Damn, Tub Talk has slowed down

[Gomboman]

I've been a member here since 2004 and this is the slowest I've ever seen this site. Very few new people are talking about possible spa purchases. I'm assuming the economy has dramatically affected the Spa business.

How are the dealers doing out there with this lousy economy? I hope you are all hanging in there....

[Vanguard]

I heard from a pretty good source that Watkins is running at 30-40% of capacity.  I don't know exactly what that means as a percentage loss of sales, but I don't think that spells out a lot of spa sales.

Many swimming pool distributors that sell vinyl kits are off 30-40% this year.

In California, in 2006 there were over 60,000 pool permits pulled.  Last year there were around 40,000.  This year, the hope is that maybe there will be 20,000 pools built.  That really hurts.  I think those numbers will be somewhat similar to what is going on with hot tub sales as well.  Not as exact same numbers, but the same kind of ratios.

Watkins was going to take Caldera to the show in November, but apparently, they have pulled out now.  I spoke to one person I know at Watkins who has been there for over 20 years.  He said he has never seen a slow down like this before.

With the Dow now closer to 9,000, things don't look very good for a rebound anytime soon.  

[D.P. Roberts]

The last time someone started a thread about finding a new hot tub was on September 22nd. For a site called "What's the best hot tub", going more than two weeks without anyone asking "What's the best hot tub?" must be a bad sign.

[Chas]

I have been out doing this:


because we sure haven't been selling spas.

 8-)

[Gary]

Service work has picked up by quite a bit that usually means people are fixing what they have instead of buying new. 5-10 years ago people did not want to spend too much on repairs they would go buy new, now more than ever they are repairing.

If we all quit spending then the economy goes in the tank so lets get out there and spend some money!

If you are more than 10-years from retirement you have no reason to worry about the recent stock market issues.

[Water Boy]

Thats not sounding good Vanguard. Things havent gotton too bad here yet. We have still sold two this week, but it does seem like there are less people coming in asking about spas.

I have heard that pool and spa chemicals are expected to go up around 20% next year. People won't like that at all!

[Vanguard]

Thats not sounding good Vanguard. Things havent gotton too bad here yet. We have still sold two this week, but it does seem like there are less people coming in asking about spas.

I have heard that pool and spa chemicals are expected to go up around 20% next year. People won't like that at all!

From my understanding, Arch is implementing price increases of biguanides over 15%, chlorine tablets over 25% and algaecides upwards of 20%.  

BioLab is raising prices, but they are going to a dealer direct model, so the dealers might not be impacted as much as Arch dealers.  But yes, they are both going up in price significantly.  

[wmccall]

I know I'm probably going to keep my 5 year old tub going awhile.  The only way I'd buy a new one right now is if I move.  I bought a raffle ticket on a house. If I win that I could see selling the house with the tub and possibly new.  Maybe that really doesn't add to the sellability?  Any thoughts on that?

[stuart]

From my understanding, Arch is implementing price increases of biguanides over 15%, chlorine tablets over 25% and algaecides upwards of 20%.  

BioLab is raising prices, but they are going to a dealer direct model, so the dealers might not be impacted as much as Arch dealers.  But yes, they are both going up in price significantly.  

The problem with that is BioLab set up 5 dealers in a 10 mile radius of us then undercut us with product going to the box stores and internet.

I think they're in for a surpise when the prices go up. It will only incourage more overseas junk.

[Hillbilly Hot Tub]

You are right about Arch, I am waiting to get our new pricing. We were also told we are having another increase in tub prices in January, we just had an increase in July.

Freight is still slamming us with fuel surcharges even though fuel costs are going down.

I did sell 3 tubs this week, but the market has changed since spring. Spring was the top dollar bells and whistles tubs, this fall has been the more basic tubs.

As Gary states, service work has been keeping us busy, people would rather invest in new pumps and control systems to get a few more years from their tubs.

To make up for the slow down of tub sales we added woodstoves to our floor this fall. We will see how that goes.

[Chubby Johnson]

The Emerald dealer close to where I live has slowed down so much that he had to go back to the job he had before his hot tub career.

[gwstudios]

The spa and rec room stores around here are ghost towns. The car dealerships are worse, our closest dealer has nine new Challengers on the lot and hasn't sold one since they arrived over two months ago. Not one. The plan was to inflate the sticker to over $50,000 like all dealers do with hot cars.

The market is off almost 700 today (again). I'm forseeing a worldwide meltdown within two weeks. The Dow should be down to about 5,000 by that time. Russia is blaming the US for the tidal wave effect our economy is causing around the world.

The next couple years aren't going to be fun and only the strongest companies will survive. My advice is to buy stock in alchohol and tobacco companies.

I can't figureout why Obama or McCain want to inherit this mess.

[Bonibelle]

My Morgan Stanley guy called this morning to see if I was still breathing...

He said if I had any extra cash to pay everything off and sit tight...
(I am sure he means opposed to investing it in stock)

My husband is working in Europe. He said that in each country that he visits the first thing people ask is who he believes is the best candidate for US president. He says it's amazing how the Europeans are following our election and how much they believe one person could make such a difference...I think it took lots of goofs to get us in this mess..NO ONE PERSON is going to get us out.. :-/

[Steve]

We just don't want all of you guys moving up here for the fresh air, healthcare and stable economy OK?  

Steve

[In Canada eh]

We just don't want all of you guys moving up here for the fresh air, healthcare and stable economy OK?  

Steve