Observations as a consumer

[bosco0633]

Ok here I go with my rant as a consumer.

I sit here and think how the posts have been going as of late and feel that we need to clean up our act.

Here is what I have noticed over the past little bit

1.  Consumers and dealers have to different approaches on this forum.

2.  If a dealer or sales personnel does not like a particular brand, they let you know it by means other than coming right out and saying it.  You know who you are, and you all know what you do.

3.  Certain brands are slammed way more than others.

4. TP vs. FF debate has taken a hole new level here. Enough is enough.

5.  When  a consumer becomes defensive of their new product, Dealers alike suddenly change their tune in here.  They comment such as "tell me where I bad mouthed" "I never said...."  "dont get your panties in a bunch" "if you get defensive then you have something to worry about"

6.  When called to task some dealers or sales guys become pure nasty and belittle.  If you want quotes, I will search for them, because we all know they are here.

7.  If a certain tub brand is mentioned in a post, all hell breaks lose.

8.  WHEN SOMEONE HAS A PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN SPAS, DEALERS AND SALES GUYS COME OUT AND SAY, "THAT IS NOT NORMAL" "TELL ME YOUR MODEL NUMBER AND I CAN LOOK INTO IT FOR YOU" "YOU WILL BE COVERED NO PROBLEM FOR REPAIRS"  If it is other brands, boom like fat kids on smarties slam slam slam slam, then back to numbers 5 6 and 7.

9.  If someone posts something that certain people dont want to coment on, then these posts quickly disapear from the first page without comment.  Example we want here.  Ok, I decide to do a little home expierement on my tub which produced pretty good results in my opinion and the peanut gallery chooses not to come out and play.  No usual TP haters come out and coment, and then the post disapears.

10.  Dealers and sales alike are very informative about product knowledge.  For this I am forever greatful.

11.  Some dealers and sales individuals have recently decided to start posting that they are sick of our "bitching" "wining" "crying" about our tubs.  They get nasty and tell us they are sick of it and they decide to cut us up.

12.  If you own  a sundance, hotsprings, or d1 here, you are treated fairly and with respect for making such an informed purchase.  For the others, your an outcast.

Think I am wrong, I challenge you all to look at the first 10 pages of posts, and dont forget to go to beating a dead horse.  Many posts make their way there due to the fact that certain brands have their name mentioned, and it is decided that it is time to get rid of it.

Dealers, and sales guys, you are entitled to bad days.  You are entitled to your opinions as experts in this market.  You are entitled to educate us, be brand specific and hold opinions on your competion.  But at the end of the day, you need us, you need your customer base you need to sell your product.  So relax, enjoy your time here, have fun and remember, most of us are new to this and we need you just as much as you need us.

Enough is enough here, this is just getting sad.

[TMJ]

I agree 100%! Very well said.

[galen]

Yep, I'd have to agree. Well said. But this goes on in the business I'm in on their forums, even worse! They get downright ugly. I've helped many a new businessman just starting out in my industry. I've gotten many nice emails. Thats what does it for me. Because I remember when I was in there shoes and I didn't have anyone to turn to for help. I'd get home around 3am. but back to this forum. In the short time I have been here, I have been helped by numerous people, that have pointed me in the right direction. Steve and Tom thanks. I also like the features of this forum. Being able to modify is nice.  

[anne]

I have to pretty much agree, though obviously the wonderful advice, and different points of view and dynamic nature of the people on this forum keep me coming back anyway. Not to mention the humor. I am concerned about being seen differently because of the purchase choice I made, and though it is subtle, there is game-playing going on. Its too bad.  

[Snyper]

I'll add this, had I found this forum before I purchased my hot tub, I probably wouldn't have bought one.

Maybe that is an extreme statement, but it is somewhat true because it seems some first time consumers, who have little knowledge, get more confused beause of the "competition".

[galen]

I wouldn't worry about that Anne. Think about all the people out there that don't have the luxury of one Or ever getting in one. Your lucky Anne.

[meriflower]

I'm relatively new to this site and I agree, certain brands (namely Arctic) are slammed.      My neighbor bought an Arctic around the same time we bought ours (2003) and has had zero problems.  She ribbed me each time she saw our dealers  service van sitting in our driveway!

Another thing, I don't see any Arctic dealers posting 25-30 messages and pics during their work day - must be busy selling SPAS!  

[Spatech_tuo]

She ribbed me each time she saw our dealers  service van sitting in our driveway!

I'll bite, what spa do you own that you've had all these service issues on (not that I doubt you, I'm just curious)?

[meriflower]

I'll bite, what spa do you own that you've had all these service issues on (not that I doubt you, I'm just curious)?

Hi Spatech - I own a 2003 Marquis Euphoria.  I posted an earlier post about the problems I have had with it.  Fortunately, Marquis is standing behind their product and is replacing our Euphoria with a new Epic.  We get it delivered this Friday.

[TMJ]

The brand of tub we purchased is not well received here, but I do lurk and occasionally give input or ask general questions.  
At times I know, I would not feel comfy asking about anything
that may come up, because of the way my brand has been received. I came to this site for help , and general insight, I must say, overall it is very helpful. Btw, I have had my tub for over 6 months now, no problems at all, and my dealer has been great. I know we made the right choice, for us, not saying every one has to agree, but it would be nice to not feel inferior to the people who have known, or been in the business for years. Just my two cents. This post is not meant, in any way, to offend or disrespect anyone, if so, I whole heartedly apologize.

[anne]

you know, I'd like to add that although I do think that Arctic gets slammed more than it deserves, I was impressed by the unbiased comments I got from a number of people a while back when I was down to choosing between an Arctic Summit and a HS Envoy. I was a tough choice, mostly since I was influenced by Arctic's "red headed step sister" position in the  spa world. Nobody dissed Arctic, and everyone said to go with what feels right.

[Snowbird]

Up until a few days ago when the dealer ranting started, I was really enjoying this site.  I actually felt sorry for the dealers after the 1st post because sales is a tough job.  Most small businesses fail so the successful ones are doing something right and working damned hard to do it.

So I decided not to respond to the unbridled consumer bashing, but I just couldn't sit by and let it go because it wouldn't go away.  After the 3rd dealer rant thread, I lost control and responded to a particularly vicious post.  I am sorry that I did because I am now part of the problem.

Before these threads started, everyone had their say and their opinion was respected.

No one slammed anyone else and if that did happen, they were taken to task, either by other members or the moderators.

We asked questions and for the most part got answers.  And we were free to follow the advice or not.

As a consumer, I'm not sure what I did to make dealers so angry.  Having never owned a hot tub, I shopped around for tubs trying to learn more about them.  In the process I weeded out the ones that didn't have a chance (mostly because of the dealers), then wet tested the ones I liked and bought it (mostly because of the dealer).

Does that mean that Jacuzzi is the only tub worthwhile?  Absolutely not.  It means that of the stores I visited in my area, Jacuzzi had the best dealer and tub, not just the best tub.  I will admit that after spending time on this forum I regret not wet testing a Hot Springs tub.

What else should I have done?  Maybe I should have just sent the 1st dealer I came across $8,000 with a note to deliver whatever he felt was appropriate.  That way I didn't waste any of his precious time answering my stupid questions.  

This forum needs to be preserved as a place where we can exchange information and joke around a little while respecting each other.  It is past time to send the dealer rant threads as well as any that bash the dealers to the dead horse file and never bring them up again.

[Wisoki]

Advice is like a hot tub, you get what you pay for. This forum is free to all who participate, keep THAT in mind while reading all this stuff.

Up until a few days ago when the dealer ranting started, I was really enjoying this site.  I actually felt sorry for the dealers after the 1st post because sales is a tough job.  Most small businesses fail so the successful ones are doing something right and working damned hard to do it.

So I decided not to respond to the unbridled consumer bashing, but I just couldn't sit by and let it go because it wouldn't go away.  After the 3rd dealer rant thread, I lost control and responded to a particularly vicious post.  I am sorry that I did because I am now part of the problem.

Before these threads started, everyone had their say and their opinion was respected.

No one slammed anyone else and if that did happen, they were taken to task, either by other members or the moderators.

We asked questions and for the most part got answers.  And we were free to follow the advice or not.

As a consumer, I'm not sure what I did to make dealers so angry.  Having never owned a hot tub, I shopped around for tubs trying to learn more about them.  In the process I weeded out the ones that didn't have a chance (mostly because of the dealers), then wet tested the ones I liked and bought it (mostly because of the dealer).

Does that mean that Jacuzzi is the only tub worthwhile?  Absolutely not.  It means that of the stores I visited in my area, Jacuzzi had the best dealer and tub, not just the best tub.  I will admit that after spending time on this forum I regret not wet testing a Hot Springs tub.

What else should I have done?  Maybe I should have just sent the 1st dealer I came across $8,000 with a note to deliver whatever he felt was appropriate.  That way I didn't waste any of his precious time answering my stupid questions.  

This forum needs to be preserved as a place where we can exchange information and joke around a little while respecting each other.  It is past time to send the dealer rant threads as well as any that bash the dealers to the dead horse file and never bring them up again.

[Snowbird]

Advice is like a hot tub, you get what you pay for. This forum is free to all who participate, keep THAT in mind while reading all this stuff.

Yes it is. And if it continues on its present course it will just be the 3 or 4 of you whining to each other when things don't go your way.

[GoBlue]

I am very glad that I found this forum.  Had I not,  I would have bought a brand that my pool dealer sell. We have a good track record with that dealer. But I hears that one must Wet Test. The spa I purchased, being delivered today, was not my original choice after dry testing.  so I wish to thank all that chimed in with their opinion.

BUT, I see a lot of people slamming dealers, spa brands  and consumers alike. Enough already. When my customers drove me crazy... I sold my business.  Then found someting else to do that would make me happy.
But, the customers paid the bills... Never forget that!