Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: hottubdan on January 31, 2007, 02:43:02 pm
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Shoppers and owners, a question for you.
What kind of store do you think is best to shop for a hot tub?
Specialty hot tub store. Spa is main product. 1 manufacturer.
Specialty hot tub store. Spa is main product. 2 or more manufacturers.
Rec warehouse type store. Spa is one of many products/departments.
Big Box. Home Depot, Lowes, Costco.
Online.
Other.
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I prefer a spciality store where they carry more than one line. I think the people are going to be a bit more knowegable about the product, and have more expereince with set up, delivery, service, et all. They also seem to carry the better brands than "Rec warhouses where they sell anything.
The internet? Good lord no!
biog box stores? Only if I wanted a cash and carry product that would be tossed out in 3 years. ;)
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I think when buying a big ticket item as a spa, where ever you buy they should have a staff that is knowable about the product and the staff to service it (if needed).
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Specialy hot tub store. Spa is main product. 1 manufacturer.
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:D
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Pool and Spa store that carry more than one brand.
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Specialty hot tub store. Spa is main product. 2 or more manufacturers.
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Specialty hot tub store, 2 or more products.
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I think I prefer stores that primarily sell just Hot Tubs.
In house repair techs / install crews.....is a big plus too.
I don't really care that much if the store only sells one brand because I would want to go to different stores that sell different brands anyway and hear their sales pitch for that brand.
I might even be slightly....but not much.....more skeptical if a store is selling two brands ....that they might be prone to steer me towards the one they make better margins on.
I just think going to stores that sell more than one brand is over-rated.
Of course there is nothing wrong with stores that sell several brands.
Again.....2EachHisOwn.
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Specialy hot tub store. Spa is main (but not only) product. 2+ or more manufacturers.
However, in a smaller market, we don't always have that luxury. My dealer sells mainly spas but also deals in a few high end recreational items such as pool tables and gaming tables. Spas and spa service is definately the main focus but the added merchadise is nice as well. The dealer was actually quite smart when we were looking as when he could tell we were serious, a secretary appeared from no where and started playing pool and air hockey with my daughters so that I could focus on what the salesman had to say. Whether is was planned or not, it sure was handy.
I'm happy enough with my dealer that when its time to get a pool table, I'll go to him. 8-)
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I would chose:
a specialty store which sells HotSpring, Caldera, Tiger River, Solana, Hot Spot Spas as well as high-end Outdoor Furniture.
They would have to be located in a lower-rent area of a Seaside community to save me money, and they would have to offer all the supplies and support items I am likely to need.
They would need to be family owned and operated, at least 20 years in business, have lots of product knowledge, including being able to help with other brands. They would need to be licensed, bonded and insured, with excellent references. I would like to see a clean report from the BBB and BBB online, as well as the Contractor's State License Board.
They would need to be interested in giving back to the community, and helping people anywhere, anytime.
And if they were the recent recipient of a prestigious award from the world's largest tub manufacturer, so much the better.
And about the owner himself: he would need to like quiet walks on the beach at sunset, be musical, talented, funny, gentle, faithful to his wife and family, no criminal record, in good shape and humble.
How am I doing? Do you think I have any chance of finding a joint like that?
8-)
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Store that carries a few quality brands with prices that can't be beat!!!!
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That's why I like Watkins Manufacturing, you get four brands under one roof by the same manufacturer. HotSpring, Tiger River, Hot Spot and Solana. You get a nice spread of products and price range. I don't care for stores who sell say, HotSpring and Coleman. I think it should be one or the other.
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I would chose:
a specialty store which sells HotSpring, Caldera, Tiger River, Solana, Hot Spot Spas as well as high-end Outdoor Furniture.
They would have to be located in a lower-rent area of a Seaside community to save me money, and they would have to offer all the supplies and support items I am likely to need.
They would need to be family owned and operated, at least 20 years in business, have lots of product knowledge, including being able to help with other brands. They would need to be licensed, bonded and insured, with excellent references. I would like to see a clean report from the BBB and BBB online, as well as the Contractor's State License Board.
They would need to be interested in giving back to the community, and helping people anywhere, anytime.
And if they were the recent recipient of a prestigious award from the world's largest tub manufacturer, so much the better.
And about the owner himself: he would need to like quiet walks on the beach at sunset, be musical, talented, funny, gentle, faithful to his wife and family, no criminal record, in good shape and humble.
How am I doing? Do you think I have any chance of finding a joint like that?
8-)
Very nice. I didn't know there were any "lower-rent areas" in Ventura? :)
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Specialty store, one brand.
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I would like a dealer who is also well armed and fully supports the 2nd amendment (the right to arm bears) ;)
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I would like a dealer who is also well armed and fully supports the 2nd amendment (the right to arm bears) ;)
I thought all you wanted was a manufacturer with a contest to win a spa based on who can be the biggest smart-ass!? ;)
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I thought all you wanted was a manufacturer with a contest to win a spa based on who can be the biggest smart-ass!? ;)
You've summed it up nicely. ;D
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That's why I like Watkins Manufacturing, you get four brands under one roof by the same manufacturer. HotSpring, Tiger River, Hot Spot and Solana. You get a nice spread of products and price range. I don't care for stores who sell say, HotSpring and Coleman. I think it should be one or the other.
Seriously? Those are all the same "brand"
So when Sundance had Sweetwater where those different "brands"
None of the Watkins "brands" (aside from caldera) compete with each other it's just one big price point linup under different names.
I believe that in order to qualify for carrying different brands a retailer would have to carry different competing manufacturers or manufacturers that are truely different from each other with perhaps a different target consumer (Just IMO of course). This way one can do all of their shopping under one roof ;).
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specialty store of course......we stick with the one brand concept, servicing and parts are easier that way.
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Since several dealers jumped in anyway, I'll throw in my nickels worth:
I would go with a company that sells one brand of spa, has sold that spa for several years, believes in their product, backs and services that product and no one else's, and is not a "fair weather" dealer who will switch brands at the drop of a hat in order to sell you SOMETHING....ANYTHING.....just buy from US.
Sorta like being a spa pimp, in my opinion. Belief in nothing other than the dollar.
Terminator
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mr terminator man brings up a good point..... reasonable questions to ask....how long you been in business and in that time how many different spa brands have you carried in that time frame. if a dealer drops a line in favor of another line....who is responsible for the service on the old one, perhaps the one your just purchased. Which brings up another good question....if you discontinue this spa line brand X45, will you continue to provide warranty service for it? Get that answer in writing! Signed by a corporate officer.......