Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: kmsells on December 04, 2005, 07:13:55 pm

Title: LA Spa Heet
Post by: kmsells on December 04, 2005, 07:13:55 pm
We are interested in getting some feedback from anyone who has the LA Spa Heet.  We have narrowed it down to LA spa and Cal Spa and any input on merits or problems with either would be helpful.  Thanks
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: spaman-- on December 04, 2005, 07:32:59 pm
I sold L.A Spas for several years in Phoenix and went through alot of problems such as having several hundred packs that had to be replaced due to a manufactures defect, I also went through a great deal of problems with cabinets warping in the sun (synthetic).  The new sock style filters are extremely high maintenance, in many cases they have to be washed every 2-3 days or they will clog. The spas performance is excellent in the HEET model. Just like any spa brand do some research on the dealer as there are some good and some not so good dealers.

I now sell Cal Spas in Denver and have not seen any of the service type issues in quality as I did with the L.A Spas dealer keep in mind that is because the dealer I work for is a well oiled machine when it comes to sales and service. As I stated earlier research your dealer.
also a wettest will tell you everything. Are you looking at a 63 jet Cal Spas with 3 therapy pumps those are the comparable models to the HEET! Good LUCK! 8)

Any chance of finding out what town you live in? I may know the dealers there? Also check back here for a fair price we know what these things go for.
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: kmsells on December 04, 2005, 08:09:33 pm
East Coast Spas in Gaithersburg MD
Looking at 12500 for Heet w/sequence on lounge, stereo and fiber optic lights.  What do you think?
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: rocket on December 04, 2005, 08:59:12 pm
too much!
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: klrcraig on December 04, 2005, 10:07:44 pm
I have the L.A. Spa HEET,4 months now and so far so good. I washed the filter's after the 1'st week and every 3 week's since.  8)

good luck with shoping......Craig
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: salesdvl on December 04, 2005, 11:14:18 pm
Quote
I sold L.A Spas for several years in Phoenix and went through alot of problems such as having several hundred packs that had to be replaced due to a manufactures defect, I also went through a great deal of problems with cabinets warping in the sun (synthetic).  The new sock style filters are extremely high maintenance, in many cases they have to be washed every 2-3 days or they will clog. The spas performance is excellent in the HEET model. Just like any spa brand do some research on the dealer as there are some good and some not so good dealers.

I now sell Cal Spas in Denver and have not seen any of the service type issues in quality as I did with the L.A Spas dealer keep in mind that is because the dealer I work for is a well oiled machine when it comes to sales and service. As I stated earlier research your dealer.
also a wettest will tell you everything. Are you looking at a 63 jet Cal Spas with 3 therapy pumps those are the comparable models to the HEET! Good LUCK! 8)

Any chance of finding out what town you live in? I may know the dealers there? Also check back here for a fair price we know what these things go for.



To be fare,
*you are describing problems that occurred when LA was owned by the previous owner.  So far this yr LA is running at a 4% failure rate.  So for every 100 that go out the door, 4 report problems.  I would put that up against ANYONE.  

*The cabinets are now being made by the same supplier as HS & SD.  

*The "micron filter bag" actually performs very well.  The only problems it has is when it gets washed with too much bleach or when chemicals are dumped directly into it.

Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: leaky on December 05, 2005, 09:23:40 am
Spaman,

Do you work out of the store that is right next to the freeway, close to an amusement park and the stadiums?  I recall driving by a colorful CalSpa store when we were there last summer.....
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: spaman-- on December 05, 2005, 09:27:52 am
Quote
East Coast Spas in Gaithersburg MD
Looking at 12500 for Heet w/sequence on lounge, stereo and fiber optic lights. šWhat do you think?


Way too much and you may want to piece price it as the sequencer is alot of money for the function, and the stereo and fiber optics are expensive too. The HEET without these items should price ALOT less. Let me check last years price book. I will get back to you.

And have you wettested this spa with the sequencer?
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: spaman-- on December 05, 2005, 09:29:11 am
Quote
Spaman,

Do you work out of the store that is right next to the freeway, close to an amusement park and the stadiums? šI recall driving by a colorful CalSpa store when we were there last summer.....


Yes We are a next to Invesco field where the Broncos play. (no comments on yesterdays game please) ;D
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: OKC on December 05, 2005, 10:11:44 am
Weve had our Heet for a couple of months now.  No complaints.  We love it.  Good luck in your research.
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: spaman-- on December 05, 2005, 10:15:06 am
Quote
Weve had our Heet for a couple of months now. šNo complaints. šWe love it. šGood luck in your research.


OKC please share what you paid for the HEET model and whatever options are on it.
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: kmsells on December 05, 2005, 12:04:49 pm
We wet tested with the sequencer and love it!! the spa without all gadgets was about 9380 -- sequencer 990, stereo 990, two waterfalls 275 and the rest is fiber optics.  This is the 2006 model with 61 jets and three pumps.... What's the mark up on these tubs?  thanks for your input. ::)  I think we could get $650 off to bring it to 12500 but that was his bottom line....
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: OKC on December 05, 2005, 05:25:59 pm
We spent right around $6,500.  that included steps,cover and cover lifter and all of the chemicals to get us started.  They started us on the Rain Forest Blue.  The jury is still out on this as a sanatizer.  Ive been fighting cloudy water for a couple of days.  We opted for the 32 jet model with a couple of water falls.  

OKC
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: klrcraig on December 05, 2005, 10:21:41 pm
I paid $6500.00 also with more jet's but no water- fall's and steps and cover included.I got mine from the factory in Anaheim Ca.
Craig
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: bhawes on December 06, 2005, 08:21:55 pm
I'm thinking about the LA HEET over the CAl Spa Atlantic I live in OKC and I'm having a hard time deciding between the LA HEET model with 61 jets, 113 ports and 3 5 Hp pumps or the 54 jets with 80 ports and 2 5 Hp pumps with a blower. The price difference is only 900.

The 61 jets  is 8300 includes steps, cover,cover lifter and startup kit .

54 jets is 7400.  
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: OKC on December 07, 2005, 12:23:58 am
I believe you cant go wrong with the LA HEET no matter how many jets.  31 is fine with my wife and me.  The LA dealer in OKC is great so far.  They are very helpful.  Hmmmm.....I wonder if they would ever throw a party like Terminator's?
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: kmsells on December 07, 2005, 07:38:25 am
We finally decided on and ordered the LA Spa/HEET with 61 jets and 3x5 hp pumps... the wet test made it close call between that and the cal spa, but  the big difference was the Cal Spa has a heat exchanger and we heard there are more problems with that than the regular heater, but who knows.  It was hard, because we could have gotten the entertainment cal spa for nearly the same price, w/ TV, DVD player, etc.  Would have been nice for ball games, New Years Eve, etc, but the HEET was just a bit better "fit."  Good luck, I know how hard it is, it's a lot of money (almost the cost of a car!!) ;D
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: bhawes on December 07, 2005, 08:17:03 am
New for this year the LA Spas will offer you the options of having a television with their spas. I thinking you will probadly pay about 2000.00 for the upgrade.
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: bhawes on December 07, 2005, 08:23:51 am
kmsells doing your wet test did you determine that the LA HEET was mor powerful than the Cal Atlantic Spas. Or did you like the way La was design. I like the Foot jets in the louger alot better in the Heet over the Cal Atlantic. I did like the Cal Atlantic seat that had the hip Jets. But I think the LA HEET is a better buy. The Cal dealer is located in Tulsa which is about 90 miles east of OKC. The Cal Spa offer me the same price as the LA HEET of 8300 only if I buy what he had, were as the LA dealer I could order any color and still play 8300. (also) forgot to mention in earlier post the LA HEET also has 2 waterfalls for the price of 8300.00.
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: kmsells on December 07, 2005, 09:49:12 am
We liked the lounge better and the foot jets.  I tell you, the best foot jets were in the Sundance Maxxus but was unimpressed overall with the tub, especially such a monster only really seats 4 people.  Found the Heet felt more powerful and the sequencer on the lounge really rocked!!  It fit me just right.  We eliminated the second, shallow "collar seat" because it just fit my five year old son, so I'm not sure who this was designed for.  The deeper collar was great, and we picked the more open tub mold instead of the second collar option.  Did you check that out and notice an issue with the shallow collar seat?
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: East_TX_Spa on December 07, 2005, 09:55:41 am
Quote
 Hmmmm.....I wonder if they would ever throgh a party like Terminator's?


If they ever do, I only have one suggestion.....


GO!!!!! :)

Terminator
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: tootsie on December 07, 2005, 12:51:41 pm
bhawes,

have you seen or wet tested the 54jets 80 port tub?

If not make sure the configuration is something that you would like. ie: that it doesn't change the foot jets.

I have an oasis and the only wishful thinking I have on it, is I wish we would have spent a little more and got more jets.   I still like the tub and use it but in the back of my mind I have the "what If's".

Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: bhawes on December 07, 2005, 02:25:47 pm
The only model of the HEET that I wet test is the 61 jets 113 ports I'll probadly get this model over the 54 jets 80 port model, because the 61 jets has the two 14 port jets in the lounger for the feet were the 54 jets has 2 one port jet in the lounger for the feet.
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: Lori on December 07, 2005, 06:57:19 pm
OKC

Get outside & enjoy the snow while it is here!!!

bhawes,

The LA dealer here in the city was great when I was looking.  They were on my short list!

Good luck, and if I haven't said it yet WET TEST!!  I know they allow it, I wet tested like crazy there 3 years ago!!!
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: OKC on December 07, 2005, 10:19:14 pm
Lori,  just came in from the tub...What a rush.  People are right.  This is the best time of year to tub.  
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: bhawes on December 09, 2005, 02:56:38 pm
I have 8 awg wire from breaker box  in garage run about 50 feet  to back of the patio. If I hook a 50 GFCI breaker to the spa with 6 awg wire, and the other end of the 50 GCFI breaker to the 8 awg wire run of 50 feet will the spa work without tripping the breaker by pulling out the 40 amp and replacing with a 50 amp in the circut breaker box in the garage.
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: bhawes on December 13, 2005, 10:47:23 am
I think LA Spas is  great Hot tub even better than Hot Springs and Sundance. It's seems after wet testing that Hot Springs is really overrated not enough jets and very low power. The price for the Hot Springs is only playing for the name while, LA Spas can compete any day with Hot Springs and Sundance.
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: East_TX_Spa on December 13, 2005, 11:14:46 am
I think HotSpring Spas is in a very great Hot tub even better than LA Spas and Sundance. It's seems after wet testing that LA Spas is really overrated not enough quality jets and very low reliability. The price for the LA Spas is only playing for the Hollywood crowd while, HotSpring Spas can competed any day with LA Spas and Sundance.

Terminator
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: Spatech_tuo on December 13, 2005, 11:30:49 am
I guess what it comes down to is if you say "my son is really smart and I'm really proud of him" that's great. You don't need to follow it up with "and he's much smarter than the kid down the street who everyone thinks is smart but I know my son is smarter".
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: Soakin on December 13, 2005, 12:16:58 pm
Quote
... "my son is really smart and I'm really proud of him" ... "he's much smarter than the kid down the street who everyone thinks is smart but I know my son is smarter".
Meanwhile the parent of the truly smart kid just smiles and says, "How nice for you!" ;)
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: spaman-- on December 13, 2005, 07:55:25 pm
I think Cal Spas is in a very great Hot tub even better than LA Spas and Hotspring. It's seems after wet testing that LA Spas is really overrated not enough quality jets and very low reliability. The price for the LA Spas is only playing for the Hollywood crowd while, Cal Spas can competed any day with LA Spas and Sundance.

-SpaMan~
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: Spatech_tuo on December 13, 2005, 09:21:33 pm
OK but now we're getting crazy! ;)
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: Kyle on December 14, 2005, 01:19:10 pm
I have doubts about Cal competing with Sundance.  We don't need to go into details.
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: spaman-- on December 14, 2005, 01:57:09 pm
Quote
I have doubts about Cal competing with Sundance.  We don't need to go into details.



In Colorado we topple Sundance! With Cal Spas.  ;)

We do not even consider the dealers here as real competition.
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: Soakin on December 14, 2005, 02:28:15 pm
So if I have this right, Terminator and bhawes both think their kid is smarter than the others, and Spaman and Kyle think their kids are smarter than those kids.  How nice for you all. :)
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: East_TX_Spa on December 14, 2005, 07:12:34 pm
Quote
So if I have this right, Terminator and bhawes both think their kid is smarter than the others, and Spaman and Kyle think their kids are smarter than those kids.  How nice for you all. :)

No, just pointing out how pointless it is to make a claim like bhawes did.  It serves no useful purpose.  Spaman was doing the same.

Terminator

Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: st18901 on December 14, 2005, 08:07:03 pm


I think beans in a tub bath is even better than Cal Spas, LA Spas and Hot spring. It seems after wet testing black beans and lima beans is really overrated not enough quality gas and very SBD. The price for refried is only playing for the Hollywood crowd while Pinto competed any day with refried and kidney beans.
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: blizzard on December 14, 2005, 08:37:05 pm
Pinto's also provide a smoother ride.
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: Soakin on December 14, 2005, 10:12:51 pm
Quote
No, just pointing out how pointless it is to make a claim like bhawes did.  It serves no useful purpose.  Spaman was doing the same.  Terminator
I think we got it.  I was just pointing out how pointless the pointing out was (with a pointless post myself ;))  Say that real fast three times.
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: East_TX_Spa on December 15, 2005, 09:35:24 am
Quote
I think we got it.  I was just pointing out how pointless the pointing out was (with a pointless post myself ;))  Say that real fast three times.


I get your point. ;D

Terminator
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: salesdvl on December 15, 2005, 09:46:12 am
Quote
No, just pointing out how pointless it is to make a claim like bhawes did.  It serves no useful purpose.  Spaman was doing the same.

Terminator



I have to be honest here.  This is exactly why I have grown tired of this forum.  Someone came on and asked about a brand that isnt one of the "Big 5". When someone else offers their OPINION that they THINK LA is better than HS & SD the claws come out.  Thats terrible.  To say it "serves no useful purpose" is crazy.  There are no definitive studies that PROVE HS is better than anyone.  Or that CAL is or whatever.  The best spa is dfferent for each consumer each sale.  You are stating an OPINION based on your experiences.  That OPINION serves "no useful purpose" to the millions of consumers that chose NOT to buy a Hot Spring.  or Sundance or whomever.
I have stated this before.  I sold Hot Spring for over 20 years.  Went to all their training.  But now that I travel around to various dealers I have learned that there are many different spas out there that are very good choices for a variety of reasons. When we give advice here I wish everyone would realize that.



Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: East_TX_Spa on December 15, 2005, 09:56:05 am
I simply offered my opinion as well.

Terminator
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: LtDan on December 15, 2005, 10:05:42 am
Quote
Meanwhile the parent of the truly smart kid just smiles and says, "How nice for you!" ;)


Then the kid with a mohawk comes in, beats up the smart kids and goes hot tubbing with their girlfriends...
Title: Re: LA Spa Heet
Post by: Soakin on December 15, 2005, 10:43:54 am
Quote
...This is exactly why I have grown tired of this forum.  Someone came on and asked about a brand that isnt one of the "Big 5". When someone else offers their OPINION that they THINK "X" is better than "Y" & "Z" the claws come out.  Thats terrible.  ... The best spa is dfferent for each consumer each sale... there are many different spas out there that are very good choices for a variety of reasons. When we give advice here I wish everyone would realize that.
AMEN!  

When I returned from a few month absence, I noticed that several regulars have quit posting, or post very seldomly.  I PM'd a couple to see what was going on, and they informed me that they have quit checking in because the tone of this forum has changed.  One reason was partisan attacks like you just described.  Another was the predictable bickering that certain topics always generate.

It seems we have lost some of the leadership that was provided by the "old school" dealers who were careful to keep their biases in check, and realized that consumers come here for help and advice, not to hear the "my brand is best" crap they already got from the salesperson.