"ratings" page change

[Dr. Spaâ„¢ Ret.]

As some of you know, "another" website has a "bogus" spa ratings web page. Sometime in the last day they made a major change, that I would be interested in peoples comments and/or opinions on. For the past 8 or so years the page has always had a number of "classes" for spas, from "Best of Class" down to "Not Included". The classes included, Best of Class, Deluxe Class, Above Average Class, Standard Class, and Not Included.

Well, with the newest "update", there's now only "Best of Class", and Other Brands.

Any opinions on how this might effect the perceived validity of these "ratings" to the average shopper? Any ideas or guesses  on WHY they made have made this change?

[East_TX_Spa]

OH MY GAWSH!  WE GOT 5 STARS!!!!!!!!  WOOHOOOO!

Terminator

[cappykat]

I'd like to check it out but I don't know what the "another" website is.  PM me with the info.

[drewstar]

OH MY GAWSH!  WE GOT 5 STARS!!!!!!!!  WOOHOOOO!

Terminator

then it couldn't be the site I was thinking about.  

[hamrhed]

I'd like to check it out but I don't know what the "another" website is.  PM me with the info.

Ditto for me also....

[Pathfinder]

so pretty much it looks like for this year if you didnt pay enough for the best of class  rating your just another tub company  for those who are not on it  it s easy to sell against it

[Brookenstein]

Doc, if this is the pool and spa site I think it is,  I checked them out when I first started looking over a year ago. I figured out pretty quickly that the ratings were bogus.

A sentence like:

Most of these manufacturers' spas have been checked out by our staff.

is pretty telling if you ask me.  If someone is going to rate a product all the manufacturers listed should be 'checked out' otherwise there is no basis for the grade.  Not to mention they should be more than 'checked out' there should be a set criteria in which all spas are tested and then rated.

The change makes no difference to me.  As to why, its been a while since I looked at the page, but I found it very cluttered and hard to follow if I remember correctly.  I would guess this new system is simpler for the average shopper to follow.

[Anoroc]

Pathfinder- I have heard the ratings can be purchased.  Not sure how true it is but I question if the ratings are truly independent.  Has consumers report ever done a comparison and if they haven't I kinda wonder why?

[East_TX_Spa]

I asked about why Consumer Reports has never rated spas and was told that there has to be at least 2 million units/year of a product manufactured for it to be rated.  That eliminates spas.

This was several years ago so maybe the criteria has changed.

Terminator

[J._McD]

Pathfinder- I have heard the ratings can be purchased.  Not sure how true it is but I question if the ratings are truly independent.  Has consumers report ever done a comparison and if they haven't I kinda wonder why?

How many consumers buy cars, hair dryers, lawnmowers etc., 20% 50%, and what portion of the consuming public would be buying Hot Tubs 5%, 2%???

What is the demand to know the information and would they then have to test 140 different manufacturers?

There is a great need for this information however, as a consumer, might I suggest that you contact consumer reports by e-mail and pose that question.  I will too.

[Pathfinder]

I have learned in the past couple months  that everything is about exposure along with fake energy test  and made up approvals  and ghost medical and arthritic foundations. But thats business thats why Watkins is at the top of this forum.  Like our experienced members here  state "Its what tub is best for you" Exposure gets em in the door  then the dealer has to do the rest.

[drewstar]

What's the problem with naming the page?

Here:


http://www.poolandspa.com/page149.htm


It's a BS site.

[socal]

OH MY GAWSH!  WE GOT 5 STARS!!!!!!!!  WOOHOOOO!

Terminator

term, your not the only one with 5 stars  

it is interesting how they went from all those classifications down to just "best/other".  

[East_TX_Spa]

term, your not the only one with 5 stars  
 

Ya'll ponied up the dough, too, eh?

It is nice to have the capital to afford all those stars though, isn't it......

Terminator

[spaceguy]

 "Most of these manufacturers' spas have been checked out by our staff. "

 What does this mean?  Looked at pics in a brochure?  Or tore them apart and rebuilt them to see how they are made and work?   And only "most",  which ones?  Then if they check out some from the bottom list will they be added to the top list?

 Maybe the key words are "checked out" as in we got a check out to them right away!!