Dimension one spa

[AZRN]

Hi All,

I am new to the boards. I have been searching for a decent tub and checked out your forums, which led me to further research D1, Caldera and Sundance. I have found a D1 Amore Bay model that is very nice and not much more than the Caldera Geneva I saw at Paddock Pools. Love the more upright lounger it offers. Does anyone own a D1 or in particular an Amore Bay that they would like to share an opinion on this spa? Or does anyone have any other companies I should check out before purchasing. I live in AZ, so any referrals to a dealer with a good reputation would be appreciated as well. Want a quality spa mostly only 2 people will use it, must have therapeutic advantages as it is being purchased for spine injury. Thanks for any info you guys might have 

[Spatech_tuo]

Hi All,

I am new to the boards. I have been searching for a decent tub and checked out your forums, which led me to further research D1, Caldera and Sundance. I have found a D1 Amore Bay model that is very nice and not much more than the Caldera Geneva I saw at Paddock Pools. Love the more upright lounger it offers. Does anyone own a D1 or in particular an Amore Bay that they would like to share an opinion on this spa? Or does anyone have any other companies I should check out before purchasing. I live in AZ, so any referrals to a dealer with a good reputation would be appreciated as well. Want a quality spa mostly only 2 people will use it, must have therapeutic advantages as it is being purchased for spine injury. Thanks for any info you guys might have 

My persoanl short list would be Caldera, D1, Hot Spring, Jacuzzi and Sundace so I think you're looking at good options obviously. If you question whether you're there yet it won't hurt to look at a couple more.

[mouth]

We looked at the D1's, wet tested the Jacuzzi J-365, the Caldera Niagara and the Sundance Chelsee & Optima. IMO I thought the Caldera and both Sundances were much nicer than the Jacuzzi. During wet testing my wife and I really enjoyed the Foot jets on the Sundances, so the Caldera was eliminated (no foot jets). I'm 5'10 and the Chelsee depth did not feel right (I felt kind of cramped), so we purchased the Optima. This tub seems to offer all the things we are looking for, although it is also the most expensive. We found a 2010 Floor Model (never been filled) Copper Sand / Mohaganny w/ Stereo, Ozone, Cover, Cover Lifter, Steps and chemicals, for $11,000 out the door. Make sure you WET TEST!

[Swell-Tub]

We came down to the Jacuzzi J-470 and the Sundance Optima. Both were great but liked the jets and raised waterfall on the J-470. I spend each morning sitting under the waterfalls and letting the two jets work my lower back. We did wet tests for about 6 months before we decided. Sundance and Jacuzzi are made by the same company unless something has changed. Stay with the major brands and you will be OK but at the end of the search it will come down to whats feels best during a wet test. Good luck....
 

[Swell-Tub]

Congradulations you will love the Optima. 

[AZRN]

Thank you for the responses. We called our local dealer about Arctic spas, but he has sold everything he had. It will be a month before he gets any in. By looking at the tubs on the website we are not sure they offer enough jets in the neck area.

On our way now to the Hot Springs dealer to look at what they have.

The D1 dealer is offering the Amore Bay at 14500 out the door (taxes, etc included) plus an ez cover lifter thrown in. New in wrap with a lifetime warranty on shell. Don't want to spend that much, but my husband LOVES the shuttle lounger and neck jets. What do you think of the price? Dealer says they were selling for 18k of course the economy is much different now.

I am trying to educate myself more by looking, researching and wet testing anything we can. I know there are decent spas out there for less.

Thank you for your advice. It is very much appreciated.

[Spatech_tuo]

Thank you for the responses. We called our local dealer about Arctic spas, but he has sold everything he had. It will be a month before he gets any in. By looking at the tubs on the website we are not sure they offer enough jets in the neck area.

On our way now to the Hot Springs dealer to look at what they have.

The D1 dealer is offering the Amore Bay at 14500 out the door (taxes, etc included) plus an ez cover lifter thrown in. New in wrap with a lifetime warranty on shell. Don't want to spend that much, but my husband LOVES the shuttle lounger and neck jets. What do you think of the price? Dealer says they were selling for 18k of course the economy is much different now.

I am trying to educate myself more by looking, researching and wet testing anything we can. I know there are decent spas out there for less.

Thank you for your advice. It is very much appreciated.

I think D1 is a  good option but I'm less a fan of their Bay series versus their Reflections series due only to the fact that I have trouble seeing any spa sell for $14k. Having said that, the price you mentioned of 14.5k sounds pretty typical, they don't sell for 18k outside of maybe Beverly Hills or NYC, that is just the MSRP, same as with cars so ignore the talk about them selling for that much.

Since you said you're lookign to be educated here's the scoop on that "lifetime" warranty on the shell. Its really more like a 7 year warranty with a big asterisk (quoting from their wesbsite, "After year seven (7), Dimension One Spas will repair or replace the hot tub, at its option, provided the hot tub is returned at owner’s expense to Dimension One Spas."). Who wants to return the spa to the factory at their own expense? Therefore, consider the shell warranty to be 7 years (which is fine), not lifetime.

Stick to the major spa makers as you're doing, kick the tires of those in your area, get a feel for the dealers on how you think they'll treat you after they deposit your check and by all means, wet test.

[D1Dennis2009]

You will love the Amore Bay, it is a great spa and that sounds like a great price..! If you would like help locating a dealer, shoot me a message and I will be happy to assist you in any way possible. If you would like to talk to me here at the factory, my number is (800) 345-7727 and I'm in M-F 7:30am to 4pm PST.

Best regards,
Dennis Porter
D1 Technical Support Specialist

[ejf The Spa Guy]

Spatech you are right on the warranty, they do list the ultralife shell as a lifetime warranty, for splitting , cracking, peeling, waterloss, in the first 7 years, if it needs to be replaced they will, they have been great for standing behind their product, thats one reason we really like the company, great to work with... when i was down at the factory this summer, they had a mi 90's spa in the they were making a repair to, sure the customer may have had to pay the freight, but i do not know. but for a company to still fix at no charge from a spa purchased back in the 90's i think is huge....i do not know of many manufacturers that do that....my hats off to them.... On the Amore Bay it is a great spa,,, actually one of my better sellers,,,but it is not for everyone, most go with the Reflection series,  but price yeh the 18k is MSRP, but we sell for 14,500 ...I would go check them out, but i believe the Chairman II would be the closest model comparison to the Geneva...

[AZRN]

Latest update...

Liked the Hotspring tubs. Drove 1 1/2 hours to get to the showroom. My husband wet tested the vanguard (the only one filled). He really liked it. For the incentives they had to offer we liked the Grandee - 2010 floor model for 10,800 plus taxes, EZ lift = 12,800. Or he had a 2009 Envoy new on the floor for 8,800. Just don't want to start off with a 2 year old model. Am I wrong in my thinking?

Drove to the Caldera/Sundance dealer. The salesperson didn't recommend the Sundance spas Instead he steered us towards the Calderas, which I did not find one model that had foot jets that could be adjusted ( My feet are very sensitive) or that I could reach in the middle of the tub. I am 5'4.

Jacuzzi salesman was a jerk to us   I guess he didn't care about selling anything. We left the store feeling a bit letdown.

We are overwhelmed. We don't need/want all the bells and whistles. Just some decent neck/back jets (which most seem to offer) but must have accessible foot jets that the pressure can be adjusted down. Am I asking for too much here?  Grrrrr

I will keep the search going. I will look at the Reflection series. Anyone know anything  about Arctic spas? I am most impressed so far with the Hotsprings and D1 dealers.

[wmccall]

Welcome to the forum. I know what you mean about that more upright lounger, it looks like it should work and be comfortable. If you end up wet testing it, I'd love to hear your reaction.

[Spatech_tuo]

Latest update...

Liked the Hotspring tubs. Drove 1 1/2 hours to get to the showroom. My husband wet tested the vanguard (the only one filled). He really liked it. For the incentives they had to offer we liked the Grandee - 2010 floor model for 10,800 plus taxes, EZ lift = 12,800. Or he had a 2009 Envoy new on the floor for 8,800. Just don't want to start off with a 2 year old model. Am I wrong in my thinking?

There are a couple things to consider on floor models. 1) Depending on the dealer, this is a way to get a good, excellent or even great deal, 2) Make sure the warranty is still fully intact (and get it in writing) though you should be fine in this case, 3) IMO there is a difference between a wet floor model and a dry one, a dry one really isn't much different than a spa sitting in the warehouse wrapped, a wet one got some use though the warranty will be unaltered, 4) Have them show you everything that may have changed between the current model year and that one.

All in all, I would always ask about floor model availability to get a better deal. Getting one from the warehouse with unopened packaging direct from the manufacturer is great in theory but it’ll cost more and once you put water in the spa in your yard they're basically the same thing at that point.

[ejf The Spa Guy]

the spas you have narrowed it down to are great spas,,, On the Arctic the big differance between theirs and the D1 and Hot Springs you looked at is the 24/7 circ pump,,, i am a huge fan of the circ pump system, injects ozone during this period with a small dedicated low amp pump, also heats off this pump, you won't hear the spa running in the middle of the night, As for the warranties, all these major manufacturers offer the same warranty for a dry spa in a showroom as well as a wet,,, With the manufacturers we deal with we fill out the product registration for our customers.....

[AZRN]

Today's update......                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
 
So we made the 90 mile trek to the other D1 dealer and wet tested the Lotus bay (Amore) was not filled. Husband like the jets on the upright lounger. I floated all over the place however I did find some places I could sit without needing a seatbelt.

 He had a 2010 floor model obsidian/black shell with grey cabinet and EZ lifter on the floor (not filled). His price out the door  (taxes and trip fee of 200) for delivery was 12,017

That's 2500 less than the local dealer....

Think we have some serious talking to do.

What do you all think? Love to hear from you guys

[ejf The Spa Guy]

That happens when dealers within that distance unfortunately, COuld be that the dealer you just went to needed to move the Lotus Bay, could be on flooring. Seems like a good price in the range we sell them... did youtry to adjust each individual jet, for different water pressure... Lotus Bay is a great 8x8 tub, not your typical design, different relaxing water feature, Obsidian color is nice.. I would buy from who your are comfortable with, the distance isn't huge to me, i have customers that live in farming communities all over, that live 200- 300 miles away......