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I would say that you need to look at Features, Benefits and Advantages.Only Features which offer you a benefit offer an advantage. Sort of a formula that adds up to VALUE.For example: a low price may be a feature - and to most people it would seem to be an advantage. But, if that tub has poor energy efficiency or a short warranty with a reputation for breakdowns, you will not find yourself reaping the Benefits of that low price - in fact the tub may cost you much more to own. Or if it doesn't cost more, if may not get as much use due to breakdowns or poor performance - and you have wasted your money. Now, you may wish to buy a real cheap tub for a specific reason: such as so you can soak for a year or two before moving. I usually tell people to go ahead and get the tub they would like to own for the next twenty years, and take it with them. There are two things I wouldn't wish on my worst brother-in-law: owning a cheap tub, and tub shopping again later.If you find a tub with tons of jets (feature) but they are all the same - or worse: they are all tiny pin-pricks in your back and sides, then that feature did not translate into a benefit.Feature: Lounger. Benefit? you can't tell until you wet test. It may be a huge advantage for you, but not the spousal unit. Or it may end up being a nice seat, but it may remove that one extra seat that you wish you had. Deep seating? Same.So: get a complete list of the features of a tub, then sit down and see how many of them equal benefits to you personally. Then see if you have a good value or not.I find that it costs about the same to own a cheap spa as a top-quality unit. The cheap one just takes it out of your bank more slowly - and with greater aggravation.Another thing to look at: the company behind the tub. You need to have confidence in the people who back the thing. I have a rule that if the comapany hasn't been around for at least two decades, they don't get my money. The dealer is an important part of the equation: should be local, and should care about after-sale service. But if you are looking at a tub from one of the major players, you'll find that you'll get taken care of one way or another.OH - and one last thing - the way a company chooses to insulate a tub should not be a deciding factor. It is a huge emotional 'hot button' here and on other web boards, but any of the name-brand tubs will end up costing you about the same to heat and keep hot. If the tub you choose has huge jets pumps which get a lot of use, you pay more for the power bill - but if that's what you choose it should not be a problem. (most people don't end up enjoying oversized jet pumps because they make the jets painful, so shop carefully here)
I find that it costs about the same to own a cheap spa as a top-quality unit. The cheap one just takes it out of your bank more slowly - and with greater aggravation.