Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Rein91 on December 23, 2007, 08:49:38 pm

Title: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Rein91 on December 23, 2007, 08:49:38 pm
Thanks for the great advice everyone.  Today went and ordered the 08 vanguard.  The dealer told me pricing would increase 1/1 and I could lock price with a refundable deposit if I change my mind later.  
Best deal I could get was 9K for tub, cover, lifter, steps, freshIII ozone and install.  Told me tub would not be in until end of Feb, but was going to wait until Mar/Apr anyway.

Other than a thermometer anything else I need or should ask for?

NE Ohio
Marty

Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: hottubdan on December 23, 2007, 09:22:52 pm
Quote
Thanks for the great advice everyone.   The dealer told me pricing would increase 1/1


NE Ohio
Marty


What does that mean?
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Brookenstein on December 23, 2007, 09:41:26 pm
Jan 1 maybe?
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Spiderman on December 23, 2007, 09:43:49 pm
Quote
Jan 1 maybe?

I agree
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Rein91 on December 24, 2007, 12:35:39 am
meaning there will be a price increase Jan 1st  
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Gomboman on December 24, 2007, 01:50:49 am
Congrats on the spa Rein91. You'll really like the Vanguard. Why do you need a thermometer?
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Scaramanga on December 24, 2007, 01:59:22 am
Dittos on the Vanguard being an excellent choice.  The open seating provides comfort without sacrificing precious real estate.  Congrats.  
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Chad on December 24, 2007, 03:18:08 am
Quote
Why do you need a thermometer?
Gombo, I'm under the assumption that he wants to be able see the actual temperature of the spa water.
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Repeat_Offender on December 24, 2007, 07:19:01 pm
A 9 thousand dollar tub doesn't have a digital temp readout on the display?
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Richs100 on December 24, 2007, 10:19:14 pm
Quote
A 9 thousand dollar tub doesn't have a digital temp readout on the display?

No it doesn't.  But my $8.00 floating duck came with a thermometer stuck up his butt, so I'm good.
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Spatech_tuo on December 24, 2007, 10:25:50 pm
Quote
A 9 thousand dollar tub doesn't have a digital temp readout on the display?

Someone talked about a jumper to allow this. Not sure who though.
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Spiderman on December 26, 2007, 03:01:38 pm
Quote

Someone talked about a jumper to allow this. Not sure who though.

Yes, you can move one jumper in the control box and it will then display both the set temp and the actual temp.
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Richs100 on December 26, 2007, 03:57:50 pm
Quote

Yes, you can move one jumper in the control box and it will then display both the set temp and the actual temp.

I'd like my tub to do that.
But how does it display both?  

If its not too complicated, I would like to try it on my tub.
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Chad on December 26, 2007, 09:29:19 pm
Quote

I'd like my tub to do that.
But how does it display both?  

If its not too complicated, I would like to try it on my tub.

This is the second time in a few months this has come up and yet no one has come forth with the directions. So since I'm really bored, I spent the last hour trying to find the answer myself. After a lot of Google searching, I found a recent post by our own Chas on another forum that explains how to do it. Here it is-
http://www.poolspaforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=9959
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Chas on December 27, 2007, 09:50:43 am
"Our own Chas"


I like that.


 ;) ;)


 8-)
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Chad on December 27, 2007, 10:11:52 am
Yeah I thought it was pretty cool that after all that searching you were the only one with the answer. I guess you really are worthy of the  8-) after all your posts. ;)
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: BauerN on December 27, 2007, 07:36:11 pm
Make sure you get a start-up chemical kit, chemical instructions, and basic info on operation.
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Jacuzzi Jim on December 27, 2007, 08:00:09 pm
 Std on a Jacuzzi.     I would have expected more from a HS.   8-)  :)
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Chad on December 29, 2007, 09:05:33 am
Rich or any of the other HS spa owner's, have you made the jumper change yet?
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Richs100 on December 29, 2007, 12:10:51 pm
Since I'm under warranty, I'm a little afraid of messing with the innerds.  Plus, I've got my floating duck with the thermometer up his/her butt, so I'm good at the moment.

.....maybe I'll get Jacuzzi Jim to do it for me.   ;D ;)

or I may get brave next time I have the front off.
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Repeat_Offender on December 29, 2007, 02:22:35 pm
Quote
Std on a Jacuzzi.     I would have expected more from a HS.   8-)  :)

Standard on my humble Bullfrog as well....
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: cburk0677 on December 31, 2007, 10:21:26 am
I don't see the point in knowing the current temp of the water. Unless you just refilled your tub and want to watch the water heat up??? Once the tub is up and running the set temp will be the current temp of the water. My vanguard does an awesome job at maintaining water temp even when it is very cold out side and the cover has been off for extended periods of time.

Maybe this would be useful on a tub with a crappy heater but for normal use I don't see the point as the current temp and set temp would be exactly the same. It's already been stated multiple times on this forum that it is more cost effective to set your tub at your desired temp instead of having the tub do a lot of heating before you want to use it.
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Repeat_Offender on December 31, 2007, 11:34:57 am
Quote
Maybe this would be useful on a tub with a crappy heater but for normal use I don't see the point as the current temp and set temp would be exactly the same.

When you set the temp in house for heat or ac do you assume the temp is equal to the setpoint or do you check the temp on the display?

Isn't the idea of setting your spa to 102 to have the water at 102? if your water was 100 or 104 instead, wouldn't you want to know that?
Aside from providing the current temp at a glance it can be used as a diagnostic tool to measure rate of temp loss or change. I know I keep my tub at a different temp in the warmer months than I do in the dead of winter. I want to confirm that.



Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Cyn on December 31, 2007, 11:36:29 am
Quote
I don't see the point in knowing the current temp of the water. Unless you just refilled your tub and want to watch the water heat up??? Once the tub is up and running the set temp will be the current temp of the water. My vanguard does an awesome job at maintaining water temp even when it is very cold out side and the cover has been off for extended periods of time.

Maybe this would be useful on a tub with a crappy heater but for normal use I don't see the point as the current temp and set temp would be exactly the same. It's already been stated multiple times on this forum that it is more cost effective to set your tub at your desired temp instead of having the tub do a lot of heating before you want to use it.

The point might be to show when your tub is malfunctioning.  And my current temp is not the set temp.  My tub, as per the instruction book, drops to about 1.5 degrees below the set temp before the heater goes on and it warms it to about a half a degree above the set temp before the heater goes off.  Very similar to home furnaces  Why have a current temp reading on your thermostat from what you are saying.  I do not put my water at 104, mostly because at times I open the top and it is 105, current temp, and I am not even crazy about 104 as a current temp.  Or, set at 103, the current temp can drop to 101.5 and I want it at 103, so I wait for the warm up...occasionally setting the temp at 104 at that point to kick the heater on.  
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: cburk0677 on December 31, 2007, 11:41:29 am
I didn't think about being able to notice a heater malfunction. Good point.
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Chad on December 31, 2007, 12:08:43 pm
Quote
I don't see the point in knowing the current temp of the water. Unless you just refilled your tub and want to watch the water heat up??? Once the tub is up and running the set temp will be the current temp of the water. My vanguard does an awesome job at maintaining water temp even when it is very cold out side and the cover has been off for extended periods of time.

Maybe this would be useful on a tub with a crappy heater but for normal use I don't see the point as the current temp and set temp would be exactly the same. It's already been stated multiple times on this forum that it is more cost effective to set your tub at your desired temp instead of having the tub do a lot of heating before you want to use it.
It doesn't matter what tub you own, the actual temp can/will vary 2 degrees from the set temp in either direction. This makes a huge difference imo and probably most other people as well. Btw, just because your green light is on doesn't mean your set temp and actual temp are the exact same.
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: AstaLaVista on December 31, 2007, 02:32:01 pm
Tell me about it... my Vista is set at 99* right now... in northern New England!  It feels as hot as my Tiger River did at 102*!  I think there has to be variences from each thermostat.  When I have my Vista set at 101* it is uncomfortable and I can't stay in for any length of time... I can not imagine soaking in it at 104*.  So whether my thermostat is off or not doesn't matter... I know that I am comfortable in the tub...and it always stays in a range that the green light stays lit..never once has the water cooled off.  ... for what it is worth.. I think I would still like to know what the actual temp is reading....   ::)
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: 92tiger on January 02, 2008, 06:50:02 pm
Rein91,

My wife and I started our search a couple of weeks ago.  We wet tested a Sundance Optima and a Hot Springs Vanguard.  Out of those two, we really liked the Vanguard.  We set a budget of $9,000.00 (tub, steps, cover, start-up chemicals, and delivery).

We live in Texas and asked the HS dealer for a quote on the Vanguard - here it is broken down:
- Spa w/tax - $9,737.09
- Cover w/tax - $270.63
- Steps w/tax - $189.43
- "Basic" delivery - $275.00 (No setup other than electrical connection / no chemicals / no orientation)
- Grand Total with taxes - $10,472.15

That put the Vanguard just out of our $9,000.00 budget.  I was advised that there was a price increase of $500.00 on the Vanguard for 2008.  When I asked if the HS prices in Texas were higher than in other parts of the US, I was advised that HS prices are the same across the country.  The HS salesman advised us that the Prodigy would be in our budget, but that tub was really small for us.  We are both over 6'0".

We are planning to test the Jacuzzi J-365 in the next day or two.

I really did like the Vanguard, but I do need to stick to my budget.  My question is this, If I went in and offered $9,000.00 cash, are dealers more likely to bargain?

Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Spatech_tuo on January 02, 2008, 07:17:37 pm
Quote
I really did like the Vanguard, but I do need to stick to my budget.  My question is this, If I went in and offered $9,000.00 cash, are dealers more likely to bargain?


Lay it out like you did here and tell him you need their best deal or you're off to a competitor. Due it in a matter of fact way with a smile and without slamming it in his face like you hold the trump card and you may have a chance to get what you want.

"Here's where I stand. I really like the Vanguard but it is beyond my budget of $9k. I looked at the Prodigy but it just won't work. If I can get the Vanguard for $9k I'll buy it right now (a key statement) but I'm already stretching it at $9k so I can't go beyond my budget. If you can't sell it to me for that price for whatever reason I understand but I'll have no choice but to look elsewhere if that's the case."

He'll either 1) hold to his price and you'll know where you stand, 2) make a counter offer and at that point you'd have to decide if you can meet him part way, 3) decide that your offer works versus no sale at all.
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: 92tiger on January 02, 2008, 09:34:37 pm
Thanks Spatech t.u.o,

The J-365 has some tough competition with the Vanguard, but we are going into the wet test with open minds.  If the Vanguard comes out on top, I'll take your advise when I go into purchase the tub.  Again, thanks for the input.
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Scaramanga on January 03, 2008, 12:42:39 am
Quote
I was advised that there was a price increase of $500.00 on the Vanguard for 2008.
BULLSH**T

Quote
When I asked if the HS prices in Texas were higher than in other parts of the US, I was advised that HS prices are the same across the country.
BULLSH**T

Quote
The HS salesman advised us that the Prodigy would be in our budget
BULLSH**T
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: East_TX_Spa on January 03, 2008, 11:26:41 am
The Vanguard is not having a $500 increase.  Whoever told you that is full of baloney.

Every spa is not sold at the same price across the country.  Each dealer can sell the spa for the price they need to maintain their profit margins in order to keep their stores solvent.

The Prodigy should sell for around $7K without accessories.

Covers are included with the spas.  Cover lifters are extra.

Terminator
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: IL Parrothead on January 03, 2008, 11:37:40 am
Hey Term, any new Hydrotherapy Techs for the New Year?   :-?
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: East_TX_Spa on January 03, 2008, 12:26:54 pm
Quote
Hey Term, any new Hydrotherapy Techs for the New Year?   :-?

By cracky, the boat show and home show are coming up in about 3 weeks and I need to start recruiting!

During December, we had some spas set up out at the mall.  There was a young woman working at the hat store that had a figure straight out of a comic book.  I am trying to come up wif a way to approach her and ask if she would like to work wif us at different events, but my speech impediment makes it very hard for me to communicate wif young, purdy gals.  That, along wif my droopy eyelid and unsightly body hair seems to scare them a bit to the point of calling security.

However, to try and please you and the other members of this forum, I will gird up my loin and put forth my best effort in an attempt to secure her services.

Term  
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: ndabunka on January 04, 2008, 02:38:31 pm
Quote
I need to start recruiting... a figure straight out of a comic book....
Term  

The ONLY girl in a comic book I could think of while reading this was Olive Oil.  You know, pencil-thin.  Not the kind that would be best in that role but you never know, maybe Term's idea of a comic book character is Wonder Women or Jessica Rabbit (but those are both TV/video representations so...
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: hottubdan on January 04, 2008, 03:32:33 pm
Actually there is a price increase for 2008.  Since there is no standard national price, an individual dealer could have a $500.00 increase.
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: IL Parrothead on January 04, 2008, 09:51:09 pm
Quote

However, to try and please you and the other members of this forum, I will gird up my loin and put forth my best effort in an attempt to secure her services.

Term  

Thatta' boy Term!
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: IL Parrothead on January 04, 2008, 09:52:55 pm
Hey -- on a sidenote -- are you dealers trying just as hard to move tubs now -- with the new models out -- as you were last month or so?  Or are you sitting on slightly higher price points that you're looking for?
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: hottubdan on January 05, 2008, 11:01:23 am
Quote
Hey -- on a sidenote -- are you dealers trying just as hard to move tubs now -- with the new models out -- as you were last month or so?  Or are you sitting on slightly higher price points that you're looking for?
Still turning '07 inventory.
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: East_TX_Spa on January 05, 2008, 11:12:29 am
Quote
Actually there is a price increase for 2008.  Since there is no standard national price, an individual dealer could have a $500.00 increase.

Yes, but anyone that raises the price of a Vanguard $500 deserves to get Tony Danza'd in the worst way because that's what they're doing to the consumer.

Terminator
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: East_TX_Spa on January 05, 2008, 11:16:24 am
Quote
Hey -- on a sidenote -- are you dealers trying just as hard to move tubs now -- with the new models out -- as you were last month or so?  Or are you sitting on slightly higher price points that you're looking for?

We've got 17 '07's left in stock, we've already gotten 14 '08's in, and we just sold our last 2 '06 demo models a couple of days ago.

We also have a Prodigy we are renting to a movie producer over in Shreveport for the next 7 months.  They seem to be making a lot of movies over there nowadays.  We loaned an Envoy for use in the classic movie Road House 2 a couple of years ago.  I know all of you have probably seen it.

Terminator
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Chad on January 05, 2008, 11:47:50 am
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r165/tileman_photos/RoadHouse2.jpg)
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r165/tileman_photos/roadhouse2_4.jpg)
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: East_TX_Spa on January 05, 2008, 12:02:04 pm
That is AWESOME Chad!  Thanks!

Good Ol' Jake Bussey!

Term
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: East_TX_Spa on January 05, 2008, 12:29:04 pm
That scene was filmed out at Cross Lake just north of Shreveport LA.

When our guys went to set up the spa, there were a bunch of "exotic dancers" running around the place that had been hired as extras.  After filming was over, we found a diamond earring in the filters.

Love the Deagle Jake is toting.
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: Chad on January 05, 2008, 02:07:32 pm
You're welcome Term.

I can never tell when you're being serious, so I did a google search and sure enough there it was! An East Texas Hot Spring Vanguard.  

I wish I was there when you surprised the misses with the "new" diamond earring you "bought" her for Valentine's Day trying to explain that the new fad is to only wear one. ;)
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: clover on January 05, 2008, 02:18:55 pm
Quote
.....After filming was over, we found a diamond earring in the filters.....

What did they say when your returned their missing diamond?  Or, you didn't. :o
Title: Re: Winter Pricing Part 2
Post by: East_TX_Spa on January 05, 2008, 03:07:56 pm
Quote
I can never tell when you're being serious, so I did a google search and sure enough there it was! An East Texas Hot Spring Vanguard Envoy.

I never joke around about spas.  

Quote
I wish I was there when you surprised the misses with the "new" diamond earring you "bought" her for Valentine's Day trying to explain that the new fad is to only wear one. ;)

Although you weren't there, I have a strong suspicion that our service tech Ronnie was hiding somewhere on the premises.  He seems to perform about 90% of his service calls in my neighborhood when I'm at work.  No one in my neighborhood has a spa.

Term