Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: guarn3md on May 13, 2005, 12:40:30 pm
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My husband and I are really interested in the Lagunas model. However, we can not find one to see near us in Annapolis, MD! Is this REALLY important? We are comparing it to the Tiger River Sumatran and sat in that tub last night. We wet tested the Bahia, which seems to have some similar seats. We are really close to purchasing the Lagunas, but are holding back because we are don't feel comfortable... Especially with everyone's opinion of wet testing before purchase.
Thoughts, advice...
Thanks
Deb
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Do what you've got to do, but nothing in my opinion can substitue for a wet test. It's the only way you will know for sure that your spa is what you need.
What if you spend all the time and money to get the spa installed, only to find out that it's not a good fit?
Where will you get this spa from, if none are availble for you to see?
Brewman
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We will purchase it from a Sundance Dealer locally. He said it can be ordered.
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I am not as adamant as everyone on this board that you need to test soak in the exact model you are purchasing because probably like 99% of people do not test soak when purchasing a spa. You are way ahead of most. I believe just by test soaking one model in the line you are purchasing, you will be able to make an educated decision on what spa will feel the best for you.
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Ahh, I see.
I'm not all that familiar with the Laguna, but if it seems pretty close to the Bahia, which you have tested, then if you really want the Laguna you'll be cutting your odds considerably by at least having tested a similar model.
Brewman
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While I do not disagree with the idea of wet testing, every manufacturer has a number of different models.
It is not possible for each dealer to have one of everything available for wet testing and still have one dry for everybody else to sit in. According to the recommendations of others on this forum suggesting that you should DEFINITELY wet test, when they are simple typing into a keyboard, it is not a simple accomplishment for the dealer to move a new model in to the wet testing area every day or twice a day considering that each shopper would want to follow the recommendations of the forum. You could only imagine the impossibility of accomplishing such a task.
Not everybody chooses to wet test before buying. While we do offer and recommend shoppers wet test, 85% do not. So, it becomes an individuals choice that is strongly supported by the forum participants.
We have 2 spas with water representing the significant differences such as lounge, no lounge, 198 GPM vs. 230 GPM, this series or that series. We have 16 different models.
It takes 2 to 3 people, 1 to 2 hours to change out a spa and everybody wants the lowest price they saw on the web and can not understand why the dealer needs to make a profit to support the cost of overhead.
Try doing a wet test at Costco, or HD yet they sell spas.
I don't want to challenge the concept of the wet test, it has it's purpose, but not everybody want's to soak in a store.
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Try doing a wet test at Costco, or HD yet they sell spas.
One really good reason to avoid buying a spa from them.
Brewman
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I'm willing to wet test, but am not too crazy about doing it in public. I sort of wondered about that when the (grand total of) 2 dealers I visited had 1 spa ready & waiting. It would seem ludicrous to insist on testing the exact model I would be considering. I really don't think that that's practical. Hopefully, the brand's fit & jets makethe difference, rather than the model.
Don't even think that I've ever been in a spa before. Don't really know why I want one, but do know that I LOVE (I mean, passionately) soaking in my tub. Can picture myself practically living in there w/ music, TV, books, etc at the nearby. What's better is that the water would stay warm much longer. :D
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Some dealers can arrange for after hours testing, or other privacy measures for the shy, and with a couple pumps, water can be moved from spa to spa relatively easily.
Brewman
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Hi I live in Pasadena, Md and have a Sundance Spa.. Less than 1 week old.. Which dealer were you with.. I know that there is a big Sundance event this from May 13th till May 30th. Send me a message if you want more info..
Rushfan2112 ;D
PS I love my Sundance Maxxus.. But wet test the model you are getting..
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I think wet testing the model that you are considering is important. Not many prospects wet test and yet they are completely satisfied with their selection. If your Sundance dealer truly wants to earn your business, they'll do what they need to to get the Sundance Lagunas up and runnnig for you and at a timeframe which is convenient for you, most likely after hours, when no one is around.
If this iswhat you need for them to do, tell them. If the dealer is not willing to go the extra upfront to get the sale, why will he go the extra later if and when service is required.
good luck,
hottubber... ;D
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I know that there is a big Sundance event this from May 13th till May 30th. Send me a message if you want more info..
Rushfan2112 ;D
We're somewhat close to you in Northern Virginia... what's the 'big Sundance event'? A national sale or something local? We're seriously looking at various brands, and the Max seems to have great comments here (like yours... :) ).
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The Sundance Event is on Ritchie Highway in Severna Park in front of the Bowling Alley. You can get there from Rte. 50 E to Rte 2 North (Ritchie Highway).
The tent sale runs from last friday until May 30th. It is a Sundance event w/ sales people from the Glen Burnie (Ace Hardware and Spas) Store and Sales reps from California (Sundance). They claim the prices are factory direct prices and that you can not get the same deal from the store! I don't know if this is true. However, we did purchase our tub last night from them and we got an incredible deal (I think!). We bought a Cayman and paid $5294 and that includes delivery, set up, cover, low profile cover lifter, chems, GFCI panel. We spoke with Jay - he was really nice and helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions. ;D
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Thanks for the info! Will see if we can get over there next weekend!
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It is a Sundance event w/ sales people from the Glen Burnie (Ace Hardware and Spas) Store and Sales reps from California (Sundance). They claim the prices are factory direct prices and that you can not get the same deal from the store! I don't know if this is true.
ATTENTION ALL CONSUMERS!!!!
If you are at a FACTORY DIRECT event, you will not get better pricing than at the store, period. Write it in stone. FACTORY DIRECT salespeople are hired by the local dealer to sell spas at other locations other than their store. They are paid by the local dealer. You will, in fact, pay MORE when you buy off-site. This is how the FACTORY REPS make their money. They are a national sales team who are hired by the local dealer to sell spas because they are spa selling professionals who are very good at convincing you you are getting a great "deal." That is all.
Terminator
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Uh, while that may be true of the brand that you represent Terminator, it's not universally true. One of the brands that we represent allows us to host 2 off-site events per year where they offer us discounts on the wholesale cost of the spas. We are then able to pass these savings on to consumers. So, in fact, they do get significantly better pricing at our off-site events for this brand (for what it's worth).
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I understand that the factory will give you discounts on wholesale pricing, we do that too. Are you saying that the customer cannot come to your store and get the same exact price? If I were a dealer in that situation, I'd be highly agitated to have those parameters placed on me.
Who does the selling at these off-site events? Who pays them? Who receives payment for the spas? Just curious...maybe I'm missing something.
Terminator
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Uh, while that may be true of the brand that you represent Terminator, it's not universally true. One of the brands that we represent allows us to host 2 off-site events per year where they offer us discounts on the wholesale cost of the spas. We are then able to pass these savings on to consumers. So, in fact, they do get significantly better pricing at our off-site events for this brand (for what it's worth).
Sundance doesn't do this.
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So, what was said in Reply 12 above about this Sundance 'event' isn't correct about 'special pricing', then? Or what?
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Due to the controversy on this post my husband called the local dealer sponsoring this event. He spoke with our original sales person who told him that this sale is supported by the store and that store will service the spa. The spa is being sold through their store, off site with Factory reps! The sales receipt that we have is from Ace Hardware & Hearth. He said all is on the up and up and furthermore understood why we bought from this sale since he couldn't touch the price we got! He said that the local sales people were being compensated for sales made at the off site. They also pulled inventory from their stores for immediate deliveries.
The sales person that we spoke to off site said he was from Sundance in California. I believe him... He says he has been to our area three times - last fall to help Ace kick off selling Sundance, Winter when they opened the second location and now for this sale. I know these events to be true because I have been watching the hot tub market in my area for the past year and all of these occurrences have happened. In recent weeks, Jacuzzi premium and Hot Springs have held off site factory authorized tent sales. Currently in this area we have this Sundance Sale and one from Marquis.
What is a consumer to do... I have done my research, read the posts here, some what know what I am talking about and listening too. I have questioned and verified what I was told at the sale. I don't know what else I am to do...
Sorry for the long post, but this is frustrating - I can't wait for my hot tub to get here so I can relax! ;D
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...this sale is supported by the store and that store will service the spa. The spa is being sold through their store, off site with Factory reps! ... He said all is on the up and up and furthermore understood why we bought from this sale since he couldn't touch the price we got! He said that the local sales people were being compensated for sales made at the off site. They also pulled inventory from their stores for immediate deliveries...
I'm not a dealer, but I think any "controversy" might stem from the standpoint that seems to be no reason that a dealer (or the manufacturer for that matter) could only offer their best price to customers who go to an offsite location, rather than the home store -- especially when the dealer is involved in the event and at least some of the spas are coming out of dealer inventory! The manufacturer appears to be helping the dealer generate interest and excitement by offering a discount on certain spas, and providing sales and marketing assistance for a short time -- creating an "Event". All to your benefit, because you did your homework, recognized a good deal when you saw it, and took advantage of it. Good for you!
The only reasons that come to mind for having a higher price at the store is to reinforce that the "Event Deals" are only available for a short time, due to manufacturer incentives, and to avoid having the customer who bought a spa 2 months ago at a price that was fair when the incentives were not available, come in for chemicals and see a much lower price quoted. Better to blame it on the "factory direct tent sale".
None of the factory/dealer machinations make any difference to you, so don't worry about it. You are happy, your dealer is happy, so it is all good -- and it will only get better when your spa arrives 8)!
Congratulations!
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Soakin is exactly right! It does not matter to you, the consumer. You will get the low price. My point was only that you can get the same, maybe even a little better price, at the store. The factory is not going to come to a dealer's territory and undersell them, I don't care what manufacturer it is. It is a marketing ploy to create a sense of urgency that "you will miss out if you don't buy right away."
The manufacturer gets money for the spa they shipped, the dealer gets his profit, and the salesperson (whoever it may be) gets their commission. If you buy at the store, the rep gets cut out unless you talked to them first.
For example, if you go to an ABC Spa tent sale. They have 10 of their best selling spas there. The model you want is not there, it is at the showroom. You're not going to buy a spa without at least seeing it first. Go to the showroom and look at the spa, wet test it, and you can buy it at the "factory direct price". I guarantee!
Terminator
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Soakin is exactly right!
Don't sound so surprised ;D! As someone much wiser than me once said, even a broken clock is right twice a day.