Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: HotTubMan on October 30, 2004, 11:45:35 am
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Just came up against Island Spas for the first time. Anyone know anything about these spas? Dealers? Consumers?
HotTubMan
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Is it the Island series by Artesian....
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I carry Artesian Island, what do you need to know.?
Great mid priced- upper price spa line. Can be ordered in many diff jet/ pump configuration. Has great looking multi LED lighting option. Kenwood stereo sounds good, option for 2 patio speakers on outside of cabinet. reverse molded neck collar puts 2 jets above waterline for neck/shoulders. 3 yr warr on plubing etc..
let me know.
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I have a deposit on the Artesian Island Grand Cayman. If I can be of help, let me know!
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Didn't realize Island was Artesian. Thanks for the help.
HTM
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Are you talking about Islander Spas?
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Vinny
what did they charge you for grand cayman?? which one did you get??? (jets, 48 or 58), any options?? Did you wet test?? a lot of question, I know, I have also been looking at this model and have not had the time to go and try it out thank for any info!!!!!! ;D
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I put a deposit on the 56 jet model. I got the cover, cover lifter (Covermate III), circ pump, ozone, stainless steel rings around jets, plastic skirting, LED light (Colorscape) and steps for $6750 + tax. The price also includes delivery, starter chems and orientation.
The dealer really talked up the Island series - she thought that Artesian put out a great product line in the Island, so much so she sells more of them than the Gold or Platinum series. Apparently Artesian uses some of the components from the other higher end lines and the shell is the same on all three (I don't know about Artesian's other lower lines).
I didn't wet test the Cayman, the dealer only had the Piper Glen filled and I didn't bother - it's a whole different tub. I did dry test it and it seemed very comfortable. From what I've read on some reviews, the Island tubs are supposedly awesome!
I didn't order it yet as I'm doing the whole tub/deck/electrical project in the spring and I wanted to hold the price, she was the only one who suggested it. I was told by most dealers that the 2005 prices are definitely going up due to petroleum prices. She did inform me that the Cayman was going up about $500 at least maybe $700 (this was after I put the deposit down) and the 2005 models aren't changing.
Looking at what I got and the price I paid, I think I got a good deal. The competition, Sweetwater Bahia and Down East Windsor SE, were about $200 lower than the Cayman in my area and the Coleman 480 was $400 lower. Everything else (HS, Sundance, D1 Marquis, ...)was over my budget.
If you have any more questions, I'll try to answer them.
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We bought the Island Grand Bahama (58 jets) with all the extra's, except the stereo. We have had it for a month now, and absolutely love it. We've used it every night for a month, and have had no trouble. We have the ss eustacion covers, the cover lifter, went with the LED light, the permawood side curtains, instead of redwood. We got it for $6200 including tax, delivery, and setup with 3 months of chemicals. The store did the delivery and the owner (who happened to be the salesman, which we didn't know he was the owner) came, stayed until the tub was full of water and chemicals, and we were reasonably sure how to handle it. The store is only 3 miles away, so they are close. The owner also talked up the Island series as the best bang for the buck. We couldn't agree more.
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I have an order in for the Antigua model (46 jets) of the Island series and hope that delivery will be sometime this week. I'd be glad to let you know more about it after we get it if you would like. Our price was roughly $4,850 plus tax including steps, cover lift, ozonator, start up chems, delivery and set up.
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Great prices. I am an Artesian Dealer in Alabama. Right now the factory is doing a special on the Antigua and Captiva with 38 jets, LED lights, Dura Wood skirts, Stainless jets, and one waterfall for $4999.
They are a good company and usually handle warranty issues promptly. :)
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The Artesian program is actually availble to dealers for a 2 week time frame and not all dealers have to participate. We ran our 2 week sale a month ago.
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bump from 2004
A guy can find lots of good stuff on this board.
I've been watching basketball all day. Drinking beer and smoking cigars....so who owns an Artesian Island spa?
Local dealer is running a nice sale. I've shopped around (no wet tests yet...next step thank you very much) and they look very good for this price range. Any owner or tester comments?
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I have had my Antigua for over a year now and it has been one of the best purchases I have ever made. In my opinion, the Island Spas is by far the best valued line available. The local HotSpring and Sundance dealers even admitted that they didn't offer anything that could compare. Great Choice!!!
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The local HotSpring and Sundance dealers even admitted that they didn't offer anything that could compare. Great Choice!!!
Im sure thats what they said ::)
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Im sure thats what they said ::)
They probably said they don't have a spa that would compare at that competitive price point. You know, the guy/gal that wants 70 jets, 6 12hp jet pumps, music, waterfalls etc..and want it for a 2,999.00 price tag.
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I believe I chatted with this fella online and basically said that we don't have stereos and some of the other things on the Tiger Rivers that he was comparing with the one he bought. He did have a certain price range he wanted to stay within and got everything he wanted in that price range. I'm glad he found what he was looking for.
I'm pretty sure I emphasized some of the stronger points of our spas but that was not his highest need. We can't win 'em all (but we don't lose too many either).
Terminator
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I'm pretty sure I emphasized some of the stronger points of our spas but that was not his highest need.
Gotta ask.....what do you consider to be the stronger points of the spas you sell?
(I'm amazed at how tactful you are when you wanna be...)
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Gotta ask.....what do you consider to be the stronger points of the spas you sell?
As it related to my discussion with 69 dude and his budget, I emphasized our 24-hr circulation pump as standard equipment, 5-year warranty, moveable jets, large LED light, bottom drain, no-programming of filtration cycles, closed-cell foam insulation, energy-efficiency, etc.
From a manufacturer standpoint, I emphasized Watkins' strength in the industry, customer service, long-term stability.
From a dealer standpoint, I emphasized in-house service, BBB Gold Star Rating for 20 years, and long-term stability with one brand.
This was over a year ago and I'm sure I can't remember everything. Hell, more than likely I simply said the other guy's smelt of elderberries and worshipped Satan.
Terminator
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and how the other guy's mother was a hamster, I bet...uh-huh.....
Just had to ask, yanno. ;)
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What the hell is up with these responses and those damn rolly-eyes?? I didn't mean to step on any toes. :-/
East Tx is correct. I did chat with him and visited the HotSpring store closer to me and HotSpring (Tiger River) could not offer anything that had the features of the Island Spas within the same price range. A comparable spa at their store was over $1000 more and had less features. This also was true with the local Sundance dealer. The salespeople I talked to at both stores agreed that there mid-line models couldn't compare to the Island Spas, and tried to talk me into spending more $$ for a high-end HotSpring or Sundance.
I even gave East TX an opportunity to provide a tub at a comparable price, and I believe he stated that he "didn't have a horse in that race". I really appreciated his honesty with that comment as it helped make my decision much easier.
This is just what I encountered on my search for a tub. Maybe they have better mid-line tubs now, but at that time they didn't. So, I saved some money, got the tub I wanted and have been very happy with it.
But what do I know?? I'm just a consumer trying to get the most for my money, not a dealer trying to make the most money. ;D :o ;D
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Vinny, why are you getting rid of your current spa? I can't remember what you had but I thought it was fairly new. :-/
I have a deposit on the Artesian Island Grand Cayman. If I can be of help, let me know!
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Vinny, why are you getting rid of your current spa? I can't remember what you had but I thought it was fairly new. :-/
Someone brought up an old thread. The response I gave was dated Oct 30, 2004 - I ain't giving up my spa ... unless some dealer here wants to donate a Piper Glen to me - LOL!!! ;)
I wasn't going to get into this old post but I have to say that I had the SAME experience in my area with both Sundance and Hot Springs. Unlike 69_dude my Hot Spring experience ended up with the salesperson calling me an idiot - great sales tactic and the Sundance person trying to sell me a Bahia for $6300 - which IMO can't touch the Artesian Island Cayman in terms of features. I can't talk of performance since I've never been in a Bahia. If it was under $6K, I would say the Bahia would have been a good deal. BTW, The guy sold a spa based on my recommendation of him being a good guy (bought my AG pool from him) and this was his "special" price.
My spa didn't cost $2999.95 (a lot more) and I didn't haggle with anyone but the HS dealer but that was after he called me an idiot. Heck the HS guy wouldn't even talk to me about Tiger River ... he was a schmuck!
Without being disrespectful to anyone - realize that there are other brands of tubs that are better values than HS or Sundance or even Artesian. In my market Artesian was it for me.