Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Kaisermust on August 16, 2007, 06:47:57 am
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Looking to buy our first hot tub. I agree, wet testing sounds great but where do you all live that your dealers offer wet testing? We live in upstate New York and spa shopping has been a huge challenge. First of all it's very hard to find even a dealer around who might carry a particular brand of spa you are considering--we've traveled over 75 miles to view a certain make. Then all the dealers in our area only have a few tubs on their salesfloor. If you're lucky enough to find and see the exact model you want you can only sit in it dry. The dealers might have one tub (usually a 7-8 person model) filled with water but how does that help me when I'm shopping for a 4-5 person tub? All of you say wet test before buying but I was wondering where you all live that you have had the opportunity to wet test? Many of you have even said that when you narrowed your choice down to one or two you wet-tested them both then decided which one to buy. Can't do that in our area. We're lucky if we can sit in it dry after being lucky enough to find the model we think we want to buy on the salesfloor. Have any of you asked a dealer to fill a tub up so you can wet test it? Have other new spa shoppers been as frustrated as we are trying to even get to see the models they're potentially interested in, let alone have an opportunity to actually try them out with water in them, running??? Our only hot tub experiences have been at hotels we vacation at.
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where in upstate are you?
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Wet testing is a good idea, but many people get a spa without doing it, according to a lot of posts here, and discussions I've had with some of our local dealers.
If you can't do it, you can't do it. Do what you can to at least view your actual model up close, and even dry testing. Lots of spas get sold that way, I'm told.
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I live in the STL and wet testing was only denied in 1 of the 8 dealers I visited.
I personally wouldn't buy a spa w/o a test soak or two but that's just me. It's like buying a car w/o test driving it. No way.
If I were you I'd let them know that you're extremely serious about buying a spa and that you refuse to buy one from them if you can't wet test. If they still deny you, you probably don't want to do business with them anyway. It's really not that big of a deal for them to move spas around to make things happen. They do it all the time.
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Probably less than 10% of our customers wet test.
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Not all dealers give you the ability to wet test. It makes it a bit more difficult to determine which spa is best for you but as an alternative, I would suggest to ANY dealer that doesn't give you the chance to wet test prior to the purchase, that they give a full 30 day exchange or refund gurantee in writing.
Selling a spa which isn't right for you personally, doesn't provide any benefit to you or the dealer. Word of mouth is a tool all dealers rely heavily on and if you're not satisfied with your purchase, it can be a costly mistake for all involved.
Not many of us will purchase a car without a test drive so the thought of buying something so focused on personal comfort and therapy without trying it first seems crazy. As hottubdan said though, very few do it and that is a reality even though you read it here all the time that you should. When I was in retail, the number was closer to 3-5% if that.
Steve
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I had no problem wet testing in Orange county New York
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Probably less than 10% of our customers wet test.
I am extremely surprised to see that. Wet testing I always thought was the norm. :-/
(Another day, something new learned)
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Probably less than 10% of our customers wet test.
So are the 90% happy with the tub they picked out??
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So are the 90% happy with the tub they picked out??
By and large, yes.
If people get a good brand they are usually satisfied.
People like warm water and jets. People like reliability and energy effiency. People like ease of operationand care. If they haven't wet tested how do they know they might have liked one model vs. another?
They love what they have at home! ;)
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By and large, yes.
If people get a good brand they are usually satisfied.
People like warm water and jets. People like reliability and energy effiency. People like ease of operationand care. If they haven't wet tested how do they know they might have liked one model vs. another?
They love what they have at home! ;)
[/quote]
Thats true. :)
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We probably have about 2-3% of customers actually wet test. I always have 8 or 9 spas that are hot, wet, and ready. I have a private room, towels, swimsuits, hidden cameras, robes, beer, wine, and bottled water available, but most folks just don't feel the need to try them out.
These folks bought a HotSpring Jetsetter without wet testing:
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/EastTexasSpa/DSC03914.jpg)
These folks just got back from Hawaii, came straight from the airport (still had their swimsuits on), tried out the Grandee, Vista, and Envoy....and bought the Grandee:
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/EastTexasSpa/DSC03915.jpg)
I wish more people test soaked. I'd sell a whole lot more spas!
Terminator
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We probably have about 2-3% of customers actually wet test. I always have 8 or 9 spas that are hot, wet, and ready.
So I have to ask -- does it make economic sense to keep all those tubs hot and clean? Must cost ~$200/month? Lets say you just had them on the showroom in a dry configuration -- do you think it would change your sales numbers at all?
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So I have to ask -- does it make economic sense to keep all those tubs hot and clean? Must cost ~$200/month? Lets say you just had them on the showroom in a dry configuration -- do you think it would change your sales numbers at all?
It may only be single digits that wet test but the salesperson always wants to show off one or more of their spas running in their sales presentation so the customer can feel the jets from outside, see the lighting effect, waterfalls etc. If the customer only had dry ones to look at you'd loose a lot of sales IMO.
I’ve done sales before and you can go over the different spas and talk about features, sizes, etc. but when you say “and we have 3 spas running in our mood room if you’d like to see what we’re talking about” you often see people perk up with the knowledge that they can see one in operation. Often that’s enough for them to make the leap from interest to decision. I think half the reason people don’t wet test is humility but everyone wants to see it running.
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So I have to ask -- does it make economic sense to keep all those tubs hot and clean? Must cost ~$200/month? Lets say you just had them on the showroom in a dry configuration -- do you think it would change your sales numbers at all?
I believe it is one of the biggest advantages we have against the competition (that, and having the very best spas in the world).
Here in good ol' East Texas, people wanting to buy a spa can go to the swimming pool store down the road and see 4 or 5 Bullfrog Spas with one of them running. Or, they can go to another swimming pool store and see 2 CalSpas and 1 Nordic spa with no water in them. Or, they can go to another swimming pool store and see 3 Sunbelt Spas with only 1 up and running. Or they can go to the swimming pool store in Kilgore and see 5 Dynasty Spas and a Coleman Spa with 1 up and running.
When they come through my door, they detect a light scent of Lime and Coconut essential oil wafting through the air. Seven beautifully lighted and accented spas are arrayed before them in a convenient pattern which allows them to peruse the merchandise in a comfortable manner. Their charming and debonair guide appears from behind the door with a warm smile and affable demeanor, welcoming them to his establishment and imploring them to make themselves at home. They are encouraged to step out onto the spacious deck and view our larger spas, to feel the power of the jets and the reassuring embrace of perfectly sanitized and temperate water. A beverage of varying potency is offered for their refreshment and the shopkeep regales them with tales of happy customers and life events. They are invited to visit the Mood Room and sample the pleasures contained therein, surrounded by the melifluous tones emanating from the SpAudio II soundsystem and the dulcit, honeydripped voicings of the proprietor.
My gosh, need I go on?
Term
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My gosh, need I go on?
Do you have any in orange? ::)
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Do you have any in orange? ::)
Possibly, it's more of a copper than orange. I can probably get you an Envoy in that color.
Terminator
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My gosh, need I go on?
Term
I think I just bought another Envoy......
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I believe it is one of the biggest advantages we have against the competition (that, and having the very best spas in the world).
Here in good ol' East Texas, people wanting to buy a spa can go to the swimming pool store down the road and see 4 or 5 Bullfrog Spas with one of them running. Or, they can go to another swimming pool store and see 2 CalSpas and 1 Nordic spa with no water in them. Or, they can go to another swimming pool store and see 3 Sunbelt Spas with only 1 up and running. Or they can go to the swimming pool store in Kilgore and see 5 Dynasty Spas and a Coleman Spa with 1 up and running.
When they come through my door, they detect a light scent of Lime and Coconut essential oil wafting through the air. Seven beautifully lighted and accented spas are arrayed before them in a convenient pattern which allows them to peruse the merchandise in a comfortable manner. Their charming and debonair guide appears from behind the door with a warm smile and affable demeanor, welcoming them to his establishment and imploring them to make themselves at home. They are encouraged to step out onto the spacious deck and view our larger spas, to feel the power of the jets and the reassuring embrace of perfectly sanitized and temperate water. A beverage of varying potency is offered for their refreshment and the shopkeep regales them with tales of happy customers and life events. They are invited to visit the Mood Room and sample the pleasures contained therein, surrounded by the melifluous tones emanating from the SpAudio II soundsystem and the dulcit, honeydripped voicings of the proprietor.
My gosh, need I go on?
Term
Term Where do i put my signature :)
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Ya'll are making me blush... :-[ :D
Great news! Our security cameras are up and running at the store and able to be viewed from the internet, so ya'll can sit back and watch the trained monkey do his best spa selling live and in color...the good, the bad, and the titillating. This means you all get to paticipate in our VIP parties vicariously and see my crazy customers showing their bosoms in real time and in color.
I'll post the link once I get all the security checks in place.
Term
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Great news! Our security cameras are up and running at the store and able to be viewed from the internet, so ya'll can sit back and watch the trained monkey do his best spa selling live and in color...the good, the bad, and the titillating. This means you all get to paticipate in our VIP parties vicariously and see my crazy customers showing their bosoms in real time and in color.
I'll post the link once I get all the security checks in place.
Term [/quote]
Now your Talking :)
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I believe it is one of the biggest advantages we have against the competition (that, and having the very best spas in the world).
Here in good ol' East Texas, people wanting to buy a spa can go to the swimming pool store down the road and see 4 or 5 Bullfrog Spas with one of them running. Or, they can go to another swimming pool store and see 2 CalSpas and 1 Nordic spa with no water in them. Or, they can go to another swimming pool store and see 3 Sunbelt Spas with only 1 up and running. Or they can go to the swimming pool store in Kilgore and see 5 Dynasty Spas and a Coleman Spa with 1 up and running.
When they come through my door, they detect a light scent of Lime and Coconut essential oil wafting through the air. Seven beautifully lighted and accented spas are arrayed before them in a convenient pattern which allows them to peruse the merchandise in a comfortable manner. Their charming and debonair guide appears from behind the door with a warm smile and affable demeanor, welcoming them to his establishment and imploring them to make themselves at home. They are encouraged to step out onto the spacious deck and view our larger spas, to feel the power of the jets and the reassuring embrace of perfectly sanitized and temperate water. A beverage of varying potency is offered for their refreshment and the shopkeep regales them with tales of happy customers and life events. They are invited to visit the Mood Room and sample the pleasures contained therein, surrounded by the melifluous tones emanating from the SpAudio II soundsystem and the dulcit, honeydripped voicings of the proprietor.
My gosh, need I go on?
Term
Well played good sir!
Personally, I couldn't WAIT to wet test. My wife and I's first test was actually at the state fair if you can believe it -- we jumped in and the sales guy was so excited he started hooting and hollering to whoever would listen "WE'RE WET TESTING SPAS OVER HERE!" Luckily it was 20 minutes before fair-closing time so there wasn't much of a crowd... :D
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Ya'll are making me blush... :-[ :D
Great news! Our security cameras are up and running at the store and able to be viewed from the internet, so ya'll can sit back and watch the trained monkey do his best spa selling live and in color...the good, the bad, and the titillating. This means you all get to paticipate in our VIP parties vicariously and see my crazy customers showing their bosoms in real time and in color.
I'll post the link once I get all the security checks in place.
Term
I'll take the yearly full access membership. That way my wife won't see monthly charges on our CC statement.
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When they come through my door, they detect a light scent of Lime and Coconut essential oil wafting through the air. Seven beautifully lighted and accented spas are arrayed before them in a convenient pattern which allows them to peruse the merchandise in a comfortable manner. Their charming and debonair guide appears from behind the door with a warm smile and affable demeanor, welcoming them to his establishment and imploring them to make themselves at home. They are encouraged to step out onto the spacious deck and view our larger spas, to feel the power of the jets and the reassuring embrace of perfectly sanitized and temperate water. A beverage of varying potency is offered for their refreshment and the shopkeep regales them with tales of happy customers and life events. They are invited to visit the Mood Room and sample the pleasures contained therein, surrounded by the melifluous tones emanating from the SpAudio II soundsystem and the dulcit, honeydripped voicings of the proprietor.
My gosh, need I go on?
Term
Okay, that's all well and good, but when do they get to pull out the guns and start shootin' stuff?
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I agree with Term. Seeing is believing. We only went to three places to look at spas.
The first, there was only one salesman on duty, so he could not leave the other customers to help us, which I do understand, but we didn't want to wait for who knows how long, so we left. Two tubs were filled.
The second, the two people who were there were too busy doing who knows what, we had to ask for one of them to help us, the fellow gave us some brochures and said if we had any questions to let him know. So we left after a few minutes. No tubs filled.
The third was the charm. We walked in and a nice young lady greeted us, and showed us the hot tubs ( all filled buy the way), 11 of them. We looked around and saw a few we liked. We kept going back to the HS Prodigy, it was filled, but we didn't want to go in and wet test because I have a hard time getting in and out of things with my arthritis, so she turned on the jets, we felt the jets, and saw the water swirl around, and we were sold. Gave a deposit right then and there. And have not been sorry, we just love it.
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Okay, that's all well and good, but when do they get to pull out the guns and start shootin' stuff?
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/EastTexasSpa/DSC02697.jpg)
Anytime they like! Shortspark here had his choice of a Walther P-99 9mm, a Sig-Sauer P220 .45, or the Bushmaster AR-15 .223. He chose the Walther. There are always empty beer bottles about.
Term
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I believe it is one of the biggest advantages we have against the competition (that, and having the very best spas in the world).
Just a quote from someone that stated it well... ;)
Welcome aboard and thanks for bringing the right attitude. The more we can get people to talk about their product without using the word "best", the better off this site will be.
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We are waaaaay upstate in Rochester. We wet tested Hot Spring, Caldera, Jacuzzi, Arctic and Sundance and there may have been another brand. We also drove to Buffalo to look at Artesians but they didn't have the model we were insterested in. I was so glad I heard about wet testing here before we started shopping. A couple of the tubs we loved dry simply did not work well for us in the wet test (seats too deep, could not stay seated, etc). And surprisingly, a tub I was not overly impressed with dry testing made the 'short list' after wet testing.
Better to know whether it works for before dropping that kind of money! Definitely wet test if you can. If a dealer has a number of tubs but none are set up to wet test I would steer clear. It's the equivalent of car shopping and the dealer letting you sit in the cars, but not test drive. I'm sure they have reasons but to me as a consumer, it makes no sense when you are spending 5-10K.
Edited to add... when the dealers have had a larger tub filled for wet testing have you asked about the possibility of them filling the model you are interested in?
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I would never have ALL of my tubs filled. Sitting in it dry is part of the sales/buying process and as we've seen, very few people actually wet test.
If there's a model you are interested in but it's dry, most dealers will fill that spa for you. You may need to give them a day or 2 to get it ready for you but throwing a sump pump in and changing the wiring over can be done in most instances. I wouldn't loose a sale by not doing it for a potential customer...
Some really good insight in that post of yours about wet testing and how some tubs can be different once filled. I'm sure that's helpful to many people in the same stage of shopping!
Steve
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Back to Kaisermust's problem. You can't be too far from a metropolitan area. With a little planning you should be able to test several tubs in a day and more if you make it a weekend. Get the numbers of spa dealers in the city of your choice from the on line yellow pages. Make the necessary calls and set up appointments for a given day or two.
BTW I'm in the Buffalo area and had the opportunity to test several tubs.
The dealer I just purchased from had several models on the floor filled and ready to test, but not the model I was interested in. He happily got the rtub ready for a test when I called a few days later. That effort sealed the deal.
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Just my 2 cents.
We recently decided to buy a hot tub and looked at around 5 brands. I was determined not to buy a tub until wet testing because I had been in several of our friends and liked various things about each one better than others. In the end we narrowed it down to two models and were ready to purchase one. Just by chance located a previously unknown to me Jacuzzi dealer very close by (they had just opened) and when we wet tested the Jacuzzi J470 my wife and I were immediatly sold. We have had the tub for about a month now and are very pleased with our decision. I am sure we would have been happy with the other tub as well, but the deciding factor was being able to actually test the tub out. We were looking for specific features and feel in the tub, specifically the jets and seats. IMHO wet testing is the only way to get a good feel for those features.
Good Luck!