Thank you for this forum; hoping I can get input too

[Spatech_tuo]

I really don't know who he is. He has local ads up on craigslist with some refurbished tubs and a moving/setup service for hot tubs. I've only talked to him by text and he says very little, so I won't know more until I see it tomorrow. All he says is that it's a "beautiful island tub" with many jets which works perfectly. I asked him manufacture and age and he didn't answer. He wants $3500 which includes moving and setup.

The fact that he says "it works" or "its beautiful" or "its a good deal".... is next to meaningless, everyone says that.

This could be a refurbished 3 year old spa or a refurbished 13 year old spa and both could be operational but their values differ greatly.

Tell him before you buy you'd need to know model + serial number and if you get it just post it here and someone will likely be able to tell you the age.

[Cora5]

I really hate to put a damper on this whole thing. If it where me in this situation first of all he clearly didn't answer your question in regards who the manufacture and the age on the spa. That to me is a red flag. In the metro area where I live we have had several craigslist robberies and some people have lost their life.

I wanted to stay out of this and say nothing... If I were you I would go to a dealership and purchase a spa. Since your daughter is reliant on you as a parent. I wouldn't take the risk. This sounds like fear mongering BS I know but around here we have had so many people being robbed of their hard earned money that on the news they now tell everyone to make their transactions in front of the police station.

I apologize for this post, but I couldn't just keep quiet on this. 

[karismom]

I really hate to put a damper on this whole thing. If it where me in this situation first of all he clearly didn't answer your question in regards who the manufacture and the age on the spa. That to me is a red flag. In the metro area where I live we have had several craigslist robberies and some people have lost their life.

I wanted to stay out of this and say nothing... If I were you I would go to a dealership and purchase a spa. Since your daughter is reliant on you as a parent. I wouldn't take the risk. This sounds like fear mongering BS I know but around here we have had so many people being robbed of their hard earned money that on the news they now tell everyone to make their transactions in front of the police station.

I apologize for this post, but I couldn't just keep quiet on this.

Thank you. I have come to agree with you on this. This guy doesn't know hot tubs from a hole in the ground. I know way more than he does, and I've been researching them on my free time for a whole six days.

His shop is in the middle of freaking nowhere. I was going to post here that if I don't check in after tomorrow, send the cops, maybe he threw me down a well. lol

I know it's not funny. This is what happens when you try to get a deal.

In the last 2 hours he listed a Coleman spa, coincidentally, the same one that my ex-husband still has. The exact same model. I recognized it right away. It was manufactured in 2007 (ten years ago) and is model 471. I sent him a text asking what he wanted for it, and told him it was ten years old and the model number. He had no clue as to the model number. He also has no clue as to even the manufacturers of the hot tubs he buys.

Who can possibly be that naïve?

He wants $3500 for a 10-year old Coleman. My ex just put $3k in it this year to replace the heating pump and several other things. Originally, in 2007, he paid $6k for it delivered.

um, no.

I'm not going there. 5'6" and 119 pounds, middle of nowhere, and no way to protect myself. Buying from a dealer! Thanks to all

https://lexington.craigslist.org/bar/d/6-7-person-hot-tub-with/6532019127.html

[The Wizard of Spas]

I believe 4 Winds is LPI out of Tennessee, who now owns Signature Spas, Dr. Wellness, Catalina Spas, & Premium Leisure.  But that is an educated guess.

[karismom]

Okay, got an offer today from our local dealer for a Hot Springs Hot Spot Relay floor model. No optional accessories. $5999. Does this sound decent? Six-person, one lounge, 2 pumps.

[castletonia]

That’s what I am at for my last 2017 Rhythm which is the same price as the Relay.  I normally am at $6,799 including Lift ‘N Glide, Polymer Step, local delivery and water care chemicals.

[karismom]

That’s what I am at for my last 2017 Rhythm which is the same price as the Relay.  I normally am at $6,799 including Lift ‘N Glide, Polymer Step, local delivery and water care chemicals.

Thank you so much. That tells me that maybe I need to get him to throw a few things in, like steps and chemicals. the lift would be nice too. Delivery is included.

[castletonia]

It never hurts to ask.  The worst he can do is say no.

I have Bullfrog, Master Spas, Marquis, Jacuzzi & Viking, Maax, Vita, Artesian, QCA, and Sundance all within a 30-mile radius of me, so being in a competitive market, I choose to include lift and steps will all hot tubs.  Chemicals should be included in my opinion no matter what.

[wmccall]

It never hurts to ask.  The worst he can do is say no.

I have Bullfrog, Master Spas, Marquis, Jacuzzi & Viking, Maax, Vita, Artesian, QCA, and Sundance all within a 30-mile radius of me, so being in a competitive market, I choose to include lift and steps will all hot tubs.  Chemicals should be included in my opinion no matter what.

I hope you come back and let us know about the final decision and how it works out for you.

[karismom]

So we wet tested the A7L Bullfrog today and of course fell in love with it. Our local dealer is closed on Sundays but one of our neighbors has a 2017 model on his deck that he let us test.

I've decided to increase my budget (more like, double or triple my budget) and go this route. Mainly because of the high quality of the product and because of the jet packs. My daughter has a severe joint disorder and she really loved the variation of the jet packs from a therapeutic standpoint.

Sooooo.... my question is, with the high price point on this line, why isn't a circulation pump standard? And why isn't an ozone system standard? Do I want to add those on? The lack of both of those is the main reason I decided against the Hot Spot Relay.

And what about the salt water system? I've heard good and bad things. Is it worth the option?

I read online that Bullfrog has a March special where they are offering "sale prices" (whatever that means) and also a free accessory package. It's all sort of a mystery though, as I can't find out if the accessory package has useful things like stairs or a cover lift, or a beach ball and rubber ducky...

Sorry for all the questions. I really appreciate your knowledge and responses.

[Sam]

It all depends on the price.  Nothing is really included for "free".  That said, you should be able to get an A7L with circ pump, ozone, steps chems, lifter, delivery, etc, around the upper $11k range (not including tax) and depending on how far from the dealer you are, which ozone system and lift they give you, and a few other variables.  If you are less than that, I would feel good about the deal.  If you are a little above that, I wouldn't worry much.

Hope that helps.  It's an awesome hot tub and Bullfrog is a great manufacturer.  Make sure you check out the oscillator, rainshower, and gyrossage jetpaks.  Those are my favorite.

[wmccall]

Okay, got an offer today from our local dealer for a Hot Springs Hot Spot Relay floor model. No optional accessories. $5999. Does this sound decent? Six-person, one lounge, 2 pumps.

I haven't priced tubs since 2013, but this does sound like a fair price for a reputable model.

[wmccall]

Sooooo.... my question is, with the high price point on this line, why isn't a circulation pump standard? And why isn't an ozone system standard? Do I want to add those on? The lack of both of those is the main reason I decided against the Hot Spot Relay.


Sorry for all the questions. I really appreciate your knowledge and responses.

As far as the ozone, I don't see that as a big deal.  I've had ozone units on both tubs I've owned over 15 years.  Supposedly the CD ozone or the UV ozone only lasts a couple of years.  I never could tell when they failed and it had no effect on my ability to soak in clean water. I've had one tub with a circ pump and one that used the main pump in low speed to circulate the water. Both worked for me.

[karismom]

Thank you all for the advice! As of this afternoon I'm the proud owner of a brand new R6L. It has the circulation pump and upgrade jetpak matching color to the tub shell (pearl). Tub with steps and cover lift, delivered, came to a little over $7k with tax.

I couldn't believe how much more the A series was in terms of price! Still, he quoted me a price of $11,200 for an A7L with circulation pump, ozone, and the add-ons mentioned above. I didn't think that was too bad, but I couldn't justify $4k more for the A7L with only 2 of us using the tub.

[karismom]

Oh man. I am here in the south, supposedly, and the wind is howling and we are supposed to get up to 4 inches of snow by tomorrow. I heard that, and I'm like, what the hell.

I had my R6L on "call in" as far as when to deliver it, because it needs to go into my screened-in porch and I know a wall will need to come down in order to get it in there. Well, hell with that. I called them tonight and said, deliver as soon as you can. Which is Wednesday. I'll take a sledgehammer to the damn porch if I have to. The screen on that side needs to be replaced anyway.

I would give anything to have it hooked up and working right now with the shrieking winds, 38 degree temps, and rain.