Poll: How long did it take you to decide on a spa

[Brookenstein]

I'm curious how long it takes the average consumer to actually buy a spa after initially deciding they want one.

And once you are sure you want one and are ready to take the plunge, how long do you shop around until you find the 'right' one.

The 'boss' and I both want one, but we are finding it really hard to justify the expense when there are so many other life expenses out there that seem like they should take priority.

 

[drewstar]

For me, I always wanted a hot tub.  A few years ago, a "freind" gave me thier used hot tub, because they did not use it.  It actually was a  real shabby, low end tub, and the electric bill went through the roof.  I finally shut the tub down. It was too expseive to run.

However, I was hooked, and I had already put in a pad, and paid $500 for electrical. My wife and I talked and decided that since i used it so much, (at least 4 times a week) and that our friends enjoyed it, and it allowed us to  enjoy the backyard even in the winter, that we would get a new, more efficent spa.  We thought we'd spend about $4k.

I learned quickly that I'd have to bump the budget up to more like $7K to get the tub quality that I wanted.

We decided to give up 1 tropical vacation and buy the tub.
After all, the tub should last 10 + years, a vacation lasts 1 week.

It took us about 2 months to find the right tub.(I Looked at about 5 dealers (plus a ton of internet reserch.) Once finding the right tubs, wet testing, and fianlly decding we would take the plunge, it still took a 2 weeks for us to decide  the "final" go ahead and sign the contract.

Does that answer your question?

And PS. we're still taking the tropial vacation. It's amazing how you can save the cash for things you really "need". Costa Rica in 3 months.

 

[rickw]

This is our third week.  Four wet tests and changed out minds at least three times.

A lot of internet research, probably about six hours on the sales floors.

Hoping to decide today or tomorrow.  Am waiting for any responses about Artesian Platinum series and one more wet test.

 

[amat1950]

We talked about getting one for about 1 month. We had a used  Jacuzzi tub about 15 or more years ago and got rid of it about 7 years ago. It was a very basic one for the time. We decide that it was time to buy one for theraputic advantages as well as the fun part. It took us about 2-2 1/2 months of looking, wet testing, and reading the Forum before we actually purchased one. We have only had it up and running for a week, but we love it.
Happy hunting. ;D

 

[Brewman]

We probably spent about 3 weeks shopping once we decided to pull the trigger.  We spent years prior to that kicking around the idea and waiting for the right time.

 

[ramdom]

We talked about it for 5 years or more but we never had a site for it. After recently buying a new house the backyard kept whispering, "spa, spa, hot tub, spa" ever so quietly. Once we heard the 'call of the mild' we set out.

On a spontaneous whim i started looking after an ad in the paper. After a few shoddy possibilities we tried two dealers in town and went with the Hydropool over the Arctic Spa. For 1400 dollars more we got 2-3 more seats, GFCI, steps, Piston lifted cover, 18 more jets, an additional 3 HP pump, Chem starter kit, Premium 5 year Warranty, solar sensitive Garden lighting, Deluxe LED lighting, towel rack, installed and delivered.

It helps to watch the Promos, i think and get the best deal. Dealers all seem to have a price point that they won't waver from but the add-ons get sweeter as this is what one ends up negotiating for...

 

[jsimo7]

About 3 mos of shopping and wet testing for the RIGHT tub. During that 3mos we had the concrete pad put in and scheduled electric to be done. After we found the right tub (in stock lucky for us), we had it delivered and installed within 1 week.

 

[TMJ]

Been pining for one about 4 years. When serious, we took a few weeks to decide which one.

 

[cappykat]

We never thought about owning a hot tub until our daughter bought a house that had one.  That was last year around Christmas time.  I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.  I was amazed at how much soaking in the hot tub relaxed me.  It was after that experience that we started kicking around the idea of buying one.

Once we started the process of looking, I found this forum.  I guess it took us about 2-3 months of research, looking, and wet testing to decide.  It was one of the most difficult things I did.  I'm the "analyst" and I nick/pick everything.  Like a lot of people, I wanted the best, most perfect tub I could find BUT at a cost that wouldn't break us. 

Now we're in the process of laying a concrete slab and a screened room to house our Marquis Epic.  It's been a long process and I'm so ready to have my tub!!  I know it will be worth the wait when I take that first soak.

Good luck and take your time to find the right tub for you.

 

[TTyacke]

We spent about 10 months looking at just about every local brand we could get into (except Cal Spas, but don't get me started).  We wet tested HS, Arctic, Coleman, Jacuzzi, Clearwater, Marquis, D-1, LA Spas, Artesian, and Sundance before selecting the Marquis Epic.  We liked aspects of just about all the tubs, but it came down to what best fit us.  It took so long because we never left a wet test knowing that was the tub we wanted, until we sat in the Epic.

 

[tony]

After seriously deciding I was going to buy a tub....about three weeks to purchase.

 

[Vinny]

I wanted one for about 10 years and I was finally able to get one.

I started "looking" about 1 year before I expected to have it delivered and actuually put a deposit down 6 months before delivery.

My dealer was the only one who suggested to put a deposit down on the tub to hold the price. I went into her store in October and wanted a Spring delivery and she held the price for 6 months - Besides getting a good deal, I got a 2005 tub at a 2004 price.

 

[TrikkeAddict]

We had a spa but sold it with our old house.  When we were building the deck on our new house we planned on buying a new spa.  I went looking at two brands on a Thursday - took my husband to look at the same two on Saturday.  Spent about 20 minutes at the first, about an hour at the second.  Didn't wet test any.  Placed the order that day.  Got it about a month later and love it!!!  Definitely made the right decision for us!!

Susan

 

[freddortort]

Started looking last year.  Waiting for a landscape designer to help plan our entire patio (approx 1200-1500 sq ft)

Have it narrowed to Sundance Cameo and HS Envoy.  The Sundance dealer insulted me SO back to the Envoy.  Wettested several times - - - don't want "buyer's remorse"

 

[jnolan]

I got the idea to first purchase a tub because that was where you could always find me anytime I stayed in a hotel or resort that had one.  

I purchased a tub years ago but there weren't many choices back then so it didn't take long at all to decide on which one to get.  

Moved away to Florida where I had a pool so I didn't miss not having a tub.

Now I've moved to Missouri and after the first cold snap (probably only 60 degrees), I was ready for another one.    I searched the internet for dealers and visited everyone of them within 70 miles.  Took about 2 weeks to narrow it down to three that I really liked.  Tested those and picked the one that fit.

 

[popsicle]

Talked about it for 2 months.
Seriously researched for about 1 month.  (Which basically consisted of lurking on this forum, browsing manufacturers web sites, and visiting 3 dealers and one large "home show")
Narrowed it down and picked it out in 2 weeks.

Use it 2 or 3 times a week in the summer and 4 or 5 times when it's cooler (or cold).
Absolutely love it.
It's very easy to maintain (regardless of the endless threads related to dichlor, mps, bromine, chlorine, foam, methane, octane, ethyl-methyl chloride, etc.)
Best thing about it has been time with the family, undisturbed by nothing but crickets, frogs and moonlight.  (Don't spend money on pop up tv screens or sophisticated stereo systems imho)

 

[windsurfdog]

I spent about 2-3 months educating myself here (and a big thank you to everyone here) and at Doc's site (a big thank you to Doc, too, for running such a great site).  Then I spent another 2-3 months shopping before making the decision.  Such a large purchase is deserving of such attention and I feel I made the best choice for me.......plus, now 14 months down the road, I've had zero problems and nothing but pleasure from my tub.  It's worth the effort.......

 

[miker]

Now in third week.  Thought we had it but the final wet test showed it to be too small.

Back to square 1.

 

[Bodyaches]

Took me about two months to decide on my Diamondback Spa.

Dick
SemperFi

 

[waggie]

I guess it took us about four to six weeks.  My husband has wanted one for years, but I didn't want it because he travels so much, I thought I'd never use it, and it would just sit here taking up space and costing money.  

However, since we first talked about it I've aged nine years and become a mom.   I realized I would now use  and benefit from a hot tub.

No sooner did I mention to my husband I was receptive to it that he was hot on the trail of researching them.  He became a man possessed, I swear!  He's be in another state on business and come home with a brochure from a hot tub store he happened by in his travels.   It got to be pretty comical.  

We researched every company within an hour or so from here.  Some companies we couldn't consider just because there were no local dealers.