7 to 10 grand budget what can we get? So Confused

[Jacuzzi_Jim]

  I would say you did really good.

 

[Sam]

Yep.  I would not sell an A7L for that price.  Not even close.

 

[Conine2965]

My local dealer wanted 14k. So bullfrog was a non starter for me.

 

[39lasalle]

If i knew how to post pics from my phone I would show the floor models priced at my dealer....an A7L for 8895 and an A 8 for 10500.  Amazing deals from what you guys are saying!

 

[Spayedkitty]

Our hot tub shopping thus far is mind boggling and exhausting.  Anyone that would like to chime in please do.

Sundance dealer, won't return our calls. Cross this brand off the list.

Hot Springs dealer, won't return our calls. Oh well.

Marquis, same won't return calls or emails.

Caldera dealers, prices all over the place.  One place wants 10,500 another wants 8,500 for a Makena.  Both include the same items, delivery, cover and such.

Master spas price seems ok.  Salesman told me I would buy the stereo because it's that great and worth the 400 after I told him up front NO on the stereo.  Won't be dealing with Master spas after that.

Artesian, we like the spa and the price seems fair.  We don't care for the used car salesman tactics too much.

Royal Spa, reminds me of something from the 1970's.  Plus the store was nasty, spas with brown rusty water that smelled on display.

Cal Spas, price seems fair but reading online they don't have the best reputation.  And the sealer of Cal spas is the same Caldera dealer that seems to charge a high price so we don't know if the Cal spa price is fair or not, no other dealers to compare to.

It's looking like we will most likely end up with an Artesian Grand Bahama Elite, a Caldera Makena or Tahitian.  We like the Geneva but think it's priced more than we want to spend.

Also the Caldera dealer says gravel is fine.  The Artesian dealer say no, need to use pavers.

 

[Sam]

Our hot tub shopping thus far is mind boggling and exhausting.  Anyone that would like to chime in please do.

Sundance dealer, won't return our calls. Cross this brand off the list.

Hot Springs dealer, won't return our calls. Oh well.

Marquis, same won't return calls or emails.

Caldera dealers, prices all over the place.  One place wants 10,500 another wants 8,500 for a Makena.  Both include the same items, delivery, cover and such.

Master spas price seems ok.  Salesman told me I would buy the stereo because it's that great and worth the 400 after I told him up front NO on the stereo.  Won't be dealing with Master spas after that.

Artesian, we like the spa and the price seems fair.  We don't care for the used car salesman tactics too much.

Royal Spa, reminds me of something from the 1970's.  Plus the store was nasty, spas with brown rusty water that smelled on display.

Cal Spas, price seems fair but reading online they don't have the best reputation.  And the sealer of Cal spas is the same Caldera dealer that seems to charge a high price so we don't know if the Cal spa price is fair or not, no other dealers to compare to.

It's looking like we will most likely end up with an Artesian Grand Bahama Elite, a Caldera Makena or Tahitian.  We like the Geneva but think it's priced more than we want to spend.

Also the Caldera dealer says gravel is fine.  The Artesian dealer say no, need to use pavers.

Sounds frustrating.  Fyi, the Grand Bahama is a great spa and you can absolutely put it on gravel.

 

[Spatech_tuo]

Also the Caldera dealer says gravel is fine.  The Artesian dealer say no, need to use pavers.

If I were a dealer I'd certainly recommend a concrete pad or pavers since you can't go wrong that way but I've seen gravel used many times without issue when done properly but you have to do it right so as long as you contain it to stop it from shifting you should be fine.

 

[Tman122]

Also the Caldera dealer says gravel is fine.  The Artesian dealer say no, need to use pavers.

If I were a dealer I'd certainly recommend a concrete pad or pavers since you can't go wrong that way but I've seen gravel used many times without issue when done properly but you have to do it right so as long as you contain it to stop it from shifting you should be fine.

Yes!!!! The biggest reason a dealer says no to gravel is because it's not always done right. Pavers or concrete is harder to screw up.

 

[Jacuzzi_Jim]

Also the Caldera dealer says gravel is fine.  The Artesian dealer say no, need to use pavers.

If I were a dealer I'd certainly recommend a concrete pad or pavers since you can't go wrong that way but I've seen gravel used many times without issue when done properly but you have to do it right so as long as you contain it to stop it from shifting you should be fine.

Yes!!!! The biggest reason a dealer says no to gravel is because it's not always done right. Pavers or concrete is harder to screw up.

  True, but home owners and contractors can still fail at this.    Like the guy that did a 10X10 pad and a 1" slope for run off. 

 

[Spayedkitty]

If I were a dealer I'd certainly recommend a concrete pad or pavers since you can't go wrong that way but I've seen gravel used many times without issue when done properly but you have to do it right so as long as you contain it to stop it from shifting you should be fine.
[/quote]

The Artesian dealer of 20 years told us the reason he doesn't like gravel is because when 2 men slide the tub onto the gravel it will not be level.  The dealer was referring to the delivery guys.  The dealer said the gravel slides around when putting the tub in place.  Another dealer told us the tub can just be shimmied.

This is why this is so confusing.  The more dealers we speak with or visit the more confusing it gets as to what the right choice is.

 

[redbaybound]

The light bulb came on for me and you know life is short and you worked hard to get to the point you can splurge on something just for yourselves and something you don’t even need...Buy a Bluetooth sound thing and make your deck and spa area into the place you would rather be at than going on vacation.   

This was really helpful.  We're also looking and weighing our options; this put things into a very clear perspective for me.  Thank you!

 

[meriflower]

As a spa owner I would recommend to wet test as many different brands that you can.  We didn't the first time around but did so the second.  You do meet and speak with many different types of sales people.  For the most part they were helpful and doing their job.  Ask them to show you the operation of the spa, if they don't have one with the front panel off ask them to show you the equipment bay.  Ask to see their service department.  Note and compare the warranty on any spas that you are serious about.  Also, where is it made if that is important to you.  It was for us.

When using the spa we found that we don't use the water feature and use the light when getting in and out of the spa.  We don't have built in speakers or Bluetooth as  we prefer it quiet.  The times that I do want to hear music I just have a radio, it's a personal preference.  As far as placement we have ours in our garage in the 3rd stall.  Not picturesque but we don't have to go out in the snow in the winter or get bit by mosquitos in the summer.  We probably would've bought a gazebo if we had placed it in the backyard with a concrete slab.  So putting it in the garage saved money.  The con is on those nice evenings we miss out on seeing the stars and moon.

On my last spa purchase the dealer accidentally left the paper on the price they paid from the manufacturer so start low if they will negotiate.  Next you learn water chemistry!  Good luck!