Consumer Reports

[D.P. Roberts]

Almost everyone who has shopped for a hot tub has looked for an independent, objective source of information on tubs, like Consumer Reports. However, Consumer Reports has never reviewed hot tubs. According to their web site, here's why:

"Products not yet tested -- As reader interest in these products increases, we hope to be able to offer information.

* Hot tubs

* Jacuzzis

* Spas

* Swimming pools and equipment"

I edited some products off the list, but you can see that some readers have already suggested that they review spas- so many that Consumer Reports has tubs on their radar. So, basically they're saying that hot tubs are "on the bubble" of things people are interested, but not quite enough people have asked them to review them.

Let's change that. If every spa shopper wrote to Consumer Reports, along with every dealer who thought their brand would stand up to the scrutiny, they'd review hot tubs. Here's the link to send your feedback to Consumer Reports:

Consumer Reports

You can select "Suggestion" or "Letter to the Editor" in the subject box. Let's bug them to death until they review hot tubs!

[Roger]

Almost everyone who has shopped for a hot tub has looked for an independent, objective source of information on tubs, like Consumer Reports. However, Consumer Reports has never reviewed hot tubs. According to their web site, here's why:

"Products not yet tested -- As reader interest in these products increases, we hope to be able to offer information.

* Hot tubs

* Jacuzzis

* Spas

* Swimming pools and equipment"

I edited some products off the list, but you can see that some readers have already suggested that they review spas- so many that Consumer Reports has tubs on their radar. So, basically they're saying that hot tubs are "on the bubble" of things people are interested, but not quite enough people have asked them to review them.

Let's change that. If every spa shopper wrote to Consumer Reports, along with every dealer who thought their brand would stand up to the scrutiny, they'd review hot tubs. Here's the link to send your feedback to Consumer Reports:

Consumer Reports

You can select "Suggestion" or "Letter to the Editor" in the subject box. Let's bug them to death until they review hot tubs!

Done

[lindal]

Done

[husker1]

This is an old post but I think it is a great idea.

[IL Parrothead]

Done.

[Chas]

Costco tubs - Hydrospa.

[thestallion]

I have never been impressed with Consumer reports. Coming from the audio field I many times found them to compare products that the average consumer would never compare. AV units as a example that one say was a $600.00 unit and the other was a $3000.00 rating the $3000.00 unit higher based that on a tech bench it had less distortion but what they failed to mentioned that the $3000.00 unit tested slightly better the $600.00 unit, the $600.00 unit still had distortion levels that were less than the human ear could hear. I highly doubt that could ever test spas vs spas and keep them as a apple to apple test there are just to many variables to get s solid report.

[D.P. Roberts]

I have never been impressed with Consumer reports. Coming from the audio field I many times found them to compare products that the average consumer would never compare. AV units as a example that one say was a $600.00 unit and the other was a $3000.00 rating the $3000.00 unit higher based that on a tech bench it had less distortion but what they failed to mentioned the $3000.00 unit tested slightly better the $600.00 unit, the $600.00 unit still had distortion levels that were less than the human ear could hear. I highly doubt that could ever test spas vs spas and keep them as a apple to apple test there are just to many variables to get s solid report.

I have to agree with you on the audio thing. Many people say that you should take CR's speaker ratings, flip them upside down, and then go shopping.

However, when it comes to hot tubs I would say that CR is better than nothing. As previous people have mentioned, most customers don't even know who the major players are. They may have heard of Jacuzzi, but that's about it. They are also clueless about what a hot tub should cost. It would be nice if CR could at least cover the bases for the average shopper.

Secondly, once they cover a topic they often include reliability history. I know from statistics classes that CR's methods are deeply flawed, but at least it would give shoppers some kind of idea as to which brands are reputable, and which are not.

[thestallion]

I have never been impressed with Consumer reports. Coming from the audio field I many times found them to compare products that the average consumer would never compare. AV units as a example that one say was a $600.00 unit and the other was a $3000.00 rating the $3000.00 unit higher based that on a tech bench it had less distortion but what they failed to mentioned the $3000.00 unit tested slightly better the $600.00 unit, the $600.00 unit still had distortion levels that were less than the human ear could hear. I highly doubt that could ever test spas vs spas and keep them as a apple to apple test there are just to many variables to get s solid report.

I have to agree with you on the audio thing. Many people say that you should take CR's speaker ratings, flip them upside down, and then go shopping.

However, when it comes to hot tubs I would say that CR is better than nothing. As previous people have mentioned, most customers don't even know who the major players are. They may have heard of Jacuzzi, but that's about it. They are also clueless about what a hot tub should cost. It would be nice if CR could at least cover the bases for the average shopper.

Secondly, once they cover a topic they often include reliability history. I know from statistics classes that CR's methods are deeply flawed, but at least it would give shoppers some kind of idea as to which brands are reputable, and which are not.

I think that perhaps they should do a write up about what features one should look for or put more value in and maybe get into some testing about tubs of like gallons and pumps and cost to run. As for tub rankings I think it would be difficult for them to do a good job.