Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Mark_3 on October 22, 2004, 05:27:53 pm
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I'm asking for anyone with experience in this market for advice on a hot tub purchase. I live in rural western Indiana and am already realize I must travel. I live an hour from Indy.
Who ever said there is so much posted on forums that it makes your head hurt was right! But this is the only way to go. The more I learn the less I know. :o
I've done a preliminary look at Hot Spring (& Tiger River), Cal Spas, Sundance (& Sweetwater), Royal Spas & Jacuzzi Premium. I have quotes for $5-6000 on seating for 4-6 w/ adds.
I'm look to find the right dealer(s) in my area (West central IND - East central ILL ) with a good product and then I think I can find the best tub for me. (In no particular order) quality, value, price, reliablilty, warranty, service and of course how it feels are my primary concerns.
I thought I knew what I wanted, but as a read the boards, just about ever company has people (customers?) that are strongly against them. It makes me feel really hinky when I consider the $$$ involved.
So please HELP! I don't want to screw this up! If you have PERSONAL experience/know a dealer I need to check out.
I'm not interested in the pitches from certain folks out there, you know who you are and so do we. After reading the posts for a litle while it is soooo obvious.
As Jack Webb used to say " . . . the facts, ma'am, just the facts".
Thanks for your assistance (& I await your wisdom).
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I'll re-post my earlier post I did for somebody looking at similar lines to you. I just received (2 weeks ago) a Jacuzzi J-345.
Hot Springs - had a Hot spot (entry level line) and older Classic. Like the general idea, however they've priced themselves out of our market here. (canada) A Vanguard, which is their 7 foot tub (approx), is running $ 3500 more than my comparably equipped Jacuzzi. I appreciate HS will say there's a big difference, but to the non dealer type, I don't notice it. They're great if you can afford it however. My friend has a Grandee, and it's spectacular, but again, I don't know that it's worth 30-40% more than mine.
Jacuzzi - I'll say only Jacuzzi, not Sundance (Jacuzzi owns them both) My J-345 is outstanding. Great jet power (they have propietary air jets), great foot room in footwell, very comfortable. Again, mine was easily 3K less than the similar Hot Springs. Love the coastal cabinet w/ Sahara shell. We have a new Jacuzzi dealer here who I knew from my previous buying days, so I was very comfortable buying from him. Great product, great value - definitely check them out.
The other thing I would have added for your benefit:
Tiger River - good possibility for me as well, but limited colour selections. Hot Springs could have fit into my budget, however it would have been their Prodigy, which is probably a 25% smaller tub than the J-345.
Sweetwater - looked closely at, but Jaczuzzi seemed to be the better choice (Jacuzzi owns Sundance and Sweetwater)
Best bet, as you'll see here all the time is take the time to wet test. If you can line some up right after one another, it's great because you can immediately see differences in tubs.
Happy Shopping !!
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wanna hear from me again? ;)
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I've done a preliminary look at Hot Spring (& Tiger River), Cal Spas, Sundance (& Sweetwater), Royal Spas & Jacuzzi Premium. I have quotes for $5-6000 on seating for 4-6 w/ adds.
Check out Wisoki for your Jacuzzi considerations since he's close by to you. Otherwise I'd say Hot Spring and Sundance get good reviews, Royal seems to get less stellar reviews from the few posts I've seen relative to them and reviews for Cal Spas form those in the industry and form Cal Spas owners usually include the phrase "Run Away!".
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Check out Wisoki for your Jacuzzi considerations since he's close by to you. Otherwise I'd say Hot Spring and Sundance get good reviews, Royal seems to get less stellar reviews from the few posts I've seen relative to them and reviews for Cal Spas form those in the industry and form Cal Spas owners usually include the phrase "Run Away!".
Is Wisoki selling Jacuzzi?
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Is Wisoki selling Jacuzzi?
Click on his web link and all of your qustions will be answered.
HotTubMan ;D ;D :D :D ;) ;)
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Stay away from Cal Spas.....their horrid customer service, reputation and craftsmanship precedes them. See my post titled: Take My Cal Spa.....Please.
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Hot Spring, sundance, Jacuzzi are all good brands and you should be able to find a model to fit your needs.
I'm a Marquis dealer and know that there is a good dealer in Indianapolis. You might also check them out.
good Luck in your shopping.
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My vote's for Wisoki
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I don't know wisoki, but if he's a good guy selling a good spa,go for it!!! :P
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Thanks for all the responses so far! Your remarks have been helpful and mirror my intial take. I haven't found a Marquis dealer yet. Are there any other dealers around here the are recommended, I should see.
So you guys thing Wisoki's trustworthy? When I typed his zip in the JP web site, it came up to the Indy dealer though. ;D
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Hi Mark. I live in your area and have sent you a private message about my shopping experience. Good luck to you!
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Facts, as of Feb. of 2004 I was no longer an "authorized" Jacuzzi dealer. At that time I had an inventory of 18 Jacuzzi spas to un load, while at the same time bringing in the new line, Catalina. As soon as the dealer agrement is not renewed, Jacuzzi pulls you off their dealer locater. As of August I still had 5 Jacuzzi spas to sell. It was state fair time, so I took them and the Cats to the fair. I had my jacuzzi and Catalina banners up. The other Jacuzzi dealer was there too. Two days into the show I received a fedex package from jacuzzi's corperate office stating that I was in violation of their copy right laws by displaying their logo. I filed it, and carried on. The next day There was a lawyer and the area rep standing out side my booth with a ONEHUNDRED page lawsuit about to be filed if I didn't emediatly remove the Jacuzzi banners. I have kept coppies of all this stuff, for nostalgia I suppose, but this is not the type of company or people I wish to deal with. I do still however have a few hundred customers with Jacuzzi brand spas that I am still doing the warranty work for. As I tell my customers when they call for service. It doesn't matter that I am no longer an "authorized" dealer, you are MY customers NOT jacuzzi's. As for my web site, that is being reconstructed. Those a$$ O's at corperate JPS almost made me look like a liar on my own web site. Any how, that's the long and short of it.
Thanks for all the responses so far! Your remarks have been helpful and mirror my intial take. I haven't found a Marquis dealer yet. Are there any other dealers around here the are recommended, I should see.
So you guys thing Wisoki's trustworthy? When I typed his zip in the JP web site, it came up to the Indy dealer though. ;D
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All of us here respect Wisoki and his helpful posts. He has proven to us that he knows what he is talking about. A good guy and well informative. I don't think you could go wrong. If we had heard of any bad experiences, we would raz him a bit. Plus you always know how to get a hold of him ;D Do a profile search and look at his past posts. You will see what I mean.
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I agree with Rocket. I would also add that I would stay away from Royal Spa. They are very old cheap technology but not cheap prices.
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Max, thanks for the info.
Wisoki, I feel like I owe you an apoligy. I didn't intend to put you on the spot. I meant it with tongue in cheek. It was obvious to me you are in transition and trying to make things work. Sorry, if I didn't come across with a smile on my face, I was smiling when I sent the post.
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As Master Spas are produced in Fort Wayne, I'm surprised they are not on your initial list. You may have some reasons but, as a very satisfied LSX owner, I would recommend checking out the "home boys"......
8)
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The only reason Master Spas or anothers for that matter weren't on my intital list is because those were the dealers I could locate with the yellow pages I could get my hands on. There isn't one place to find local dealers. I'm not limiting myseld search to just those choices, those are the dealers I have located so far. Maybe I wasn't clear before, f you know of others in my area please tell who, where, what, etc. and I'll take it from there. Thanks again. :P
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The only reason Master Spas or anothers for that matter weren't on my intital list is because those were the dealers I could locate with the yellow pages I could get my hands on. There isn't one place to find local dealers. I'm not limiting myseld search to just those choices, those are the dealers I have located so far. Maybe I wasn't clear before, f you know of others in my area please tell who, where, what, etc. and I'll take it from there. Thanks again. :P
Why don't you post your home zip code and we can check to see if some of our favorite brands are in your areal?
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Wow, I never thought to ask! I didn't realize folks would go to that much trouble to help. My zip is 47872.
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No apology needed, I didn't take it as anything more than what is was intended. Occasionaly though, just to clear the air, I post my corperate Jacuzzi escapades.
As for windsurfdog's comments, There are NO Master spa dealers in Indianapolis and surrounding areas. There for there is zero customer service from them in this market. The factory does not have a service department. Sure they have tech support, but they don't come out to fix your spa IF it breaks. I had a chance to carry their line and opted not to. IMHO their plastic cabinets look like, well um, plastic.
Max, thanks for the info.
Wisoki, I feel like I owe you an apoligy. I didn't intend to put you on the spot. I meant it with tongue in cheek. It was obvious to me you are in transition and trying to make things work. Sorry, if I didn't come across with a smile on my face, I was smiling when I sent the post.
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As for windsurfdog's comments, There are NO Master spa dealers in Indianapolis and surrounding areas. There for there is zero customer service from them in this market. The factory does not have a service department. Sure they have tech support, but they don't come out to fix your spa IF it breaks. I had a chance to carry their line and opted not to. IMHO their plastic cabinets look like, well um, plastic.
And, amazingly, the plastic cabinet feels like plastic too! Just like the plastic steps as well! Look at them here and see for yourself:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/brdhd/album?.dir=e8c7&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos
Had I known there was not an MS dealer within the greater Indy area, I would have provided my comments with the following caveat: Try to find a dealer WITH THE SPA YOU WANT as close to home as possible. If not, buy the spa you want. I traveled 200 miles to find my dealer and so far, so good. But I do wish that we were not separated by the miles.
8)
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Got any JP's left in stock?
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2, A 355 and 325. Man will I be glad when they are GONE, I'm tired of confusing my new customers. I'll keep the free flow line though, people can definitly compare the quality of a $1995 hot tub vs. a 5000+ spa when they sit side by side!
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Well, I did it. I went to Wisoki and wouldn't you know it he was in Vegas! Now I know who reaaly does the work around there, Virgil took care of me.
Anyway, I've got a Jacuzzi J-355 coming Thurday (if Wisoki finds his way home by then). Thank you everyone for your comments and help. ::)
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Way to go, Mark! I'm sure you got a good deal from Wisoki and purchasing from a regular (or used-to-be regular) here at this board would certainly give me a very reassuring feeling.
And may the goddess of Spatopia bless you with crystal water.......(and, BTW, the goddess wholly endorses dichlor as your primary sanitizer! ;))