Wet Tested the Used J385 (Updated with Results)

[Brookenstein]

Oh!

Chlorine, new filter, black light.  Fill, shock, drain, heat, treat, SWEET!

Terminator

You have me heating an empty spa?  Even this newbie thinks that sounds a bit dangerous.  

I'mm off... be back in about 6 hours dependign on traffic.

[socal]

You have me heating an empty spa?  Even this newbie thinks that sounds a bit dangerous.  

I'mm off... be back in about 6 hours dependign on traffic.

6 hours??? thats a vegas trip wonder if its too late to say good luck

[chaunceyboyblu]

i would buy it for that. i paid 3500 for my 385 without stereo. i would definately pay 500 more for the stereo. mine was delivered and set up, so thats worth some. the gazeb i wouldnt have at all for any price. it looks like junk. why would someone pay 10 grand for a spa then surround it with crap like that. take a trailer with you.

[Brookenstein]

Well... my 6 hour journey became almost 8.  UGH!!!  I forgot it was a holiday and the traffic towards Vegas was bad.  It took more than 2.5 hours to get the 98 miles.  Anyway it was a long day.

I am back and believe it or not, I didn't buy it.  Couple of issues, I don't know if they matter or not.  I don't know if I will change my mind or not, but right now I'm happy I've got the cash still in my purse and I'm still looking....

Here were my issues:

1)The man is a jerk.  His story is changing and he rubs me the wrong way.  Originally I was told the asking price when he bought it was $12, he paid just over $10.  He also told me that the gazebo was $750.  Today the gazebo cost $400 and spa was $12 and since used spas should go for 1/3 he won't take less than $4k.  He argued with me again about the warranty being transferable until he finally called Jacuzzi to prove me wrong, only to learn I was right.  But then it didn't matter because Jacuzzi is the best, thats why he bought it, and it won't need the warranty.  

2)  When I walked around the spa... the synthetic wood siding looks warped and it is not on straight.  I swear every single panel is not lined up with the one next to it.  They could be off by more than a 1/2 inch (left panel 1/2 inch higher than the panel to the right of it).  Seemed odd to me.  I pointed it out to him and he had never noticed.  He assumed the warping was from the pumps underneath?

3)  He reluctantly agreed to take the panel off the front for me and there was a loose hose dangling.  Hmmm... apparently the ozonator hasn't been connected.  We called Jacuzzi and were told to put it on the bottom of the blue box.

4)  The gazebo is a joke.  It's already rusting and the top is ripped in at least 3 places.  The lighting is cheesy red, white, and blue rope lights they added.   No thanks.

5.  He wouldn't throw in the discconect/GFCI.

6.  I find it odd that he's had other people interested in it and yet nobody has bought it.  IME, the spas that are priced right are going quick... this has been listed for about 10 days.

BTW, Chauncey delivery was quoted at $450... but I'm guessing it will be higher.  I didn't hit much traffic coming home and it still took 2 hours to go the 98 miles.

I'm beginning to think for $4500 (including delivery) I can find something better.

I don't know what we are going to do now.  

[Gomboman]

Wow Brook, I'm sorry.  It sure seemed like a good deal.  Did you do this all by yourself?  My wife wouldn't have spent five mintues doing something like this.

Dealers, give this woman a deal on a NEW spa please.  Maybe she can do some Tammy modeling at one of the next spa shows for you.  What a trooper.

[Brookenstein]

Yes I did it by myself.  The husband makes the money, I do my best to spend it.    No actually he doesn't really care what we get, and I'm the one doing the research so he trusted me to make the decision.  I think he was a litle dissapointed I didn't get it, cause it would have shut me up... but he agrees I shouldn't have any doubt or question.  $4k might not be 1/2 of what a lot of people spend, but for us its a huge chunk of change.  I don't want to have buyers remorse.

The seller said that the new owner would probably put in a spa, so he needed to leave it (the disconect) for him.  I think its funny when you are selling an estate on 1.5 acres with a guest house in a private gated community that you don't sell the hot tub with the house.    That and you are concerned about $250.  (I had been trying to get it for $250 less).

Funny thing though, when I was looking in the ads tonight, he readvertised it yesterday saying he paid 12k when he has told me multiple times he paid $10 for it.  

[Spatech_tuo]

Funny thing though, when I was looking in the ads tonight, he readvertised it yesterday saying he paid 12k when he has told me multiple times he paid $10 for it.  

Give us his address and Terminator and I will drop in for a visit and make him an offer he can't refuse!

[tony]

Anytime you are buying used it can be an experience.  Just be patient, hold your line and see what happens.  If it is meant to be, it will.  I agree with the one third argument, but that would take the price down to 3500.  I wouldn't worry about the spa disconnect.  For a Jacuzzi Premium it is not an expensive item.  For a HotSpring Spa, it would be worth while, but not here.  The Jacuzzi cabinets seem to be pretty nice.  The only thing that I could see that would cause warping would be intense sun.  It would not be the pumps IMO.  The alignment issue may be as simple as loosening some screws and tighten back up.

Give it a few days and see if his tune changes.

[autoplay]

Glad to see you're taking your time,and not rushing it.  The worse thing you can do,is let your emotions get involved with the decision making process.

If it doesn't feel right,it probably isn't.

How far do you live from Ventura?  grin

[Brookenstein]

He lives in the high desert so I guess it could be warped from the sun.  I figure if he calls me in a week or two because he hasn't sold it, I may offer her the 1/3 he put out there... but of what he told me he paid, not this ridiculous 12k.  Would the warped sides be covered under his warranty and worth fixing before he sells it?

[Wisoki]

Sorry Brooke, but to the best of my recolection the cabinet warranty is just 1 year from date of purchase/installation. In an earlier post you said..."Its an 04 J-385 with stereo that he's had since June of 04.  He's got about $250 worth of chemicals that he's throwing in as well.  He was asking $4500.  I have him down to $4k... In perfect condition that year and a half old spa is worth $4500, but it sounds to me from reading your posts that this spa has been neglected, I'd probably take a pass on it.

He lives in the high desert so I guess it could be warped from the sun.  I figure if he calls me in a week or two because he hasn't sold it, I may offer her the 1/3 he put out there... but of what he told me he paid, not this ridiculous 12k.  Would the warped sides be covered under his warranty and worth fixing before he sells it?

[East_TX_Spa]

Brooke, I'm sorry it went like it did.  On the brighter side, you did not meet up with any spa monkeys (or else you wouldn't be here).

Why not try this...go to a reputable local dealer, find a spa you like, put it on lay-away, save some gas money, time, aggravation, frustration, and in no time you will have a brand new, hassle-free spa!

That's just my suggestion.  Spa shopping shouldn't be this difficult, time-consuming, and expensive.  Put that money into your spa!

Just my nickel's worth.

Terminator

[Brookenstein]

I may try to get the husbad to come shopping with me this weekend and see what a few of the stores have and at what prices.  Or we may scratch the hot tub plan for a bit and redo the floors in the house.  I was hoping to have the tub first as it would make the back feel a heck of a lot better with all that labor... but who knows.

At this point its all up in the air.  I'll be gone for 3+ weeks in December, so I may end up just waiting till the new year and see what I find then.

[hymbaw]

Brook,
    Sorry it didn't work out. On the bright side I have a 1985 HS Classic in back that I'll deliver for $3000

Term,
   Use Detechtive and post a pic for me. I'm sure she'll be impressed!

[East_TX_Spa]

Brook,
     Sorry it didn't work out. On the bright side I have a 1985 HS Classic in back that I'll deliver for $3000

Term,
    Use Detechtive and post a pic for me. I'm sure she'll be impressed!

Done!  Greatest spa ever built (and I am serious, this sucker is bulletproof!)


Terminator