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I'd find out who's going to be doing service, and personally talk to them first.
It depends.I have a friend that bought a new low end tub from the Rec Warehouse and he is as happy as a lark and uses his tub more than I do. He has not had a single problem. If he does, hey he may have to pay a couple of hundred to get something fixed down the road. If you live in a big city, and something ever goes wrong there are plenty of hot tub repair techs.Me, I have trouble putting gas in my own car. I am not at alla "do-it-yourselfer" and Costco tubs involve alot more "do it yourself". It's a personal decision but I prefer to pay a little extra and get the delivery/set-up/advice and if ever needed warranty work from a spa dealer. ps: Can you "wet test" a Costco tub?
Of course, Rec Warehouse will deliver and set up your hot tub. They will even provide service. This is all done through an independent service provider there in DFW, but it is all coordinated through the local Rec service number. Now, I am not at all an advocate for Rec - in fact, I think they are among the lowest of the bottom feeders out there, but they at least do have local service - something that Costco does not quite provide.Personally, I'd never buy from Costco because of the 800 number service line. I'd never buy from Rec either.
Interesting that Hot Springs/Watkins has such a close relationship with Rec Warehouse.
Rec Warehouse, in addition to their low-end Leisure Bay line, carries the top end Caldera spas in many stores and even some stores carry Hot Spring. They kind of pick and choose what they will carry in the store. Only when there is not a Hot Spring dealer in the market will they get Hot Spring..The DFW locations carry Caldera.