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I shopped a Cal Spa dealer (that advertises on various web forums) and he told me it was unsanitary to wet test.
As far as wet tests being unsanitary, I'd think that the number of people actually getting in the demo tubs compared to what they'd see in a backyard would be inconsequential. If a spa can't handle the small number of wet testers, then it has a substantial filtration problem.
Checking my Orange County zip code, a new dealer popped up: "Islander Designs" in Orange. Previously, my closest dealer was down in San Juan Capistrano. A quick call to this store soured me in a hurry. A woman answered the phone and told me she had five different models on the floor, with just one filled. She then let me know that she would be unwilling to let me or my family wet test it, as "think if anyone slipped and fell getting in or out what our liability would be" Greg
Is the dealer in question ignorant, over cautious, uninsured, or is there something else going on? (too cheap to fill up the tubs?)
Er, on the original topic... What business owner doesn't have liability insurance?.....the way things are today?..........I'd *still* think any hot tub/spa dealer would deal with an insurance broker used to the market .......I'd not return to one that said 'no dice on no wet tests' either, unless it was a brand I *really* wanted and there was an exclusive distribution deal on them. Gotta test to be sure.