Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: hwimbrow on July 27, 2004, 08:52:05 am
-
I am about done my dealer showroom tours and research.
I'm looking for my first spa so I'm looking for an inexpensive spa.
I'm finding they're all the same spa, same style.
The Calspa is STILL the better specs and lowest price.
So, this is a bit of preemptive buyer's remorse.
Stop me or let me whip out the checkbook.
-
Calspa has a reputation for not honoring their warranty.
Maybe dino will share with you his reasons to avoid Calspa.
Dino- Potential Calspa buyer, line one.
Brewman
-
What brands have you looked at? If all the same Id say they might be coming out of the same factory. Check around some more. A lot of the mom & pop stores around here all order it seems from same no name place. Buy from a reputable dealer whos main focus is hot tubs.
-
We looked at Cal Spas, the same dealer also sells Beachcomber and used to sell Hot Springs a few years ago. The dealer saleswoman recommended against the Cal Spa, saying the quality was not up to Beachcomber's level. Although we did not end up buying either brand, I would say from the posters here that all Beachcomber owners seem happy with their decision.
But I am a spa-less newbie, so read my opinion accordingly.
Good luck
-
I was advised (here) that the Calspa was knockoff of a Viking Spa, so I hunted down the "local" Viking dealer. $800 more for basically the same spa PLUS delivery as they're almost 100 miles away.
Then I ran across a "Geyser" series Saratoga spa. Another knockoff of the same spa, only $600 more, but Cal spa's specs were slightly better.
There were a couple of molded plastic deals too.
So, it looks like a few manufactures make these "bottom" models, and they're all cheap, not inexpensive, cheap.
So, cold hard analysis says, $600 or $800 pays for alot of being stiffed on a warranty doesn't it?
The Calspa has 220, the others are 110, they all have single pumps, same panels (it appears) Calspa has GE pump.
I really have no appetite for a $5k toy, $2500 toy, yes.
Maybe I want something that doesn;t really exist.
I just don;t see where I'm gaining anything with the additional price.
But PLEASE keep me real and post your thoughts.
Thanks.
-
What kind of dollars are you looking to spend and what size spa do you need...Don't be fooled by specs that are not "usable power".....like someone saying they have 5 horse power pumps...it is simply not true.....that is not continuous horse power but only start up power....with spas it is all about flow rate....gallons per minute....that matters...
-
BTW, one way Calspas tries to spice up their "specs" is to rate the pumps on brake horsepower (BHP, or starting horsepower)) rather than continuous horsepower (HP). When they say their pump is 5HP its really 5 BHP which equates to about 2.5 HP for those who rate the horsepower for its continuous use. Also, take a look at their warranty and you'll find it sounds fine but realize that they are notorious for not honoring it. There should be enough people here who know the story and enough stories out there to scare anyone but the decision is yours. IMO, they can shine it up any way they want, throw in a set of Ginsu knifes and promise to stop by on Sundays to wax my car and I still wouldn't consider Calspas.
-
A couple of things more about HP and general enjoyment of the hot tub...
The "continuous" horse power of the pump is only important as part of the whole equation. What is *most* important is the water pressure coming out of each jet. This is guided by at least these two things:
1) How many jets each pump has to service.
2) How things are plumbed internally
Recently on this forum there was a guy who could not understand how Arctic spas "blew away" Beachcomber in numbers but, upon wet testing, the Beachcomber showed more power and comfort.
Better plumbing, more efficient use of high gallon-per-minute pumps, better jet placement, etc.. are a factor.
Don't look at tubs that have the most number of jets, look at tubs that make *efficient* use of jets. If you are bargain shopping you don't need to be sold on the idea that more is not always better!
More jets == more chance to leak, more holes in the shell, weaker water pressure out of each jet, more internal plumbing. On a well made spa this is taken into account and is reasonably efficient (Hot springs, Sundance, Beachcomber, etc). On bargain spas they are probably not, which *could* translate into more leaks, less water pressure, and alot of headaches if the companies don't honor warranties.
Above all, wet test everything before you buy.
-Ed
-
Yes!!!!!!!!
This is an excellent resource.
Thanks to everyone.
I have indeed fallen for comapring HP to BHP.
But you say HP = 50% BHP roughly?
All of these tubs are "low" on jets, less than a dozen, which I think is ok by me, I want a spa becasue I regularlly take hot baths in a plain ol' tub no jets.
So, in this light, LESS jets might very well equal BETTER jet power?
CalSpa also brags about 2" plumbing. Does that mean anything?
-
If you're a soaker, not worrying about jets, look at HotSpot. Should be priced low (some dealers just don't get it) Backed by HotSpring, but simple simple simple.
http://hotspot.hotspring.com/
-
...some dealers just don't get it...
Yeah, I'll say ;D
But seriously - those are a good "inexpensive" soaker tub option.
-
;)
-
OK you can read my review and the others up in reviews near the top of the page. My pump and controller board need to be replaced after 18 months - cost 1k for parts alone.
Do I have a warranty? No unless you buy an "al a carte" custom spec'd spa you get a 1 year warranty - bait and switch anyone?
Also to kill any chance you have they make unreasonable demands on the electrical wiring that they know are unneeded and that will not be followed so as to disqualify your warranty.
Simply put they are scum. The officers of the company lie and do not keep their word and finally they make a bad tub.
-
CalSpa also brags about 2" plumbing. Does that mean anything?
Yes, it means they are using it like everyone else.
-
Yesterday I happen to speak with a former Cal Spa employee...(13 years).....they shared with me it is not the spa they their tell friends or family...or even those they do not really like much to buy.... ;)
-
Here's an historical perspective:
I used to do repair on pools and spas. I did warranty work for a local store which was factory-owned. But I would also get calls directly from Cal spa owners who would offer to pay me to come fix a spa that clearly should have been under warranty.
They had either gotten tired of waiting, or had simply been refused by the factory. Many of these spas had been down for months, some after only running for a week or two after delivery.
I would go to the home, find the problem and attempt to order the replacement part. Never came. I would use the toll-free number from the factory, or talk to the local store manager. Parts never came - or they would come wrong and I couldn't return them. I used to get so ticked, because I was trying to cover their stupid mistake, and now they were making my company look bad.
A couple of other repair guys and I got together to compare notes, and they were all having the same problems. We found sources for generic replacements of things such as diverter valves - cut out the Cal part and put in a Jandy or Ortega - and we began to order pumps and motors that were not exact matches but worked as well or better. We ordered a case of the slo-blo fuses and split them amongst our trucks, and then we found a source for the odd relays and other control-box items that we simply couldn't seem to get out of the factory. Heaters were generic flow-through items at the time, and we seemed to replace a lot of those.
We had none of these problems - nor did we have to go to these great lengths - with companies like Sudance, Jacuzzi, D1, HotSpring or Coleman, which were are locally represented and which we all did work on.
Now - this was ten years ago, and we have a new dealer in a town nearby. I'm not in the repair biz anymore personally, and I don't seem to be getting as many calls to the stores - I think this dealer has his act together. Cal Spa keeps telling everybody they have improved - in our local market either they have improved, they aren't selling as many tubs, or this dealer is covering for them well.
The one thing I still keep hearing about is this: they seem to offer one warranty to everybody as they present the product. It's supposed to offer great coverage. But then when you sit down to sign the contract, it suddenly only applies to certain models or types of units, and the one YOU ordered didn't qualify. But for some reason, this discrepancy isn't obvious to normal people - you don't seem to find out about it until you need some help. Now, I haven't personally gone through this, so I must emphasize that I'm only repeating what I have heard, but I have heard the exact same thing from numerous people in person as well as on several boards.
There are plenty of great tub makers out there. Plenty. Most of them make a tub that you could be proud to own and that will last for years and years. Any of the major players should have something you can enjoy. Teasing or joking aside, the only company you'll see me speak negatively about is Cal Spa.
-
I. But I would also get calls directly from Cal spa owners who would offer to pay me to come fix a spa that clearly should have been under warranty.
Thats the relationship I have these days with Dell Computers. People would rather pay me that talking to "Bob" in Bangledesh. ;)
-
Stop me before I buy a Calspa?
The statement is washed with reluctance and self-doubt- And I can tell you from experience that having so little confidence in the decision making process is simply a red flag.
This certainly is the precusor to buyers remorse if you buy- no matter what brand you chose. If youre going to buy something, buy something you have some confidence in...
-
The internal conflict is quite normal before a major purchase.
So, let's say I pull the trigger on the bottom of the line "Geyser" by Saratoga for $600 more?
Any comments from you all on that specific product?
I can't post "thank you" enough. This forum is wonderful, a great example of the internet working via merely connecting real live people.
-
A product I would never consider baseed on personality conflict. I happen to think that the way a person treats his/her business associates is probably going to reflect in the product or service they are providing. Saratoga, NO.
The internal conflict is quite normal before a major purchase.
So, let's say I pull the trigger on the bottom of the line "Geyser" by Saratoga for $600 more?
Any comments from you all on that specific product?
I can't post "thank you" enough. This forum is wonderful, a great example of the internet working via merely connecting real live people.
-
I recently purchased my first hot tub. The dealer I ended up buying from carried Cal Spa and Beechcomber. I was able to compare the two brands in the store. I also read a lot of postings on this site that said nothing but bad things about Cal Spa. I eventually bought a Beechcomber 730 and I love it.
Personally, I'd stay away from the Cal Spa.
-
Hey rolltide.
RAMMER JAMMER YELLOWHAMMER!!
-
So do they have a website? They seem to be an affordable spa, but where can I go to check them out?
I just started looking today!
-
Best place to check out any spa- the dealer.
Find some in your area, pop in, take a look, ask questions. Once you narrow your choices, wet test the ones you are serious about, buy the one you liked best, then start soaking.
Brewman
-
Websites can be a great source of info before you go to check out the spa. They can be full of good info and general facts that can help rule out or rule in. And there's the possiblity that you'll learn more than the dealer knows when you goto check out the spa (that's how it was with my local D1 dealer)