Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: ikucera on January 29, 2008, 11:23:07 am
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Thanks for all the previous info. We are wet testing HS Grandee and Sundance maxxus. Have been looking for pricing info and reasonable cost for these two tubs.
I know price will depend on store costs, etc. I certainly want the dealer to make a profit, however I would like to go into the negotiation with some information. Not exactly any blue book for hot tubs out there.
Was wondering what anyone else had paid/offered on these two tubs.
Thanks.
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I’d buy the Maxxus.
The Maxxus should be around $13,000 with stereo and $12,000 without stereo.
The Grandee should be around $12,000 with stereo and $10,000 without stereo.
Give or take $500 bucks or so between the two.
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Chris' prices seem about right. :)
Of course, I'd buy the Grandee.
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I’d buy the Maxxus.
The Maxxus should be around $13,000 with stereo and $12,000 without stereo.
The Grandee should be around $12,000 with stereo and $10,000 without stereo.
Give or take $500 bucks or so between the two.
... and I'd probably go with the Grandee. The Maxxus seating is less open (its really just a 4 person spa despite its size) and I'm much more a fan of the open seating approach. In the end though it doesn't really matter which I'd prefer or which Chris prefers but which is best for you.
Complete the wet tests as you have planned and while you'll probably like both there's a good chance one will stand out as the better match for you. Both brands are very well thought of so beside the wet test the other key points are probably the deal you can get as well as your confidence in each dealer to be there for you after the sale (how long in business, how long servicing spas, do they seem customer oriented, etc.).
Also, if after negotiating you get to a standstill on pricing and the dealer seems locked in one way to improve the deal is to ask for store credit. Typically its MUCH more palatable to them to give you say $250 store credit (toward chems, accessories, etc.) than it is to lower the price $250 further and to you that should be fine because you'll be needing things after the sale anyway.
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Let us know how the wet test goes.
My wife felt the jets in the Maxxus stung too much. She also didn't care for the lounger.
Grandee is on our short list.
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I would check out the Jacuzzi J-480 or 470 but thats me. ;) Between the grandee mocha and the the Maxxus, I would be all over the Grandee, like said the Maxxus is a big, an expensive 4 seater spa.
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Appreciate the comments. No Jacuzzi dealership within 100 miles. :'( :'(
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Depending where you live, prices will vary. I wish I could get $12,000 for the Grandee; we sell it for $9649 :o
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I am assuming it is without stereo at $9,649. I am certainly within my $500 variance.
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like said the Maxxus is a big, an expensive 4 seater spa.
Of course, those 4 people get treated very, very well...
I'm not sure these are the best 2 models to compare. At least in style, the Grandee is more like an Optima, while the Maxxus seems more like the Vista. I know there are size differences, but these pairings have similar layouts.
If I had to choose, I'd say the Grandee and the Optima would be the first two tubs I would try. I love all the foot jets in the Optima - I think the Grandee should have 4. The Grandee also needs a few jets around the light on the first step, so you could have a "half soak" like the (Sundance Majesta). On the other hand, I don't like "bullet jets" for foot jets, like the Optima has.
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Depending where you live, prices will vary. I wish I could get $12,000 for the Grandee; we sell it for $9649 :o
Term, what's the going rate for a new Grandee in your store? You seem to get a higher price than most dealers across the country for some reason. It must be all the rich oil tycoons in your neck of the woods.......
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I am assuming it is without stereo at $9,649. I am certainly within my $500 variance.
You're right, I mis-read your post :-[
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Term, what's the going rate for a new Grandee in your store? You seem to get a higher price than most dealers across the country for some reason. It must be all the rich oil tycoons in your neck of the woods.......
2008 Grandee is $10,195 with delivery, sub-panel, starter kit, and 1 accessory (coverlifter or step).
I had to borrow a $100 bill from a customer at the Boat Show to light my Monte Cristo this weekend. He gave me another C-note in case I decided to have another.
Term
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Lots of info on the hot spring. Greatly appreciated.
Anyone with any thoughts on the sundance pricing?
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If you liked the lounge seat in the Maxxus, I would suggest giving the Sundance Cameo a look. Pretty much the same set up as the Sundance Optima, but the Cameo incorporates a lounge minus the foot dome.
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First wet test today. Unfortunately, they didn't have a grandee, :'(, the closest they had was an envoy. We liked the envoy although there were no cool down seats which my wife liked.
Any comments on how the grandee and envoy would compare. Obviously, no lounge in the the grandee and no cool down seat in the envoy. Lounger not that big of a deal either way.
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If you liked the lounge seat in the Maxxus, I would suggest giving the Sundance Cameo a look. Pretty much the same set up as the Sundance Optima, but the Cameo incorporates a lounge minus the foot dome.
(http://www.sundancespas.com/2005Images/800Series/CameoBig.jpg)
Good call. If I do put myself back in the market (still one week into a semi-functioning spa) I will probably wet test this one.
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I have an Envoy and honestly don't miss the cooldown seat like I thought I would. I sit on the knees of the lounger to cool off when needed (and get my feet massaged).
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I have an Envoy and honestly don't miss the cooldown seat like I thought I would. I sit on the knees of the lounger to cool off when needed (and get my feet massaged).
Why no Grandee I would think thats a necessity as a Hot Springs Dealer!
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Why no Grandee I would think thats a necessity as a Hot Springs Dealer!
Huh? I'm not a dealer?
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I sit on the knees of the lounger to cool off when needed (and get my feet massaged by Chad).
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Why no Grandee I would think thats a necessity as a Hot Springs Dealer!
sorry i meant how come a hot springs dealer doesnt have a grandee to wet test
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sorry i meant how come a hot springs dealer doesnt have a grandee to wet test
Grandee shows great dry or wet. i have observed that most people who wet test are testing the feel of the jets, not the fit of the spa.
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I don't know, Dan. My HS dealer (who also sells Artesian) only keeps 1 HS tub wet, and it's usually his Vista. He has 6 other stores in the area. Every time I ask if he has a Vanguard or Grandee wet so I can test without a lounger, he does not. Go figure!
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I don't know, Dan. My HS dealer (who also sells Artesian) only keeps 1 HS tub wet, and it's usually his Vista. He has 6 other stores in the area. Every time I ask if he has a Vanguard or Grandee wet so I can test without a lounger, he does not. Go figure!
Some Dealers, and customers, don't put the value we do on wet testing. Perhaps if someone built the showroom of my dreams, it would make things a lot easier. :D
Actually a couple of years ago, after becoming Moderator here, I had a wierd dream, probably from reading way too late here before bed one night. In this dreal I had a showroom with about 25 tubs on display, in a 5x5 arrangement. Each tub had built in quick disconnect power connections that only required you to set the tub down and it was powered. This showroom had an automated crane where all you had to do was type in the number of the tub you wanted to see and it would be moved to the test spot, automatically powered, and up to 500 gallons of hot water could be pumped into the tub almost instantly. This way any tub could be ready for wet testing in minutes.
I've had wierder dreams.
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Some Dealers, and customers, don't put the value we do on wet testing. Perhaps if someone built the showroom of my dreams, it would make things a lot easier. :D
Actually a couple of years ago, after becoming Moderator here, I had a wierd dream, probably from reading way too late here before bed one night. In this dreal I had a showroom with about 25 tubs on display, in a 5x5 arrangement. Each tub had built in quick disconnect power connections that only required you to set the tub down and it was powered. This showroom had an automated crane where all you had to do was type in the number of the tub you wanted to see and it would be moved to the test spot, automatically powered, and up to 500 gallons of hot water could be pumped into the tub almost instantly. This way any tub could be ready for wet testing in minutes.
I've had wierder dreams.
Wow! You poor thing! ;D
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I have a grandee and I love it!!!!! The operating costs are far less than that of a maxxus if that's a concern. I've heard operating costs of up too 100 dollars a month where my grandee is around thirty. You really can't beat that and it holds more people!
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Do you mind if I ask what kind of deal you got?? ;)
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I've had my Maxxus for 2.5 years. I love it...the space, the foot dome, the quality of the therapy, the ease of maintenance. Oh, and mine certainly doesn't add $100 to my electrical bill... not sure where you "heard" that, HTL123. The only time I ever notice a spike is when I do a winter fill where the fresh water starts at 44 deg. F and the heater is on for 15 hours straight, along with the circ. pumps until the controller decides that the freeze-up danger has passed. I expect that the efficiency of most of the major spa manufacturers products are quite comparable...
Steve
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I have a grandee and I love it!!!!! The operating costs are far less than that of a maxxus if that's a concern. I've heard operating costs of up too 100 dollars a month where my grandee is around thirty.
It's great to hear that you love your Grandee. It truly is an outstanding, first-class spa.
None of the Maxxus model spas in my territory in Montana have ever cost anywhere near $100/month. Even with heavy use. Even in a harsh winter.
One specifically is located at the Montana Island Lodge, literally in the middle of Salmon Lake. Heavy use, cold winters.
Please stick with supportable efficiency information.
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None of the Maxxus model spas in my territory in Montana have ever cost anywhere near $100/month. Even with heavy use. Even in a harsh winter.
So, they don't come close to $100/month. What do they cost to run? How do you verify/document?
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So, they don't come close to $100/month. What do they cost to run? How do you verify/document?
Best estimates up here: avg of $40-$70 (depending on usage and exact location. Yes, this is more than the Grandee will likely average, please don't forget the Maxxus is almost 600gal.
Estimates based on customer feedback. Efficiency is a great concern for most of my customers in this area (climate and economy) - given that it is less of a concern for the typical Maxxus customer here. In order to provide my customers with the most accurate estimates possible, I ask customers to track electric usage over time (different seasons, bills before the spa install, bills with new spa vs. their old spa, etc.) Both spa brands we carry are very efficient. No customer has ever complained of a bill that high. I do typically give conservative estimates - customers are always happy if it costs less - not so if it costs more.
No, I don't put a meter on my customers spas. Have not even had a request for it.
I am currently seeking any printed/documented info from Sundance - as I admittedly use estimates and customer reports.
Maybe I need to take more of my own advice (supporting data). But:
$100/month for a spa built by an industry leader (with up-to-date technology), is not a realistice average.
You should know that.
There is more than enough useful information in this thread to make a very objective comparison. I should have made the point that "shock tactics" are unneccessary.
I am (like all of you) proud of the products I represent, and the service I provide to my customers. I WILL NOT slam a competitor's product, here or in my store. I will however attempt to correct what I consider gross misinformation (just like any of you).
Were my manners lacking, I apologize to all.
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I have a grandee and I love it!!!!! The operating costs are far less than that of a maxxus if that's a concern. I've heard operating costs of up too 100 dollars a month where my grandee is around thirty. You really can't beat that and it holds more people!
First off, I question whether or not this person even has a spa. Kind of a bold statement right out the gate. My guess is that their paycheck says Hot Springs on it somewhere....
Second, all these monitary amounts are pretty useless w/o knowing what you're being charged per kwh.
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My guess is that their paycheck says Hot Springs on it somewhere....
Do not be deceived, my young Spadawan apprentice. All is not always what it seems to always be, it seems.
Term
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Do not be deceived, my young Spadawan apprentice. All is not always what it seems to always be, it seems.
Term
Term,
You have a way with words. I got dizzy just reading that.
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Term,
You have a way with words. I got dizzy just reading that.
I upchucked just writing it!
Term
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I upchucked just writing it!
Term
So the real question then, is how much per month does East Texas Spas pay, on average, for new keyboards?
[size=12]Hmmm?[/size]
BTW - NOBODY'S check says "HotSpring" on it. It's Watkins Manufacturing. But even so, I don't believe this person works on the mother ship. Most of our customers report lower operating costs. Yes, we are in a mild climate, but we also pay a lot per KWH. I think we are on the order of 26 cents per, depending upon the tier you end up in.
8-)