Jucuzzi J480 purchase

[Kim_zr7f2]

I am about to buy the J480 for $11726.00 Total that includes Stereo, Ozonater, Spa Vac, Cover Lifter, delivery and setup. Any comments as to if you think its a decent price.  

[Tatooed_Lady]

do you get steps and chemicals as well? durasteps are around $100...

[Kim_zr7f2]

I did not pic out steps yet. I did not like the look of the models they had in the showroom. So I may have to order those from Jacuzzi. They did include chemicals.

[Tatooed_Lady]

originally I thought the Durasteps looked cheesy and lightweight.....but I lifted them, and boy are they SUBSTANTIAL!! They also had some synthetic steps that looked a bit nicer,  but ran about twice the price.....so I figured I'd take the steps that aren't going to add to the price, instead of paying for the "better" ones.
Either way, they match the color, they'll support our weight, and allow us to get in and out of the tub, so it's all good.

[Kim_zr7f2]

I will keep in mind to ask about Durasteps thank you.

[dpgtech]

that is a very good price for the 480 with all of that included, we are at around 12,000 plus tax with all of those accessories, that sounds like a good price especially w/ stereo.

[Kim_zr7f2]

Thanks for the reply dgptech we have never had a spa before but we did have a swimming pool for around 16 years. We recently took the pool down so we decided to get a spa. We really enjoyed having the pool so the spa should be great.

[Kim_zr7f2]

Are there any other future Spa owners thinking of getting the J480 Spa and if so what are your thoughts about the Spa. I know it has not been out long just wondering if it will gain popularity like the Sundance Maxxus or Hot Springs line of Spas.

[Tatooed_Lady]

I'm not buying a Jacuzzi, however...FWIW, I'm the type of person that even with an established company, I try to avoid the first year run of products....my son begged for the Xbox360, and I told him forget it for about a year, then we'll discuss...by then the "bugs" should be worked out. I'm the same way with cars....tubs may or may not be changed enough to worry over a new model (Jacuzzi's been around for a long time), but I think personally I'd be more comfortable with the more "tried and true" models.....
This is my opinion, and it's subject to change at any time...

[Kim_zr7f2]

Thanks T-Lady I thought of this also, it was a concern but I just have to go for it and the warranty is pretty good.

[hottubdan]

I'm not buying a Jacuzzi, however...FWIW, I'm the type of person that even with an established company, I try to avoid the first year run of products....my son begged for the Xbox360, and I told him forget it for about a year, then we'll discuss...by then the "bugs" should be worked out. I'm the same way with cars....tubs may or may not be changed enough to worry over a new model (Jacuzzi's been around for a long time), but I think personally I'd be more comfortable with the more "tried and true" models.....
This is my opinion, and it's subject to change at any time...

Smart!  In spas, too.

[Snowbird]

My 385 was $8,000 and I thought that was high... well higher than I had budgeted.

Over $11,000 would have me stepping back and re-evalutating the purchase.

I agree with T-lady about those bugs.  Until a large number of units get consumer use for a reasonable period of time, all you are buying is a marketing guy's idea that an engineer was forced to draw and some poor assembly line schmuck had to figure out how to build as he went along.  They probably filled up the 1st one and when it didn't leak and swirled water, they pronounced it ready. Wait till 500 units are in the field for a year and buy one then.

But, it sounds to me like you are happy with the deal and confident that any "first run" bugs will be taken care of.

I wish you good luck and may years of trouble free soakin'.  

[dpgtech]

there are some good points made here.  the spa was introduced to dealers back in november, and not available until middle of feb.  I'm surprised snowbird, that you think they filled up the 1st one and when it didn't leak and swirled water they pronounced it ready. if that was the case why wasn't it available in nov when introduced at the aqua show?. the spa has a great warranty, many of the components have seen field use, and jacuzzi and your dealer will take care of any first run bugs if they should happen, so go for it if you like the spa,dealer and deal.

[tony]

I wouldn't be afraid of bugs.  The electronics have been in use for a while and the pumps and plumbing have already been in use in the Sundance spas.  If you like the spa and it fits your budget, go for it.

[Snowbird]

I'm surprised snowbird, that you think they filled up the 1st one and when it didn't leak and swirled water they pronounced it ready.

That part was a joke and I forgot the grinny thingy.    Sorry.

But I still believe that the 1st models of a new design, whether it's cars, hot tubs, harmonicas or boomerangs are more prone to design, assembly or parts issues because it is impossible to cover every base.  And just because it is well-tested doesn't mean every problem a consumer will run into is resolved.  

I just don't want to be the guy that pays for the priveledge to be the manufacturer's guinea pig.

There are many stories about consumers buying the 1st models of something then spending the warranty period trying to get help from the manufacturer who of course blames the consumer for mis-use (It worked fine in our tests.)  After the warranty they don't want to hear about 'your' problems with 'their' product.  And even if they did everything they could to fix it, why should I pay the top dollar price and put up with all the hassle?

The 1st models of everything should be deep discounted to cover the hassle factor and come with a warning to expect problems.