I've seen this stated twice now... which tub is it? Is it viewable online? I'd like to see it.
John:
The spa is the Highlife. (search "Highlife Spa" on Costco's site) "from the makers of Hot Spring". $5,699.00. I understand it is similar to the "Classic" Sovereign model on the Hot Spring site. It looks a lot like my old Prodigy with the white endurol shell and tile work. One motor. Probably a good, reliable starter spa if your in the market for that. One of the problems I see with the Costco model is that you don't have that strong link to a local dealer and I'm not sure that it carries the normal 7/5/5/1 year warranty offered on tubs sold by a dealer. Someone else may know this.
Thanks Rich. So for $5700 you can get a nice starter 110v Watkins spa from costco. Sounds about right. For $1300 more you can get a Tiger River Caspian with full dealer support & delivery & setup, chemicals, 220v with subpanel, a cover lifter... a clearly better spa with full dealer support for 23% more $. Okedoke! If anything, you would think this illustrates, at least for watkins, the relative values of their models. Indeed (back to Jim the Jer... Jim's comment) it would be the same quality build, just far lower cost parts (1 pump, diverter valve plumb, 110v etc) - a lower end tub for sure, for a little less money then the higher end tubs @ the dealer...
Good analysis, John. The Tiger River is a nice tub for just a bit more.
I very briefly considered the Highlife tub when I replaced my old Prodigy last year, but I wanted something with more bells and whistles and the same high level of quality. But I still think that the Highlife has a market. It is significant that Hot Spring continues to offer four (4) tubs in its "Classic" line. There must be a market for them out there.