Master Spa Shows in the News!

[NE-Phil]

I just saw this at Consumerist.com:
    Hot Tub Dealer Sets Up "Competitive" Fair Where It's The Only Seller
Apparently, the Minneapolis Better Business Bureau is involved and the president of MS is threatening to sue them! Like that will ever happen.

Phil

[Tatooed_Lady]

Hmmm....I recall this saying that starts out "...if it walks like a duck..."  

[LtDan]

Did you notice the foam in the tub? She needs to get on the forum and fix her water.

[Brewman]

The dealer in question is right up the street from my office.  They seem to be one of those places where everyting is always on sale.  
 

[wesj53]

When my wife first began looking at hot tubs, she went to a show also supposedly representing various makes and models. It turned out that a fairly large dealer here in the Chicago area was the sole seller and only had Master and Barefoot spas (Hawkeye Mfg) on the floor.

I had never thought about it until I began reading others talk about similar shows in their areas. I don't think there is necessarily anything wrong with the marketing concept,  but I do think the advertising for such shows should be honest and forthright as to what mfg's products will be displayed. It is curious, however, that the only dealers that seem to market this way are Master dealers.

[drewstar]

When my wife first began looking at hot tubs, she went to a show also supposedly representing various makes and models. It turned out that a fairly large dealer here in the Chicago area was the sole seller and only had Master and Barefoot spas (Hawkeye Mfg) on the floor.

I had never thought about it until I began reading others talk about similar shows in their areas. I don't think there is necessarily anything wrong with the marketing concept,  but I do think the advertising for such shows should be honest and forthright as to what mfg's products will be displayed. It is curious, however, that the only dealers that seem to market this way are Master dealers.

They do it out here in MA as well.

I do think it's misleading, and therefore, wrong. It's not "illegal" but why would anyone want to deal with someone who is intentionaly misleading you?  I agree that I'd think much more of this company if they'd advertised "Come to the MASTER spa show" rather than give you the impressoin is a show full of compeititors.  Since they do this, I wouldn't even consider buying one of their products.

Least we forget also thier road side tent sales?

Or the infamouse Rebate program?

Master spas are shady.

[wmccall]

I do think it's misleading, and therefore, wrong. It's not "illegal" but why would anyone want to deal with someone who is intentionaly misleading you?

I guess colleges everywhere have restructured their marketing courses and deceit is now an acceptable practice.  I rush home every night because I'm expecting a package I ordered that is a gift for my wife for Christmas. I want to get it before she sees it.  I got home last night and the familiar brown and yellow tag is on my door and I'm wondering, did he leave it in back, or I have to go pick it up.  As I get closer is cleary says DELIVERY, but its an add for a mortgage company.  I called them and asked them why I would do business with someone who thinks they have to trick me into it?  No good answer.

[Gary]

That is not the first time that store has been in hot water, they were the focus of the voucher program from Master Spas a few years back.

[Brewman]

I got curious and accessed the Minnesota BBB website and looked up the record of this dealer.  The BBB revoked their membership about 4 months ago, and the reason listed was that they were un-cooperative with the BBB over their advertising.  The BBB contends that their advertising is misleading, and has given them an unsatisfactory rating.  It was an interesting read.


Really, Master may make a fine spa, but the sales tactics just make me wary of the place.  I eliminated it from serious consideration when I was spa shopping, just because of the way they choose to do business.

[hottubdan]

Unfortunately, PT Barnum was right.

[Spiderman]

There was nothing wrong with the spa she bought, right?  She never said anything about being disappointed in the spa itself.  Buyer beware no matter what you buy or where you buy it from.  She really should have done some research before spending a bunch of cash for a high ticket item.

[drewstar]

There was nothing wrong with the spa she bought, right?  She never said anything about being disappointed in the spa itself.  Buyer beware no matter what you buy or where you buy it from.  She really should have done some research before spending a bunch of cash for a high ticket item.

I agree, Buyer Beware, but when a company like Master always seems to be involved in shady or misleading practices, as a consumer, I have no problem saying to hell with them and spreading the word that you can get a better tub at a better price, from a better dealer.  They are shooting themselves in the foot by doing allowing dealers to do this.

[Richs100]

There was nothing wrong with the spa she bought, right?  She never said anything about being disappointed in the spa itself.  Buyer beware no matter what you buy or where you buy it from.  She really should have done some research before spending a bunch of cash for a high ticket item.

Spiderman
I agree that the woman in the report may not have been the most savy consumer, but negotiating price on a hot tub is difficult enough when the playing field is level.  Here, Master Spas deliberately sets up a deceptive and illusory "multiple dealer  environment" specifically to deceive the consumer into thinking their "show" is a competive market place and that the consumer can get a good deal based on that.  Truly despicable and hopefully, illegal.
And I don't care if Master Spas really, truly, made the "Best Tub in the World". I would never knowingly deal with these kind of people.

To paraphrase Comicbook Man on the Simpsons:
WORST.
HOT TUB MAKERS.
EVER.

[Spatech_tuo]

I think Master spas needs to end this type of promotion and just to get themselves squared away and get down to the business of making a quality spa sold in a reputable manner. Heck, they can hire ex-Major League star Mark McGuire as their spokesman. That way whenever anyone wants to dredge up their reputation for the rebate scam or the fake multidealer shows he can say:

"We're not here to talk about the past".

[Brewman]

Kinda makes you wonder what kind of marketing support or guidance Master Spa gives their dealers.  Are they encouraged to engage in these tactics?  
 Seems to be a central theme to these dealers.