Arctic - Energy Consumption

[Confused]

Hello all. Long time lurker, I decided to join the club!

First off, my thanks to the all those here on this site. I have found the buyers guide and all of the posts here invaluable in my shopping experience.

Being Canadian, I must admit I am a little partial to the tubs made here in the Great White North. I have narrowed my search to three brands: Arctic, Beachcomber and Hydropool. I have ruled out Coast due to much that been written here on this site. I don't see much about Hydropool or Beachcomber, but Arctic sure seems to stir the pot!

I would like to hear what everyone thinks about what happened last week in my shopping.

I went to the Arctic dealer. This was my second visit, I did get a different salesperson than the first visit. She asked me where I had been shopping. I didn't like that she asked, but I answered any way. I told her that I had looked at the Beachcomber dealer and California Spa & Fitness (the Hydropool dealer).

She immediately pulled out an energy report that has several manufacturers listed including Arctic, Beachcomber and others. She then pointed out that I might not want to purchase a tub from California Spa & Fitness as CalSpa was the worst rated spa in this study. This surprised me as I thought that the spas they sold looked to be designed well for the winter.

The next day I went back to California Spa & Fitness to see what they had to say about this study. The gentleman there was quick to point out that although his store is called California Spa & Fitness, the spas he sells are not CalSpa's but Hydropool, a brand that was not included in this study.

This has left me with an uneasy feeling about the Arctic dealer. Was she trying to deceive me or was it an honest mistake.

Any advice you have would be appreciated.

[Mendocino101]

I would say give her the benefit of the doubt....But I would also consider Hydro Pool, Steve a long time contributer here and is now a Hydropool rep after many years with Beachcomber has told me how much he is impressed by them.

[drewstar]

Once apon a time, I had an old second hand hot tub that used up hundreds of dollars of electricy every cold month. So when I went to look for  a new tub, "energy efficenciey" was very high on my list. (For what it's worth, I went with a Full Foam tub from Tiger River and am very happy).

Since then I've talked to some friends who have a thermal pane tub as well as done a bit more research and I've come to the conclusion that a <i>quality</I> TP tub and FF tub are very simialiar in engery use.

That being said, This artic dealer seems to be the type to eaxgerate things, (is it just me, or is there a disproportional amount of Artic dealers do this?) and I'd take anymore of thier advice with a grain of salt.

[Spatech_tuo]

This has left me with an uneasy feeling about the Arctic dealer. Was she trying to deceive me or was it an honest mistake.

Maybe she is new and doesn't know what they carry because the name sure would be confusing to a new salesperson. If you really wanted to know for sure you could politely set her straight and then a few days later have a friend go in and slyly move toward the same conversation and see if it happens again.

Arctic seems to have satisfied customers at this site so they must be doing somethig right. I'd be confident that Hydropool and Beachcomber spas are energy effficient as well so I wouldn't let Arctic's energy study be a decision maker as i think it really just shows they're confident that they insulate them well. Dry and wet test the spas you like at each dealer, see what kind of deal they'll make you (ask for a quote of everything you need and then one for each item separate from the spa, i.e. steps, colored lighting, cover lifter (a must IMO), etc.).

[Brewman]

Boy, JA's spa challenge would just settle all of this.  
For the life of me I can't figure out why nobody will take him up on it.  Oh, yeah, now I remember.  It was his ridiculous terms and conditions.  That and the fact that none of the serious spa producers know he's alive.
But that would certainly settle the "Which spa is most efficient" argument once and for all.

[Spatech_tuo]

Boy, JA's spa challenge would just settle all of this.  
For the life of me I can't figure out why nobody will take him up on it.  Oh, yeah, now I remember.  It was his ridiculous terms and conditions.  That and the fact that none of the serious spa producers know he's alive.
 But that would certainly settle the "Which spa is most efficient" argument once and for all.

Just imagine the response if you go to the major brewing companies of the world and challenge them to come to your garage for a brew off!! How dare they ignore you, you're BREWMAN dammit!!!! Maybe you should change your name to "The Beer Specialist".

[Confused]

That being said, This artic dealer seems to be the type to eaxgerate things, (is it just me, or is there a disproportional amount of Artic dealers do this?) and I'd take anymore of thier advice with a grain of salt.

Well, that is where my mind was headed. The Arctic sales person was preaching Arctic like it was the second coming....that said it, it did impress me in many ways.

I am just a little concerned that if she would exagerate or mislead me regarding Hydropool, what else should I be skeptical about.

I guess I will give her a call and let her know what kind of tubs California Spa & Fitness sells. Then maybe I will send in my husband and see if he gets the same song and dance.

Any comments about Hydropool or Beachcomber? Any advice is welcome.

[drewstar]

Well, that is where my mind was headed. The Arctic sales person was preaching Arctic like it was the second coming....that said it, it did impress me in many ways.

I am just a little concerned that if she would exagerate or mislead me regarding Hydropool, what else should I be skeptical about.

I guess I will give her a call and let her know what kind of tubs California Spa & Fitness sells. Then maybe I will send in my husband and see if he gets the same song and dance.

Any comments about Hydropool or Beachcomber? Any advice is welcome.

But here's the rub, from what I've read here, and from my sister's friends who have an Artic, they seem to be decent tubs.  However, a slipperly salesperson who exagerates things is frustrating. What do you believe when they talk about great service, best price and all the other stuff?  Are they exagerating then?

Salespeople who act like this give me the impression that they are going to get the highest price out of you, rather than a square deal. Hey....Just my opinon.

[JcDenton]

Salepeople are designed to sell. In order to sell, they must pick those attributes that they feel differentiate them from the competition. If theie product was inferior or even comparable to other brands, then the lustre is somewhat lost. This isn't about honesty, its about business. The motivation is to sell. Because without sales, you have no business.

You must as a consumer think critically about everything you are told.


Jc

And for the record, Arctic is the world's most effecient tub. Right Steve?

[East_TX_Spa]

drewstar has a very good point.  If they purposely mislead (and I'm not saying she did) about one thing, where do they draw the line.

When I first started in this business, one of my competitors sent their daughter in to shop me.  I spent two hours with her, I gave her a brand new bathing suit, I let her sit in all the spas, I even popped her a bag of popcorn!  She told me she was going to order a Grandee when her husband could come see the spa.  I was happy.

Two days later I find out from one of my customers that works with the woman's husband that she had shopped me and what a great laugh they had over her getting a free bathing suit and popcorn.  OK, fine, payback time.

I found her address and sent her a customized newsletter.  In the newsletter, I made all kinds of outrageous claims:

Our spas start at $8,000!

HotSpring Spas only cost $10/ year to operate.

HotSpring is the only company that filters all the urine all the time.

Etc, etc, etc.

A week later a man comes in and says "I was at Pacific Pools and they said your spas start at $8,000."

Me:  "No, they start at $2995.  Our most expensive spa is $8000."

Man:  "They said you claim your spas cost $10/ year on electricity."

Me:  "No, $10 / month."

Man:  "Well if she's lying about all these things, what else is she lying about?"

Me:  "Makes you wonder, doesn't it?"

He bought a Tiger River Bengal.  Two other people came in and bought from me in the same fashion.  Pacific went out of business about 4 years ago and I'm still kickin'.

Never lie to the customer (unless they ask 'Does this spa make me look fat?'...then it's OK)

Terminator

[drewstar]

Salepeople are designed to sell. In order to sell, they must pick those attributes that they feel differentiate them from the competition. If theie product was inferior or even comparable to other brands, then the lustre is somewhat lost. This isn't about honesty, its about business. The motivation is to sell. Because without sales, you have no business.

You must as a consumer think critically about everything you are told.


Jc

And for the record, Arctic is the world's most effecient tub. Right Steve?

Some sales people are better at it than others, some leave the customer feeling that they are being taken for a ride.

There are good salespeople out there, and there are some that will say and do anything to get your money and promise the moon and stars. This is true in every industry.
The moon and stars are not for sale, and if they are telling you they can deliver them, then be wary.

[Confused]

Salepeople are designed to sell. In order to sell, they must pick those attributes that they feel differentiate them from the competition. If theie product was inferior or even comparable to other brands, then the lustre is somewhat lost. This isn't about honesty, its about business. The motivation is to sell. Because without sales, you have no business.

JC;

Forgive me if I misunderstand you.  

Are you saying that if she did intentionally mislead me (saying that California Spa & Fitness sells Cal Spa when they sell HydroPools) is OK and in fact exactly what she is paid to do?

BTW my husband is a huge Rush fan too!

[Rayman]

You must live in Brampton or Mississauga since you are naming off stores I have been to.  I have a Beachcomber tub which I have owned since the beginning of summer.  I had some issues at the beginning but Beachcomber and Beachcomber Brampton made everything right and I haven't had an issue so far.

That being said my electric bill was huge this year cause it was so hot the airconditioning never shut down so I can't tell you how efficient the tub was but I can tell you my monthy bill was lower than a neighbours without a tub so draw your own conclusions.

I have had nothing but a positive experience with Beachcomber Brampton and the tub, say Hi to Shane and Gabe.  

Good luck in your hunt and PM me if you need any info.

Rayman

[drewstar]

BTW my husband is a huge Rush fan too!

I love Rush too!

[Spatech_tuo]

[size=16]I love Rush too! [/size]

Not THAT Rush. They're talking about the good Rush!!