Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: kacrab10 on May 20, 2008, 10:24:07 am

Title: New buyer
Post by: kacrab10 on May 20, 2008, 10:24:07 am
I have been reading this forum for several days and I am still a bit confused. I really like the J480 by Jacuzzi and I was going to look at Artesian (we have a factory outlet in Maryland).  I just couldn't get past the Jacuzzi sales person and I'm not sure how trusting I should be.  I was quoted a "special" sale price for the 480 of 13,500 with cover/lifter, steps and stereo. Does that sound right? I just don't know how to judge the price differences?

I REALLY want one badly! But I need to do the research to work on the hubby!!  LOL
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: Jacuzzi Jim on May 20, 2008, 01:51:47 pm
   Depends on which Artesian your looking at??  13,500 seems high to me least higher than we are.  Did you wet test either, and there are other brands out there as well.
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: kacrab10 on May 20, 2008, 01:59:45 pm
Jim, The 13, 500 was for the Jacuzzi we have not looked at Artesian yet, they have a factory store in Baltimore we have purchased two above ground pools from them in theh past.  We like the sales people but I LOVED the Jacuzzi 480. I'm just having trouble with the price.
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: Spatech_tuo on May 20, 2008, 02:13:23 pm
Quote
Jim, The 13, 500 was for the Jacuzzi we have not looked at Artesian yet, they have a factory store in Baltimore we have purchased two above ground pools from them in theh past.  We like the sales people but I LOVED the Jacuzzi 480. I'm just having trouble with the price.

That does seem awfully high. See if there are any other Jacuzzi dealers around to see how they are pricing them (all spa manufacturer websites have dealer locators to see who is local to you).
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: Jacuzzi Jim on May 20, 2008, 02:23:33 pm
Quote
Jim, The 13, 500 was for the Jacuzzi we have not looked at Artesian yet, they have a factory store in Baltimore we have purchased two above ground pools from them in theh past.  We like the sales people but I LOVED the Jacuzzi 480. I'm just having trouble with the price.


    I knew 13,5 was for the Jacuzzi, what I am saying is depends on which Artesian you are looking at,they can get up to 13,000 pretty quick.
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: kacrab10 on May 20, 2008, 02:30:56 pm
Sorry, dummy me! And this dealer is the only one around unless I leave the State.
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: Calypso on May 20, 2008, 02:47:12 pm
If you are willing to spend in the $13,000 range you should be able to purchase almost any top end spa from a reputable manufacturer and dealer. You do not need a factory outlet that close as the shipping premium is not that high if you are willing to wait 3 to 5 weeks.

Wet test as many spas as you can in your area. Jacuzzi, Arctic, Sundance, Hotsprings, Caldera, D1, Beachcomber to name a few. My preference is Pacific spas but I doubt there is a store near you.

The wet test will give you abetter idea of features that you want and will confirm that the spa fits you. If you still want the 480 it may help in the negotiations to state that $13,500 is beyond your budget and you will have to go with another spa that you have wet tested.

 For example while it was not as nice as the J480 the Sundance Cameo was a nice spa and it was closer to $10,000. I believe sundance is owned by Jacuzzi.

Get out there and wet test and report back on what you discovered.

good luck
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: ndabunka on May 20, 2008, 03:09:52 pm
Quote
I have been reading this forum for several days and I am still a bit confused. I really like the J480 by Jacuzzi and I was going to look at Artesian (we have a factory outlet in Maryland).  I just couldn't get past the Jacuzzi sales person and I'm not sure how trusting I should be.  I was quoted a "special" sale price for the 480 of 13,500 with cover/lifter, steps and stereo. Does that sound right? I just don't know how to judge the price differences?

I REALLY want one badly! But I need to do the research to work on the hubby!!  LOL

$13K for a 480 is WAY high.  The general street price (what most people are ACTUALLY paying for them) is around $10,500 with Stereo included.  Some have gone as low as $9,500.  Make him an offer of $10K and walk away when he says he can't do it.  He will be calling you back in a week in an attempt to negotiate soemthing in between.  It's then up to you if you want to stand firm on the $10K price tag.
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: wewannahottub on May 20, 2008, 09:30:09 pm
Totally agree.  We looked at a 470 (no lounger like the 480) and LOADED we were given a best price of 10.5 k.  Wet test--I really liked the waterfall seat on the 470 with those 2 huge rotating massage jets--putty!!!!

We looked at Artesian, but the dealer was 3 hrs away and very difficult to deal with.  Never got to wet test it to compare it to.  Make sure you evaluate the brands in your area to enusre you are getting the best tub at the best price at the best dealer.  I believe 50% of the sale is the tub, and the 50% is the dealer.

You Definately can't go wrong with Jacuzzi.

Still, my top running contender is the arctic TUndra (once we wet test it--2 other models are greeat!!)

Good luck, KC ;)

Chrisi
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: Swell-Tub on May 20, 2008, 10:28:39 pm
The price depends on a few things. My J-470 with stereo, steps, ozone, and cover was $10,400. I added 4 pro-lights, cover lift, and a Jacuzzi robe. Now with tax and adds I was out the door for $11,900. They told me that the J-480 would be an additional $1080.00 with tax. So my price out the door for a J-480 would have been $12,980. Don't know if this helps but there's my price...

Scott  ;)
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: Saved by Grace on May 20, 2008, 10:38:50 pm
I just got done soaking in our 3 week old 2008 J480.  We paid $10k with steps, ozonator, lift and NO stereo.  As suggested in a previous post have a second tub in mind and tell the Jacuzzi dealer a price and be ready to walk.  Also, be sure to wet test before you buy.  We absolutely love our 480 but it may not be for you.  (although I couldn't imagine anyone not falling in love with all the different jets and seats  ;) )

Good luck,
Fred
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: Swell-Tub on May 20, 2008, 11:06:39 pm
So Fred and Chrisi was your price before tax and adds, or was that out the door pricing?

Scott  :-?
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: Spatini on May 21, 2008, 12:01:05 am
The only Artesian that was comparable to the J-480 was the Platinum Elite Dove Canyon , with the stereo I was quoted a price of 12900.00 + tax .I really liked the tub although I felt some of the parts ( like controllers , water features , and the control panel) seemed kinda cheap , maybe they were fine but not as robust feeling as the Jacuzzi, I ended up with the Jacuzzi j-480 , it is an awesome tub , and after a week of soaking every night I am in love with the lounger , I would have been disapointed had i not included the lounger, my neighbors also both loved the lounger and I could not get them out of it,
Now apparently I got a really awesome deal on my spa as I paid 9685 thats with 4 Pro-lights on all the outside corners ( these are great as they are controlled by a photocell and light up around the outside of tub and gude you to tub without being to bright) a Pro ozonator (the MAximum output unit ) the Aquasound stereo with Ipod dock, remote , and subwoofer ( this sounds great by the way - gotta have it ) matching steps . cover , cover lifter , SpaFrog and all chemicals, also 4 Jacuzzi towels, out the door with tax was 10685.00 , now I know this is not typical but I think you can get a better price on the Jacuzzi than 13500. anyway shoot him a counter deal and see if he will come down on price. I had a really hard time deciding between the Artesian Piper Glen/ or Dove Canyon and the Jacuzzi J-480 . but the Jacuzzi eventually won out with the extra features and the price.
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: kacrab10 on May 21, 2008, 04:41:50 pm
Anyone hear of LeisureBay? Any ideas on quality of these spas? Yea or Nea?

Thanks so much for the patience!!
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: Richs100 on May 21, 2008, 07:03:12 pm
Quote
Anyone hear of LeisureBay? Any ideas on quality of these spas? Yea or Nea?

Thanks so much for the patience!!

Krabby:

Since it looks like your still jumping around on brands of tubs, and since your in Maryland, I'll just let you know we have some great HotSpring dealers in our area.  

- If you're in the Baltimore area, I have friends who have bought several tubs from Regina Pools and Spa in Timonium and they
  love their dealer.  

- If you're in the D.C. area, my dealer, HotSpring Spas of Washington, has been great.

- Both of these dealers have been selling HotSpring Spas since the early '90s.

- Both dealers have great free Kool-Aid.   ;D

Rich

Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: wewannahottub on May 21, 2008, 07:11:09 pm
Quote
So Fred and Chrisi was your price before tax and adds, or was that out the door pricing?

Scott  :-?


Scott,  $10,500 was with the adds but before tax.

Chrisi
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: Spatech_tuo on May 21, 2008, 07:48:10 pm
Quote
Anyone hear of LeisureBay? Any ideas on quality of these spas? Yea or Nea?

Thanks so much for the patience!!

If you're looking for a quality spa to compare to the Artesian and Jacuzzi I'd check these out and see who is local to your area:

http://www.arcticspas.com
http://www.calderaspas.com/Locator/index.html
http://www.dimensiononespas.com/findadealer.asp
http://www.hotspring.com/index_spas_hot_spring.html
http://www.marquisspas.com/locator.asp
http://retailer.sundancespas.com/Retailers/index.php
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: kacrab10 on May 21, 2008, 10:22:19 pm
LOL Rich!!!  I love kool aid and it would be one more reason for the kids to come along.  I check out Regina.  Thanks.
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: Saved by Grace on May 21, 2008, 11:06:04 pm
Quote
So Fred and Chrisi was your price before tax and adds, or was that out the door pricing?

Scott  :-?

$10k with extras included...no stereo and before tax.

Man did Spatini get a deal.

Fred
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: kacrab10 on May 23, 2008, 10:53:46 pm
Ok guys, maybe one more question???  If you were to buy a used spa from someone what should one look for and how old would you go? There is a 2002 Sweetwater for sale near me but Im  just not sure  AAARGH! This is so hard! If I could just go get what I want when I want it!

Thanks so much for your help!  I may go wet test a Bullfrog on Monday. I told the dealer to fire up the grill and we would stay for the day! LOL   ;D
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: Spatech_tuo on May 23, 2008, 11:41:11 pm
Quote
Ok guys, maybe one more question???  If you were to buy a used spa from someone what should one look for and how old would you go? There is a 2002 Sweetwater for sale near me but Im  just not sure  AAARGH! This is so hard! If I could just go get what I want when I want it!

Thanks so much for your help!  I may go wet test a Bullfrog on Monday. I told the dealer to fire up the grill and we would stay for the day! LOL   ;D

Th #1 thing when buying a used spa is you MUST be able to see it in operation. Don't ever by into the old story of "it works great, I just had to move it last week to make room but I assure you it was OK when I moved it".
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: kacrab10 on May 24, 2008, 08:51:18 am
Thanks so much! I figured that would be number 1.  One has water and one doesnt so that may make the difference.  
Title: Re: New buyer
Post by: Chas on May 24, 2008, 09:08:56 am
Full of water and running is key - dry cement all around is too. If they 'just hosed down the patio' before you arrived, come back when it's dry as a bone. Same goes for any moisture in the motor compartment.

Be sure the tub is at temperature - and check that all systems work. Listen for noisy motors on jet pumps and circulation pumps.

Headrest pillows can be a pain to replace - especially on off brand tubs. If they claim that the pillows can be purchased and replaced easily, give them the opportunity to prove it.

 8-)