Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Brodie on June 24, 2013, 10:20:51 pm
-
I have been lurking in the dark until now reading lots of input and reviews and feedback of everyone figuring the whole hottub world out. I am just looking at purchasing my first hot tub and never realized there was so much to know so I thank everyone for filling me in on all the good tips in advance!
I am renovating my backyard and basically I am in the mindset as I don't want to purchase a tub more than once (Atleast as long as there's warranty on it which is 5 years for both manufactures). The tub will mostly be used by my wife and two kids but we do entertain a bit.
The two tubs I am comparing against is the Hotspring Gleam and the Jacuzzi J-495. Recliner no recliner doesn't really matter to me and I know they are both really large tubs but I would rather have the extra seats and not need them than need them and not have them. I have visited with both dealers and talked with them (Everything up to the wet test, which I realize after reading this forum is important).
At the HotSpring dealer the gleam I was priced at $10,495 for the floor model with a small scratch or $10,900 for an ordered in one picked up at the store. This included the CoverCaddie and a year of chemicals but didn't include the stereo or ACE Water System (Which after reading reviews on the ACE I am going to stay clear of). At the Jacuzzi store I was priced $12,500 on the J-495 delivered and setup. I attempted to tell him I would pick it up and install it myself as I am rural and about an hour from the store which they told me it doesn't affect price as they want to know where I live to be able to service me. On the plus side to help make up for the missing CradleCover and chems the Jacuzzi dealer said travel time to come fix my tub was covered by warranty where the Hotspring dealer said there is a mileage charge for this.
All in all I am stuck at a standstill between the two tubs and was hoping someone could assist me in pointing out something I might be missing or not seeing in the decision process. Any help would be appreciated!
-
I read through your post and I don't see that you're missing anything really. You're choosing between two of the top brands out there so its not as if one is better for you by definition. Schedule those wet tests and if possible try to do them on the same day or at least same weekend so they're both fresh in your mind and you can compare them better being closely timed together.
-
Thanks Spatech I also just realized my numbers were off as it was only 6 months worth of Chemicals at hot spring not 1 year. Will try to book in a water test back to back to help make up our mind
-
The Gleam is relatively new to the scene and looks nice, lot's of Purdy lights. But I gotta give the upper hand for sure to the Jacuzzi! 12,500 is a very good price!
-
Thanks Spatech I also just realized my numbers were off as it was only 6 months worth of Chemicals at hot spring not 1 year. Will try to book in a water test back to back to help make up our mind
Prices of 10,500 for a Gleam floor model or 10,900 for a newly ordered Gleam are very, very good prices but when you add in the fact that the cover cradle, 6 months of chems and the breaker panel are all included (standard on all Hot Spring spas) that is a great deal but by all means wet test them.
-
Thanks Jim & Ace. I do believe they are not to bad of prices but of course I have never bought chem before so not sure the value. The main thing that's keeping me thinking Jacuzzi is the Warranty no service or mileage charges if something were to happen to the hottub. As I have never owned one of my own before I am not sure how often things happen or wear out nor how much a ballpark on a service call would be per trip if I went with a Hotspring (Gas is expensive and couple service calls could fill the gap between the tub costs if the either one was problematic in a hurry).
I will book a wet test and let you all know which one I went with.
-
Thanks Jim & Ace. I do believe they are not to bad of prices but of course I have never bought chem before so not sure the value. The main thing that's keeping me thinking Jacuzzi is the Warranty no service or mileage charges if something were to happen to the hottub. As I have never owned one of my own before I am not sure how often things happen or wear out nor how much a ballpark on a service call would be per trip if I went with a Hotspring (Gas is expensive and couple service calls could fill the gap between the tub costs if the either one was problematic in a hurry).
I will book a wet test and let you all know which one I went with.
Mine also came with the poly steps, which we sent back for a store credit.
-
Thanks Jim & Ace. I do believe they are not to bad of prices but of course I have never bought chem before so not sure the value. The main thing that's keeping me thinking Jacuzzi is the Warranty no service or mileage charges if something were to happen to the hottub. As I have never owned one of my own before I am not sure how often things happen or wear out nor how much a ballpark on a service call would be per trip if I went with a Hotspring (Gas is expensive and couple service calls could fill the gap between the tub costs if the either one was problematic in a hurry).
I will book a wet test and let you all know which one I went with.
You'd spend a lot less up front getting the Gleam but ask them up front and tell them why you want to know so they know that's a factor to you.
-
for this type of money I really stress the importance of a wet test...both tubs are from well established, reputable manufacturers with near the same warranty so have the family test them out will help determine which is better for you....a Gleam for $10.5k with a small scratch is a rockstar price so if your family enjoys it you'll be saving yourself a couple grand vs. the Jacuzzi....good luck and let us know how it turns out
-
Welcome to the forum by the way. Do let us know what you do and your thoughts on the process. I have yet to see the gleam myself.
-
I just saw the Gleam last weekend and I was really impressed. That thing is beautiful & HUGE!!! I was shocked to see the moto-massage DX in it. I thought that was strictly a Highlife feature. I am biased because I am an H.S Envoy owner, so I wouldn't hesitate to go with the Gleam. As far as chemicals go, with ozone and the silver ion I am guessing I'll spend about $50 a year on chemicals.
-
I just saw the Gleam last weekend and I was really impressed. That thing is beautiful & HUGE!!! I was shocked to see the moto-massage DX in it. I thought that was strictly a Highlife feature. I am biased because I am an H.S Envoy owner, so I wouldn't hesitate to go with the Gleam. As far as chemicals go, with ozone and the silver ion I am guessing I'll spend about $50 a year on chemicals.
$50 a year on chemicals? Keep good records on how much you spend on chemicals and let us know next year. Enjoy your tub.
-
decide which one you like and then hammer out the details. if you were prepared to make a deal you might be able to get hot springs to waive any trip charges. i think they would prefer that over losing a deal to jacuzzi. i'm pretty impressed you can tackle delivering a spa of that size on your own. those are both giants. be able to go flat all the way i assume?
-
"the Jacuzzi dealer said travel time to come fix my tub was covered by warranty" as far as I know travel time/mileage is not covered under a factory warranty for any major spa manufacturer (someone correct me If I'm wrong) so I would get this is writing on the contract with specifics..ie are they covering travel for the entire warranty? half? etc.
-
Jacuzzi does not cover travel, we do though as a dealer, unless they live on one of the islands in the San Jauns.
-
Jacuzzi does not cover travel, we do though as a dealer, unless they live on one of the islands in the San Jauns.
Its never covered, its always up to the dealers to make their own rules and shoppers should always ask up front.
-
Jacuzzi does not cover travel, we do though as a dealer, unless they live on one of the islands in the San Jauns.
Its never covered, its always up to the dealers to make their own rules and shoppers should always ask up front.
??? You telling me this?
-
Jacuzzi does not cover travel, we do though as a dealer, unless they live on one of the islands in the San Jauns.
Its never covered, its always up to the dealers to make their own rules and shoppers should always ask up front.
??? You telling me this?
Sorry, that was not my intention! :o
-
Jacuzzi does not cover travel, we do though as a dealer, unless they live on one of the islands in the San Jauns.
no "trip charge" huh..wow didn't think there was anyone left who wasn't charging some type of warranty trip charge...just curious what your service radius is?
-
Jacuzzi does not cover travel, we do though as a dealer, unless they live on one of the islands in the San Jauns.
no "trip charge" huh..wow didn't think there was anyone left who wasn't charging some type of warranty trip charge...just curious what your service radius is?
We don't charge trip charges either under warranty, and never have. At least yet. When gas was approaching $4 a gallon, we considered it. What do you guys charge for a trip charge Twin Cities?
-
Jacuzzi does not cover travel, we do though as a dealer, unless they live on one of the islands in the San Jauns.
no "trip charge" huh..wow didn't think there was anyone left who wasn't charging some type of warranty trip charge...just curious what your service radius is?
30/40 miles or so.. We have Canada to the north of us, you can only go so far east and hit mountains, to the west we have water. Seattle is about 80 miles south and we stretch down about 50 miles. The San Jauns require a ferry and it can be a 5 to 8 hour day so we charge for that, but only after the first year. We give a grace period if something happens which is usually in the first month or so. I know if gas goes over four things would probably change..
-
Jacuzzi does not cover travel, we do though as a dealer, unless they live on one of the islands in the San Jauns.
no "trip charge" huh..wow didn't think there was anyone left who wasn't charging some type of warranty trip charge...just curious what your service radius is?
We don't charge trip charges either under warranty, and never have. At least yet. When gas was approaching $4 a gallon, we considered it. What do you guys charge for a trip charge Twin Cities?
we have a "VIP" program, first 6 months of ownership all chems are 10% off and if you have an issue there is no trip charge in that time period as well..after that a trip charge is $40-$50 depending on the distance...not something anyone wants to do under warranty but if your paying a tech a fair wage plus medical/dental and $4 a gallon gas in a service van that gets 10 miles to the gallon it was almost a necessity....sorry for going off topic, OP have you tested either spa yet?
-
thats just semantics. the warranty only states that the dealer, at their discretion, can charge reasonable travel time. by stating the warranty covers travel time they are just making it clear they are not opting for the additional charge.
-
I've never been charged by my Jacuzzi dealer to come out and service the hot tub when something is wrong and they are 80 miles away, although they did charge me a $200 delivery fee when I purchased the J-480. I would not let the six months of chemicals be the driving focus of which hot tub to buy, as it might be a hot tub starter kit with a chemical line you end up not using. Here's where I purchase my chemicals from online - Hot Tub Works. I use leisure time products and zodiac cense for SPS w. Nature 2 mineral sanitizer. I'm on a twice week schedule plus using the SPS daily when I'm using the hot tub daily, so my expenses are higher than I originally estimated. Most likely more in the $400 range per year when draining the hot tub every 90 days.
-
Hey Guy's,
Was just sitting and realized I left everyone hanging on the hot tub I decided to go with. I ended up going with the jacuzzi 495 for a few different reasons that hit my hot buttons. A major factor that helped was the no travel fees for warranty or service which was incredible huge as i live 1 hour from the dealer each direction. Another great factor was the jacuzzi dealer treated me really good with questions and gave me a great price off the bat with not to much haggling.
Basically ended up paying 13,500 which included the stereo (dealer told me the speakers go about every 3 years and are 75 each to replace which I felt was very transparent and didn't really bother me). Also he through in the chemical to get me moving and a cover caddy not to mention they delivered and set it up for me. In terms of keeping things apples to apples keep in mind too I am located in Canada and tubs are usually a bit more up here just with exchange and shipping to get them from the states(I'm assumingw jacuzzi j495s are assembled in the US)
Too all you awesome folks out there that gave some guidance and input it was much appareciated.
-
Never assume :-)