Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Chas on February 24, 2007, 01:05:40 pm
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Wow - I posted about my trip in the General Info heading, but I guess it's ok to talk about this here. That's fine with me
::)
I just spent three days with some of the top sellers in the HotSpring world. The trainers are amazing, the information was cutting-edge, and the level of excitement was amazing.
One note: we did not spend much time on product knowledge. This is a by-invitation-only event, and they figure by the time you make it to this level you should know the product inside and out.
And we did not spend much time on competitive products because we are very big on talking about what we have, not what we don't have to offer. It was never said, but it was very much assumed that we don't talk down the competition. We don't have to...
There were a couple of dealers in the room who have one particular competing brand on their floors - and we talked about how that brand sells against us. It was informative to say the least. It's great to get that kind of insight.
I will add this: we were not there to learn about new products or features, that is handled at the dealer meetings around the country. So I don't have anything to report about new features or new models.
However, one award-winning, good-looking, intelligent dealer was allowed to give a report on a way to easily connect the iPod to our Spaudio II system. Wow - now you have a world-class sound system which is integrated into the whole spa experience in a way no other brand can come close to,
AND
you can have your whole music library available through your iPod, you can control the iPod through the floating remote, it charges your iPod, and you get track info displayed on the face of the Sony stereo unit as well, so you can tuck the iPod safely away if you prefer.
That's cool! In the hot tub market of today, customers demand COOL. Hope I didn't just give away a secret or anything...
8-)
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Chas,
I genuinely have the utmost respect for you. But I must say it is extremely assumptive to assume that when we looked at others tubs it was to look down at them, that was very much not the case. As you mention we also have dealers who offer multiple lines and they also offer input about the lines with some those being Watkins dealers, some having more than one store. I happen to share a 45 minute cab ride with a gentleman who had "about" 8 months ago gone through 3 days of Hot Springs training and his insights we very interesting. I hope you had a great time.... :)
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Thanks for your kind words, I respect you as well.
I didn't say, nor did I mean to infer that "when we looked at others tubs it was to look down at them."
All top-selling dealers had better have a very good handle on the competition, and I think it was very good that you all got to try competing tubs.
I said in my post that we don't talk down the competition because that is a commonly recurring theme here on this web board. Not that YOU do it, not that I do it, but shoppers bring it up often when posting about their shopping experiences.
If I assumed anything, I assumed that you DON'T down talk the comp.
8-)
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Chas,
let me ask you something? I wish we would get shoppers here in our store who were more like many of the members here in that they have done some research and have an idea of what they are looking for in their spa. but when you mention talking down the competition so many times it seems like we get probed into talking about another brand when even when you politely try and let someone know you would rather just focus on your product, some will persist in asking what do you really think another maker and the such, do you or other dealers get much of this.
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However, one award-winning, good-looking, intelligent dealer was allowed to give a report on a way to easily connect the iPod to our Spaudio II system.
Term was at your meeting??
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Term was at your meeting??
It is my understanding that Chris was invited, but was busy cleaning out a toilet or somesuch and couldn't make it.
8-)
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so many times it seems like we get probed into talking about another brand when even when you politely try and let someone know you would rather just focus on your product
I get this from time to time. It shows that the customer cares about the details, and I can just about bury any competing local dealer in details. I love the way our tubs are built - as you obviously do with yours - and I have no trouble getting the conversation onto how awesome our tubs are, and why would anyone want to even think about owning anything less. Oops, I mean, anything else. Mostly the same letters, easy mistake.
;D
8-)
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I bet you guys can't guess which spa manufaturer's classroom this is.
It was their best showing of all time.
I left a clue.
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r165/tileman_photos/classrooms20006-1.jpg)
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What did you put in the trash?
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That's for me to know and you guys to find out. :)
It's a clue. I'm sure someone will figure it out.
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I'm not sure, but that looks like a 'full foam' classroom to me.
But, I don't see a drain on the floor. ;)
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It's Definitely Article In Trash (DAIT!).
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First This:
"we don't talk down the competition. We don't have to..."
"we don't talk down the competition because that is a commonly recurring theme here on this web board"
Then This:
"(HS)world-class sound system which is integrated into the whole spa experience in a way no other brand can come close to"
[size=16]But Chas.....Do the above two statements conflict?[/size]
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Let me give that some thought and get back to you...
8-)
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Chas....I am just razzing you buddy.
I totally respect you and I think you meant you don't
trash the competition by name and you didnt.
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Phew!
That was close....
8-)
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It must be from a HotSpring convention. Term left his Light Taser behind. I can see it glowing in the trash can.
I bet you guys can't guess which spa manufaturer's classroom this is.
It was their best showing of all time.
I left a clue.
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r165/tileman_photos/classrooms20006-1.jpg)
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I couldn't find a copy to post here, but is that the "You can be a Rep from home" banner from our least-sane tub seller?
8-)
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(HS)world-class sound system which is integrated into the whole spa experience in a way no other brand can come close to"
Are you talking about the one that Beachcomber had 2 years before Hot Springs?
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I couldn't find a copy to post here, but is that the "You can be a Rep from home" banner from our least-sane tub seller?
8-)
Yep! 8-)
Now if I could only find Term's pic that has the girl holding the trophy. :)
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(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s238/HotSpring_TopGun/DSC_3938-1.jpg?t=1172536951)
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s238/HotSpring_TopGun/DSC_3908.jpg?t=1172536981)
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(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s238/HotSpring_TopGun/DSC_3938-1.jpg?t=1172536951)
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s238/HotSpring_TopGun/DSC_3908.jpg?t=1172536981)
Chas, you've lost so much weight I don't recognize you here.
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Which one is you Chas?
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I am third from the left in the front row. Sort of a green/gray baggy shirt.
Come to think of it, everything I own is now baggy...
8-)
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You have lost a lot of weight since the last Top Gun Next Level
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Yes. I am ashamed to say that I almost hit 300 pounds. Wow - I hate to have to admit that. I never quite made 300, but I was very close, and was still gaining. I am only 5'10" or so, so I was a very round guy. I have dropped 70 pounds! I gained a few back this past week while I was visiting the MotherShip, but I'll deal with that. Too much food everywhere! Even the showroom had a small snack table.
I walk. I try to do just under 5 miles 5 days per week. Couple of gentle foothills, I try to keep the pace to one hour for five miles, seems to work well. Also I run to get my own stuff - up and down stairs, across the street for the mail, out to the warehouse instead of calling for stuff to be brought to me, etc. It all adds up. I don't use elevators unless I absolutely have to. I draw the line at ten floors...
Here's the main reason I go on and on about this: I want to offer a challenge to others who are now where I was seven months ago:
I was diagnosed as a diabetic. The Doctor told me to lose weight or die. No, I wouldn't drop dead in a matter of months or anything, but I would battle the circulation problems, neuropathy and other things that all diabetics face. I was learning how to inject insulin and all of that stuff, and I just decided I would rather not deal with it. The daily pain of controlling my eating and walking became less than the pain of losing my eyesight, a limb, or dying sooner, even if all of those things where off in the future somewhere.
So, after dropping the weight I have, adding the exercise I now do, I have noticed the following changes to my life:
I don't have any back pain anymore.
I can lift and move things.
I threw away my cane - (I have struggled to walk for years because of a back injury).
I don't get winded climbing several flights of stairs.
I don't snore anymore.
I sleep much better.
I am off caffeine and my energy level is far more stable throughout the day.
I don't get hungry. I eat five or six snacks a day, no real meals excpet special events.
I have a higher level of joy on a daily basis.
I am not embarrassed about how I look - though I am still adjusting to this one.
People tell me I look younger - and who wouldn't like to hear that?
And the big one:
My last blood test came back as 5.5 A1c. That is 'normal.' I am no longer considered a diabetic. I have controlled a life-threatening disease by getting off the back of my lap and moving around a bit.
If you or somebody you care about needs to hear this - let them hear it: you can add years to your life and walk away from Diabetes if you are motivated enough. And the ADA tells us there are millions of diabetics sitting around our country undiagnosed.
There ya go!
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Way to go you STUD MUFFIN you! ;)
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The guy sitting in the tub with the colorful shirt on looks like Nat, the person who sold me my tub.
I don't think it is him though.
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The guy sitting in the tub with the colorful shirt on looks like Nat, the person who sold me my tub.
I don't think it is him though.
It is Nathaniel, "Cobbwebb" is his Top Gun call sign. Next to him is Space Wrangler and Jade. The other fella is Spiro Agnew.
Terminator
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Chas,
Congatulations. You look great, and to sticking to something that I am sure was not easy.
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Thanks.
8-)
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It is Nathaniel, "Cobbwebb" is his Top Gun call sign. Next to him is Space Wrangler and Jade. The other fella is Spiro Agnew.
Terminator
Yup! And Jade is "AmberP" from these boards. Haven't seen her post lately though. "Spiro Agnew" is actually "Lazuras." He had a cool story behind his call sign, but I can't recall what it was just now.
Great bunch of people. I had a wonderful time.
8-)
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cobbwebb.....ok cool.
I like him and Oasis Sunrooms and Spas in Amherst NH very much!
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Looking very good Chas. Congrats on the weight loss. You could pass for 39 now. :)
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Looking very good Chas. Congrats on the weight loss. You could pass for 39 now. :)
Thanks! You should get a Christmas card this year, just for saying that! ;D ;D
I'm going for 29 - but even if I don't make that, my wife is still very happy with the changes.
And as we all know - "Happy Wife = Happy Life."
8-)