you're getting and not tricholor, which I believe is what those pucks often are.
Using trichlor isn't recommended, and can void warranty coverage on some spas.
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I typically order from:
http://www.spadepot.com
or
http://www.rhtubs.com
Both have a good selection and pretty good prices.
Ken
Same here, spadepot offers free shipping, but charges more, so figure in shipping as well.
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Be sure it's dichlor you're getting and not tricholor, which I believe is what those pucks often are.
Using trichlor isn't recommended, and can void warranty coverage on some spas.
Brewman, the Chlorinating concentrate from sams is a granular Dichlor not the tablets or pucks.
It calls for one teaspoon per 200 or 300 gallons of water(can't recall right now).
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Ive ordered from both of those sites, and just got my first order from National Pool and Spa (www.npss.biz). Pricing was good as far as I was concerned, and quick shipping.
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Try these guys. Free shipping for orders over $50.
https://www.poolsplusinc.com/acatalog/home.html
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Best place to get your chemicals is one of your local spa dealers. The internet if very convient but unfortunatly they don't give you much help on your problems. They are strickly there to sell you chemicals and not educate you about them. Go to a local spa dealer and get THEIR chemicals and let them educate you, that is their job!
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There are several spa dealers who aren't so educational, I've been to a few, and I can name a couple web sites that do a pretty good job of giving advice. Not as good maybe as an onsite water anaylsis, but short of that anyone capable can answer questions.
I support my dealer when I can, but wouldn't hesitate to do business with a good online place.
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Best place to get your chemicals is one of your local spa dealers. The internet if very convient but unfortunatly they don't give you much help on your problems. They are strickly there to sell you chemicals and not educate you about them. Go to a local spa dealer and get THEIR chemicals and let them educate you, that is their job!
Rotigers- I'm all about supporting the local dealer, however everything has it's limits. I can buy a 5pound canister of concentrated chlorine from them for $45 or get it on line for $32. This type of difference adds up quickly when you also consider all of the other chemicals as well. Another example- test strips for $16 bucks...that's is plain crazy!
As for their advice- I feel like I learned more about chemical usage in the last week on my own and through the web than they could have taught me in months. In fact, some of their informatin to me has been incorrect. Case in point, without even testing my water the local rep told me my total alakalinty would be about 44 so he asked me to add a bunch of increaser. When I tested it myself I was at 80.
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Nothing wrong with a dealer, but www.rhtubs.com has excellent customer support and prices. I have called/e-mailed them a couple of times with questions and they have been great.
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Yep, rhtubs.com is who I turn to when in need. They've never failed me yet!
Terminator
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To answer the question...pool dichlor is the same as spa dichlor.
For on line spa chems...rhtubs.com
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I understand what you are saying, but coming from a business perspective (and take my word for this because I deal with people, chemicals, and the internet all day) we STRIVE to provide customers service for our customers, even if they have not purchased their hot tub from us. That is one thing that we stand behind and always will, so it is hard to believe the people would still go to the internet and receive (for the most part) the lack of information and knowledge from the supplier. Maybe this website is different from what I've heard and seen from customers and it's nice to see that somebody is acutally providing service for their customers online ;D! We struggle with this issue all the time though, when people buy their chemicals off line (usually a cheaper grade of chemicals but not always) and then they have an issue which of course is not under warranty and we become the "bad guys" for coming out and fixing the problems (even if it was just a clogged filter). It is upsetting to business owners when we do what is right, we fix their problems even though they aren't patronizing us with their chemical purchases or anything and we help get them back on the right track. You definitly get what you pay for in the long run though! What if the chemical prices were a little bit higher than the internet, but you got better service going to the local dealer and paying a higher price....which would you choose? :)
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Rotiger- I am not sure I got better service when I asked for test strips and the dealer handed it to me and than asked for $16. The service was about the same when I went online and picked it up for $8. Perhaps you do provide an added value to your customers. If that is the case than customer loyalty you shall have.
As for my situation...I haven't picked up on the added value the local dealer is bringing to me. And as for lower quality chemicals, I ordered the same stuff they sell.
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Exactly why this isn't a black & white issue. There are good online dealers and crappy ones. Same for retail bricks and mortar stores. One isn't better than the other.
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That is exactly true! Everyone finds what works best for them. Wish I knew where you lived so we could start up one of our businesses near you so you could have decent service! ;) :)