On the 5th my wife and I tested a Hot Springs Vanguard. After looking for about five years and going to just about every dealer in the Phoenix metro area we finally made our choice. Actually I think my wife was tired of me looking and doing all of these comparisons. Not as extensive as Duffman but when I buy something I tend to over do it. This had to be one of the hardest items to purchase because there are so many companies, models, and prices. To get the price you had to go to the dealer. Some of the spa dealers were like used car dealers. I did not have as hard a time when I build my custom home.
I always looked at the Hot Springs line but they always were a little above what I wanted to spend.
The reason for the purchase of the Vanguard was the "price" and the "dealer". For the Labor Day weekend they had a sale called "Contractors price" plus I had a card for no sales tax. The Vanguard out the door price was $7700 (uprite lift, cover, steps chemicals, panel, ozone and delivery). The dealer has been in the business for about 14 years.
If the Marquis dealer did not get so greedy he would have had a sale two weeks ago. I came real close.
I already have my electric to the patio all I have to do is hook up the panel when it comes. Then the spa in a couple weeks.
