Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: NWI on April 05, 2007, 07:03:24 pm
-
Costco is now offering these PilatesH2O spas. I especially like the idea of the sequencer. Has anyone seen one of these yet?
http://www.pilatesh2o.com/
-
How much??
-
They are made by TM the makers of Gulf Coast...They look really cool even up close until you open them up and start taking them apart. Then you see they are pretty cheesy
My guess is that you won't see the features on them you see now after a few months. They have violated a paten already existing in the spa industry and I think it will create some major issues.
-
How much??
Less than $7K
-
:o What a fantastic deal. 92X92 and it only weighs 454lbs must be built really well.
Sorry didnt mean to be a smart -ss seems like a great spa but probably is not.
Stick with a good dealer you can still find something built and of better quality for less than 7000.00
-
Thanks....had never heard of this brand.
(http://www.pilatesh2o.com/images/home_2.gif)
(http://content.costco.com/Images/Content/Product/192504.jpg)
92 Customizable Jets, 6 Removable Massage Balls,
and Dual Pop-up Waterfalls
(http://www.pilatesh2o.com/images/differences.jpg)
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/ItsZep/Hot%20Tub/logo-psc-sm-5star.gif)
http://www.pilatesh2o.com/
-
Zep, I just LOVE it when you do your picture stuff!! :-* :)
-
All backed up by Costcos magnificent warranty, but dont worry, if you are ever dissatisfied with the product you can unconditionally return the spa. Oh yeah, it's no longer "unconditional" it's a 90 day return policy. Why would they do that?
Costco is now offering these PilatesH2O spas. I especially like the idea of the sequencer. Has anyone seen one of these yet?
http://www.pilatesh2o.com/
-
:o What a fantastic deal. 92X92 and it only weighs 454lbs must be built really well.
Stick with a good dealer you can still find something built and of better quality for less than 7000.00
The Dimension One Nautilis is 91x91 and weights almost 900 lbs dry.
Thats double almost, that means beefier construction, heavier duty pumps and controls and everything else, for a grand more with a local dealer and warranty. Hmmmmmm whats the better deal?
-
Even my 84 x 84 J-345 weighs in at 822lbs dry.
-
re: "Zep, I just LOVE it when you do your picture stuff"
Thanks Kervis....I've always felt seeing what
we discuss helps promote better discussion.
(BTW..plus it's always fun watching the "doom & gloomers"
attack a brand as "trash"....Pics seems to really
get their blood pressure up!....LOL)
(http://www.poolandspa.com/images/pilate-remote-013107.jpg)
Pilates H2O Wireless Floating Remote Control Operation:
Pump 1 – 2-speed
Pump 2 – 2-speed
Pump 3 – Single speed
Stereo Functions (on/off, volume, tuning, CDs)
Programmable Seat Sequencer 1
Programmable Seat Sequencer 2
Light (LED Multi-color)
(http://www.poolandspa.com/images/pilatescobaltcorner-1.jpg)
http://www.poolandspa.com/page4002.htm
-
All backed up by Costcos magnificent warranty, but dont worry, if you are ever dissatisfied with the product you can unconditionally return the spa. Oh yeah, it's no longer "unconditional" it's a 90 day return policy. Why would they do that?
From http://www.costco.com/Service/FeaturePageLeftNav.aspx?ProductNo=11204333
Merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. Exceptions: Televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPOD / MP3 players and cellular phones must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund.
The 90 day restriction does not apply to spas. Costco recently tightenedup this restriction because they saw large abuse and returns specifically with TVs and computers, but it is still aplicable to spas.
3 weeks or so ago. here at work, Costco had a booth set up in one of the cafetierias, passing out membership info and such. I asked them about the return policy specifically on hot tubs and was told the no hassle policy still applies. I asked about abuse and he said, yes, occasionaly they do have someone abusing the return policy on spas, but it's factored in, and at the end of the day, on an aggrregate level, Costco wins.
It's a nice policy, but buying, installing and hooking up a spa is a pain to do. Returing one can only be worse. It's nice to know that if you ever are unsatisfied, you can return it, but on another forum, I've read that folks fully knowing these spas were not the same quality as a others, still bought them beliveing they'd retunr them later.
Why? wouldn't you rather buy the spa you really wanted and not worry about bringing it back? Who wants to keep returning a POS, just to try and "Get away with something". The only thing you're getting away with is a low end spa prone to breaking down that you're going to be hauling back and forth for the next several yeaars, paying throught the nose for electricy and suffering from sub standard therapy.
Or, drop a few grand more and have a great spa and get on with enjoying your life. ;)
-
Even if you can return it, how much will returning it cost you?
Does the price of a Costco spa include full installation, or is it dropped curbside, or worse, the customer has to unload it?
If the cost just includes curbside drop, any costs of having it moved into place or hooking it up wouldn't possibly be refundable. Then there may be some costs involved in returning it. For sure those costs would be born by the consumer.
So returning this bargain spa might cost hundreds.
Then you're stuck with a dilemma-
Buy another Costco spa again and hope you don't get a lemon this time, or get a better one from somewhere else?
Buy another Costco one, and repay any hookup costs all over?
Or decide a spa isn't for you after all, and the money you spent of the site prep and electrical is also wasted.
Or decide to keep the lemon and begin the "Who the heck is going to service this thing under warranty" saga.
This may be an extreme scenario, but what Drew said has merit- returning a spa isn't like taking back a faulty paper shredder or sour milk.
-
It's 1000lbs, 454kgs folks. It must be very well constructed.
-
This talk about the weight of the spa is ridiculous! Just because a spa is heavy, doesn't mean it is well constructed. I could name several spas that are extrememly heavy, yet I wouldn't say they are the best constructed- heck, they may even be worst! This basically goes along the lines of another ridiculous thing I continually read "I won't buy a spa from a dealer unless they have been in business XXX number of years". Just how do you think they have been able to accumulate that many years in business if nobody would buy from them when they were a new dealer?
Now don't get me wrong, I'm sure these spas from Costco are POS. But, I prefer to take the tact of a wait and see. They may be very good for the price and perfect for low end customers, people who cannot spend upwards of 10g's on a tub. I service spas on a daily basis, and I woud never spend that kind of money on any brand of spa.
BTW, I would charge you $250 to return your spa to costco- same price as delivering it. My 2 cents
-
[quote author=stuart)They are made by TM the makers of Gulf Coast...They look really cool even up close until you open them up and start taking them apart. Then you see they are pretty cheesy
Cheesy in what regard?
-
It's 1000lbs, 454kgs folks. It must be very well constructed.
Sorry about that I read to fast, Hey if you like it and think its a great buy then buy it.
Who knows it may run great for years to come,but then again it may not! But then you can always call them for help and warrantee for 2 whole years,or just take it back to Costco and get your time and money back. Good luck!!
-
NWI....
These tubs may not be the "best in the world"...
But hey...Costco did not become one of the most successful
companies in America by ripping off their customers and/or
selling junk.
I personally would not buy a hot tub from a non-dealer
because I like the "babying" a dealer performs for their
customers. I do not want to fool with or worry about
"delivery at the curb", repairs/warranty work through a
third party that did not sell me the tub, ect.....
However I think for a certain segment of the population
the "warehouse" Sams/Costo/Home Depot spa sales deal
may work for them to save money and "be on their own"
a little more that buying from a real full time spa dealer.
-
Cheesy in what regard?
Cheezy in the requard that the frame is 2 x 2 pine stapled and lacks board touching in some places by as much and 1/2 inch. Cheezy in the fact that the jets where coming apart in the new model as I pulled them to look at them.
The glue joints where sad and the plumbing looked as if it was done by a 5 year old.
When you looked down the bar top of the spa the mold was wavy and uneven. The Grill for the filter was a bit off kilter and the cabinet did not fit well.
If you pulled the cabinet and looked at the spa without it you would think this was made in someones garage.
-
If you pulled the cabinet and looked at the spa without it you would think this was made in someones garage.
If you pulled the cabinet and looked at the spa without it you would think this was made in someones garage old horse barn in CO.
Fixed it. ;D
I agree with Zep that they fill a market need, and for some are the apropriate choice. Knowing what you are getting, and not getting so is the key. Decison to by made on information and choice, rather than beliveing marketing, and hype.
-
I have fought this battle for so many years that I can't count the scars...
"Filling a market need" is a dangerous thing IMO.
What happens with spas like this is someone buys one thinking that they are getting an upper end spa for a great price. It turns into a nightmare over time with poor filtration, a frame that falls apart and jets that all fall out. Add to that a manufacture that is all about the flash and not about the longevity of the product or even the brand name and you have a very bad experience.
When their friends ask them about their spa they don't say, "I wouldn't buy this brand again,” they say "I wouldn't own a spa...They are a pain in the butt to keep up with".
It takes a sale from a dealer that would have taken care of them and takes others off the market from their experience.
These "look good, flash and flam" spas drive me nuts and I think there is very little concern at the manufacture level with industry improvement or consumer benefit but simply an attitude of "how much money will this make for me" as is the attitude with Costco.
Our landfills are being filled with products like these from many industries, most of them Chinese. What happens when we run out of space to dispose of this crap!
-
What happens with spas like this is someone buys one thinking that they are getting an upper end spa for a great price. It turns into a nightmare over time with poor filtration, a frame that falls apart and jets that all fall out. Add to that a manufacture that is all about the flash and not about the longevity of the product or even the brand name and you have a very bad experience.
When their friends ask them about their spa they don't say, "I wouldn't buy this brand again,” they say "I wouldn't own a spa...They are a pain in the butt to keep up with".
It takes a sale from a dealer that would have taken care of them and takes others off the market from their experience.
These "look good, flash and flam" spas drive me nuts and I think there is very little concern at the manufacture level with industry improvement or consumer benefit but simply an attitude of "how much money will this make for me" as is the attitude with Costco.
Our landfills are being filled with products like these from many industries, most of them Chinese. What happens when we run out of space to dispose of this crap!
Amen!!
-
So this is the thread that inspired to respond, I just have to say I am leery about the poster here, same person who has been posting on another forum and for such a new tub, it makes me think they are involved with the company. I believe what Stuart said and also that this are made by a maker who will make them for anyone who has the ability to buy enough and than private label them.
-
So this is the thread that inspired to respond, I just have to say I am leery about the poster here, same person who has been posting on another forum and for such a new tub, it makes me think they are involved with the company. I believe what Stuart said and also that this are made by a maker who will make them for anyone who has the ability to buy enough and than private label them.
So why would you be "leery about the poster"? Did I make some unreasonable claims about the tubs? Or, was it because I didn't jump on the bandwagon that they are POS subjecting the earth to a certain doom? Fact is, I'm looking for a new tub and having owned a top-tier tub with issues, I'm not opposed to looking at all options.
-
Just because Costco sells a spa, does that make it a "POS"? This is a new brand for them and I did some surfing and noticed that this new brand is listed on poolandspa.com as a best of class company with 5 stars. I've been looking for a spa for just over a month, and have regarded poolandspa as a good source for information. Should I look elswwhere now because Coscto sells a brand they recommend??
That 7 grand spa looks pretty good. It has a 2 year warranty on parts and labor (is that good or bad?) and the Costco "reset button" is a nice last resort alternative if things go too bad.
I would like input from those who have expierence with this brand (not Costo in general) but this Pilates H2O that got good reviews on other web-sites.
-
Just because Costco sells a spa, does that make it a "POS"? This is a new brand for them and I did some surfing and noticed that this new brand is listed on poolandspa.com as a best of class company with 5 stars. I've been looking for a spa for just over a month, and have regarded poolandspa as a good source for information. Should I look elswwhere now because Coscto sells a brand they recommend??
That 7 grand spa looks pretty good. It has a 2 year warranty on parts and labor (is that good or bad?) and the Costco "reset button" is a nice last resort alternative if things go too bad.
I would like input from those who have expierence with this brand (not Costo in general) but this Pilates H2O that got good reviews on other web-sites.
It's not costco that makes it a POS it;s the price. In this country you get what you pay for. If that was a top teir tub it would cost 8-9 grand but it only cost 5-7 at Costco, somewhere they had to cut corners to get them to that price. Lessor componants, whimpier frame work, lessor warranty and service. No delivery, no customer support, all these things make for a lessor tub with an unproven track record for dependability and longevity. And to top that off suspect to more problems with a lessor service. Anyone who thinks there local Hot Spring dealer is going to jump all over the service and delivery issues of these tubs is right, they will jump all over it when they are dang good and ready and the other customers are takin care of!
For $23,000 any company, any, can become a 5 star company! Most 8-9 grand spas have a 5 year warranty. I have yet to find someone who used that no questions asked return policy, so I am skeptical of how well that works also. But keep in mind that you DO NOT get your money back, another tub or store credit.
Spend a grand more and get a quality tub from a dealer, hell you can even spend less and get a quality tub from a dealer. It will have no where near the flash to break down.
-
It's not costco that makes it a POS it;s the price. In this country you get what you pay for. If that was a top teir tub it would cost 8-9 grand but it only cost 5-7 at Costco, somewhere they had to cut corners to get them to that price. Lessor componants, whimpier frame work, lessor warranty and service. No delivery, no customer support, all these things make for a lessor tub with an unproven track record for dependability and longevity. And to top that off suspect to more problems with a lessor service. Anyone who thinks there local Hot Spring dealer is going to jump all over the service and delivery issues of these tubs is right, they will jump all over it when they are dang good and ready and the other customers are takin care of!
While I generally agree that you get what you pay for, I'm not necessarily convinced you can effectively make that case with Costco. Let's not forget that overhead accounts for a large portion of a products final cost to the consumer, and more specifically, getting your product into Costco at a lower margin can reap huge rewards on volume.
Sure there are going to be additional hoops to jump through with delivery and service. Yes, it is a new product with an unproven track record, but every company/product/person has to start somewhere.
For $23,000 any company, any, can become a 5 star company! Most 8-9 grand spas have a 5 year warranty. I have yet to find someone who used that no questions asked return policy, so I am skeptical of how well that works also. But keep in mind that you DO NOT get your money back, another tub or store credit.
So, what exactly do you get?
Spend a grand more and get a quality tub from a dealer, hell you can even spend less and get a quality tub from a dealer. It will have no where near the flash to break down.
This may be true, but from my personal experiences it's been a fight to the finish to get more than a basic soaker at those prices.
-
"so what exactly do you get"
You GET a 5 star rating on the pooland spa web site. You write a check to poolandspa, and they list you with 5 stars on their web site.
-
Folks can call things what they want, its just odd that on 2 web sites that a NEW posters first post on both boards is to tout some new line of spas that are very very new and to think it would not raise a question about them having some relation to the company, is not out of line. I saw the maker of these spas in Vegas, they make them for anyone who will buy enough and than private label them. The warranty is OK shorter than many but its OK.
-
Folks can call things what they want, its just odd that on 2 web sites that a NEW posters first post on both boards is to tout some new line of spas that are very very new and to think it would not raise a question about them having some relation to the company, is not out of line. I saw the maker of these spas in Vegas, they make them for anyone who will buy enough and than private label them. The warranty is OK shorter than many but its OK.
Were you able to see one of these spas in Vegas, and if so, what were your thoughts on the construction?
-
Were you able to see one of these spas in Vegas, and if so, what were your thoughts on the construction?
They are known I think (IMO)....that most in the industry think they are more about flash than substance. I liked the pack they used until in speaking with some others in R&D that I know, I asked about it and was told they had it in testing for about a year and that it seems to have a lot of bugs but it LOOKS great.
-
the XM3 pack by Gecko has been in the field for 3 years now without the numerous bugs There hasnt been really too many problems with the pack itself most of the problems have been related to the software where some tub companies are trying to get the product out to market while it was only in beta testing.
The pack and heater are about the only thing on those tubs that may give it some credibility IMO
-
the XM3 pack by Gecko has been in the field for 3 years now without the numerous bugs There hasnt been really too many problems with the pack itself most of the problems have been related to the software where some tub companies are trying to get the product out to market while it was only in beta testing.
The pack and heater are about the only thing on those tubs that may give it some credibility IMO
I have strong reservations about these packs...These are the same heater relays that had such a high fail rate in the MAAX products over the last few years.
To make it look cool gecko has increased the number of exterior plug jacks and increased the number of pins in each jack...I think that is poor engineering and planning. If we have learned anything in electronics and spas it would be that simplifying is better.
The more you can do with less the better the system seems to last.
Again the packs look cool but from years of experience I can't feel real comfortable with how they are actually designed. IMO, two or three years on a new equipment design doesn’t give us the full picture of how long it will last.
That’s the problem with so many manufactures, they are using something that they haven’t paid the price of testing on….They expect the customers to be the guinea pig for those tests.
-
the XM3 pack by Gecko has been in the field for 3 years now without the numerous bugs There hasnt been really too many problems with the pack itself most of the problems have been related to the software where some tub companies are trying to get the product out to market while it was only in beta testing.
The pack and heater are about the only thing on those tubs that may give it some credibility IMO
I do agree with you that the pack might be the best thing about the spa, it does not change what I was told by some good friends in R&D that while they liked the concept of the pack, it did not not measure up to the standards they are striving for.