First Time Buyer Advice

[murphy_r]

Hello Everyone,

In preparation for purchasing my wife's and I first hot tub I have been doing some research over the last week. We have made the rounds and narrowed our selection down to three spas. Our next step is to wet test the various tubs. What I was hoping is to get some validation on the pricing package on these spas before we decide on such an expensive purpose. Also all three dealers we are working with have been around for 20+ years and seem pretty good. (Boy did we come across some slimy ones though)

1. Hot Springs Envoy - With the CM3 cover lift + steps $10,500

Got to meet the factory rep and it seems like this is a A+ tub. Price seems high

2. Sundance Altamar. - Ozonator, CM3, steps + $9300

A+ tub as well. Plus friend who bought from the same dealer had great warranty service.

3. Clearwater St. Andrew Signature - Ozonator, CM1 $8800

Any validation on pricing would be greatly.

Thanks!

[Tyler]

Sounds like you've done your homework. The price for the Envoy is a little higher than what they sell for in my area. Also, for comparison, the Cameo is probably more in line with the Envoy as far as pricing is concerned. I'm not familar with Clearwater spas. It should all come down to the wet test. Enjoy. Good luck.

Hello Everyone,

In preparation for purchasing my wife's and I first hot tub I have been doing some research over the last week. We have made the rounds and narrowed our selection down to three spas. Our next step is to wet test the various tubs. What I was hoping is to get some validation on the pricing package on these spas before we decide on such an expensive purpose. Also all three dealers we are working with have been around for 20+ years and seem pretty good. (Boy did we come across some slimy ones though)

1. Hot Springs Envoy - With the CM3 cover lift + steps $10,500

Got to meet the factory rep and it seems like this is a A+ tub. Price seems high

2. Sundance Altamar. - Ozonator, CM3, steps + $9300

A+ tub as well. Plus friend who bought from the same dealer had great warranty service.

3. Clearwater St. Andrew Signature - Ozonator, CM1 $8800

Any validation on pricing would be greatly.

Thanks!

[veeper]

Both Hot Springs and Sundance build solid spas and have a good reputation.

I would be in favor of Sundance, especially since your friend likes the spa and feels the dealer has taken care of them.

But it really comes down to your GUT feeling. What spa is more comfortable. And from which dealer do you get a warm and fuzzy feeling from??

Good Luck!

[PeopleEater]

I too am looking at tubs and in fact have been leaning toward the Hot Spring Envoy (at 6'4" it's one of the only ones that seems comfortable to me). I haven't had a chance to look at the Sundance, Marquis, Bullfrog and Arctic yet.

I was just wondering where you are located (US or Canada). I'm in the Hamilton/Burlington area in Canada and they are trying to sell me a floor model of the Hot Spring for $11650 w/ozonator, steps, and cover lift. This seemed on the high side to me but I haven't been arount to a lot of dealers yet. The only other price was for a Coleman ... I forget which model now ... but they wanted $10000 for a new one.

Anyways, I was just wondering if that was a US price or if someone is trying to hose me ... thanks in advance.

[spatech (the unreal one)]

I'm in the Hamilton/Burlington area in Canada and they are trying to sell me a floor model of the Hot Spring for $11650 w/ozonator, steps, and cover lift.

What does $11650 Canadian equate to in US dollars?

[Spa Geek]

$10,500 US is high for the Envoy.

[Jim_The_Jim]

Hello Everyone,

In preparation for purchasing my wife's and I first hot tub I have been doing some research over the last week. We have made the rounds and narrowed our selection down to three spas. Our next step is to wet test the various tubs. What I was hoping is to get some validation on the pricing package on these spas before we decide on such an expensive purpose. Also all three dealers we are working with have been around for 20+ years and seem pretty good. (Boy did we come across some slimy ones though)

1. Hot Springs Envoy - With the CM3 cover lift + steps $10,500

Got to meet the factory rep and it seems like this is a A+ tub. Price seems high

2. Sundance Altamar. - Ozonator, CM3, steps + $9300

A+ tub as well. Plus friend who bought from the same dealer had great warranty service.

3. Clearwater St. Andrew Signature - Ozonator, CM1 $8800

Any validation on pricing would be greatly.

Thanks!

The Envoy = $4200 US

The Altimar= $5300 US

The Clearwater = $4550

This is based upon the cost to manufacture, and standard retail mark up of 200% from manufacturer's costs.

[Chas]

The Envoy = $4200 US

The Altimar= $5300 US

The Clearwater = $4550

This is based upon the cost to manufacture, and standard retail mark up of 200% from manufacturer's costs.

Based upon pure fantasy - IMO.

[Jim_The_Jim]

Based upon pure fantasy - IMO.

I went through this a while back in detail with exact pricing of all the parts and the labor to build hot tubs.

And those figures are pretty accurate. Would you like to help me build a spa from scratch on paper, with all the wholesale costs and the labor costs, electricity costs, insurance costs, depreciation of equipment costs, etc?

What does an average worker get paid at Watkins to build the spas? How about the Mexican Calderas? What is the labor cost there? I am not talking about marketing, or executive glut.

Let's start there. I am sure the readers would love this information.

http://www.soundclick.com/havenhead