Divine / Clear Water Hot tubs at COSTCO

[VTXMAN]

You certainly may be correct but I contacted a person at Clear Water and asked them what is the difference and she said nothing except the warranty. The biggest deal is no dealer support, which is very important IMO.  Same exact everything according to her. She also said their manufacturing facility is within a few minutes Of COSTCO headquarters and they have a good relationship. Her name is Nancy and is the one who will reply directly from Clear Water.  I don't think they are lesser quality than their regular tub, but I could be wrong. Keep in mind these are not inexpensive as some other spa's offered at COSTCO.

So if they are making money on the Costco tubs and they are the same as the dealer models, that does not say much for the higher end ones (sarcasm). Warranty will not add that much to the spa.

[marky mark]

Tman122  Clearwater makes a fine product but I am sure they got beat up for a cheaper price by Costco so they cut some corners to get there.
[/quote]

You certainly may be correct but I contacted a person at Clear Water and asked them what is the difference and she said nothing except the warranty. The biggest deal is no dealer support, which is very important IMO.  Same exact everything according to her. She also said their manufacturing facility is within a few minutes Of COSTCO headquarters and they have a good relationship. Her name is Nancy and is the one who will reply directly from Clear Water.  I don't think they are lesser quality than their regular tub, but I could be wrong. Keep in mind these are not inexpensive as some other spa's offered at COSTCO.
[/quote]

do you honestly think the lady at clearwater is going to tell you how they meet the price point? 
[/quote]

Yes I do. She told me the warranty is less and no middle man. That easily explains it to me. Why would she lie? What you give up in warranty plus the middle man makes a BIG difference. I sure don't see some conspiracy to lie. That's ridiculous.  I don't like the fact of no dealer support, that's the biggest thing. I have no doubt the quality is exactly the same.

[Spatech_tuo]

Tman122  Clearwater makes a fine product but I am sure they got beat up for a cheaper price by Costco so they cut some corners to get there.

You certainly may be correct but I contacted a person at Clear Water and asked them what is the difference and she said nothing except the warranty. The biggest deal is no dealer support, which is very important IMO.  Same exact everything according to her. She also said their manufacturing facility is within a few minutes Of COSTCO headquarters and they have a good relationship. Her name is Nancy and is the one who will reply directly from Clear Water.  I don't think they are lesser quality than their regular tub, but I could be wrong. Keep in mind these are not inexpensive as some other spa's offered at COSTCO.
[/quote]

I wonder if this spa is a copy of a standad spa they are building for the dealers. I'd bet that there is no exact duplicate on their dealer side, its probably somewhat unique (either totally or to a degree) so the dealer isn't competing exactly like for like. I'm not sure where to rank Clearwater in the grand scheme of things but quality relative to workmanship should be the same, quality of parts may vary.

[ejf The Spa Guy]

MarkyMark,
the biggest differances to the brands is one the warranty, Clearwater 20 year stucture and shell, 5 years plumbing and electrical and electrical. the Divine, 5 year structure, 2 year plumbing and electrical, 2 year labor, The 2 models made mimic the Resort series, they have synthetic skirt not th RIM skirt, filter container is different, the waterfalls are different, the controls are not the deluxe control system, also the jets are different, the Divines have lights in them,, otherwise about the same,,,the service for the spa is different as in supporting your local spa dealer who will sell you a spa, dleiver the spa, and service it, on the Divine spa there is no gurantee that a local delaer will repair under warranty,

[VTXMAN]

Yes I do. She told me the warranty is less and no middle man. That easily explains it to me. Why would she lie? What you give up in warranty plus the middle man makes a BIG difference. I sure don't see some conspiracy to lie. That's ridiculous.  I don't like the fact of no dealer support, that's the biggest thing. I have no doubt the quality is exactly the same.

Unless Costco is manufacturing hot tubs they are the middle man. Not trying to be a smartazz but your comment made no sense. So if she told you no middle man than she did indeed lie to you.

[Spatech_tuo]

Yes I do. She told me the warranty is less and no middle man. That easily explains it to me. Why would she lie? What you give up in warranty plus the middle man makes a BIG difference. I sure don't see some conspiracy to lie. That's ridiculous.  I don't like the fact of no dealer support, that's the biggest thing. I have no doubt the quality is exactly the same.

Unless Costco is manufacturing hot tubs they are the middle man. Not trying to be a smartazz but your comment made no sense. So if she told you no middle man than she did indeed lie to you.

This "no middle man" thing comes occasionally and its just untrue salesmanship. How anyone can try to say there is no middle man here is ridiculous, Costco is clearly the middle man here.


middleman [ˈmɪdəlˌmæn]
noun
1. (Business / Commerce) an independent trader engaged in the distribution of goods from producer to consumer

[Jet Sitter]

A couple of random thoughts on the tub in question...

With 65 jets or 85 jets on 2 pumps, I wonder how the hydrotherapy will be.  Would be nice to be able to check it out, if it matters to you.

Maybe with all of the lights and waterjets, hydrotherapy doesn't matter.  Just get in and let the show begin.  Still it seems that there are dubious benefits for added complexity while at the same time cutting back the warranty.

$5800 or $7000 can buy a lot of tub, especially if one is willing to negotiate.

As for how these models compare to Clearwater tubs from a dealer, according to ejf there are differences in the tub itself, not just the abbreviated warranty, no delivery, leap of faith since you can't wet test, possibility of being on your own for trouble shooting and performing a repair and price.  Personally, I love Costco and buy a lot of stuff there.  However, on pretty much any thing I buy, I can buy it for less elsewhere.  But the great thing about Costco is I know that I will get it for a pretty good price, I don't have to go elsewhere and if worst comes to worst I can always bring it back.  Tires, blu-ray player, computer, wine even the bleach I put in my tub I can get cheaper elsewhere.  For some reason people buying these costco tubs think that there are some kind of super bargian.  In my opinion they are not.  I think that they are a decent deal and worth what you pay, but no more.

It would be interesting for someone to compare a simliar appearing model with well negotiated price from a Clearwater dealer to the Costco model and make an inventory of the differences.

[ejf The Spa Guy]

comparing the Dl420 divine and the Rio pricing wise, pricing roughly 10,000 with all the goodies,, so there is a price difference, i imagine pricing will cahnge depending on the location but being on the east side of the state from them freight is not bad.. warranty on the Rio is longer.....Jet sitter is this answer your question of price, I will say with the 2 pumps, it moves the water fairly well , but there are diverter valves to move the water around.

[marky mark]

The comments about no middle man are absolutely correct, COSTCO is the middle man, just does it cheaper since they do not have to stock or service it. So yes, there still is a middle man, he is just a CHEAP middle man for obvious reasons. I think that is the point she was making. They are a distributor, not a dealer. So now that this trivial point is put to rest, the fact remains that you give up a lot in warranty and dealer support. That is the difference, and it is a big difference. But I think that is the only difference, not in quality. That said, when I buy it will likely be from a reputable dealer. All I know is it will not be a full foam tub, decent quality with a good warranty and it will have to have a 24 hr circulation pump.

[Zep]

marky mark it really is just an individual choice
i bought mine from a great Cal Spas dealer &
like the support & white glove delivery.
they helped with concrete slab & electrical vendors
I'm not very handy and they "held my hand"
the whole way and since....

on the other hand a good friend bought a basic
tub from Costco for about 1/2 the price

He's been happy as a lark for going on 4 years....
no problems....uses his more than I use mine.
He says "hell if it breaks I'll fix it & still be ahead"
or "I'll get a new one every 5-6 years and still be ahead"

2EachHisOwn....people make the same decisions every day
with cars and all kinds of products....products at half the cost
are usually not the same quality....but people buy Ford Fusions
instead of a Toyota/Lexus/Benz everyday...it's not just spas & tubs.

Good luck....and happy waters ahead!


(my buddy bought something like this...no it's not "5 Star"..he knows & can live with it)
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11630136&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|50126|87124|4640&N=4047223&Mo=10&pos=0&No=9&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=4640&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC33047-Cat87124&topnav=

[marky mark]

Thanks for the replies. I at least have time as I am not likely going to get till fall unless I find a very good sale on a acceptable spa.

[ZZLite]

Well, here is another to ask about. COSTCO now has "Divine Spa's", made by Clear Water Spa's. From everything I can find on Clear Water Spa's, they seem to be a very good tub. They are not as inexpensive as the others offered at COSTCO, other than the obvious shorter warranty you will give up (like all COSTCO tubs) How are these tubs? Anyone with any experience with them? I like the fact they have a circulation pump and I like the fact they are not a full foam tub. I do not want a full foam tub, that's just me. Anyway, all comments will be welcomed by me. Every time I get close to purchasing a tub, something comes up. I will have one before fall, that's all I know for sure. Thanks all.

Just curious, did you buy the Divine from costco? Looking to make the leap myself and would appreciate any and all feedbacks.

[H2O]

Hi Mark.
 Are you a member on Tundra Talk?

[marky mark]

Not a member on tundra talk. At least I don't think so..... LOL

[jackie1]

So, did you get the clearwater tub??? I'd like to hear some updates as to how it's been running and if you are happy with the purchase. Multiple posters in here said there were getting a clearwater tub. I'd like to hear your thoughts after owning for a while.