Too much $$$ for a Clearwater Orlando??

[wewannahottub]

Hello all!!  We are greatly appreciating advice--We are looking at a CLearwater Orlando Hottub (it has 2 massage thrapy seats--I am a floater :exclamation and we don't want a lounger).  The one we want has capability to seat 6-7 adults, stereo with subwoofer, lights, Microban Lucite, as well as lots of therapy.  (I am and RN and want leg and neck as well as foot jets--this has it all!)

Well, after wet testing--we loved- -and trying to negotiate a price ( all other dealers in the area were ALREADY offering cover lifts and steps and delivery--we had to beg for the lifter)  we still were given a price of $13,544, only $105 cheaper than originally quoted. :-?  Seems to me, if I can buy a car cheaer than the list price, I could deal the same with a spa.  Any comments/questions/suggestions??

We have also looked at the Dimension 1 AMore' Bay--awesome!!  haven't wet tested yet though--we probably will soon!!

Again--all thoughts and comments are appreciated--even from salespeople

[Spatech_tuo]

 we still were given a price of $13,544, only $105 cheaper than originally quoted.

I don't really know Clearwater well and while that is a good sized spa $13k seems like a lot. If you haven't already I'd visit the websites of the some the top spa makers (besides the D1 which you mentioned and should test) and use their dealer locators to see who is local to you such as Arctic, Caldera, Hot Spring, Jacuzzi, Marquis, Sundance, etc.

[Dipstick]

That is about $13,543 too high for a Clearwater.

[Dr. Spa™ Ret.]

You can "deal" with most cars as they price them high enough to give some leeway towards dealing. You can't deal for a Saturn  ........... It all depends on how they initially price them.

[ndabunka]

$13K is a LOT for a spa.  For ANY Spa.  Over 70% of the hot tubs sold in the US are under $10K.  If your spending over that amount, you are spending more than most.  However, if you are going to spend that much for a spa, make CERTAIN you get a good one.  Dimension One seems to be one of the premiere mfg's for higher end spas.  Other name brands like Hot Springs and Sundance are also good choices.  I've been around this industry for a little over 6 years and have never heard of a "Clearwater Orlando" so that should give you an idea of it's popularity (non-existent?)

[BauerN]

Doesn't look "low quality".  Lots of jets, but pretty run-of-the mill.

http://www.clearwaterspas.com/resort-series_orlando_sig.htm

With all of those features (4 jet pumps, 100+ jets), you can expect a high price tag.

You'd be up there with a Lotus Bay, Serena Bay, Maxxus, etc...(in features - not necessarily construction).

$13K does still seem a bit high, but it's hard to say.  Doc's right about some having leeway and others not.

[East_TX_Spa]

Doc's right about some having leeway and others not.

The Mysterious Dr. Spa is never wrong:

[Dr. Spa™ Ret.]

I've been around this industry for a little over 6 years and have never heard of a "Clearwater Orlando" so that should give you an idea of it's popularity (non-existent?)

There's record of their website going back to 1998. They've been around longer than you   I wonder if they've heard of you?.... (sorry, couldn't resist that one).

There are MANY smaller, more regional spa manufacturer around. Just because they're not nationally, or even internationally known, doesn't make one iota of a difference as to the quality of their product.

[Pathfinder]

Its a big tub lots of pumps and jets  not a whole lot of insulation.  I cant say how much their top tub is worth but my top Pacific tub costs almost that much for me to buy.  I think the Amore Bay is in the same price range??

[Spatech_tuo]

There's record of their website going back to 1998. They've been around longer than you   I wonder if they've heard of you?.... (sorry, couldn't resist that one).

There are MANY smaller, more regional spa manufacturer around. Just because they're not nationally, or even internationally known, doesn't make one iota of a difference as to the quality of their product.

Bunka doesn't work in the industry but is a spa owner so I imagine he meant he's followed the spa industry for 6 years. Spa owners on the East coast or in the South (which is where he's at I believe) probably won't hear much about Clearwater whereas most anyone in the spa industry would know of them as a moderately sized spa maker. There are MANY spa makers out there who regional to some degree. They are obviously small compared to Hot Spring and Sundance but compared to Honey Spas they're huge.

[ndabunka]

Yep, I was just saying that in the 6 years I've been around (not selling, jsut reading and seeing what others have mentioned).  This is the first time I've ever heard about that brand.  I guess that means that should the buyer ever want to sell it, they may have a harder time re-selling it than they would if they bought another brand.  Tell someone your selling the name brand "Jacuzzi" and you can probably count on getting a decent price for it.  Trying to sell a "lesser-known" brand and you'll be lucky to get a fraction of what you would for a better known product.

[RK23]

The founder and CEO's name is Ronald Clearwater.  Seriously!

http://www.clearwaterspas.com/about1.htm