Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: abc123 on October 25, 2007, 09:14:13 am
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Please tell me what you own, how old it is, what you looked at, and why you decided on your brand. Honesty please, if it was price just say it, if it was salesperson tell me what they did or mostly what they didn't do. This would greatly help alot of people me included by making it short and sweet in one quick reponse. Thank you in advance.
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I just bought a Jacuzzi J-365 because it was the right therapy at the right price. The first thing that was important to me was that the spa provided the proper hydrotherapy. I also had to feel like I was buying a quality product that would last. It also had to fit in my price range. The Jacuzzi seemed to me to be the best mix of those 3.
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2006 Hot Spring Envoy.
Bought to replace an old Hot Spring Prodigy damaged by a falling tree.
I chose this tub because of the good, long term experience I had with the old tub.
I didn't consider or shop any other tub brands.
Salesperson was straight up with me, no bull, and quoted a discounted, no haggle price (but price was not a big concern to me since this was an issue between the dealer and the insurance company)
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I have an Artesian Captiva. I bought it for several reasons. The dealer has been in business over 20 years and has an excellent reputation. I liked the look of the spa and it had the features we wanted. It felt great during the wet test. It fit our budget.
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Oh sorry, in reference to the salesman. What they didn't do: bash other spas, act like a used car salesman, and most importantly they didn't tell me what I wanted and what I didn't want. I hate that. I think I'm the best judge of what I want.
What they did do: give me directions to another dealer we were going to look at, it was nice and showed their confidence in their product. Answered our questions, but not a whole lot more. They let us look in peace and quiet. Gave us their cellphone numbers in case we had questions when they were closed.
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I have a Marquis Epic '05. I bought it in December of 2005, so we will soon be celebrating 2 years of spatopia! I looked at Coleman, Jacuzzi, Hot Springs, Master, Down East, Caldera and Sundance spas along with the spas offered by Home Depot, Lowes and on line through Wal Mart, before deciding on my tub. My desire to own a hot tub began because I have arthritis from Lyme disease and my doctor, along with others, suggested that the warm water would help.
What we found, as a family, was that the hot tub did much more than help my arthritis. It has become a great place to spend family time. My husband says he would never be without a tub now and as the cooler weather approaches, he doesn't dread winter any more. When we purchased, I wanted to be sure that my whole family could fit and enjoy the spa, so we bought a model much larger than we had originally intended.
The Epic is roomy enough to accomodate all of us (4) and we have had as many as 6 in the tub comfortably. The dealer that I found was excellent and my sales person knew the Epic very well, so when we did our wet test, we knew what we could expect from the tub. The Epic has trizone therapy which is wonderful, but (I think) a bit misunderstood until you get used to it. Our sales person gave excellent information and there was no pressure or deadlines to purchase. She knew the competition well and had literature available so I could readily compare with the other tubs that we were considering. Most importantly, she never had any negative things to say about any other tub manufacturer. One example was the Marquis theory that filtration can be done adequately with one of the large pumps opposed to a circ pump. She presented Marquis method and also helped me to understand more about circ pumps.
The Epic is also large enough for me to do warm water exersize, which is recommended by the Arthritis Foundation, so that was another factor in our choice.
So far, I have had a defective spa light and a problem with my home monitor. Both issues were resolved immediately. I am very happy with the excellent, transferable warranty.
Sorry this wasn't short and sweet, but you asked and I think a short answer wouldn't help you understand WHY I purchased what I did... ;)
Boni
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2007 HS Vanguard, because that is what my wife liked. I think the double moto-massager was the major selling point. Plus the saleswoman was much more informative than any of the local dealers who had competitive brands. (Caldera, horrible, horrible, horrible dealer and L.A. Spa but all they had were some 'off brand' spas (I don't even remember the name)).
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2006 Artesian Piper Glen. Dealer was great...never talked down about the competition, just focussed on the tubs he sold (Artesian and Coleman). The tub actually sold itself before we even got in it for a wet test. When we did wet test, the dealer had us come in after closing and totally left us alone for a long time. We knew we wanted a big tub with a foot dome and 4 corner seats. Jets just hit us where it felt good! :)
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2007 Sundance Cameo. Tub had the best jets for me. Liked the lounger. Also the dealer came recommended from a friend who had purchased a tub off them several years ago. Have had it four months, and not a day goes by that I regret my purchase.
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This is great keep them coming. Bonibelle I didn't mean your replies had to be short and sweet. I meant that it would be a short and sweet place or people to find info fast from actual spa owners and for me to learn from. So thanks for your reponses I very much appreciate it and I'm learning alot from all of you.
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Nordic crown Xl. Its deep and runs great. It also has a great company behind it.
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Jacuzzi J-315. We wanted a small tub for the two of us and a lounger. The tub had to be good for my 6' 5" husband and me at 5' 4". The first store we went to sold several brands of tubs but was pushing a certain brand. Salesman was preoccupied, but he did take our phone number...never heard a word from him and he mis-quoted an amount when we later went in to check on some figures. The Jacuzzi store was smaller and more relaxing in general. No high pressure, but the sales person admitted she had just started work there and was not very well informed. Even the manager was not the best on answering questions about comparing models, but they did not put other dealers down, etc. Wet test and we were sold due to the great size...has 2 seats and one lounger. We have been in heaven since the day we had it installed!!
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This will sound bad and bias but hey I sell Jacuzzi!! ;) So I dont own a spa and at some point I will, but just not ready for one yet nor is the landscaping around the house. We have only lived there a couple of years on 6 acres so lots of work little time. That and I only live about 8 minutes from the store and I have 3 different ones running so I can take my pick when I come to soak or bring the 2 kids down for a retreat.
Now I can take any spa I want home for free and have in the past just not this year, then sell it in the Spring for a discount which is a cool deal! For me I would choose the Jacuzzi J-345 this spa just works great for me, nice size fits 4 very comfortably, has fantastic therapy and a fair price for the consumer. Many name brands I believe are over priced for what you get! Just because its expensive doesnt mean its better,and yes Jacuzzi is guilty of this also in some cases. My next choice would be the J-470 for the same reasons of the J-345 only a bit bigger and a few more jets.
Like others have said some is the manufacturer, but more than that it has to fit your needs and budget and be something you are confident in and that you know you made the right choice for your needs!!
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A 2006 Jacuzzi J345.
Simply put: it's the best bang for your buck, imo.
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I have a Caldera Niagara. Have owned it since October last year. Love it. The main seat has a neck blaster, calf jets and hand jets....that seat is why I bought it. I wet tested 5 differnt tubs. The only thing I might change is to have a full lounger. I tub alone or with my son most of the time. I think I might of liked it. But overall...love it.
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Bullfrog 451, purchased from a family run dealer that has been in business for 25 years. Dealt with both husband and wife on the sale of the tub, they didn't talk about their competition at all, just spent time talking about their product. I now also use them for our pool supplies and all chemicals except for the Taylor kit I ordered from Doc.
We have had the tub for a year and a half and are both very happy. We also looked at Hot Springs, Caldera, Elite, Coleman and Catalina. We decided on the Bullfrog because we both felt it was a well made, well insulated tub that had the backing of a long standing dealer behind it.
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Bought a Caldera Niagara very recently, hoping for delivery in about 2 weeks (waiting for work on the house to be complete). We wet tested Hot Springs, Sundance, Jacuzzi, Artesian and Vita along with Caldera. Wanted 4 corner seats and a family sized tub. Went with Caldera for several reasons, in order of importance: jet placement (Niagara has neck jets in one incredible 'captains seat'), Manufacturer reputation (most above brands qualified here), Sales team (very open, up front), and value.
Can't wait to join the rest of these folks in Spatopia...
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Caldera C-45 - It was delivered two days ago after a comparison of Jacuzzi, D-1, Hot Springs and many others. What sold us on wet tests were the height of the seats in the Caldera. Most of the spa seats were too low and it felt like we were sitting with our knees up to our chin. The neck jets, but most importantly, the strength of the water flow for therapy for a deep tissue massage seemed better than most. Caldera has a fantastic reputation and the salesman and dealer were very knowledgeable and accomodating. On top of this, the price was very competitive.
Tony
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I've got a used 05 Envoy... had it for 2 years, so it was basically new when I got it. I was a bargain shopper and looked for a long long time (well over a year, seriously... 1/2 seriously for 2 more). I looked at Caldera, Marquis, Hot Spring, and Jacuzzi. I probably could have been happy with any of them... but I got an unbelievable deal and couldn't be happier. The tub fits my short self rather well and it has had a wonderful effect on married life I wasn't expecting. ;)
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Our first tub was a Hot Spring Jetsetter. We bought it for several reasons: Moto-massage DX jet, 100% no by-pass filtration, energy efficiency, overall "look" or appearance and reputation of a high quality product. Our 2nd tub is also a Hot Spring.
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. The tub fits my short self rather well and it has had a wonderful effect on married life I wasn't expecting. ;)
And here, me as a newbie, I thought your avatar was your husband/ex being swallowed by a shark.....guess I read that one wrong! Sorry!
The Doob
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Caldera C-45 - It was delivered two days ago after a comparison of Jacuzzi, D-1, Hot Springs and many others. What sold us on wet tests were the height of the seats in the Caldera. Most of the spa seats were too low and it felt like we were sitting with our knees up to our chin. The neck jets, but most importantly, the strength of the water flow for therapy for a deep tissue massage seemed better than most. Caldera has a fantastic reputation and the salesman and dealer were very knowledgeable and accomodating. On top of this, the price was very competitive.
Tony
The C-45 seemed like a lot of tub for the money. It was one that I looked at and liked but didn't get to wet test because my dealer had a Geneva wet not the c45. I strayed from the C series because it is a first model year and it wasn't in all dealerships or on the website. But I must say, it does have very powerful jets, excellent hydrotherapy for the lower back, a comfy lounger that you don't float out if, and a lot of tub for the money. What did you pay? I had a deal for $7500 but I passed on it for the reasons I listed above. Nonetheless, I bet you are gonna enjoy that tub!
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The C-45 seemed like a lot of tub for the money. It was one that I looked at and liked but didn't get to wet test because my dealer had a Geneva wet not the c45. I strayed from the C series because it is a first model year and it wasn't in all dealerships or on the website. But I must say, it does have very powerful jets, excellent hydrotherapy for the lower back, a comfy lounger that you don't float out if, and a lot of tub for the money. What did you pay? I had a deal for $7500 but I passed on it for the reasons I listed above. Nonetheless, I bet you are gonna enjoy that tub!
Solo
What did you end up getting??
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Solo
What did you end up getting??
My Jacuzzi J-365 will be delivered on Sunday. The electrician comes on Monday morning and I should be in hot water Monday night!
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My Jacuzzi J-365 will be delivered on Sunday. The electrician comes on Monday morning and I should be in hot water Monday night!
Sweet deal :)
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Solo:
I paid a year end clearance price of $6,200 plus tax including cover, chemicals, steps, inside floating cover, subpanel with GFI breaker, and a credit for not getting the cover lifter as I wanted a lower profile cover when open than the dealer stocked. The C-45 is almost identical to the Caldera Geneva except it does not have a 24 hr circulating pump, lights on the outside and waterfall light, and has a differecnt control panel due to no circ pump, and two less jets. It DOES HAVE a Monarch CD ozonater and same warranty as the Geneva. Another dealer offered one for $6,700. I had a Calspa a few years back with no 24 hr circulating pump and frankly do not see a real need for the circ pump as the chemical and ozonator can handle the job quite easily. I think the C-45 is the best buy on the market.
Tony
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Solo:
I paid a year end clearance price of $6,200 plus tax including cover, chemicals, steps, inside floating cover, subpanel with GFI breaker, and a credit for not getting the cover lifter as I wanted a lower profile cover when open than the dealer stocked. The C-45 is almost identical to the Caldera Geneva except it does not have a 24 hr circulating pump, lights on the outside and waterfall light, and has a differecnt control panel due to no circ pump, and two less jets. It DOES HAVE a Monarch CD ozonater and same warranty as the Geneva. Another dealer offered one for $6,700. I had a Calspa a few years back with no 24 hr circulating pump and frankly do not see a real need for the circ pump as the chemical and ozonator can handle the job quite easily. I think the C-45 is the best buy on the market.
Tony
Yes, I agree. That is a LOT of spa for $6200. Had my dealer been offering it at that price, I may have rethought my position. Nonetheless, I do think I ended up with ther right tub. I can't wait for it to be delivered.
Happy Soaking!
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Yes, I agree. That is a LOT of spa for $6200. Had my dealer been offering it at that price, I may have rethought my position. Nonetheless, I do think I ended up with ther right tub. I can't wait for it to be delivered.
Happy Soaking!
Pics,pics,pics :) :) :) 8-)
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I have a 2004 Sundance Cameo -- it's my 2nd Sundance and I couldn't be happier - great service from lthe local dealer and a nice product!!! Good Luck --- try them all out wet if you can it might make a difference!
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Marquis U630...we looked at Jacuzzi, Sundance, Hot Springs, Caldera, D1 and Garden Leisure. Wet tested Hot Spring, D1, and Sundance. We actually liked the Sundance too, espcially the foot well. Went with the Marquis because of the price (around $7500), right size, color combination, and it didn't have the foot well (thought that it might get in our way).
We use the tub almost every night and it's been a good tub. I still sometimes wonder if we would have liked the Sundance...but I am someone who always gets some serious buyer's remorse. ::)
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2006 Sundance Optima. We wet tested Hot Spring, Jacuzzi, Caldera and Arctic as well. The size and layout of the Optima are perfect for our family of 4 (and occasional friends, relatives etc). It has a variety of seat depths so our 9 and 14 year old can soak without fighting to stay put. Really liked the Calderas also. The Caldera price was over 1K cheaper however both times we wet tested the Optima we said 'this is the one'. So we splurged and went with that one that spoke to us. Also, Sundance dealer was extremely low key, very informative, no pressure, no bad mouthing other brands.
It's been installed just over a year and no problem whatsoever. Only regret is not springing for the stereo ;)
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thanks to all who shared you as always have been a great help. :)