Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: BK on March 30, 2006, 10:49:38 pm

Title: Tub Prices
Post by: BK on March 30, 2006, 10:49:38 pm
As stated in other posts, we're about to buy a tub. Probably an Optima, but the Grandee is still in there.

Package deal requested: tub, cover, lifter, ozone, step, and chemical. Delivered and set up on my patio.

From four different dealers:

Grandee #1--$9495 and tax
Grandee #2--$8395 and tax
Optima -- $7650 and tax
Jacuzzi 375-- $7400

Now get this: Marquis Destiny, a 7' tub, $9495. I said, "Is that your best deal?"

Answer: "I can come down another 300 but that is rock bottom."

Great dealer, great sales person, so-so tub, way out of line on the price. I wish him good luck.
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: Tatooed_Lady on March 30, 2006, 11:19:11 pm
Grandee #1 and #2? 2 different dealers, or different setups/model year?
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: MarKee on March 30, 2006, 11:26:19 pm
Did you wet test all of the models?  $9495 is a fair price on the Destiny, might as well just get the Epic though.
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: cappykat on March 31, 2006, 09:05:06 am
Don't get the difference between #1 and #2 but if you're considering paying $9495, I'd sure look at the Marquis Epic.  It's an awesome tub.

$7650 seems like a good price on the Optima.
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: BK on March 31, 2006, 10:57:40 am
Yes, two different dealers on the Grandee. I don't get the difference. Number one didn't get it either, he did everything but call me a liar so I faxed him the sheet from #2.

On the Marquis, we wet tested Destiny, Epic, 630U and 530U. I was almost speechless at his quoted price.

I don't believe the Marquis to be the equal of the other two brands, let alone superior. I wouldn't choose Marquis for the same price, let alone 1k over Hotspring or 1500 over the Sundance, both of which are bigger tubs.

Marquis Destiny is comparable to Sundance Majesta and Hotspring Vanguard, and at least in this marketplace appears to be over priced. Nice people, I wish them well. But they'll have to find someone else to buy.
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: drewstar on March 31, 2006, 11:03:54 am
That's a big swing on the grandee.  I wonder if the price quoted included delivery and all the usual accesories (cover, lifter, steps).  Did one have a steroe maybe?
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: BK on March 31, 2006, 11:07:43 am
The prices both included exactly what was in my first post.
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: Chris_H on March 31, 2006, 11:07:45 am
The going rate for the Optima/Cameo with no stereo is over $9,000.  That is way under priced.  I would snap that up.
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: BK on March 31, 2006, 11:17:45 am
I modified the first post to show that they're all different dealers. They're also all 2006 model tubs.

We like the Sundance product and will probably order one. Giving him my money to work with while he orders it makes me nervous. I need to pay him a visit.
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: Cruiser on March 31, 2006, 11:32:15 am
Is it possible that the lower priced Grandee is the classic series?
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: BK on March 31, 2006, 11:36:27 am
No it isn't possible that the HotSpring dealer with the better price is selling me anything different. Apples to apples.

Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: Snyper on March 31, 2006, 11:44:48 am
Quote
I don't believe the Marquis to be the equal of the other two brands, let alone superior. I wouldn't choose Marquis for the same price, let alone 1k over Hotspring or 1500 over the Sundance, both of which are bigger tubs.


Better do your homework a bit better. Marquis is a top of the class spa.
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: BK on March 31, 2006, 12:00:22 pm
Oh I've done plenty of it. I just really don't think they are the equal. They make a good product though, better than a lot of the stuff out there.
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: Spatech_tuo on March 31, 2006, 12:00:37 pm
Those are all top notch spas so it really comes down to which you like best but look closely at what you're  getting. One thing to note relative to another poster yesterday. Those are not small or even mid sized spas and you've generally stated that each comes with a lifter. Make sure it is a very sturdy lifter, not just a simple Covermate-I which works well on mid sized spas and smaller but I'm not a fan of it on teh large spas. I really think it's worth a bit extra to upgrde the lifter and in fact, you might want to compare the lifters in those quotes to see if they're giving you a similar product in each quote.
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: BK on March 31, 2006, 12:01:33 pm
Hey that is good advice and I appreciate it. I saw that post and wondered. What would you recommend?
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: Snyper on March 31, 2006, 12:31:38 pm
Quote
I just really don't think they are the equal.


Can you give your reasons why? Everything I have ever read here says that Marquis is listed as one of the best, equal to or greater than those you mentioned.

Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: Spatech_tuo on March 31, 2006, 12:50:17 pm
Quote

Better do your homework a bit better. Marquis is a top of the class spa.


I'm not sure I'd agree with the first sentence; just because he didn't choose the spa you prefer doesn't mean he's lacking in decision making skills. I do agree with your second sentence, Marquis is a top notch spa but the reality is every day Marquis loses out to Sundance on some deals, Sundance loses out the Hot Springs on others who in turn loses some sales to Jacuzzi and on and on and on. If someone checks them all out and choses one over the other you can't give them a hard time for their choice. This is an industry where the top 3 spa makers probably don't even equal 50% of the market. There are a lot of good spa choices out there and in this case I'm sure he'd be happy with any of the ones he's considering but we can't make the decision for him or question his thought processes when he picks another. With the choices he's considering it's kind of like questioning the order of the top 5 in the Miss America pagent, I'll let you take the winner and I'll take the 4 losers.
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: hymbaw on March 31, 2006, 01:23:32 pm
Quote
Optima -- $7650 and tax


Snap it up!! That is about $2000 lower than what they go for normally!
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: East_TX_Spa on March 31, 2006, 02:07:52 pm
The Grandee package you listed would cost over $10K here in East Texas.  That sounds like a really good deal to me.

Do the quotes you have include the GFCI Subpanel?  The Grandee comes standard with it.

Good luck, all of them are really nice spas and you'll be happy with whichever one you choose.  Have a grande time shopping! :)

Terminator
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: Spatech_tuo on March 31, 2006, 02:18:23 pm
Quote
Hey that is good advice and I appreciate it. I saw that post and wondered. What would you recommend?


They may each have a base model type lifter and an upgraded version, either their brand name version or maybe the Covermate III, all you have to do is demo it to know if it's sturdy enough. As Term noted relative to the subpanel, ask specifically what exactly is in the quote.
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: BK on March 31, 2006, 02:26:27 pm
Understand on the GFCI. I'm already installed and good to go as of last week. 60A service at the ready! My guy was available and I told him to go ahead.

On the Marquis, not to dis their product because it is good. It has many good points. Too many for me to hit here. Just not $9500 worth. In no particular order:

1. water feature unimpressive. No big deal to me personally, but really, it's lame.
2. what is with the "standpipe" filtration system for lack of a better word? looks ugly
3. ozone system not easy to understand
4. no circulation pump. in my neck of the woods I want the water circulating from Oct-Apr.
5. unimpressive size for the money.
Title: Re: Tub Prices
Post by: Snyper on March 31, 2006, 03:12:48 pm
Quote
Understand on the GFCI. I'm already installed and good to go as of last week. 60A service at the ready! My guy was available and I told him to go ahead.

On the Marquis, not to dis their product because it is good. It has many good points. Too many for me to hit here. Just not $9500 worth. In no particular order:

1. water feature unimpressive. No big deal to me personally, but really, it's lame.
2. what is with the "standpipe" filtration system for lack of a better word? looks ugly
3. ozone system not easy to understand
4. no circulation pump. in my neck of the woods I want the water circulating from Oct-Apr.
5. unimpressive size for the money.


All well and good. Everyone buys what they want. Just as you pointed out faults, Marquis owners can find faults with other brands.

Kinda like the Ford vs the Chevy guys :)

Good luck in whatever you decide.

BTW - I own 3 different spas, 1 Marquis, 1 Hot Springs and one D1.

I have rental cabins and have had great success with all 3.