Finally pulled the trigger!

[IL Parrothead]

Well, after months of hearing me rack my brain, I finally did it!  Today, my wife and I order a 2008 Marquis Epic -- Cedar Durawood cabinet and Almond Pearl shell, with the Constellation lighting.  Landscaping work is scheduled for the second week in April, and I should be soaking within a month!  Finally!!!!!  

[Vanguard]

Congrats!!  Be sure to post the pictures when you're done.   After all your research and time, I'm sure you're looking forward to your first soak.

[Chad]

Way to go Mike!
The Epic is an awesome spa. You'll really like that shell color. Keep us updated on your progress and here's to a fast and trouble-free delivery and set-up.....

[Bonibelle]

Congrats Parrothead...tell me about that almond pearl shell color..I believe it is new. And what color cover did you pick? I am guessing the Wildwood.

You will love your tub; the therapy is fantastic....

[IL Parrothead]

Thanks for the congrats, everyone!
Yes Bonibelle, the almond pearl came out in '07 and was matched on that special line with the Mocha cabinet and darker cover.  I did get the Wildwood cover -- matches the cedar colored deck and the siding on my house better.  I will definitely fire up the digital camera once I'm installed.

[Zep]

"After all your research and time"

Parrothead what were the most important deciding factors in your final decision?

[Gomboman]

Congrats with the Epic. I hear they are great spas. Are you in the Chicago area?

[dax]

Could have saved yourself a lot of time and trouble by just listening to Bonibelle in the first place.  

Enjoy your new tub!

[Bonibelle]

WOW Dax, would you please come down and talk to my kids?  

[Mendocino101]

enjoy the tub....I have soaked in many and I think there are several really nice spas but for total therapy the Epic is tough to beat and we carry several brands....Congratulations....

[IL Parrothead]

Thanks again, everyone.
Dax, you're right (as was Bonnibelle).  As a matter of fact, after the Epic wet test, my wife was hooked 100%.  I was too, but because I knew I couldn't purchase just yet, I went on a few more wet tests.  Kept coming back to the Epic though.
Gombo, yes -- I am in the Chicago area.
And Zep -- it was therapy.  The deep therapy seat was the favorite seat of me and my wife of all the tubs we tried (and, as alluded to in Vanguard's post, we tested a lot of tubs).  I liked the Adirondack chair too, and there's even a third seat with neck jets.  The neck jets felt awesome -- and that's where my biggest therapy needs are.  And the neck jets are controlled with a separate valve next to each of the 3 seats that have them.
My wife was wowed by the therapy pillar.  This is unlike any jets on any other tub we tried.  You can sit on the floor of the tub and use them as a large jet.  You can stand in front of them and work on your legs -- even the fronts of your legs.  And the sales manager says he kneels in the tub and loosens up his chest muscles with that pillar.
Last thing was...it fit us.  Whenever I went to get up, the grab rails molded into the tub shell were right where my hands went.  That's the kind of thing you only find out through wet testing.  And thanks to all of you, I took your advice and did just that.  I've made it a point to tell others looking the exact same thing.
I'll post pics as soon as I'm up & running.  Thanks again to all of you for your help!

[dax]

WOW Dax, would you please come down and talk to my kids?  

So you have your husband under control then?  

[Bonibelle]

uhhhh..kind of..at least until football season  

[Spatech_tuo]

Well, after months of hearing me rack my brain, I finally did it!  Today, my wife and I order a 2008 Marquis Epic -- Cedar Durawood cabinet and Almond Pearl shell, with the Constellation lighting.  Landscaping work is scheduled for the second week in April, and I should be soaking within a month!  Finally!!!!!  

Congrats Parrot. I was wondering if you've ever get around to making a decision and just hope for your wife sake you didn't take so long to decide when proposing!!!

[IL Parrothead]

Nope.  Although I did propose to her when she was drunk on St. Pat's Day!
<------ 100% Irish!