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This industry seems somewhat archaic. I have been spoiled with info on cars and other goods that are relatively transparent. I’ve decided to buy a 7 foot open tub. Soaking with wife and daughters is my goal. I value well-built quality. C. Wheatley is a polarizing figure that throws out opinions all over the place. It’s hard to trust him, as he is financially motivated, but so is every other expert out there. People seem to hate the Master Roadshow model, but we have an enormous Master dealer a few minutes away. A few candidates: Legacy by Master, Jacuzzi J245, Hot Springs Rhythm, Cal Spas. All are available relatively soon in the Minneapolis. All have local dealers. Are these all pretty similar? Do I just pick the one where my daughters feel most comfortable?
Just last month we took delivery of a Cal Spas Cancun. its a 93x93" spa, no loungers... LOVE IT. think real hard before you sign up for a 7 foot tub! Try to sit in one before you buy, even a dry sit, it will tell you how you fit.
You are shopping for both a good hot tub AND a good dealer. You first of all want a tub that you all fit in and are comfortable with the seats. You want a tub with a good warranty, good manufacturer support and a dealer that you feel comfortable with and has a good reputation. Pricing is also usually a concern and that's the hard part. Almost no pricing is available on line. I get it, the dealers set the price they want to sell at but it can be frustrating. I needed a specific size and wasn't going to spend more than $10K. Knowing a ballpark sell price would have made my shopping easier. Bigger is better with a hot tub. I would have gone bigger if it would have fit thru the opening I have to put it on my enclosed porch. I got the biggest one that would fit thru the opening that was comfortable for us.
One method of determining if a dealer is good is to call their service department and make up a service call for a tub that doesn't have a dealer nearby. See if they are willing to answer questions or give advance troubleshooting tips. See if there is any issue with getting a service appointment. You don't actually have to set one up but you want to see if they will, whats the lead time between call and potential service date.If the service department balks at coming out to service something like a Dr Wellness X2, ask why? Is it because they won't work on it, is it because they may not be able to get prospective parts, is it simply because they only will do their brands. That may actually be a big deal. Why, you ask? Because what if they change a line of tubs. Now they don't sell them and could possibly, not service them.
Quote from: cranbiz on February 23, 2021, 03:41:45 pmOne method of determining if a dealer is good is to call their service department and make up a service call for a tub that doesn't have a dealer nearby. See if they are willing to answer questions or give advance troubleshooting tips. See if there is any issue with getting a service appointment. You don't actually have to set one up but you want to see if they will, whats the lead time between call and potential service date.If the service department balks at coming out to service something like a Dr Wellness X2, ask why? Is it because they won't work on it, is it because they may not be able to get prospective parts, is it simply because they only will do their brands. That may actually be a big deal. Why, you ask? Because what if they change a line of tubs. Now they don't sell them and could possibly, not service them.I would disagree with this line of thinking. I am a Hot Spring / Caldera dealer and for 2019 was also a Marquis dealer. We only service Hot Spring / Caldera and the Marquis' we sold. Doesn't make my service department inferior, it just means we take care of our customers. I also do not have parts accounts with anyone else that would allow me to get parts for other brands. I will give advice if I can over the phone and I will direct those with other hot tubs to my competitors who might be able to service them.A reputable dealer will take care of their customer after the sale even if they no longer represent the brand.
1) The distaste for the Master Roadshow is both for the way they sell/pull up stakes after the show and that the Manufacturer does not have a great reputation for Quality and backing of their product (plus in this case its double troubling since the Manufacturer runs the road show).