Well, we finally started getting serious looking for hot tubs today. We are looking for a tub somewhere around 7' x 7' (we can go a little bigger but not much) that can fit four comfortably and when necessary we could squeeze 5 or 6 into. We also have a weight restriction of 5,000 pounds (weight of tub plus water). I've done a ton of research and have been on this forum tirelessly, but today was the day to get out and start talking face to face with dealers. Went to HotSprings first. They were not very helpful at all, and in fact I think I knew more about the product than they did. This business sells more than hot tubs and to be fair it turned out that the hot tub portion of their business was not open today. They told us they did have a salesman available and because we had driven a fair distance, he agreed to show us their product. But again, he certainly was not very knowledgeable. The real deal breaker for me however, was when the salesman told us we could not wet test. They had one model set up and that is the only model that is available for wet testing. I told him we would not be buying any spa we could not wet test. This is the only Hotsprings dealer that is anywhere close to us, so now Hotsprings is off our list.
Our next stop was a dealer who sells both Sundance and Jacuzzi. I had been to see this fellow once before and I really liked him, and he impressed once again today. He had a very good understanding of his product, was very helpful with us, did not knock the competition and appeared to be very trustworthy. He spent about 3 hours with us and made a great impression. Going into the dealership I was really looking forward to seeing the Sundance Cameo. We are putting our hot tub on a roof deck with a view of a lake. The design of the Cameo is absolutely perfect in that it allows us to take maximum advantage of our view. However, when we sat in the Cameo it just feels too big. The lounge was not a good fit for either myself or my wife. We didn't wet test, and we will, but it just seems like it will be too big. The dealer then suggested we might want to look at the Jacuzzi J-355. He has one in stock (a 2013 model) but it is in the process of being sold. The fit of the tub felt much better than the Cameo, but the layout is not the best for us to take advantage of our view. It also seemed to me that the jets in the lounger dug into my back a little, but my wife did not notice this. Because he will be selling this tub, he is going to bring a new, 2014 model in for us to wet test - the down side is that it is going to take about one month for him to get the tub in. Apparently there are also some changes coming to this tub in the 2014 models, which all sound like positive upgrades. There is another Jacuzzi dealer in town, so I am going to go tomorrow and see if they have a J-355 available for wet testing.
So today we have been to one dealer who was no help at all, been to the second dealer who had one tub that would be perfect for our view but seemed too big, and a second tub that didn't work well for our view but seemed to fit us like a glove. I know in the end if it comes down to a choice between the two, we will have to take the tub that fits us best over the view, but we really do have a million dollar view and I am hard pressed not to take advantage of it.
Tomorrow we are going to see Marquis, the other Jacuzzi dealer and possibly Bullfrog. From the looks of the tubs listed on the Marquis website, the "Wish" would be the one that would be best for our view. Does anyone have any thoughts on "The Wish" by Marquis?
As always, any comments or suggestions are most appreciated.
Our next stop was a dealer who sells both Sundance and Jacuzzi. I had been to see this fellow once before and I really liked him, and he impressed once again today. He had a very good understanding of his product, was very helpful with us, did not knock the competition and appeared to be very trustworthy. He spent about 3 hours with us and made a great impression. Going into the dealership I was really looking forward to seeing the Sundance Cameo. We are putting our hot tub on a roof deck with a view of a lake. The design of the Cameo is absolutely perfect in that it allows us to take maximum advantage of our view. However, when we sat in the Cameo it just feels too big. The lounge was not a good fit for either myself or my wife. We didn't wet test, and we will, but it just seems like it will be too big. The dealer then suggested we might want to look at the Jacuzzi J-355. He has one in stock (a 2013 model) but it is in the process of being sold. The fit of the tub felt much better than the Cameo, but the layout is not the best for us to take advantage of our view. It also seemed to me that the jets in the lounger dug into my back a little, but my wife did not notice this. Because he will be selling this tub, he is going to bring a new, 2014 model in for us to wet test - the down side is that it is going to take about one month for him to get the tub in. Apparently there are also some changes coming to this tub in the 2014 models, which all sound like positive upgrades. There is another Jacuzzi dealer in town, so I am going to go tomorrow and see if they have a J-355 available for wet testing.
So today we have been to one dealer who was no help at all, been to the second dealer who had one tub that would be perfect for our view but seemed too big, and a second tub that didn't work well for our view but seemed to fit us like a glove. I know in the end if it comes down to a choice between the two, we will have to take the tub that fits us best over the view, but we really do have a million dollar view and I am hard pressed not to take advantage of it.
Tomorrow we are going to see Marquis, the other Jacuzzi dealer and possibly Bullfrog. From the looks of the tubs listed on the Marquis website, the "Wish" would be the one that would be best for our view. Does anyone have any thoughts on "The Wish" by Marquis?
As always, any comments or suggestions are most appreciated.
