Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Dee Dee on April 18, 2006, 02:46:23 pm
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For example, if you buy a hot springs hot tub and there is something wrong with it, do you call Hot Springs, or the store you bought it at to fix it? Who honors the warrenty? The dealer or the store you bought it at? Is this the same for Artesian, Master Spa, Dimension One, etc.?
And if it is the store, what happens if the store goes out of business?
Also when buying a hot tub is is a good thing to have the store close to you? I think the nearest Hot Springs dealer is about an hour away, does this mean we shouldn't even consider looking at them?
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The manufacturer honors the warranty. If you buy a HotSpring and your dealer goes out of business, Watkins Mfg. will provide you with the name of another dealer who will service your spa.
I have several customers who are over an hour away from my store. We have a very large territory and the next closest HotSpring dealer is 2 hours away in Dallas.
If HS has the spa you want and you are comfortable with the dealer, I wouldn't hesitate to do business with them.
Terminator
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If you are going to do business with a long distance dealer make sure you get all fees in writing. Even though your spa is under warranty there may be some steep travel charges involved.
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If you are going to do business with a long distance dealer make sure you get all fees in writing. Even though your spa is under warranty there may be some steep travel charges involved.
Good point. Some may charge a trip fee for service, some won't but it's not simply a matter of how far away you are. Some will charge for a spa that is 5 miles away while others will have no trip charge even if you are 1 hr away. Always ask up front and have them state their policy in writing.
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And if it is the store, what happens if the store goes out of business?
My Dynasty Dealer went out of business. The first thing I did was verify my warrany with Dynasty. Some months later, I had a flo switch go bad, Dynasty contracted a local tech, who used to work for that dealer and they sent him out. They paid for the parts and his labor, I paid a very modest trip charge. (I'm thinking it was $30)
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30 clams sounds reasonable... :)
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I would for sure ask the dealer about trip charges. If you are in a rural area, you might have to pay a fee. Sometimes you can get a dealer to waive those costs in negotiating for a new spa. Just make sure you get it in writing.
If the dealer were to go out of business, Hot Spring will certainly honor the warranty. Most Hot Spring dealers are pretty stable, so you probably won't have to worry about that.
One other thing to keep in mind, you probably won't have to have much in the way of warranty service, so trip charges won't add up too much.
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If the dealer didn't charge you for travel time to deliver the spa when you bought it they shouldn't charge you travel time to service it. If you are far from the dealer where you purchase your spa you should expect to pay a reasonable charge. The dealer in definately incurring additional expense in labor hours, fuel, etc. Either way, you should know at time of purchase.
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This is happening to us. Our dealer is dropping spa sales. For now they intend to maintain their supplies and service, at least until another dealer takes over.
I asked Sundance and they said that even if my dealer stops service, they have service center in my area.
Not sure if this place charges a trip fee or not.
If so, not the end of the world.
Wonder who will take over the selling end, though.
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I hate to hear that Brewman. I just got word that socal's (Marquis dealer that posts here) store appears to have gone out of business. I'm afraid we're going to be seeing more and more of this in our industry.
Terminator
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Wow that's a bummer. What does it take to survive in the business today. Is it easier for a smaller dealer with less overhead or a large dealer with greaer displays and marketing push?
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What does it take to survive in the business today.
A first rate product, consistency, exceptionally well-trained sales personnel, first-rate customer service techs, a solid business plan, strategic marketing, and strong financial backing, basically.
Terminator
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Wow that's a bummer. What does it take to survive in the business today. Is it easier for a smaller dealer with less overhead or a large dealer with greaer displays and marketing push?
That, my friend, is the million dollar question.
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A first rate product, consistency, exceptionally well-trained sales personnel, first-rate customer service techs, a solid business plan, strategic marketing, and strong financial backing, basically.
Terminator
If that is true, why is Walmart taking over America? :-/
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If that is true, why is Walmart taking over America? :-/
Solid business plan and strong financial backing. ;)
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This is an interesting thread right here now. Walmart meets the needs of their intended market. People who are looking for the lowest price possible on household commodities are their stock in trade. They have vision, consistency, ruthless determination, and a solid corporate business plan that has not really changed at all from the early days. Personally, I would go without before shopping there, but clearly people like me are in the minority and do not affect Walmart at all.
Term, you are one sharp guy. I think you have the right approach.
The Evil Empire, is what I call them other guys.
Regards,
Bill
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Yes, I agree with Bill here. I personally can't stand Wallmart. Everything they sell is cheap landfill garbage. My wife sent me there to buy diapers because they have the lowest prices. I got frustrated with the place and went to the grocery store and happily paid twice the price. She hasn't sent me to buy diapers ever since. ;D
This is an interesting thread right here now.  Walmart meets the needs of their intended market.  People who are looking for the lowest price possible on household commodities are their stock in trade.  They have vision, consistency, ruthless determination, and a solid corporate business plan that has not really changed at all from the early days.  Personally, I would go without before shopping there, but clearly people like me are in the minority and do not affect Walmart at all.
Term, you are one sharp guy.  I think you have the right approach. ÂÂ
The Evil Empire, is what I call them other guys.
Regards,
Bill
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If that is true, why is Walmart taking over America? :-/
Anoroc referred to "the" business, which I interpreted as "the spa business". It's the only business I'm intimately familiar with and I'm sorry if I mislead anyone into thinking I was an economic gooroo. :)
Terminator
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Anoroc referred to "the" business, which I interpreted as "the spa business". It's the only business I'm intimately familiar with and I'm sorry if I mislead anyone into thinking I was an economic gooroo. :)
Terminator
I was not criticising- just making an observation. Term said what it takes to survive in business to day is "A first rate product, consistency, exceptionally well-trained sales personnel, first-rate customer service techs, a solid business plan, strategic marketing, and strong financial backing, basically." I wish this were true, and maybe in a select market (i.e. hottubs) it is.
In my mind, Walmart has only a solid business plan and strong financial backing, and as Bill said, ruthless determination. I HATE Walmart, and will also pay 1.5-2x the price for certain things to avoid going there. (Every now and then I give in, get my low priced item, and then suffer from irritation and a headache for an hour or so.....NOT worth it!) I'm not Walmart's "intended market" and it amazes me how many people I know that feel same way, and yet the evil empire rules all. There was a vert interesting documantary on the evolution of Walmart and its domination of today's economy....can anyone help me remember the name? Really worth seeing.
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I hate to hear that Brewman. Â I just got word that socal's (Marquis dealer that posts here) store appears to have gone out of business. Â I'm afraid we're going to be seeing more and more of this in our industry.
Terminator
Sorry to hear about Socal. In my case it's not quite that big of a deal. The place that I got my spa from is a really huge regional furniture dealer. They decided to delve into the spa thing maybe 5 years ago. I was told by their customer service department that the spa part of the business just wasn't panning out like they had hoped. Not sure why, but hopefully someone else will either take over the territory and offer Sundance, or maybe new dealers will open.
As long as I can get parts and service it's fine.