to all the dealers and dealership owners out there

[anne]

I have a plea to dealers....those of you reading this forum may not be the ones who need to hear this, but pass it on to your employees, associates, whatever.

I'm trying to buy a hot tub, and have been to D1, HS, Caldera, Marquis, LA spas, and Arctic. At every one of those stores, I have had to listen to negative, vindictive, snide comments about the competition. When asked "where else have you shopped?" I answer honestly, hoping that the answer will indicate that I am looking around, and give them an idea of my purchase needs. Instead, I am immediately inundated with a detailed list of  what is wrong with those spas. I understand any dealer wanting to emphasize why his/her product is better than the rest, but DO IT BY TELLING ME ABOUT YOUR PRODUCT  NOT BY DISSING THE COMPETITION.

And it seems to get personal, too- if they know a particular dealer, they'll say, "hmmm, you *liked* him, huh?" with a knowing nod. Or, "So he's still managing to sell spas, huh?" etc, etc, etc,......

I'm about ready to give up and fill my bath tub with water.

I know that this is not a new topic, but at least where I live, it needs to be addressed. I'm sure it is tempting, when you know that the guy down the street is talking #@!!$ about you, to add your two cents about him, but all it does is damage your credibility and honor, and bring you down to his level. Your customers are smart. Give them all of the facts about your tubs, why they stand out, and sell your product based on ITS accolades, NOT your competitors' faults. (Accolades...it really was the first word I though of....hehehe, sorry)

I'm not blaming any one of the above brands of spas- I have really liked some of the units I have seen and wet tested. And at a couple of stores, I had some wonderful help one day, and then the above experiences on another day, so I know there are good dealers out there- but the buying experience is wearing thin.

[HotTubMan]

I have a plea to dealers....those of you reading this forum may not be the ones who need to hear this, but pass it on to your employees, associates, whatever.

I'm trying to buy a hot tub, and have been to D1, HS, Caldera, Marquis, LA spas, and Arctic. At every one of those stores, I have had to listen to negative, vindictive, snide comments about the competition. When asked "where else have you shopped?" I answer honestly, hoping that the answer will indicate that I am looking around, and give them an idea of my purchase needs. Instead, I get in response, "hmmm, you likedhim, huh?

I understand how you feel. I also feel giving an honest price / discount shows more integrity.

Unfortunately, not all dealers feel the way i do, and not all consumers think the way you do. Otherwise the Spa Depots and International Pool & Spa's of the world would disappear.

[anne]

hot tub man caught me in the middle of editing- that is why his quote doesnt fit what you see above.

[Bonibelle]

Anne, the sales person that I ultimatley bought my tub from was a total class act!  She showed me everything that I asked to see, no pressure, made useful suggestions and showed me the bottom line price on the tubs that I was interested in. When I left that first day, I felt confortable with her and much better educated. The next time I went, I took my husband and kids to wet test. My husband is easily turned off by high pressure and negative sales people. He took to this sales person instantly because she was honest and thoroughly knew her product lines. Before we made a final decision that day, I told her  that we were heading to check out one final tub before deciding. She had the sales brochure from that company and her only suggestion was that we compare apples to apples. We looked over the brochure (I had seen it before) and it helped me to realize what I really wanted and what her tubs offered.   Then, bored with all my questions, my husband and kids asked to wet test a tub that we hadn't seriously considered (the Epic) and the rest is history!  I can honestly say this sales person made our purchase a very positive experience and her honesty and knowledge are a reflection of the entire dealership.

I guess I was really lucky!

[MarKee]

Bonibelle: What dealer did you buy your Epic from?

[Duffman]

Seems like a lot of dealers in your area were "winning" the Tic-Tac-Toe game from the "how to buy a hot tub" report I shared with you.  

http://www.members.cox.net/duffman471/Spa_Wet_Testing_Analysis.htm

Your observations are unfortunate, but represent an all too common practice in this market. From my own experience I know there are exceptions. Like you I just wish there were more of them.

Best of luck to you in your search. Having found my own little spatopia I assure you that your patience will pay off.

[dpgtech]

I agree with you anne.  I never negative sell against the competition.  there is no need I know I sell a good product at a fair price.  The first thing I say if someone asks what do you think of spa brand "x" is, they make a good tub but here are some of the differences between the two and proceed with my products benefits and features.  I personally like to hear about another dealer or salesperson bashing my spa's it tells me their worried about me.  there are many good spas out their to fit the many different needs of potential customers

[Wisoki]

High pressure sales is low pressure steadily applied.

Anne, the sales person that I ultimatley bought my tub from was a total class act!  She showed me everything that I asked to see, no pressure

[Bonibelle]

but I said No pressure..she only showed me what I asked about and she let me walk out the door...she didn't chase me  

[fatman]

High pressure sales is low pressure steadily applied.

Gotta disagree with you on that one. High pressure is high pressure and it sucks.

[drprwnap]

anne,
hang in there and keep looking. i was extremely lucky in that i looked a number of spas and got none of what you experienced.  do you own research and try to get objective opinions on the brands that interest you. maybe then you can turn a deaf ear to the negative sales people. good luck

drprwnap  

[Bonibelle]

Hey Drprwnap..where have you been? Did you go to Disney World too?  

[anne]

I shouldnt have sounded so negative, but I did have just a horrendous couple of days out there shopping. Sorry to vent on y'all, and I honestly just wanted to help others shopping avoid what I experienced, and remind any dealers tempted to do to the dark side not to!! It was not all bad- I had 2 very good experiences, so I'll appreciate them all the more.

[spiman]

In the "for what it is worth department" I'd like to add my two cents...............

I personally can't stand to shop for anything, I figure out exactly what I am after, hit the puter, find the best deal and wait for it to arrive via snail mail.

There is not a large selection of spa dealers in Central Pa, so rather than travel non stop to find a bunch of dealers in a Ford F250 V-10, I did a lot of research via the puter, got a lot of input from people such as yourselves and decided on the Vanguard. I emailed the "local" dealer a few times, went down to the dealer, signed the paperwork and now I wait for the delivery. No mess, no fuss.

The dealer was knowledgable, friendly, non pushy. I was also told by other sources that I was getting a good deal on a 05 model. When the honest dealer told me he needed a sale and if I didn't mind waiting a couple of weeks, he give me the same price on a 06 model.

The good deal went to a great deal, so now I wait a couple of weeks.

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it..............

[orlandoguy]

Depots and International Pool & Spa's of the world would disappear.

I am curious as to what this means.  I have only dealt with Spa Depot once when buying a pump to drain my spa nad had a great experience with them.