Buying chemicals/supplies online?

[mikeb]

Hey everyone, I'm sure this has been asked before, but....does anyone have an "online" source for spa supplies and chemicals, that is more economical than the spa shop down the street?

I pay $27.95 for 5# shock. Is that really high or is it in the ball park?

Thanks.

[Snuggles]

Go here:http://www.rhtubs.com/store/directory.htm
the site is owned and run by a major contributor to this site. They also have a great forum and if you get the chance look up the faq for Northman, and Vermonter chemical methods. Those two are worth the visit.

 

[hottubber]

I hate to come in from the other side of this equation BUT, as a spa retailer for many years, it is hard for me to still understand why many spa and pool owners buy chemicals from an on line source or a big box store. What ever happened to customer loyalty. God forbid,
what happens if chemical is packaged improperly and someone gets hurt. Or what if you have questions regarding the chemicals purchased. Is it not still your best bet to buy from a reputable spa or pool company rather that has all of the neccessary training in water treatment than a big box store or internet? Is saving a couple of bucks that important to your livelyhood? You might as well go to Cosco first, buy the spa, go back to the appliance department for service needs and carpet & tile for your replacement spa pillows. Do you really think they have any interest in your well being.
YOUR Spa & pool retailer is there for you, and yes they are there to make a profit.

Just something to ponder...

hottubber...

[Vinny]

I think the it's a double edged sword.

1st edge - Most of us want to run our spas and pools as cheaply as possible and if we can get something cheaper we will do so. Buying on-line is certainly a way to do so and I know that Doc (rhtubs) certainly has great prices. Also, although Doc isn't local to most of us, he provides a great service and should be compensated for the time and effort he puts into running the site!

2nd edge - We bought from our dealer because we liked our tub and dealer and obviously the price was right. We expect our dealer to be there but IF we don't patronize the dealer, they won't be there.

When you break down the extra costs of supplies (an extra $100/year maybe) and divide it up by 365, it comes to $0.28 a day less than a cup of coffee! So what to do?

Would it be fair to purchase from the dealer and if you use Doc's site for info to split up the orders? I personally would hate to see either go away!

Now with that said, I would think there are a lot of people who do use their dealer for everything - I know of two people - they don't utilize the internet at all. Is it possible for the dealer to carry cheaper chemicals and have the consumer save some money? Maybe dealers can carry Bio Guard for the name brand people and XYZ for the rest of us. XYZ should cost less than the name brand and do the same job.

Originally when thinking about supplies I was definitely buying internet due to cost savings. But yesterday when I posted on another thread about costs and did the math on $95.00 for 2 filters and it came out CHEAPER than I thought - I realized that IF I didn't buy lunch for 1 day a week that I have that money to support my dealer to buy the filters and it REALLY wouldn't affect me too much.

Just my thoughts!

Vinny

[hottubber]

nice job vin...

[MIATAMAN]

I prefer to buy from a dealer. I was about to buy a spa from them, but found a great deal on a 6 month old tub. The dealer said it was a good deal and I went with it. Even though I did not buy the spa from them, they still check my water for free and give great advice. Maybe I am old fashioned, but I like face time with a person. If I ever decide to replace my tub, I know they will be there.

[wmccall]

I have to disagree with you Tubber. Do you go to your car dealer for every oil change, washer fluid, wax, wipers, filters, and tires?

My dealer is a great dealer, but I got use to using the line of chemicals he had when I bought my tub, then he switched brands to get a better bottom line and I found they didn't work as well. They have since changed again.  

My dealer considers me his most loyal customer. There are other ways to show loyalty than to overpay for chemicals.

As for online sources,  I consider buying from RH to be being loyal to Doc for his help here to me and others  . I like the brand of MPS that Doc recommended and it works great and I can't find it anywhere else.  Now I recently discovered a brand name dichlor available in a 5 pound bottle at a lower price than I have seen anywhere and that is from a hot spring dealer here in town.

[wmccall]

There are a lot of things to consider, educate your self and do what is best for you. I did buy dichlor from a local big chain retailer till the company I use to work for had to lay off 75 people and send the work to China because that chain wanted to  our company to drop the price of the product we sold them from 4.75 to 3.25 each and they sell them for $19.  So I don't buy from them.

[Soakin]

... it is hard for me to still understand why many spa and pool owners buy chemicals from an on line source or a big box store.  ... Just something to ponder...

I pondered it a little...

As to why buy on-line or based on price -- most of these chemicals are a generic commodity.  They may be branded, sometimes contain additives, be conveniently packaged, etc., but in the end, dichlor is dichlor is dichlor, and MPS is MPS...  you get the idea.  The chemical purchased on-line or at a big box retailer is going to perform the same function, so perhaps the question is why do so many dealers attempt to charge a premium price for something with little added value?  

Yes. we all want to support our dealers, and all things being equal certainly would, not just out of loyalty, but self interest -- we want and need the dealer to be there when we have a problem, or want choices in a new spa.  Nonetheless, if a dealer wants the chemical business but doesn't want to compete on price, you have to give the consumer more reasons than loyalty to purchase a generic commodity from you.  There are lots of ways to add value, whether it be convenient location, hours, expertise, selection, extra services like water testing and filter cleaning, pleasant staff and the like -- then you have to help the customer see the benefits.  

What doesn't work (at least for me ) is stocking only branded chemicals at a premium price, staffing the chemical sales area with a clerk who knows less about water care than the customer, or a salesperson who knows the existing customer won't be generating another big comission for several years so he/she keeps one eye on the front door for a hot prospect.  They provide few reasons to feel guilty about looking elsewhere for chemical needs.  

One question for you dealers:  I have no idea what percentage of your profits come from chemicals and supplies, but would it make sense to compete with the online/big box suppliers on price in order to keep your customers coming into the store on a regular basis?  If I knew my dealer was always competitive, I wouldn't be likely to waste time shopping elsewhere.  I see potential benefits in maintaining the relationship, generating impulse sales of parts, accessories and the like, continually reminding customers of service availability, exposing customers to new models and promotions, generating sales leads and referrals, etc.

My two cents for the day.

[poolboy34]

see this is where dealer selection is crucial.  Any GOOD dealer will have a WELL-trained and versed staff that is cross trained for all aspects of day to day business.  Yes, i realize that big ticket items will require a specialist (i.e. In ground pools, liners, and safety covers), but for all regular customers, a dealer should have a good staff that knows not only the products it sells but also when and how to use them.  This creates value in not only the products you sell, but also in the service and advice your dealership gives.  This is what ultimately seperates a dealership from the guys selling supplies out of their garage on the net.  plus your dealer SHOULD know his/her own products (i.e. Chems) and will therefore be able to guide you in when and how to use them properly.  this is information that is not readily available on the net.  And yes I agree that these forumns are good, but everyone does things a lil bit differently.  And keep in mind that many dealers & manufacturers won't honor warranties when damage is caused by improper care and water chemistry.  

[TubbinSoon, now we be tubbin]

My dealer does not promote or carry dichlor products. I am free of having to support him?

[bulmer4nc]

Before our dealer closed up shop we had considered buying from them to keep a good relationship.  Problem was that they were WAY overpriced compared to anything online.  For many things they were DOUBLE the price.  I think if dealers want and expect that loyalty they have to at least be competative with their prices.  I was buying a few thing from them that were close to normal prices but most things come from an online source.  Now that they are not around it's all going to come from an online source.  

[Brewman]

How about a 3rd edge, buying from a dealer, but not the one you got your spa from?
We use Brilliance (bromine) in our spa, and it's only sold by 2 places near enough for me to consider driving to.  One is our dealer, the other sells a competing brand of spa- both carry Baqua/Brilliance.
I found out about dealer #2 when my dealer was out of a couple things, so I used the "net" to find this second dealer in my area.  
 Which happen to be a speck less expensive, a few miles closer, and offer filter cleaning free to those who purchase their chemicals.  
So they get a lot of my chem business now.  I still use my dealer for things like micro filters, etc...
I'm also shopping for a new grill soon, and they might get my business there.  
Brewman

[Drewski]

...that is more economical than the spa shop down the street? I pay $27.95 for 5# shock. Is that really high or is it in the ball park?

Let's see now. I just paid $10,000 for that nice spa and now the same place wants $20 MORE a bottle for the same stuff I buy at Home Depot for $7.95?

Sure, I'll buy from the dealer for more than $7.95 (say $10, tops) if they establish a service and support relationship with me and treat me well. BUT, no way I'm paying that kind of mark up on over-the-counter stuff unless it comes with in-home assistance that wears a bikini while she treats my water!

Geez...

Drewski

[Spatech_tuo]

the same place wants $20 MORE a bottle for the same stuff I buy at Home Depot for $7.95?

Your Home Depot is selling a 5# bottle of shock for $7.95?? Are you sure about that?