Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: grumpy on September 21, 2006, 07:31:54 pm

Title: just arrived
Post by: grumpy on September 21, 2006, 07:31:54 pm
 :) just arrived today, tiger river bengal. new to tubbing just waiting for the water to heat up. can't wait to have my first soak!!(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m257/grumpy30000/hottub3.jpg) (http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m257/grumpy30000/hottub2.jpg)
 great forum read it everyday keep it coming
 love the pic's terminator
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: badval on September 21, 2006, 07:37:10 pm
Good for you!  Hope you enjoy your new tub very much  :)

That crane up & over the house like that would scare me.  It'd be my luck that something would beak & it would end up in my living room  :o  
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: grumpy on September 21, 2006, 07:55:26 pm
not scary at all, something breaks I get a new roof and another new spa, the only downside is the wait again >:(
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: NorthWoodsDipper on September 21, 2006, 08:07:54 pm
Quote
not scary at all, something breaks I get a new roof and another new spa, the only downside is the wait again >:(

Hmmmmmmm.... I need new shingles.  Maybe I will give the strap the old slice-a-roo when the crane guy is not looking...
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: Zep on September 21, 2006, 09:11:31 pm
wow....congrats and happy tubbing!

Nice deck....post finished pics in a few days.

just curious....a question to anyone....
ballpark what does a crane delivery add
cost wise to tub delivery?

I know each case is different
but if normal tub delivery is free
does crane delivery add like $500,
$1000, $1500 or more to costs?
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: grumpy on September 21, 2006, 09:37:24 pm
delivery was included in the price whether it was buy crane or man handeled. I was going to pick it up myself to save $300 of the final price but decided to get it delivered to save some aggrivation and possibility of something happening. no extra charge for the crane. 8-)
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: PotomacG on September 22, 2006, 08:30:09 am
Free crane delivery....sweet!

I've got the same tub and same color (also on a raised deck).

You should have seen how much work it was to muscle that sucker up there.

Enjoy your tub.   :D
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: sledjunkie on September 22, 2006, 08:53:32 am
Sorry I must have missed this post..

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FREE CRANE DELIVERY!!!

They just charge more for the spa.
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: sledjunkie on September 22, 2006, 08:57:02 am
Ever notice how most hot tub salesman ask where the tub is going while you're shopping?

There is a reason for that question.
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: grumpy on September 22, 2006, 08:59:20 am
He gave me a price first when I was looking. He did not ask were it was going until I made the purchase.
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: drewstar on September 22, 2006, 09:14:42 am
Great  pics Grumpy. I think you and I dealt with the same folks.  :)  you got it at a great time too, you can have your first fill up, really enjoy it now that's getting chilly here in MA, and before water changes become an impossibilitie,  you'll have a couple of months to get a handle on the nuances of water chemistry.

Sled, you are so f-ing negataive. Yes, nothing is free.   We all know that. It's not like we're 10 years old.  We understand. Really, we do. I think you'll find the majority of folks here are over 30 adults that have seem some level of proffesional success .  We understnd that there is value added  and an exchange of goods and servies  for currency. Some dealers choose to bundle certain items togethor, some dealers are able to offer lower prices on certain things due to thier specific set ups.  A wise consumer shops arounds, understands the offers, the different oppurutnites to spend thier money and evaulutes their needs in line with the merchant. Every item and service provided in our economy is subect to it to varying degrees.  We get it.

Why do you always feel that you are reveailing some great mystery and feel  that consumers are getting screwed for participating in  the open market?  It's getting old.... quickly.

You must have been burnted, because you feel everyone else is getting screwed.

Tell me, do you feel that you are that much smarter than us and need to point this out,  or do you just feel that we are all morons?  

Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: sledjunkie on September 22, 2006, 09:27:54 am
I'm sorry but I feel most of you don't get it, that's why I continue to educate the consumers on this board. While shopping I learned early the Spa industry is a very screwed up, dirty business. Lots of lies being told. This market is much worse than the used car market in my opinion.

With statements like "Free crane delivery....sweet! " certainly shows me that alot of consumers continue to not "get it".
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: East_TX_Spa on September 22, 2006, 09:33:50 am
Congratulations on your new spa Grumpy! :)

I apologize for my negligence concerning the Pic o' the Day, but I've been concentrating my efforts on the Spa Wars Saga in the General BS section.

So here's a nice one just for you:
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/EastTexasSpa/ii0582.jpg)

Terminator
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: grumpy on September 22, 2006, 09:49:51 am
very nice bubbles the jets must be on high  ;)
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: Rayman on September 22, 2006, 09:53:28 am
Quote
Great  pics Grumpy. I think you and I dealt with the same folks.  :)  you got it at a great time too, you can have your first fill up, really enjoy it now that's getting chilly here in MA, and before water changes become an impossibilitie,  you'll have a couple of months to get a handle on the nuances of water chemistry.

Sled, you are so f-ing negataive. Yes, nothing is free.   We all know that. It's not like we're 10 years old.  We understand. Really, we do. I think you'll find the majority of folks here are over 30 adults that have seem some level of proffesional success .  We understnd that there is value added  and an exchange of goods and servies  for currency. Some dealers choose to bundle certain items togethor, some dealers are able to offer lower prices on certain things due to thier specific set ups.  A wise consumer shops arounds, understands the offers, the different oppurutnites to spend thier money and evaulutes their needs in line with the merchant. Every item and service provided in our economy is subect to it to varying degrees.  We get it.

Why do you always feel that you are reveailing some great mystery and feel  that consumers are getting screwed for participating in  the open market?  It's getting old.... quickly.

You must have been burnted, because you feel everyone else is getting screwed.

Tell me, do you feel that you are that much smarter than us and need to point this out,  or do you just feel that we are all morons?  


Excellent,  It reminds me when I was younger and I thought sex was free when you got married, I have been paying ever since.

Sled ease up man.

Rayman
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: drewstar on September 22, 2006, 09:54:48 am
Quote
I'm sorry but I feel most of you don't get it, that's why I continue to educate the consumers on this board. While shopping I learned early the Spa industry is a very screwed up, dirty business. Lots of lies being told. This market is much worse than the used car market in my opinion.

With statements like "Free crane delivery....sweet! " certainly shows me that alot of consumers continue to not "get it".

 
Get what? That a dealer who owns several stores throughout the state, moves a significant amout opf product  and sub contracts out all thier deliveries to a crane fleet, , that they can provide crane deliveries at a rate that rivals smaller dealers standard delivery?  I dunno, telling a customer that , hey shoping with us is like getting free crane service when compare the total price and package to other dealers?  Sure it's not "free"  but if you bought the same package for the other guy and needed a crane, you might pay $250 more.  Sounds good to me.

We've got a discount furniture store chain around here that is bombarding the market with the message "hey, we don't offer Free Delivery...Becasue nothing is free! The other guys may tell you it's free, but they're ripping you off!  Come on People! "  IT works, he sells a lot of low end product to folks thinking they're getting a deal. It's a wonderful marketing set up. However, the  fact is, the other guys, who do offer "free devliery" move so much product,  in such high volumes and have a business model that allows them to maintain a delivery fleet they can offer a higher quality prodcut, with  delivery at a total  price that's comptitive to the other guy. If you need delivry don't shop the discount guys.  See?

Some folks just don't get that.

Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: Spatech_tuo on September 22, 2006, 11:42:41 am
Quote
I'm sorry but I feel most of you don't get it, that's why I continue to educate the consumers on this board. While shopping I learned early the Spa industry is a very screwed up, dirty business. Lots of lies being told. This market is much worse than the used car market in my opinion.

With statements like "Free crane delivery....sweet! " certainly shows me that alot of consumers continue to not "get it".

So you're the educator of the consumers? The reality is you may get it in some area but you're as omniscient as you think. In this case you are correct, there is no "free crane delivery". Rather it is should state that it is "included" but hey, that's salesmanship. I know you want to think you're one step ahead of everyone else by understanding that but believe it on not I think almost all consumers understand that "free" really means "included" in such a case. My 11 yr old son brought that up a not long ago when he saw a sign for something like that and while I'd like to think he's the next Einstein I do believe it's commonly understood. BTW, yes, the cover is also always "free" and I think almost everyone "gets" that too.
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: drewstar on September 22, 2006, 11:52:09 am
Quote
I'm sorry but I feel most of you don't get it, that's why I continue to educate the consumers

Now who does that sound like?  ::)
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: Spatech_tuo on September 22, 2006, 12:01:26 pm
Quote
Quote
I'm sorry but I feel most of you don't get it, that's why I continue to educate the consumers

Now who does that sound like?  ::)

Yes, he does come off as a disciple of the Spa Narcissist.
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: sledjunkie on September 22, 2006, 01:00:25 pm
Listen guys -

This forum is great. Most members are knowledgeable and provide valuable information as it relates to hot tubs.

However the reason some of my posts are the way they are is because of the overall forum mentality.
It is overrun by Spa salesman, and their tactics and verbage is that of a spa salesman, looking out for their own brand and persuading potential tubs owners to their own brand.

New members who join and are seeking advice (which tub is better), pricing, etc are from members, who again most are in spa sales. Now I will admit alot of members are also not spa salesman, however reading the forum the last couple of months I can tell you that since the spa industry sales staff have created the trend here,  alot (not all) of you simply repeat statements that your fellow spa salesman have create awhile back. Example "Your dealer is important".

Some of the advice these spa salesman give are valuable, but most of them one sided and aren't looking out for the consumer, but rather themselves or their brand.

This message is for all new hot tub consumers, please remember this forum is loaded with spa salesman, who will one way or another try and persuade you. Don't buy into it. Look out for yourself when shopping. Pick apart the statements made here and take the valuable product information only. Separate opinion from fact. And most of all get your facts straight.
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: Repeat_Offender on September 22, 2006, 01:12:58 pm
I'm new here but I think you might be underestimating the general membership. I've read hundreds of posts from ordinary owners like myself and found them to be very knowledgable as well as astute both of the products they buy and the salespeople they deal with. We're all adults here, and like with any big ticket item most of us do our due diligence before purchasing.
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: Guzz on September 22, 2006, 01:18:46 pm
Quote
Listen guys -

This forum is great. Most members are knowledgeable and provide valuable information as it relates to hot tubs.

However the reason some of my posts are the way they are is because of the overall forum mentality.
It is overrun by Spa salesman, and their tactics and verbage is that of a spa salesman, looking out for their own brand and persuading potential tubs owners to their own brand.

New members who join and are seeking advice (which tub is better), pricing, etc are from members, who again most are in spa sales. Now I will admit alot of members are also not spa salesman, however reading the forum the last couple of months I can tell you that since the spa industry sales staff have created the trend here,  alot (not all) of you simply repeat statements that your fellow spa salesman have create awhile back. Example "Your dealer is important".

Some of the advice these spa salesman give are valuable, but most of them one sided and aren't looking out for the consumer, but rather themselves or their brand.

This message is for all new hot tub consumers, please remember this forum is loaded with spa salesman, who will one way or another try and persuade you. Don't buy into it. Look out for yourself when shopping. Pick apart the statements made here and take the valuable product information only. Separate opinion from fact. And most of all get your facts straight.
Yes you are right, all the sales people in this forum are just trying to confuse you into buying their product. Mean nasty sales techniques, misinformation, you name it, it's a disgrace, now get out your check book!!
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: drewstar on September 22, 2006, 01:23:21 pm
It's a web forum .

I'll say this there are several folks who sell spas here that helped me out  for no other reasons than that's who they are.  Sure, it reflects well on them and their business. Good for them. Advertise through actions, not false promotions.

You take the extreme opposite approach and give the impression that everyone who has a product or service to offer you is out to take advantaage of you. That's a pretty shallow, and dare I say, ignorant attititude. Let me tellyou on some items, A quality dealer is important. Not just in hot tubs but in many things folks buy. And to what degree is it important is different for everyone.  But let me tell you, doing business with a qaulity merchant has it benifits.  

Yup. Be aware, educate yourself., shop around, compare, listen to what they have to say about thier products, ask questions.... it's the right thing to do.  

so, you had your tub what for 3 months now?  8-)
 
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: sledjunkie on September 22, 2006, 01:52:13 pm
Yes about 3 months.

Why do you ask?
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: drewstar on September 22, 2006, 02:13:29 pm
Because I don't think you know what you are talking about.

Because many of your posts you state your opion as if it were fact.  Some folks just comming here take what you are saying as being the voice of expereince.  You know, when you talk about winter operations, heat effficenies, cleaning and draining, crane deliveries, warrenty work, value of a dealer......all that stuff. And yet, you are here to educate consumers and expose all salemen as liars. It's kind of funny....veyr funny,  that you'd call pros in  the industry who have proven themselves   liars.  Because you yourself have very little experince, yet are convinced that  others are tyring to mislead you.  

Noob is a word that comes to mind.
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: Spatech_tuo on September 22, 2006, 02:23:17 pm
Quote
I'm new here but I think you might be underestimating the general membership. I've read hundreds of posts from ordinary owners like myself and found them to be very knowledgable as well as astute both of the products they buy and the salespeople they deal with. We're all adults here, and like with any big ticket item most of us do our due diligence before purchasing.

Well said. The problem I have with Sledjunkie is only in his pompous "I'm here to educate the common man from the evil empire as I am all knowing" rhetoric. He may be well informed as a comsumer but he makes it seem like he's figured out that we really didn't land on the moon and he has uncovered the facts!! Give us a break already and stand in line with the many other informed people on this site (and I doubt he'd be in the front of that line as people who are closed minded only learn so much). I hate to be so bothered by his posts so much but I find them to be ridiculous (I grew up with a know-it-all older brother, it irks me).
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: imp etc on September 22, 2006, 02:29:31 pm
Well now that the original topic has been well and truly hijacked . . .

I for one am glad to have found a forum that is populated by people who are knowledgeable about the subject. If I want to know about Lutherans I'll ask Rev Larry or someone who is a Lutheran, right? Why would I not go to someone who deals with hot tubs day in/out to ask questions about them? Sheesh yeah, they have a self-interest in providing the answer but what's wrong with that?

Not to mention I've seen folks express their own concerns about their products as well - wasn't it stuart who was so vocal about his own line of spa and their customer service? and the Doc sure passed up an opportunity to sell me a wooden tub - heck I'm even in his neighborhood. Go figure . . .

When I'm in a position to "sell" someone on something (pretty often at work) the last thing I want to do is convince them to "buy" something that won't work for them. In fact I've often told people that what they had in mind would make them unhappy, and "sold" them something less costly that was right for them. Unhappy customers can make your day pretty darn tough, dontcha know . . .

I'm pretty sure that folks who come looking for information have been around the block a few times because:
- a thread a while back indicated that age-wise we're mostly "mature" individuals, more or less experienced at evaluating info and making decisions for ourselves
- if we're mostly homeowners and have a few grand to throw into a project like buying a spa, it's likely we know about buying stuff, and have encountered quite a few sales pitches in the process

Finally, sledjunkie, it's pretty clear to me that you're "hard-selling" a point of view here, just like I can recognize when one of the "real" sales people is doing so. If you don't like "sales" maybe you should spend time on something that makes you happier? Just a thought . . .


Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: drewstar on September 22, 2006, 02:42:21 pm
The good reverend just wants to convert you to Lutherism.  You have to be careful with him. He's a tricky son of a gun.  ;)

Just like those moonies and scientologists.

Sometimes I wish Spa Doc sold tinfoil hats too.  ;D
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: grumpy on September 22, 2006, 02:44:11 pm
Quote
Well now that the original topic has been well and truly hijacked . . .

I for one am glad to have found a forum that is populated by people who are knowledgeable about the subject.



I agree imp etc,  my topic was hijacked  >:(
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: dkersten on September 22, 2006, 02:46:29 pm
Quote
Listen guys -

However the reason some of my posts are the way they are is because of the overall forum mentality.
It is overrun by Spa salesman, and their tactics and verbage is that of a spa salesman, looking out for their own brand and persuading potential tubs owners to their own brand.

New members who join and are seeking advice (which tub is better), pricing, etc are from members, who again most are in spa sales. Now I will admit alot of members are also not spa salesman, however reading the forum the last couple of months I can tell you that since the spa industry sales staff have created the trend here,  alot (not all) of you simply repeat statements that your fellow spa salesman have create awhile back. Example "Your dealer is important".

Some of the advice these spa salesman give are valuable, but most of them one sided and aren't looking out for the consumer, but rather themselves or their brand.

This message is for all new hot tub consumers, please remember this forum is loaded with spa salesman, who will one way or another try and persuade you. Don't buy into it. Look out for yourself when shopping. Pick apart the statements made here and take the valuable product information only. Separate opinion from fact. And most of all get your facts straight.
First off, I am sorry to see this thread get jacked like this.  Second, thanks for the pic Terminator.. I have been missing those lately..

I found this site when I started shopping for a hot tub a few months ago, and stuck with it because I find that the "forum mentality" is that people tend to answer questions honestly with almost no "my brand is better than your brand".  Look at posts when people are asking about a specific model.. most times there are only a few replies from those that have experience with that particular model, either as a salesperson or as a consumer.  Occasionally someone will chime in with a "you can get brand x model z for that price", and even if the person is somewhat self serving in their statement, it still helps the person asking the question because they now know that there is another hot tub in that price range with similar features.  If they already knew it, they can disregard the information.  

In searching out information that was not tainted, all I found was a few websites with very brand specific information, which was not what I was looking for.  This one has been invaluable to me.  

Occasionally someone will ask for advice, and a dealer discovers that the potential customer is in their area and tells them to come in and check out their product, but if I asked about it and a local dealer I was unfamiliar with posted that he had a shop, and invited me to come look at his product, I would be happy about it.  The thing is, there are enough people here with expertise as either consumers or sellers, that if someone tried to mislead me here and get me into their shop, the community would jump all over it.  

Yes, I do see that some hot tub dealers are slimier than car salesmen, but there are also many reputable dealers that run a well respected store, and many of those kind of dealers visit this forum regularly.  

Some people choose to not think too much about the distribution of their dollar when they purchase something, and others overanylize it too much.  The bottom line is, if someone thinks they got a good deal, then they did.  Many people come here and ask if a particular model, with particular extras is a good deal at a particular price.. As long as someone doesnt come along and say "no way, that dealer is raking you over the coals at that price", then the answer to the question is, if you are happy with the deal, then its a good deal.  If the deal includes a way to get the tub set up, then that is awesome.  I dont really care whether the dealer made $500 off me when I bought my tub, or $2000.. the bottom line is I was happy with his quote after he sharpened his pencil a little, and I got what I wanted for the price I wanted.  

Now, as to the original thread.. are we gonna see some pictures of the finished product?  It doesnt even have to be full of scantily clad ladies.. although that would be cool too.
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: PotomacG on September 22, 2006, 03:49:16 pm
Quote
delivery was included in the price whether it was buy crane or man handeled. I was going to pick it up myself to save $300 of the final price but decided to get it delivered to save some aggrivation and possibility of something happening. no extra charge for the crane. 8-)

Free crane delivery....Sweet  :D
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: tony on September 22, 2006, 04:13:59 pm
Back to topic...NE Spas has been selling spas for a long time...almost as long as Sundance has been building them.  They sell agruably the two best selling brands on the market today...HotSprings and Sundance.  They move a lot of spas every day.  All the spas are shipped to and from their Natick MA (central MA) location, whether you bought it from that store, their South Shore store, their North Shore store or their western MA store.  It is much more economical to move those via crane.  The truck is stacked high with spas when it leaves the warehouse.  It also eliminates any potential problems setting the spa in difficult places.  All spas have a delivery cost.  A smaller dealer probably couldn't do it this way, but the cost for NE Spas by crane is most likely close to the smaller dealers regular delivery.  Thus the "free delivery."

The pictures of the spa being lifted over the house sure look familiar.
Title: Re: just arrived
Post by: imp etc on September 22, 2006, 06:34:35 pm
Quote
I agree imp etc,  my topic was hijacked  >:(

Sorry if I contributed to that . . .   :-*

So . . . congrats by the way on your new Tub! Is it hot yet? Hope you enjoy a well-deserved first soak . . .   8-)