I'm shopping for a Spa. Costco has what appears to be a really good value.
It's a 5 to 6 person spa. With 2 x 6 hp pumps and 46 jets.
Including delivery and tax for under $3,900.
Any word on the Sun Peak" by Infinity?
We researched the Costco spas quite heavily and found they worked great in their price range for people in mild climates. We live in Flagstaff, AZ where the temp drops below zero in winter. Our friends in Phoenix who bought spas from Costco didn't mind paying extra every month because they thought they saved a lot of money over a 'major' brand name and felt that the extra utility cost would not eat up the savings they got from buying a Costco spa. The people in Flag that we spoke to who bought Costco spas saw their electical bills skyrocket, especially in winter, due to the poor insulation and lack of energy efficiency that exists in the higher end spas but is not as prevalent in the lower end ones. This was a key reason why we decided to stay away from them. Another factor was a friend, who services spas in the area. He said that he makes more service calls on Costco/Sams Club spas than on major brands and sees them break down faster and earlier in their life than the majors. He also said he has trouble getting assistance from the manufacturers for parts and troubleshooting....and I'm not sure how much help Costco would/could be. Also, when Costco changes brands next year, what then? Additionally, things like filters, etc. might be harder to come by as time goes on versus a major manufacturer.
I also had a problem with the fact that you cannot 'wet test' these spas. After reading a lot on this, and other, forums, I came to the conclusion that you HAVE to wet test.
JMHO, but after weeks of research, we decided that the savings would be eaten up and the life span would be shorter going the Costco route. They have their niche in the market, I just don't see it as being the smartest purchase. My spa tech friend said that he'd rather see people who are on a budget track down a good used major brand than buy new from Costco/Sams.
HTH
The Doob