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I live in Charlotte NC and I'm wanting the best bang for the buck hot tub. Should I go though Costco or Sams?I'd like something that seats around 6 people, has a lounge chair, and plenty (and I mean plenty) of jets. I want a dependable, energy efficient, and long lasting tub.Please suggest the best hot tub for the buck
Interesting - I also live in Charlotte, NC. After looking at nearly EVERYTHING possible out there, I bought a Jacuzzi J375. At one time I considered opening up a Hot Tub company but my "real job" got in the way of that plan. Where do you live in Charlotte? What is your budget? How many are you trying to fit into it? Why are you buying it (for yourself to enjoy or to throw parties...both are the right answer). Luckily our climate is fairly moderate but you will still want a unit with good insulating features so that your electric bill only rises $15 or $20/month vs. the $80/month it could go up if you buy one of the lower-end spas like the Leisure bay from Rec Warehouse...
Thanks for the replies.....and no, this isn't a joke I'm out in Fort Mill and buying for both, but mainly myself to relax I'd like to stay under 5k installed. I was looking at the store in Pineville by Arby's (not Rec) and they looked pretty good. They really pushed that they were the "Best" hands down. The prices seem to reflect this as well, lol.I'd love to pick up a demo with a warranty.....Late,Shawn
The $5K price point is a tough one to hit. Very few of the "name brand" manufacturer's have competitive options at those levels. However, when I was shopping that was also my "High Water Mark" at the time. I did a LOT of research and some of it may still be on this or other Hot Tub online forums. Just search on my moniker... ndabunka ... and see what you can find. A quick summary is that while there are $5K tubs, they are often worth exactly that...$5K.When I was trying to decide what "under $5K" product I would have carried in the store I was planning, I had it isolated down to a round "Viking" spa a that time as it was one of the few, truly low cost spas that also had some decent water movement and was well insulated Example: http://www.familyleisure.com/Spas-Hot-Tubs/Royale (Disclaimer: I don't know that dealer from jack, it was simply the first one I found with the Viking model under $5K that you can probably get for $4,200). There are more options these days so you may want to see if a base model Limelight Flair by Hot Springs (See Chas's post in this same forum) or Bear Cub (http://www.arcticspas.com/index.php/hot-tubs/cub.html) or J325 or J335 might all fit in that price range (especially a "scratch and dent" model). There is also an innovative company called "Bullfrog" that make a pretty cool smaller spa called the Tadpole in your price range (that should still be OK in the Charlotte climate).However, don't even CONSIDER a scratch and dent or return from one of the "big Box" stores like Costco or others as you simply don't know why the prior owner returned it. You could well buy one that has problems and they then try to send out a tech to service it after it's at your home. Trust me, when you buy one, the LAST thing you want imposing on your "1st soak" is the bad vibes you would get from something like that. I am up by Concord Mills so not really in your area but feel free to PM me for any more information I might be able to provide and I'll give you my .02. If you see something in Charlotte and want an "expert" (term used lightly) to come and check out your finalist, just PM me and we can exchange email and cell #'s). Quote from: SRG963 on February 23, 2010, 05:13:27 pmThanks for the replies.....and no, this isn't a joke I'm out in Fort Mill and buying for both, but mainly myself to relax I'd like to stay under 5k installed. I was looking at the store in Pineville by Arby's (not Rec) and they looked pretty good. They really pushed that they were the "Best" hands down. The prices seem to reflect this as well, lol.I'd love to pick up a demo with a warranty.....Late,Shawn
This has to be a joke