What got you interested in Hot Tubs?

[J._McD]

Some people shop for 2 years, some for 2 days.  What is it that got you interested in a Hot Tub and what were the motivating factors?   ???

How long have you been looking or did it take for you to find the right one? ???

 

[windsurfdog]

J mcd,
I've wanted a tub for quite some time.....just didn't have or couldn't make myself spring for the bucks earlier.  My house is at the beach on pilings 8' off the ground built in 1980.  The windows and exterior door were due for replacement.  Local coastal codes did not allow me to replace windows/doors without using the new hi impact rated units UNLESS one had a shutter system where shutters could be installled without the use of a ladder.  The hi impact units were very costly so I decided to refinance the house (rates were about at the bottom 2.5 years ago when I refied) and pull enough equity out to build an 8' high walkway around the house (in order to install a removable plywood shutter system) with a deck out the front which would be engineered to support a tub....and I included enough equity to get the cost of the tub included as well.  So, to answer your question, I searched for about 10 months to find the tub of my choice.  I wanted it to be installed before the deck railing was installed....as it turned out, the contractor made an +8' section of the railing easily removable so that the tub could squeeze in with a fork lift, which it did.  The total project also included new vinyl windows, exterior door, vinyl siding and plywood shutter system (which, if you are interested, is VERY cost efficient and can be seen at PlyFASTner ) and the total time for the project, from refinance to final inspection, was about 16 months.  Cost for the whole thing was about $55,000....and worth every penny. 8)

 

[Gary1911]

Well I have been looking for about 10 months with the last 3 or 4 being very serious. My wife has a very HIGH stress job Myself I am self employed= HIGHSTRESS sometimes ;D and just want a place to unwind winter or summer without the TV or Computer. Also to connect with our 11 year old son without the "plugs".

We have 2 big dogs so the weekend trips are limited because of kennel restrictions and placement So why not make our own little peice of paradise.  We also are constantly working on the house and are far from finished but this will be our treat for ALL the hard work ;D.

{And cause I may be startin the mid-life crisis thingy and this is safer than a HARLEY  }

PS I "WILL" have a tub in by JUNE!!!! ;D ;D ;D [I think]



June

yea



June

yea

 

[jsimo7]

Have fun and Enjoy!!   I did the Harley thing and the hot tub thing within the same year. I must be in a bad mid life crisis!!!

 

[JJ]

Sitting in a hot tub on vacation in the mountains, it dawned on me that I could do this every evening if I wanted.  Having a high stress job (aerospace) increased the motivation.  Being an engineer, I don't make impluse buys, so it took me almost two years

 

[Vinny]

I've wanted a hot tub now for about 10 years after seeing a home improvement show with *gulp* Thermospas in it.

After lurking on the internet for the past view years, reading a lot of info and moving out of a townhouse 5 years ago - I'm finally able to afford one.

Although I've heard stories on what goes on in a tub , I'm really hoping it brings the stress relief and minor ache and pain relief that people say it does! It also sounds like I may be able to spend some quality time with my kids (I guess that depends on who your asking - me - YES; maybe kids - NO - LOL) as they are growing up way too fast!

 

[bosco0633]

great question.  I have been looking for about 15 months in total.  Looking was the key word.  It was always a nice to have not a need to have and my wife said no way.  In February of this year we were on the way to the grocery store and I told my wife that I wanted to go look at the Arctic dealer.
   My wife was very nice and said that it was ok to go and look.  She said before we got out of the car, were only looking, I dont want to buy one.  Well 45min later, we had put a deposit down on one.  
    I had done over a years worth of research and had already narrowed my search down to two models and knew exactly what I wanted if I was ever given the green light.

Why did I get one?  Well as most of you know my wife and I both work for the police department and I find that my stress levels are through the roof.  I need something to relax me from a tuff day at work.  Also my job is very physical at times and you tend to get injuries, not to mention all the extra weight we carry with our vests and gun belt.

Anyways instead of relaxing at a cottage and spending all of that money and time driving to it, we said lets make the back our island oasis.  

I have huge plans this year for the backyard.  Everything is falling into place. I have started to take pictures of the process that I will share when complete.

I have 1700sq ft of exposed agrigate colored cement coming with a 34 by 14 patio in the back to start.  This will be done in two weeks.
Along the back a beautiful wrap around garden, an arctic spas tundra signature series tub, and I am building a cedar privacy wall around.  Just got the patio set, chimo fire place, muskoka chairs and a light post.  

Lots of money, but I hope this will be a beautiful oasis for my wife and I to get closer and for our son to enjoy as well.  19 months and loves the tub.  

Thank you for letting me share that.

 

[fatman]

My wife and I bought our house four years ago and a small 4 man hot tub came with it. It only had four jets but it felt great. This was the first time either of us had been in a hot tub before so it was quite a luxury. Now that I have been looking at new hot tubs and studying this forum, I realize that the one we have is very tiny. Anyway, since she is putting full trust in my decision(the married life is grand!) I am taking lots of time deciding which tub/dealer we want to go with.  Funny how dealers personalities and outfits vary from store to store. Hot tubs are supposed to be very relaxing but some of the dealers I have met are high pressure, uptight and wear ties. Not exactly the way to sell me a tub.  The search rolls on!

 

[Alan]

We looked for over 10 years. Mywife's older sister had one, that sold us on the idea.  Several factors, our child growing up, no more tuition payments, and the aches and pains that came with being 40+. Once decided for sure it took up 3 days of shopping.

 

[Ruby]

I was in a car accident 11/02.  After months of Chiropracter, PT, and massage therapy, I decided that if and when I got any kind of settlement, I would put it toward something that would maybe help my injuries long term.  I knew I would get something since it was the other guys fault 100 percent.  (he decided the red light wasn't meant for him)  I started looking and researching fall of 2003 and SA Reward was delivered July 2004.  My settlement ended up being just enough to pay for the tub (after the lawyer got paid).

 

[Alan]

Ruby's post gave me an opportunity to slip in a cause of mine.  If you see an accident stop! Be a witness, you may need it in return someday.

20+ years ago we witnessed a guy run a red light and hit another car.  We went to court and the guy was found guilty of running the red light. We were the only ones who stopped.  Years later the guy who ran the red light sued the people he hit. We were called back in again in a civil suit.   The judge and the other people's lawyers let us know in no uncertain terms that without us those poeple would have been out lots of money.

20 years later we got re paid when someone hit Gina after running a red light and denying it.

 

[Kulta]

Another case of the aches & pains of advancing age plus an rx from our md. Also our addition of a glass enclosed room. One visit to the HotSpring dealer ; the Solana TX is perfect for us. The corner fit & 2 person capacity = great.  Not one minute of buyers remorse.

 

[mowgli1]

We are moving soon from Michigan to Arizona. At first we wanted a pool and in- ground spa. We are moving to an age restricted resort community near Tucson. They have a beautiful pool complex almost across the street from our house. We decided to just use their pools for one year and see if we really want a pool of our own.

Just about all the people we talked to that had in-ground spas wished they had portable hot tubs for many reasons.Building cost, seating comfort, number of jets,  heating costs, and much better hydrotherapy were some of the big issues.

We have been looking since Jan. We had one really bad shopping experience before I dicovered this forum and became an " educated consumer". We thought we had decided on the D1 Sarena Bay but have now chosen the 2005 Sundance Maxxus. The Maxxus has everything we want and we really like the dealer in Tucson. They run a first class operation. So in two weeks we are on our way to Tucson to buy our Maxxus. We hope to be moved by fall.

.

 

[Alan]

That Maxxus is sure getting popular, I'll have to stop in my Sundance dealer just to take a look.

 

[mowgli1]

That Maxxus is sure getting popular, I'll have to stop in my Sundance dealer just to take a look.

We switched to the Maxxus for two main reasons. First we really only wanted one lounger. Secondly we felt the foot therapy was much better for all seats in the Maxxus. Foot therapy is the most important criteria for me.The Sarena Bay is an awesome spa but the Maxxus met our needs better. Anyone looking for a large spa  should check out the Maxxus before buying.

 

[dalop]

My wife and I were up in Maine for a couple of days and the Hotel we were in had one. It was so good that we had to look into getting one. With the help of my son I got one 3 months later for Fathers day.
 Best thing I ever did. We use it almost everynight except on the weekends when we are out on the boat in the summer.  ;D

 

[jnolan]

I had one years ago but moved away and left it.  Got a house with a pool while living in Florida.  Now, I'm outside of KC and I just know that it is the only way that I can enjoy being outdoors in the winter.  I've gotta have that water in some form or fashion.

 

[Lori]

I started looking many, many years ago.  At fairs, or home shows, or whatever, if they had tubs, I at least looked!  My Mom and I (I was still a teenager at the time) would talk about someday getting one.  

Well...many years passed, I got married, and we ended up buying a house.  While we were looking at houses, we looked at a few that already had tubs.  That gave me the fever.  After settling in the house a few years, and hubby had become obsessed with orchids, he decided he needed (had to have) a small greenhouse.  I told him ok, on one condition, that I got a tub the next year!  

So, he found a greenhouse and bought it.  About 6 months later I was watching tv and saw an ad for the local Jacuzzi dealer (at the time).  I looked in the phone book for all available brands/manufacturers and dealers to visit.  The Jacuzzi place was closest to my house and I stopped to look one day!  That cinched it, I had to have one.

I ended up finding this (and a couple of other boards) and learned I needed to wet test!  After 2 months of looking and wet testing, I decided on my Vanguard!!!

I got an added bonus.  I have carpal tunnel syndrome, and it has sure helped my wrists!  I have a very high stress job, and it has helped with relaxing!!!  

 

[J._McD]

We appreciate sharing your experiences with us and the insight your responses have given, keep them coming.  

Being a dealer for 21 years in an extremely competetive and misunderstood industry during a slow economy, it is nice to know not all decisions are spontaeneous and most are carefully thought out.  

We are a family operation and have always been open and honest with our shoppers.  Not everone buys, not everyone buy from us either, but a great many buy.  That's good because they all have friends, family, business associates and neighbors to spread the "Hot Tub Bug".  As for all of the dealers here, we would like to sell more to informed buyers, as many of you are, and we are always disappointed about the "one that got away" that we didn't sell.  

We take exceptional care of our customers (IMHO), and we treat our shoppers with respect.  Sometimes we get the sale, sometimes another good competitor gets the sale, but what disturbs us ALL, buyer's and seller's, are the "sharks in the water" that give dealers a tainted impression in the mind of the buyer.

Wouldn't it be great if we could all "trust" in something in this day and age.   (that's it, I am beging to show my age) remember when we used to leave the house unlocked and the key's in the car.

 

[Drewski]

Ahhh, to answer this question, I need to go back in time...

In about 1985, I was a diving instructor and boat captain working for a local dive shop in the Virginia Beach area (man, this brings back memories, I was 22!).  We had left for a deep dive on a local wreck at about 6:00 AM, completed the 160 FT leg of the dive by 2:00 PM and were back at the dock by 7:00 PM.

All day 40 miles offshore of the Virginia Capes in August is HOT. Add to that the red blood cell anemia that develops from oxygen and nitrogen getting compressed in your blood during deep dives and you end up feeling way RAGGED by the end of the day.

One of our customers -- I forget his name -- lived near the docks. I had taken care of him during the day, helping him with new equipment, etc., even giving him tips on spear fishing that ended up with him getting a 50 LB Red Drum on the second dive. Anyway, he invited me and my girlfriend over for dinner and told me to bring a swimsuit. We showed up at 8:00 for a dinner of fresh fish with all the trimmings.

After dinner he broke out the Coronas and said "let's hit the tub!" He then took us to the back of his house where he had a 8 FT round and DEEP wood tub, with 108 degree water (remember, it's August!). To this day, I can't remember a more beautiful back yard setting. The tub had been there for years, he had overhead vines, etc.

Well, I hit that 108 degree water and almost passed out. My friend's answer was "more Corona!," which he liberally supplied. For the next 2 hours we got in and out of the tub, drank beer and just generally vegged. During the entire time, he never got out of the tub except to get more beer. By about 11:00 PM, I was feeling FINE -- not drunk, just RELAXED. Surprisingly, I didn't feel ragged anymore and I had no pain anywhere.

I also discovered something else on that fateful evening. Hot tubs enhance libido! When my girlfriend and I got back to my apartment we.... well, let's just say it was a FINE night. I woke up the next morning feeling so darn good I knew right then a hot tub was for me.

Almost 15 years later, I finally bought my own tub. I also practice what I learned -- SHARE the tub with others. I use my tub as the center point of entertainment for everyone who comes over. Not surprisingly, a LOT of people come over!

So, to that man who owned the hot tub and went on the "Wilkes Barr" dive charter with Aqualung Dive Center back in August of 1985, have a cold Corona for me brother, you made my life worth living! God Bless ya!

Peace and Hot Water...

Drewski

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