My husband and I made the decision to add the spa to the backyard a couple of weeks ago. After MUCH investigation into the spa industry and numerous manufacturers, my head is swimming with too much information! I have been reading all of the fourms that I possibly can - wonderful information and a lot of people that really know what they're talking about - I've learned more from them than any website!
Here's the criteria for "our" spa:
- Just the two of us so so nothing really big. Would like a spa for four or five for the invite of friends.
- Therapy is number one in consideration
- Really like the idea of a lounger
Here's what we've done:
- Checked out HotSpring - the sales guy was not impressive and kept telling us that everything was "extra". Kept knocking the competition really bad - they don't do this and they do that...... He took our name and number and has not called us back after two weeks. Turned me off very quickly.
- Checked out Sundance - Wonderful sales person and very customer focused. Made sure that we wet tested the exact spa (Marin) that we were looking at. The Sundance just didn't "fit" us. Power of the jets were great but I just couldn't get comfortable.
- Checked out Caldera, Cal Spa and Viking at one location - did not wet test. The store that sells these models in our area are sales focused and not service focused. They told us that they would drop off the spa and we could call them if we had questions on set up. That scares me - seems that they take your money then you're on your own!
- Same thing happend at the Jacuzzi Premium dealer... We'll drop it off and you can call us with any questions.... Sorry but that just doesn't sound right to me?
- Found an Arctic dealer close and really liked the dry feel of the spa... Sales person was very good and not pushy at all. Called us back and asked us to come for a wet test so we did. Like the Sundance, it just didn't "fit". Jets on the Arctic were just not what we are looking for and I kept floating out of the lounger. Sales person offered us a decent deal on the floor model top of the line Cub.
- Next moved to the Vita Essence. Wet tested and fit like a glove! Did not float out of the lounger and had a lot of power. Sales person has called me several times and checks on me - even called to tell me that they have a sale running until June 30 for an additional $1,000 off...... Searched the forum sites and Vita is not getting too good of write ups and that concerns me!
- Today - Off to check out D1, Dynasty, Artisian and Coast...... Taking the suits and towels with us to take the plunge! Problem with these models is that the dealer is 40 miles away but they're the closest to us that have those brands. Would love to check out Marquis but the dealer is even further away.
I've been checking out the BBB for any dealer that we consider but still looking for someone to "show me the way"!!!! I realize that we need to get the spa that fits us but also I want a very reliable brand.....
Any insight? Am I missing something? Am I not doing the right thing? Am I too focused on service? Are my expectations too high? Am I looking at the right spas? Am I missing a particular spa that I should be looking at?
This is really stressful! I need a spa just to take the pressure off of the purchase process!!!! AAAGGGHHHH!!!
