Buying soon - Marquis or Watkins

[marquis]

you wont be disappointed.

[socal]

congrats on the tub, its not an easy decision. all of the manufacturers on your list build a quality product. its nice to see an indepth view into what you liked/disliked in all the models you tested.

[East_TX_Spa]

Congratulations!  You went about the process the right way, you found the right spa for you, and you picked a good, solid brand.  Enjoy!

Terminator

[Kyle]

Yeah, the Powershift has really increased the performance of that spa.  Congrats!

[Mendocino101]

enjoy the your new spa.....and Happy Holidays.....

[Devildawg]

I think you can do better,I just had the Epic installed and I just love it,but we paid just a few $100 more than what your paying and we got the Epic with stairs,covermate 3,plus a years supply of chemicals.

And it was not like I had to chisel away at the dealer to get that deal,they started at 8900.00 on the first visit but by the time I made the wet test and looked for the 3rd time they shaved 1000 off the first price and then the last we visit we closed the deal with all the extras and a few hunderd more even taken off.

[Tman122]

I notice they added - 1800Flowers.com to the rotating banners so from now one we will not mention FTD as they come from a guy called the flowerspecialist who just buys them from somewhere else and modifies them and tries to keep the Good Housekeeping seal.

Hehehehe Bill  

[cappykat]

I'd have to agree with devildawg...$7200 seems high for the 530.  But $7200 seems pretty darn high for the everyday line.  Did you look at the Reward or Quest? 

We bought our spa in August 05, and you mean to tell me prices have gone up on the Epic by $1000 in 4 months??  I'm in Florida so that may have something to do with price.

You'll love the Marquis product whatever you chose, and you're so right about the pressure of their jets.  You don't get that "itchy" feeling.  If you're happy with your purchase and price that's all that matters.  There is always going to be someone who gets a better price.

[spa_seeker]

As to your concerns over price, there isn't much competition in my area (Portland, OR) with regard to the Marquis line. I was told the Reward and Destiny start at $9500, and I think (could be wrong) the Epic starts at over $10k...

Upon finalizing the sale a couple of days ago, I was told one of the VP's (or thereabouts, somebody in "senior management") of Marquis was following this thread. If he's still reading, it would be interesting to hear about the pricing of these tubs. (I know freight can't explain me paying more, since these are made about 50 miles south of me!) Yes, it would be more interesting to me personally to see some buckaroos shaved off the price if I did get hosed, so to speak; but I think transparency would be useful to readers of this forum.

In general, I wish the dealers would simply move away from the car dealership approach, put the MSRP on these things and go from there. But that's me; I'm sure there are a few good hagglers out there who would rather go toe-to-toe and see how they can do.

Thanks for your continued interest and ideas. Best to all.

[MarKee]

spa_seeker:

Prices have increased in the last few months.  The majority of the spa is a petroleum based product, with rising prices of oil, Marquis has had several price increases within the last year.  The 530 Ultimate you purchased was not available to Florida dealers in August at the time kappycat purchased their spa.  You received a good deal on the spa.

[jim97219]

SpaSeeker,

I'm also in Portland and have looked at the 530 Ultimate.  I have to admit I did like it a lot.  One minor detail is that it's not tall enough for my space.  I have a two-level deck with the upper level (behind the tub) is 35½" high while the tub is only 34" high.  

As for your price of $7,200, it's much better than the $7,465 I was quoted.  Plus your price INCLUDES the cover lifter while my quote doesn't.  

I'm not done shopping yet.

Jim

P.S. feel free to drop me a line at yahoo.com.

[Tman122]

I'm sure there are a few good hagglers out there who would rather go toe-to-toe and see how they can do.

I love going toe to toe with any vendor. Walk in with cash.....100 dollar bills, a bunch of them. Funny how they seem to talk to dealers of alot of products. Go late on a Friday or Saturday. Or very early right after they open, be the first customer. Stake out the place and wait for a real slow day. Ask them how many tubs they sold today and if they want to sell one now. Take control of the sale, but be nice. This of course assuming they have what you want. After a wet test that went perfect tell them it wasn't exactly right but...then pull out the envelope full of hundo's and say you realy want a tub today, make me an offer I can't refuse. Turn the table on them.....hehehehe My wife hates shopping with me.

[East_TX_Spa]

You're right, Tman122, you would have most dealers jumping through hoops to make you a deal.  Like one misunderstood poster who is no longer with us once said, "Cash is King!"

Terminator