Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: 96SC on May 18, 2006, 03:01:00 pm
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If I go into a spa dealer's showroom who carries L.A. Spas for example, how many differnt L.A. Spas should I expect to find on the sales floor, not necessarily filled.
L.A. Spas has several different models, if the dealer didn't have the model I am interested in should I expect them to get one just to let me do a wet soak and MAYBE buy it?
It sounds unreasonable to me, but I would like some input.
What would a customer do who wants to try that particular model, travel 200 miles to the dealer who does have one on the floor? That sounds unreasonable, too.
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When I was testing not all models were available for wet testing. If they have one on the floor they may fill it for your if they beleive your are a serious buyer.
On the other hand, I sincerely doubt any dealer would simply order one just so that you can try it out.
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By all means ask. I've found this varies quite a bit from one dealer to the next, and may vary for any dealer from one day to another. He may had just sold a floor unit of a particular model and already has it on order.
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I second the asking comment. Asking to see the actual model up close or to even soak in one isn't unreasonable. The dealer may or may not accomodate you, but the request is certainly within reason.
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When I bought my spa the dealer had the two I wanted to sit in empty. He moved one of them to an outlet and filled them both so i could wet test. Doesn't hurt to ask, they might do the same for you.
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I second the asking comment. Â Asking to see the actual model up close or to even soak in one isn't unreasonable. Â The dealer may or may not accomodate you, but the request is certainly within reason.
There you go. I guess there is nothing wrong with asking....
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This is what you'll typically see at mine:
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/EastTexasSpa/DSC00930.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/EastTexasSpa/DSC00931.jpg)
(http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b206/EastTexasSpa/cowgirl.jpg)
and some hot tubs.
Terminator
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Ask if they offer a 30 guarantee. If you're serious about THAT particular model and after all your research, it offers you everything you think you want out of a spa, purchase it knowing you could return or exchange it within 30 days of receiving it.
Would I as a dealer bring one in from the factory without some serious commitment from you? Most likely not.
Steve
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What would a customer do who wants to try that particular model, travel 200 miles to the dealer who does have one on the floor? Â That sounds unreasonable, too.
If you feel that's asking too much here's a thought. If that other dealer has it wet I would definteily want to make the trip. It'd be worth the $30 or $40 in gas along with the time to be sure you're satisfied with this big purchase; it needs to be the right spa for the next 10+ yrs. Since your dealer can't accomodate your needs, I'd consider finding out what his BEST deal would be on that spa and when you're satisfied that you're getting a decent deal I'd add a proviso stating that if you travel to the other dealer and wet test/like it, you'll come back to him and buy if he'll throw in an additional $200 worth of chems/accessories for you having to spend time and money to go to the other showroom. If he would prefer instead to get the spa into his store and set it up let him and at least this way you'll know you gave him a viable alternative and won't have guilt if you do test it and decide it's not for you.
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First of all, you can not sit in a picture.
Secondly, a manufacturer may have 16 to 20 different models.
Most all dealers are limited by space and put as many on the floor as they can, which also makes it difficult to "move" things around to accomodate wet testing several different models for several different people every other week.
Customers will usually select from what they see and sit in. Some, and only a few at that, do actually wet test what they want to buy. Best recommendation so far is to ASK.
If you are interested in what is NOT on the floor and it is not a "mover" chances are, it is not coming in for you to sit in and MAYBE buy. Chances are that the other distant dealer may not have it either.
But this is where I will ask you, if you where that other distant dealer, would you move things around in advance into the wet test area for someone coming from that distance to wet test? ???
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But this is where I will ask you, if you where that other distant dealer, would you move things around in advance into the wet test area for someone coming from that distance to wet test?
If I was a dealer 200 miles away I'd tell the customer to call the day before coming, to 'make sure we didn't sell the tub' That way I would know for sure he/she was coming and if the tub was empty I could fill it (I'd probably siphon hot water from another tub), since heating a tub overnight, from what I have read here, isn't feasible.
Otherwise, I'd be very leary of a distant customer.
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Our Jacuzzi and Caldera spas are delivered and hooked up all before 4 pm. All of those customers have the ability to sit in and enjoy their hot tub that night at 104 (if that's the temperature they like) that night. That is pretty much true of all brands. If their spa cannot get up to temp from 9 pm to 10 am, they are either on 110v or have a faulty 5kw heater. What isn't fesable is for a customer to call at 4pm and ask to do a wet test in a spa that isn't set up as a wet demo in an hour. With a days notice...what ever tub you want Mr. Buyer!
If I was a dealer 200 miles away I'd tell the customer to call the day before coming, to 'make sure we didn't sell the tub' Â Â That way I would know for sure he/she was coming and if the tub was empty I could fill it (I'd probably siphon hot water from another tub), since heating a tub overnight, from what I have read here, isn't feasible.
Otherwise, I'd be very leary of a distant customer.
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Something that has not be addressed . While every good dealer will do all they can to accommodate you.. the reality of what you are asking a dealer to do...is to order a spa so you can see it and than maybe if you  like it enough... you will wet test it... while this in and of itself is really a bit of stretch for most dealers and again this is not about not wanting to do all you can for a customer but just about the real world and its practical side...  it will take in most cases from 2 to 6 weeks to get the spa in and in that time if you are out shopping and you come across something that works for you....I guess you can see where I am going...  That even if they really want to say YES to what you want and maybe I am wrong but I just do not see it happening very often for this simple reason alone..... most will have a hard time accepting that you will stop your shopping for the next 2 to 6 weeks that it takes to get  a spa for you to can look at it....
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Well said Mendo, It is hard to do everything for all, as dealers seem to bear the brunt of what consumers THINK we should, or can do.
I think (now that is my opinion) for the most part, consumers do not appreciate or understand the efforts, sacrifices and REWARDS that dealers go through to be in this business. Yeah, Yeah, I know, if I don't like it I can get out. ;D What certainly seems simple to them in their way of thinking, seems reasonable to them, but costly to the dealer and more often than not, without any reward. Just because they drive 200 miles doesn't mean they are going to buy, nor does it mean I would be willing do drive that distance to provide service free. ;)
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If there is something you want, ask. If they can not deliver, then it's their loss. Not every dealer has the luxury of a 3000+sg.ft. showroom, with every spa model and filled too. I think every dealer would like to show every spa. We do. Not everyone is filled, but give me a day or two and I'll fill up to 5 spas of your choice. It's what we'll do to get you into the spa that's right for you. Ask.
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If there is something you want, ask. If they can not deliver, then it's their loss. Not every dealer has the luxury of a 3000+sg.ft. showroom, with every spa model and filled too. I think every dealer would like to show every spa. We do. Not everyone is filled, but give me a day or two and I'll fill up to 5 spas of your choice. It's what we'll do to get you into the spa that's right for you. Ask.
So let me get this straight if they want a model that's not on your floor and you have to order from California. What you are saying is that you will do so simply because they asked. I am just wondering but whats your lead time from California for ONE spa. And please know I am not suggesting that you not make every effort to service your customer but sometimes you can not do everything that someone would like as it is just not always realistic.
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From a dealers standpoint, if I did travel 200 miles to test soak a tub (you did have in stock and filled) then had a local, much smaller, dealer order the same tub for me, would you feel used? I'm trying to find out what the courtesy protocal is in tub buying. I'd hate to tick off the distant dealer in case I ever had to go back to them.
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If a potential customer wants to wet test a spa that we don't have available, we will:
1. Make the spa available for them.
If they don't buy it, we'll sell it to someone else.
Terminator
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From a dealers standpoint, if I did travel 200 miles to test soak a tub (you did have in stock and filled) then had a local, much smaller, dealer order the same tub for me, would you feel used? Â I'm trying to find out what the courtesy protocal is in tub buying. Â I'd hate to tick off the distant dealer in case I ever had to go back to them. Â
No not at all. I think that simply that is just a dealer to dealer courtesy as well as providing service to a customer. This is something that does not get mentioned enough, that being courteous and respectful  to your fellow dealer really should be common practice for any true professional. That person willing drive 200 miles is not "my" customer but I can certainly help out my fellow dealer which in turn ultimately is helping the buying experience for the customer and should be a positive reflection of the brand you represent.
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If a potential customer wants to wet test a spa that we don't have available, we will:
1. Â Make the spa available for them.
If they don't buy it, we'll sell it to someone else.
Terminator
Term with all respect when you say if you don't have it you will make it available. How do you do so ? I mean do you get in that spa fairy suit and wave the magic wand ;).....I ask this only because I mentioned it before and no one commented on the real world practical side of just how long it takes to order a spa and get it in. I think most lead times run 2 to 6 weeks. If you have another location that has it great but what if you do not. And does any dealer here truly carry on thier floor every model that is available to them I am sure there must be some that do but I think most simply are not able to display every spa that they can order.
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Term with all respect when you say if you don't have it you will make it available. How do you do so ?
I'm sorry for the brevity of my answer Mendo. As you know, we've got this parking lot sale going and I am hit and miss on participating lately.
We have 3 stores, so we usually have all models available somewhere. If they're not on the floor, we have them in the warehouse. If we're sold out of a model, we will order more if someone's wanting to try one. Typical lead time is 2 weeks between trucks. Right now, we're ordering a truck per week. If we have to, we've driven to Dallas, Texarkana, or Austin to get spas for our customers.
I'm not saying the way we do it is right or wrong. It's just the way we do it. That's all I was adding to the conversation. I realize it's tough to do in situations where you only have one store.
Terminator
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NOT EVEN, if a customer is going to drive 200 miles to wet test my spa because their "local" dealer does not have that model in stock, I am going to do everything in my power to write the deal in my store. It is neither a museum nor a play ground. It's a retail store where we stay open by selling to people that walk into our doors. If that other dealer didn't have the sense to ask for a refundable (upon wet test approval) commitment and get the spa in so the customer could wet test it, then he's lost that customer. If i can sell them, you damn sure bet I'm going to. I don't do this to be friendly with my distant competitors, I do it to make money, I make money by selling.
No not at all. I think that simply that is just a dealer to dealer courtesy as well as providing service to a customer. This is something that does not get mentioned enough, that being courteous and respectful  to your fellow dealer really should be common practice for any true professional. That person willing drive 200 miles is not "my" customer but I can certainly help out my fellow dealer which in turn ultimately is helping the buying experience for the customer and should be a positive reflection of the brand you represent.
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Thats where I would disagree if a dealer who was 200 miles away called me and asked for the favor ...I would work with them...down the road I may need a favor...
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That's a very good question. I have all the models on the floor, three runnning, and I will move them around and fill/heat them if somebody wants to test a particular one. That would take a day or two to get the delivery crew scheduled and so forth if a spa has to be moved. If all I have to do is move the power, I can do it in 10 minutes, and pump the water over at the same time. I am a big proponant of wet testing, and I have put my money where my mouth is.
We just moved into a much larger location, and I had to install all new electrical. I put in yet enough drops on our showroom floor so we now have a total of three positions on the floor where we can run 220v spas. A fourth is going in soon: the box is already in and only needs the breakers and flex conduit installed. That is in addition to two 110v 20A outlets with a third roughed in.
We also have a long 110/220v pigtail in the warehouse which is primarily for water testing used spas before they go out. Although I have yet to do so, that set-up could easily be used in a pinch to heat up a new spa if somebody is in a huge rush. I can pull a spa off the shelf with the forklift, set it on the warehouse floor, hook it up and then transfer hot water into it from a wet spa on the showroom. That could be done in around 20 minutes, IF I have time to work on it right then.
I will openly say that if a customer comes in to wet test in our store, I conisder that person 'our' customer from that moment on. If there is any way I can service the spa - in other words if I think I can get them serviced or send our own service guys the distance after the sale - I will offer to write it up on the spot. If they live in another state or something, I will try to get them to wet test a spa we already have hot and bubbling - and work with them to get as much info about the model they want to buy. If they really want to soak in the exact model I will do my brother dealer a favor and let them wet test by moving water or spas. I have yet to have that happen - that I know of, although I have handed many dollar's worth of literature out and spent many hours of time laughing and chatting with people who are on vacation and just decided to stop in and look at spas. I actually don't mind that a bit, provided I'm not swamped with local shoppers, because it takes the pressure off all the way around and I can simply give out information. You might have guessed by now that I enjoy what I do and I enjoy talking with folks too.
I consider this to be the minimum level of service to a customer: if they want to wet test something, I will do what I have to so they can. And once I have done that, I would expect that they would not consider buying elsewhere.
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Not the same brand anyhow. Considering my surrounding competition for the same brands I sell, over in Ohio, selling Caldera, is a big box store called @$#@, who's focus is sell at any price and shove the service up yer @$$, same with the local one of the same name, that sells artesian and cal spas. As for the surrounding area Jacuzzi competition, I get calls from IL, and OH ALL the time for service, I have no "brethren" that I feel any loyalty to, I got no problem writing the deal here and delivering and servicing there.
And once I have done that, I would expect that they would not consider buying elsewhere.
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in the case thats mentioned 200 miles away is a hike and while it is very easy to want the business today the service of tomorrow might be a tougher act to follow not that its impossible but it presents itself with some genuine concerns. I want to earn the business of everyone who walks in our door....But If a another dealer asked for my help and was above board about things I think being a gentleman does work for me.....I can appreciate that sometimes circumstances are what they are....
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But If a another dealer asked for my help and was above board about things I think being a gentleman does work for me..
That's another story. I have never had another dealer call me and ask to send a customer for a wet test.
I have had them ask if I have certain spa in stock - not a problem. We swap from time to time.
I have had them ask if I will service a spa they sold in my territory - problem.
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in the case thats mentioned 200 miles away is a hike and while it is very easy to want the business today the service of tomorrow might be a tougher act to follow not that its impossible
This is what I'm afraid of happening, not buying from my local dealer who doesn't have what I want then having a problem with a distant dealer, who I purchased the spa from, in having my warrented or unwarrented repairs serviced.
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Life's a crap shoot.
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We show every spa. Not everyone is filled. But we will fill anything you want to try.
If another dealer sent someone to my store to look at a spa they did not have, guess what...I may sell the spa to them.
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My personal experience in life has taught me that simply being direct and up front about things is best ....heres a question for the other dealers....if someone is willing to drive 200 miles after seeing the line you carry but not the model than this other dealer must have done something right....and if thats the case than if they called me and asked for the favor I would help them out....obvsiouly if we had a past history that made me feel that we cannot or simply will not work with them than its diffrent...but for the most part I think helping each other out is fine...in this case 96SC I would ask your local dealer to call for you if you want to buy from him.....if your local dealer simply carries spas as second or third item and is not a full service dealer than I would not bother asking as the other dealer will most likely not want to help him....lol....now thats a whole other thread as to why.... ::)