thermospa versus hot springs

[pslmd]

    I'm trying to decide between a thermospa park avenue executive with 112 jets and 5 motors totaling 11.5 Horsepower for a end of year special price of $9900 ($11000 with thermoease included), or the Hot Spring Envoy for $8900 with only 38 jets and 2 motors totalling 4 Horsepower.  I like the idea of 3 times as many jets, and 3 times the horsepower, but am a bit leary of the reviews on thermospa.  I've been told by thermospa their bad reviews are mainly from competitors and that they are actually the largest manufacturer of spa's in the world and while their reputation is expensive, they are offering one of there top models at half the retail cost.  Please give me your opinion on above.  Does anyone know anyone with a positive experience with Thermospa?  

[HotTubMan]

There is no comparison.

Please compare a Yugo and Mercedes

Do a search on this forum and others for info on both brands and draw your own conclusions.

I also strongly advise that you wet test the spas you are considering. If a dealer cannot allow you to wet test, they are more interested in the sale than your comfort and satisfaction.

HotTubMan

[pslmd]

I've read all the reviews on both spas on this and other sites, but also see a lot of sponsorship with
hot springs retailers ---  if you respond please let me know if you sell hot springs, or WHY you feel one spa is far superior.  Thanks

[spaguyohio]

Youre not serious are you? Comparing Thermospas to Hot Springs? I dont own a Hot Springs, dont work in spa business, but would never buy a Thermospa PERIOD!

So all these bad reviews are dealers? BULL!! Theres several folks who have whole websites about the lousy quality and piss poor service from Thermospas.

Check your facts thoroughly. Hell, Id buy a tub from Home Depot before Id buy Thermospas!

A ** VERY ** Happy Master Spa owner.

[Chas]

I've been told by thermospa their bad reviews are mainly from competitors and that they are actually the largest manufacturer of spa's in the world

Not only is that not true, but it's not what they actually say. They say they are the largest retailer of hot tubs in the world. Since every one of their spas goes out through the same channel - factory direct - that may be true. Companies like HotSpring and Sundance rely on dealers: they don't retail any spas. But if you took just one model of HotSpring spas - say the Sovereigh or Vanguard, or the Optima by Sundance, I think you would find more sold than the total TSpa volume with all of their models combined.

and while their reputation is expensive,

Their reputation on price has two 'problems.' One is that they will sell the same spa to you for $11K and your next door neighbor for $9K if he knows how to handle a high-pressure sales tactic or two. (Wow are you in luck! I happen to have that exact color left over from a home show in Deluth! I can get it for you right now for half price, but you better grab it fast!!) Also, they seem to be expensive for what you get: which is a good spa but certainly not a great one.

they are offering one of there top models at half the retail cost.  Please give me your opinion on above.  Does anyone know anyone with a positive experience with Thermospa?  

Well, since they don't have any dealers, and they SET the retail price, of course they can tell you today's price is half retail. I could do that: put an $17K price tag on a Grandee and offer it 'for today only' for $8500 or whatever.

Go find a dealer who lives in your community. Wet test. Don't go for huge numbers of horsepower and jets. Try before you buy.

Go see Epinions.com or other places where people have aired thier greivances with TSpa.

[HotTubMan]

I've read all the reviews on both spas on this and other sites, but also see a lot of sponsorship with
hot springs retailers ---  if you respond please let me know if you sell hot springs, or WHY you feel one spa is far superior.  Thanks

I do not sell HotSpring. I do sell Coleman and D-1. Although I have not seen any ThermoSpas in person, nor met one of their customers, I have heard many a negative review. If you want to suggest that all the negative reviews are from the competition, then I guess we can assume any bad review on a Sundance, HS, D-1 or Coleman is also from their competitors?  

I have encountered many who have purchased direct from manufacturers and have been deceived regarding price and maintenance. I will not name the manufacturer, but I have seen more cases of pseudomonus folliculittus from consumers that were sold "chemical free" systems than all others combined.

Chas hit the nail on the head regarding price. I too could say that any spa I sell is 1/2 off, but that would not make it true. The claim of half off retail when there is NO retailer is absolutely ludicrus.

If you looked at a Ford Escort at the Ford dealer and it was $10K would you beleive it if someone knocked on your door and said they could sell you a similair, but better car worth for 12K instead of the "retail price" of $24K would you beleive them?

[stuart]

HotSpring vs Thermospa? HotSpring vs Thermospa? HotSpring vs Thermospa?

I just wanted to make sure someone would actually put them in the same category! Obviously you need to do quite a bit more research before purchasing. I would advise spending a lot more time looking at spas so that you get a better understanding of the industry before spending your hard earned money.

This would be like comparing a mail order kit car to a new Mercedes. HotSpring is an exceptional spa brand Thermo is an exceptional marketing company in the spa industry. The two products don't even come close.

All joking aside I'm glad that you posted on here, this is a great place to begin your spa education....

I do not sell HotSpring nor are they my personal first choice but they are one of the top while Thermo barely makes the list. Thermo spends a lot more money on marketing than engineering!

[wmccall]

Would you buy a car whose nearest service department is 1000 miles away? Would you buy that car without seeing it first?

[empolgation]

I know HotSprings to make very good tubs and have a great reputation for service. I have no personal experience with Thermospa nor anyone with a Thermospa spa so I can't give you any known positive experience with them - think about it though...

who would be more likely to be telling the truth... the salesman trying to get you to spend $11,000 or the numerous customers whom have bought the tubs and have given the bad reviews?

When considering what spa to purchase things that are of little to no importance are: the "regular/retail" price, the number of jets and the claimed Horsepower. What is important is the comfort of the tub when you wet test, how the tub matches your needs upon wet testing, the manufacturer's reputation for quality and service and how comfortable you are with the dealer, if you choose to purchase from a dealer.

Do some more shopping and wet test the tubs you are interested in. Good Luck!

[empolgation]

oh - I don't sell spa's nor do I currenly own a Hot Springs spa.

[sblass]

Can you share with me the WEBSITES of other dissatisfied Thermospas owners?  Thanks for your help and please keep up the prayers as we are...  
STILL TRYING TO RETURN OUR THERMOSPAS.

[sblass]

I find it hard to believe that thermospas did not obtain a signed contract from you.  

I have read on this and other websites that the most important thing is to wet test a spa.  Our thermospas was delivered in November and we have not had a wet test.  

After our dealings with thermospas, I believe your first priority should be to go with a company that sells spas in your area.  You will develop a relationship with staff,  they can perform water testing, and if you have problems you can walk into the store and discuss it.  I will choose a face to face discussion over leaving a message anyday.  

We are attempting to return our spa to thermospas but have yet to receive their decision in the form of a written response.

My advise to you would be to choose Door Number 2.
Good luck on your choice.

[Brewman]

How long are you going to give them to not respond?
The longer they stall, the better for them.
If you paid by credit card, and have not done so already, notify your cc company that you are in dispute, and see if they'll help.  At this point, delaying is the best thing T.S can do for themselves.
Brewman

[Chris_H]

Pslmd,

There is much more to a hottub than jets and horsepower.  Those are the two most misleading areas of the spa industry.

One thing that your Thermospa Salesman neglected to inform you on is there horsepower rating is in breakhorse power.  The Hotspring Salesman is using true horsepower.  Now if your Hotspring guy was using breakhorse power they would have a total horsepower rating of 7.8 breakhorse power.

I would also question the number of motors they are using.  One is probably an air blower and the other is probably a circulation motor.  Neither of these “motors” have a real affect on the therapy you will be receiving from the spa.  

Don’t get me wrong, Hotspring has 2 therapy pumps and Thermospa has 3 therapy pumps.  That extra pump is not going to do much for you, just my opinion.

Secondly in regards to jets, did you notice that the majority of those 112 jets were precision jets located in the bottom of the lounge area?  Have you ever sat in a lounge with jets on the legs and butt?  Themospas calls it “the Wave Lounge.” Unfortunately due to the location of those jets you will have a tough time sitting in the lounge.  I would recommend you to wet test the Park Avenue and find out how it really feels.

The bad reviews of ThermoSpas are not from the competition they are from actual owners of the product that have had serious problems receiving service for their spas.  I personally know 4 people that have a ThermoSpa and would never purchase a spa from a non-local dealer again due to service related issues.  

Your ThermoSpa guy lied to you because they are not the largest brand or manufacturer of portable spas.  The largest brand is Hotspring.  The largest manufacturer at the moment is Jacuzzi which would include the brands Sundance, Jacuzzi Premium, and the Home Depot brands.  

Now if you really want to get everyone started, I could also say ThermoSpas use thermopane style of insulation and that thermopane is inferior to full foam.  I will save that for another day.

Chris H

[Steve]

I'm also looking at a new washing machine. I can't decide between the Kenmore and a rock?