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It’s proving rather difficult to do wet tests.Of the tubs on our list, literally only one has been available to do a wet test, and it was the Hot Spring Grandee, but not the NXT line.Hot Spring dealer wants a $300 refundable deposit to do a wet test in the Hot Spring Envoy and lock in the price before a January price increase. Again, it’s not an NXT line.Jacuzzi/Sundance dealer said he’d have a Kingston on the floor for us to test last week - planned ahead and got a baby sitter lined up for Saturday. Called in to confirm Saturday AM and they said no water in it, we could “look” at it but that is it. Very irritating. Needless to say, we did not go.Jacuzzi/Sundance dealer also said no to getting a 575 or 585 available for us to wet test. Also no Claremont. Said the Aspen is close enough to compare.Thoughts on all of this? Seems crazy to me.We just want to wet test:KingstonClaremontEnvoy NXTJ-575J-585Will we end up having to make a decision and “buy blind” without doing a wet test? That seems crazy when you’re spending <$10,000...
Quote from: aug0211 on December 17, 2018, 09:25:10 amIt’s proving rather difficult to do wet tests.Of the tubs on our list, literally only one has been available to do a wet test, and it was the Hot Spring Grandee, but not the NXT line.Hot Spring dealer wants a $300 refundable deposit to do a wet test in the Hot Spring Envoy and lock in the price before a January price increase. Again, it’s not an NXT line.Jacuzzi/Sundance dealer said he’d have a Kingston on the floor for us to test last week - planned ahead and got a baby sitter lined up for Saturday. Called in to confirm Saturday AM and they said no water in it, we could “look” at it but that is it. Very irritating. Needless to say, we did not go.Jacuzzi/Sundance dealer also said no to getting a 575 or 585 available for us to wet test. Also no Claremont. Said the Aspen is close enough to compare.Thoughts on all of this? Seems crazy to me.We just want to wet test:KingstonClaremontEnvoy NXTJ-575J-585Will we end up having to make a decision and “buy blind” without doing a wet test? That seems crazy when you’re spending <$10,000...$300 refundable deposit is perhaps the dumbest thing I've ever heard....they should call it the 'We're gonna take $300 from you so if you don't buy this Hot Tub you'll have to call us 15 times and speak with a sales manager to attempt to get that deposit back" Greasy sales tactics imo
Quote from: BullFrogSpasMN on December 17, 2018, 01:08:47 pmQuote from: aug0211 on December 17, 2018, 09:25:10 amIt’s proving rather difficult to do wet tests.Of the tubs on our list, literally only one has been available to do a wet test, and it was the Hot Spring Grandee, but not the NXT line.Hot Spring dealer wants a $300 refundable deposit to do a wet test in the Hot Spring Envoy and lock in the price before a January price increase. Again, it’s not an NXT line.Jacuzzi/Sundance dealer said he’d have a Kingston on the floor for us to test last week - planned ahead and got a baby sitter lined up for Saturday. Called in to confirm Saturday AM and they said no water in it, we could “look” at it but that is it. Very irritating. Needless to say, we did not go.Jacuzzi/Sundance dealer also said no to getting a 575 or 585 available for us to wet test. Also no Claremont. Said the Aspen is close enough to compare.Thoughts on all of this? Seems crazy to me.We just want to wet test:KingstonClaremontEnvoy NXTJ-575J-585Will we end up having to make a decision and “buy blind” without doing a wet test? That seems crazy when you’re spending <$10,000...$300 refundable deposit is perhaps the dumbest thing I've ever heard....they should call it the 'We're gonna take $300 from you so if you don't buy this Hot Tub you'll have to call us 15 times and speak with a sales manager to attempt to get that deposit back" Greasy sales tactics imoumm... I do that. I'm not greasy. I'll fill up any tub for anyone, but if I am moving a specific hot tub into a private soak room, I want a little assurance that they will be coming back. It's plain jane that it's 100% refundable.
Quote from: d00nut on December 17, 2018, 01:12:38 pmQuote from: BullFrogSpasMN on December 17, 2018, 01:08:47 pmQuote from: aug0211 on December 17, 2018, 09:25:10 amIt’s proving rather difficult to do wet tests.Of the tubs on our list, literally only one has been available to do a wet test, and it was the Hot Spring Grandee, but not the NXT line.Hot Spring dealer wants a $300 refundable deposit to do a wet test in the Hot Spring Envoy and lock in the price before a January price increase. Again, it’s not an NXT line.Jacuzzi/Sundance dealer said he’d have a Kingston on the floor for us to test last week - planned ahead and got a baby sitter lined up for Saturday. Called in to confirm Saturday AM and they said no water in it, we could “look” at it but that is it. Very irritating. Needless to say, we did not go.Jacuzzi/Sundance dealer also said no to getting a 575 or 585 available for us to wet test. Also no Claremont. Said the Aspen is close enough to compare.Thoughts on all of this? Seems crazy to me.We just want to wet test:KingstonClaremontEnvoy NXTJ-575J-585Will we end up having to make a decision and “buy blind” without doing a wet test? That seems crazy when you’re spending <$10,000...$300 refundable deposit is perhaps the dumbest thing I've ever heard....they should call it the 'We're gonna take $300 from you so if you don't buy this Hot Tub you'll have to call us 15 times and speak with a sales manager to attempt to get that deposit back" Greasy sales tactics imoumm... I do that. I'm not greasy. I'll fill up any tub for anyone, but if I am moving a specific hot tub into a private soak room, I want a little assurance that they will be coming back. It's plain jane that it's 100% refundable.my bad I didn't see in his post where he mentioned they were moving and/or filling it for him, then that makes sense, thought he was talking about an already filled model, I was like WTF
umm... I do that. I'm not greasy. I'll fill up any tub for anyone, but if I am moving a specific hot tub into a private soak room, I want a little assurance that they will be coming back. It's plain jane that it's 100% refundable.
my bad I didn't see in his post where he mentioned they were moving and/or filling it for him, then that makes sense, thought he was talking about an already filled model, I was like WTF
Depending on where it sits, most tubs take 220V. I only have certain spots where I have wires pre-run to run the hot tubs. In order to run a different one, I need to drain and move one hot tub, and move the other in it's place. It's a bit of work, primarily takes time, which is why I ask for a refundable deposit if I do that just to make sure they come back.
Quote from: d00nut on December 19, 2018, 12:05:54 pmDepending on where it sits, most tubs take 220V. I only have certain spots where I have wires pre-run to run the hot tubs. In order to run a different one, I need to drain and move one hot tub, and move the other in it's place. It's a bit of work, primarily takes time, which is why I ask for a refundable deposit if I do that just to make sure they come back. Fair enough. What's ironic is that the dealer may actually lose a sale because of demanding a deposit (instead of locking in a sale).At the end of the day, they're making this process a PITA for me. I'm about to drop well over $10k and I'm already being nickel-and-dimed to put down a deposit to do a "test drive"? How are things going to go when I need chemicals or service?Plus, it's a refundable deposit - they are just creating more headache for themselves and for me if it doesn't go well. Either I'm a buyer or I'm not. The hassle of fighting with the store owner and involving the BBB over 10 phone calls to get a refundable deposit back is not going to make me give up and change me from a non-buyer to a buyer. The hot tub is either right for me, or it isn't. $300 isn't going to change that.The dealer can do what they want, of course - it's just unfortunate that I honestly woke up this morning and though "man, this is such a hassle, I don't know if it's worth the effort these guys are making me put into it. Maybe I'll buy another toy instead."I read early on in my search that dealing with hot tub dealers is like working with the worst of the used car dealers. I'd love to counter that statement, but I've never put down a deposit to test drive a used (or even a new) car. Hoping these guys come around and try to make a sale instead of just fishing for $300. In the end, they'll do much better winning my business with good products and service than by forcing me into a corner with deposits.
This risk feels inherent to your industry, and should be factored into your calculations without having to pass this on to the consumer, because it absolutely erodes any trust or goodwill, and sets off alarm bells in the customer. This happened to me during my hot tub purchase experience and I instantly crossed off the dealer from the list. Don't listen if you think you have it figured out, but consumers are giving you valuable feedback.