Decision Time!

[joshd]

I've been lurking on this forum for a while as I've been researching a new spa to install in a deck that we are building in the next few weeks. There is clearly a wealth of knowledgeable and helpful people here, so I decided to sign up and post to see if anyone has any advice before I take the plunge!

I've basically narrowed down my choice to two options: the Arctic Summit LE and the Hot Springs Grandee. I'm also thinking about taking a look at the Sundance Optima today if people think it's a worthwhile comparison?

I really love the seating layout and jet package of the Summit LE. However, I can't seem to find any dealers in my area (Northern VA) after Paradise was dropped (which I read all about on this forum). The closest dealer to me that I could find is in Lancaster, PA (Integrity Pools and Arctic Spas) which is two hours away. I spoke to Barb there who was very informative and helpful, but I'm just not terribly comfortable with purchasing a spa from a dealer two hours away. They will not be able to service the tub and say that they will sell it to me without a labor warranty at a discount. Barb has a year-old Summit LE that was supposedly installed at her bosses house for a while. She offered me that 'floor model' (seems more like used to me but whatever) for $10.2K without the labor warranty plus $500 for delivery. It just doesn't seem like enough of a discount for a year-old used model from a dealer two hours away. She will not deal further. I could also order a new one, but it could take up to six weeks and cost an additional $2K. I really like this tub, but the price, lead time to order a new one, and location of the dealer are turning me off unfortunately.

Yesterday I visited a local dealer (Hot Spring Spa of Washington) to look at the Hot Spring Grandee. This tub seems fairly similar to the Arctic summit in terms of seating layout, although it doesn't have the deep 'captains' chairs or the love seat. However, it was pointed out to me that with kids (I have a 6 and 3 y/o) that the captains chairs would be harder for them to get in and out of and that they would be able to slide around to the various seats in the Grandee, so this may be better for me. The moto-massage moving jets seem at first glance to be pretty sweet, but I have no idea how I will enjoy them long term. Also this is a full foam core tub versus the Arctic Summit. I've heard arguments on both sides of this and can't really determine which is best. As for the pricing, the Hot Spring dealer basically gave me a price and said that's it, no dealing. My tendency is to think that anything is up for negotiation, so this lack of desire to deal at all somewhat annoys me. Still though, the price is less than the Summit at $9875. They did reveal to me that after the first year, there would be a $40 'co-pay' for warranty service.

Given all that I've read about the industry (and just how these types of businesses work in general), my biggest concern is around after sales support and service. This is what makes me lean towards the local Hot Spring dealer as they have been in business for over 20 years ... although I still have no idea how they'll treat me after they have my cash ;-)

Any thoughts on what I should do? Is the price for the Grandee reasonable or should I be able to get some discount (they did actually mention that there is a Manufacturer special with something like $500 off or 12 months same as cash financing)? Should I be able to get better pricing on the Summit? Are there any Arctic dealers closer to me that I missed? Given my requirements of a large spa to be installed in my deck (recessed 1/2-way or so) without a lounger that will also be somewhat kid-friendly, are there any other brands/models that I should check out before making the final decision? Should I look at the Sundance Optima? Any delivery/installation issues that I should clarify with a potential dealer? Any other questions that I should be asking that I missed?

I tend to over-analyze all purchases, but this is a large one that I plan to live with for a long time, so I want to make sure it's right for me!

Thanks for reading this long post if you actually made it this far and thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice.

- josh

[reallost]

well josh, i too have been doin a search.was looking at the optima or cameo. i came across a beachcomber 720le which with stereo is a comparable price to the cameo.i found a few things i liked better. the jets are adjustable so you can turn induvidual jets harder or softer(somthing sundance would benifit from)and the 2 speed pump meant the water could be active but you can still talk. and the stereo on the sundance made it hard to hear cause its sound was from 2 corners. i deff sugest wet testing.the sundance jets have punch but found it pushed us out of the seat. and was pins and needles after a few minutes. they are deffinately nice tubs but ill be getting a beachcomber.

[Brick]

I've been lurking on this forum for a while as I've been researching a new spa to install in a deck that we are building in the next few weeks. There is clearly a wealth of knowledgeable and helpful people here, so I decided to sign up and post to see if anyone has any advice before I take the plunge!

I've basically narrowed down my choice to two options: the Arctic Summit LE and the Hot Springs Grandee. I'm also thinking about taking a look at the Sundance Optima today if people think it's a worthwhile comparison?

I really love the seating layout and jet package of the Summit LE. However, I can't seem to find any dealers in my area (Northern VA) after Paradise was dropped (which I read all about on this forum). The closest dealer to me that I could find is in Lancaster, PA (Integrity Pools and Arctic Spas) which is two hours away. I spoke to Barb there who was very informative and helpful, but I'm just not terribly comfortable with purchasing a spa from a dealer two hours away. They will not be able to service the tub and say that they will sell it to me without a labor warranty at a discount. Barb has a year-old Summit LE that was supposedly installed at her bosses house for a while. She offered me that 'floor model' (seems more like used to me but whatever) for $10.2K without the labor warranty plus $500 for delivery. It just doesn't seem like enough of a discount for a year-old used model from a dealer two hours away. She will not deal further. I could also order a new one, but it could take up to six weeks and cost an additional $2K. I really like this tub, but the price, lead time to order a new one, and location of the dealer are turning me off unfortunately.

Yesterday I visited a local dealer (Hot Spring Spa of Washington) to look at the Hot Spring Grandee. This tub seems fairly similar to the Arctic summit in terms of seating layout, although it doesn't have the deep 'captains' chairs or the love seat. However, it was pointed out to me that with kids (I have a 6 and 3 y/o) that the captains chairs would be harder for them to get in and out of and that they would be able to slide around to the various seats in the Grandee, so this may be better for me. The moto-massage moving jets seem at first glance to be pretty sweet, but I have no idea how I will enjoy them long term. Also this is a full foam core tub versus the Arctic Summit. I've heard arguments on both sides of this and can't really determine which is best. As for the pricing, the Hot Spring dealer basically gave me a price and said that's it, no dealing. My tendency is to think that anything is up for negotiation, so this lack of desire to deal at all somewhat annoys me. Still though, the price is less than the Summit at $9875. They did reveal to me that after the first year, there would be a $40 'co-pay' for warranty service.

Given all that I've read about the industry (and just how these types of businesses work in general), my biggest concern is around after sales support and service. This is what makes me lean towards the local Hot Spring dealer as they have been in business for over 20 years ... although I still have no idea how they'll treat me after they have my cash ;-)

Any thoughts on what I should do? Is the price for the Grandee reasonable or should I be able to get some discount (they did actually mention that there is a Manufacturer special with something like $500 off or 12 months same as cash financing)? Should I be able to get better pricing on the Summit? Are there any Arctic dealers closer to me that I missed? Given my requirements of a large spa to be installed in my deck (recessed 1/2-way or so) without a lounger that will also be somewhat kid-friendly, are there any other brands/models that I should check out before making the final decision? Should I look at the Sundance Optima? Any delivery/installation issues that I should clarify with a potential dealer? Any other questions that I should be asking that I missed?

I tend to over-analyze all purchases, but this is a large one that I plan to live with for a long time, so I want to make sure it's right for me!

Thanks for reading this long post if you actually made it this far and thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice.

- josh

Yes, Josh, it does sound like you over analyze! My son's are engineers and they do too. Buy a Dimension One or Hot Spring and

RELAX!! You'll be fine.

[spatech (the unreal one)]

Given all that I've read about the industry (and just how these types of businesses work in general), my biggest concern is around after sales support and service. This is what makes me lean towards the local Hot Spring dealer as they have been in business for over 20 years ... although I still have no idea how they'll treat me after they have my cash ;-)

Any thoughts on what I should do? Is the price for the Grandee reasonable or should I be able to get some discount

- josh

When making a $10k purchase its wise to analyze and I think you're doing fine. Arctic and Hot Springs are both bood brands and the Summit and Grandee are big sellers for each but you really want a local dealer so I can see why you seem to be leaning to the Grandee. Service after the sale is an important feature and you're wise to consider it.

If you get to the point where they aren't budging on price try to see if they will add in a couple hundred bucks in store credit for future purchases (chems, accessories). Its better for them than lowering the price and for you its the same since you'll need future items. that can really be a good closer for both sides.

[joshd]

Given all that I've read about the industry (and just how these types of businesses work in general), my biggest concern is around after sales support and service. This is what makes me lean towards the local Hot Spring dealer as they have been in business for over 20 years ... although I still have no idea how they'll treat me after they have my cash ;-)

Any thoughts on what I should do? Is the price for the Grandee reasonable or should I be able to get some discount

- josh

When making a $10k purchase its wise to analyze and I think you're doing fine. Arctic and Hot Springs are both bood brands and the Summit and Grandee are big sellers for each but you really want a local dealer so I can see why you seem to be leaning to the Grandee. Service after the sale is an important feature and you're wise to consider it.

If you get to the point where they aren't budging on price try to see if they will add in a couple hundred bucks in store credit for future purchases (chems, accessories). Its better for them than lowering the price and for you its the same since you'll need future items. that can really be a good closer for both sides.

That's a great idea, thanks spatech.

Thanks for the thoughts and support everyone.