CAL Hot Tub

[toronto_guy]

...I'm thinking about buying CAL's BelAir hot tub - any comments or things I should be aware of?

[wmccall]

big tub, lots of jets   Looks nice. If you start comparing, very few manufacturers list their pumps using the Braking Horsepower anywmore. The 6hp listed will show up as around a 3.8 4.0hp on most manufacturers literature.  Cal and Dynasty (my tub) were about the last still using that term. Now at least both manufacturers now identify that the figure they are using is the braking one.

Looks roomy, how many people in your family?

[toronto_guy]

there are four of us two adults and two children....what about quality and service?

[Brewman]

Cal Spas seem to generate a lot of complaints about dealers and the factory not honoring the warranty.
I have no experience personally with Cal Spas, but from what I've read on this board and others, proceed with caution.  Do some searching and go from there.
At the very least, compare other brands as well as Cal.
Brewman

[wmccall]

there are four of us two adults and two children....what about quality and service?

I can't speak much to that.  A few people have had problems with Cal and you can find their information on the net.  I have one friend with a lower end Cal spa he bought 4 years ago. He has had no problems.   Locally here in Columbus, Ohio  the Cal/Hot Springs/Artesian dealer is well respected and supports their product.

[HotTubMan]

[img]
  very few manufacturers list their pumps using the Braking Horsepower anywmore. The 6hp listed will show up as around a 3.8 4.0hp on most manufacturers literature.  Cal and Dynasty (my tub) were about the last still using that term.

I find it easier to list the manufacturers that actually do list true horsepower than those that list bHP.
Watkins family
Jacuzzi family
Coleman
D-1
Any others?

[toronto_guy]

...the other unit I was looking at was Caldera hot tub, specifically the Niagara. Any comments on that one? - how would you say it rates in comparison to the BelAir?

[Spatech_tuo]

...the other unit I was looking at was Caldera hot tub, specifically the Niagara. Any comments on that one? - how would you say it rates in comparison to the BelAir?

There are many good spa makers out there like Caldera, Hot Springs, Sundance, Marquis, D1 ... who are known for Quality and service. The choices are many (certainly more than I listed) but Cal Spas is not one of the ones who comes with a solid reputation for qaulity and service IMO (or more imortantly, in the opinions of so many of their customers I've seen post on these sites). If you do go with Cal Spas make sure it's with a long time delaer who has a good reputation.

[Steve]

I think there's far better choices in the Toronto area than Cal. Beachcomber, Arctic & Hydropool just to name a few are far better in regards to overall customer service, value and quality.

Speaking of companies being misleading in regards to HP, how do you guys sell against it? Do you have one of their pumps on display sitting beside a true 3HP pump for comparison?

Give me your creative ideas...

Steve

[Spatech_tuo]

Speaking of companies being misleading in regards to HP, how do you guys sell against it? Do you have one of their pumps on display sitting beside a true 3HP pump for comparison?

Give me your creative ideas...

Steve

I've had that dicsussion many times with customers. The light bulb goes on very quickly normally just by a verbal explanation but if you need a visual it would probably help if your literature shows it BOTH ways. The competition that tries to decieve (IMO) by listing BHP alone takes a huge credibility knock when that info is released.

[Chris_H]

I think there's far better choices in the Toronto area than Cal. Beachcomber, Arctic & Hydropool just to name a few are far better in regards to overall customer service, value and quality.

Speaking of companies being misleading in regards to HP, how do you guys sell against it? Do you have one of their pumps on display sitting beside a true 3HP pump for comparison?

Give me your creative ideas...

Steve

Steve,

It is extremely easy to sell against.  Go buy a 6hp motor with an inch and a half inner diameter plumbing on the wet end.  Then show your 2.5 horsepower motor with 2 inch inner diameter plumbing on the wet end.  Then ask the consumer which one pumps more water.

It works most of the time.  Sometimes some old fart will tell the salesperson he is full of shit, but we all are sometimes.


Chris

[wmccall]

Give me your creative ideas...

Steve

Keeping in mind that if my life depended on sales skills I would be dead. I think I would make up a chart, put it on an easel in the store with a quick definition of both ratings and a cross reference chart so a customer could see for themself. The Sales guy could then throw in a blurb about, "We use the true horsepower rating as it is a more honest indication......"  You have just implied honesty without bad mouthing a customer.

[spaman--]

O.k you all knew sooner or later I would chime in.BHP or regular horsepower is really irrelevant if you like what is coming out of the jets themselves I reccommend wet testing the spas,remember that this board only has a few reviews out of 100's of thousands of spas sold, as far as Cal Spas quality, I have been in the spa business for 11 yrs and have disected alot of spas and can tell you that they are built strong (among the strongest),the quality control is incredible,every manufacturer has some dissatisfied customers. The reviews on this board may or may not be real as there is no serial number listed to find out if these people have even seen a Cal Spa.I can tell you the G.E switchless pumps have an incredible rate of success compared to the other pumps I have worked with. I recommend that you wet test Cal Spas and other brands look at the warranties side by side,also look at the jet configurations side by side and compare, not only do Cal spas offer more,but you will pay far less than most of our competitors as the margins are not as high.Happy hunting.

[wmccall]

BHP or regular horsepower is really irrelevant if you like what is coming out of the jets themselves

True in that its the efficiency of the plumbing and how many jets each pump runs. But if 95% of people don't wet test, I see so reason for using BHP, other than to imply an advantage or superiority.   If these motors were running a trolley car perhaps BHP would be an important factor.  As for GE motors,  I am all for them. Buy lots so my mom can keep getting her pension.  They make good locomotives too.

[drewstar]

I agree simple horepower is misleading.  A bigger tub with more jets might be better served to have more, smaller pumps than just a few monster pumps ? No?

Also larger pumps could equate to higher energy bills.

Would larger pumps make more noise? Generate more heat? Cost more per unit?

Personaly, I think a tub that you can fine tune the pressure would be best. Sometimes you want to be blasted out of your seat, others times not.