Help With Prices Please

[Dalmation]

Hello American friends, this is Europe calling!

We are looking to buy a Master Spas LS700 here in England but don't want to get shafted on the price. The tub industry over here is full of sharks all looking to relieve us of our hard-earned money and trying to find a genuine bargain from what is a heavily over-inflated price is turning out to be very difficult.

Can a few of you please leave an estimate of what the LS700 would cost (including sales tax) in the USA.

Thanks a lot.

The Dalmations

[chuck3]

Hello American friends, this is Europe calling!

We are looking to buy a Master Spas LS700 here in England but don't want to get shafted on the price. The tub industry over here is full of sharks all looking to relieve us of our hard-earned money and trying to find a genuine bargain from what is a heavily over-inflated price is turning out to be very difficult.

Can a few of you please leave an estimate of what the LS700 would cost (including sales tax) in the USA.

Thanks a lot.

The Dalmations

Hey Dalmation,

Don't know how much of a response you'll get from the dealers but I can give you a ball park of what I have been quoted. It depends on what they have in stock and whether or not it is last years or the new years model. It also depends what bells and whistles are in it, lights, stereo, TV..and so on. For a model that is similar to the LS700 a Master spas LSX model I have seen prices in the $8000 to $10,000 range. Don't know if that helps or not.

I'm still shopping to buy my own and I am also trying to get a grip on this mystery that is pricing.

[Guzz]

Hello American friends, this is Europe calling!

We are looking to buy a Master Spas LS700 here in England but don't want to get shafted on the price. The tub industry over here is full of sharks all looking to relieve us of our hard-earned money and trying to find a genuine bargain from what is a heavily over-inflated price is turning out to be very difficult.

Can a few of you please leave an estimate of what the LS700 would cost (including sales tax) in the USA.

Thanks a lot.

The Dalmations

You can't really compare prices between the U.S and blighty, spas are priced considerably higher there. For example I sell a Tiger River Bengal here in the states for $6,000, I had a visiting Bengal owner from accross the pond tell me she bought one for 8,000 pounds, about $12,000, maybe I should move back home and sell spas over there, I'm originally from Manchester.

[Dalmation]

Thanks Chuck and Guzz (hope you are enjoying life over there - lucky git!).

I know a direct comparison could be false, but we wanted to get an idea of the mark-ups and profits the UK end is making, especially with the exchange rate in favour of importing to the UK.

Hearing sob stories from dealers about how they aren't making anything makes my heart bleed (not!) and I am a firm believer in gathering as much information as possible - knowledge is power when spending all this money.

[spatech (the unreal one)]

Thanks Chuck and Guzz (hope you are enjoying life over there - lucky git!).

I know a direct comparison could be false, but we wanted to get an idea of the mark-ups and profits the UK end is making, especially with the exchange rate in favour of importing to the UK.

Hearing sob stories from dealers about how they aren't making anything makes my heart bleed (not!) and I am a firm believer in gathering as much information as possible - knowledge is power when spending all this money.

Just out of curiosity, where exactly are you and what are your local options there? Are hot tubs becoming a fairly recognizable item (albeit a luxury item of course) in Europe or do most people still not even know what you're talking about when you say you're going to buy one?

[Brulan1]

Just out of curiosity, where exactly are you and what are your local options there? Are hot tubs becoming a fairly recognizable item (albeit a luxury item of course) in Europe or do most people still not even know what you're talking about when you say you're going to buy one?

1.75 to the dollar so if the tub is 10,000 in the USA with tax than it would be 17,500 or so in lbs.

[Amanda]

Hello American friends, this is Europe calling!

We are looking to buy a Master Spas LS700 here in England but don't want to get shafted on the price. The tub industry over here is full of sharks all looking to relieve us of our hard-earned money and trying to find a genuine bargain from what is a heavily over-inflated price is turning out to be very difficult.

Can a few of you please leave an estimate of what the LS700 would cost (including sales tax) in the USA.

Thanks a lot.

The Dalmations

Hello there!

As far as price quote from America... you may want to also consider the following information along with it. You would find a spa for less but if you purchase it from here:

1) shipping costs

2) who will be your service department?

3) will a local European dealer honor a warranty on a spa purchased in another country?

4) if your getting American pricing and trying to "talk down" the European price of the spa... it may be best to get priceing from a few different locations where you live according to your market and economy and compare those prices with each other. Take your time and ask at least a few times for the best price if you have a tough sales spiel to go through.

Doing your research is smart! But you would have to really talk to the manufacturer of the spa to get an idea of the cost and dealer mark-up. More than likely the European dealers are paying a hefty fee to get the spas there in the first place and to have a good relationship with the selling comany for training and service department support.

Good luck to you!

[Canadian Kahuna]

1.75 to the dollar so if the tub is 10,000 in the USA with tax than it would be 17,500 or so in lbs.

Actually, it's the opposite. The pound is worth more than the dollar, so $10,000 in the U.S. would not cost $17,500. If it was 10,000 pound, it would cost $17,500 USD. It's hard for some to fathom, but the Cdn and US dollar are actually pretty low when comparing to many European countries

[Brulan1]

Actually, it's the opposite. The pound is worth more than the dollar, so $10,000 in the U.S. would not cost $17,500. If it was 10,000 pound, it would cost $17,500 USD. It's hard for some to fathom, but the Cdn and US dollar are actually pretty low when comparing to many European countries

You need more of the dollar (1.77) to equal a lb. so that would be less purchasing power for the U.S. Oh yeah, thankyou for the clarification!

[soreback]

WARNING BE CAREFUL WHEN BUYING A SPA FROM WEST CHESTER SPAS IN WEST CHESTER PA.

We placed a deposit of $4200.00 on an LSX1050 Master Spa at a spa show at the Valley Forge Convention Center held by West Chester Spas. This was a new 2006 model with no extras added just the base unit new from the factory. The salesperson explained the many jets and features of the unit including the shoulder jet seats. It seamed like the perfect spa for us being we both have issues with our shoulder muscles since being involved in a serious auto accident several months ago. Although the salesman never asked us to get into the unit to see if we were comfortable in the shoulder jet seats, he did say that there was a male and a female sized shoulder jet seat, so we figured they should be fine.

1 week later at a home show we saw another dealer of the same products and decided to see if the prices were similar between dealers (this dealer was over 50 miles away from our home). After some brief conversation the first thing this sales rep asked us to do was to sit in the different spas to see how nice they felt and fit. We realized the shoulder jets of the LSX1050 on the male seat did not fit my shoulders as my shoulders would only fit if I slid my butt all they way out to the edge of the seat. I am 6’ 220 but a long upper torso. We did get a price from this dealer on the LSX1050 and found the price very close to one we already had.

I contacted West Chester Spas and asked to take a wet test of the unit I placed a deposit on to make sure it was the same wet as dry. The next day I did so and found that I did not fit under the shoulder jets. The following day I contacted the owner Larry Granger and told him the problem.

He is where the problem starts. I was told he would not refund my whole deposit. He said he had already paid a $1600.00 commission on the sale and I had to take a store credit for that amount. If I agreed to take a store credit for the $1600.00 then he would credit my credit card for the balance of the $4200.00 deposit. If I did not agree, he would not credit my credit card for anything and I would be on my own to the fight to get my deposit back.

I can’t believe that the owner would not be able to recover a sales commission from his employee since the spa was never delivered. I also can’t believe that he would offer a $1600.00 store credit if he could not recover the sales commission. If my math is correct this would cost him the $1600.00 commission plus the value of the goods I purchased unless he would be able to recover the sales commission but just didn’t want to lose a sale. If this all seams strange to you, it certainly is confusing to the credit card company that I am disputing the charge with. Do you think this is someone who is interested in customer satisfaction or just his bottom line, you decide!

[Guzz]

WARNING BE CAREFUL WHEN BUYING A SPA FROM WEST CHESTER SPAS IN WEST CHESTER PA.

We placed a deposit of $4200.00 on an LSX1050 Master Spa at a spa show at the Valley Forge Convention Center held by West Chester Spas. This was a new 2006 model with no extras added just the base unit new from the factory. The salesperson explained the many jets and features of the unit including the shoulder jet seats. It seamed like the perfect spa for us being we both have issues with our shoulder muscles since being involved in a serious auto accident several months ago. Although the salesman never asked us to get into the unit to see if we were comfortable in the shoulder jet seats, he did say that there was a male and a female sized shoulder jet seat, so we figured they should be fine.

1 week later at a home show we saw another dealer of the same products and decided to see if the prices were similar between dealers (this dealer was over 50 miles away from our home). After some brief conversation the first thing this sales rep asked us to do was to sit in the different spas to see how nice they felt and fit. We realized the shoulder jets of the LSX1050 on the male seat did not fit my shoulders as my shoulders would only fit if I slid my butt all they way out to the edge of the seat. I am 6’ 220 but a long upper torso. We did get a price from this dealer on the LSX1050 and found the price very close to one we already had.

I contacted West Chester Spas and asked to take a wet test of the unit I placed a deposit on to make sure it was the same wet as dry. The next day I did so and found that I did not fit under the shoulder jets. The following day I contacted the owner Larry Granger and told him the problem.

He is where the problem starts. I was told he would not refund my whole deposit. He said he had already paid a $1600.00 commission on the sale and I had to take a store credit for that amount. If I agreed to take a store credit for the $1600.00 then he would credit my credit card for the balance of the $4200.00 deposit. If I did not agree, he would not credit my credit card for anything and I would be on my own to the fight to get my deposit back.

I can’t believe that the owner would not be able to recover a sales commission from his employee since the spa was never delivered. I also can’t believe that he would offer a $1600.00 store credit if he could not recover the sales commission. If my math is correct this would cost him the $1600.00 commission plus the value of the goods I purchased unless he would be able to recover the sales commission but just didn’t want to lose a sale. If this all seams strange to you, it certainly is confusing to the credit card company that I am disputing the charge with. Do you think this is someone who is interested in customer satisfaction or just his bottom line, you decide!

Soreback, bring us upto date on this issue, does the dealer know how unhappy you are, I would give you a full refund just to stop you posting this sorry tale.

[Brulan1]

Soreback, bring us upto date on this issue, does the dealer know how unhappy you are, I would give you a full refund just to stop you posting this sorry tale.

That is an unfortunate story but he is right if you are that upset just tell him your concern "calmly" or contact the bbb.

[Larry]

WARNING BE CAREFUL WHEN BUYING A SPA FROM WEST CHESTER SPAS IN WEST CHESTER PA.

We placed a deposit of $4200.00 on an LSX1050 Master Spa at a spa show at the Valley Forge Convention Center held by West Chester Spas. This was a new 2006 model with no extras added just the base unit new from the factory. The salesperson explained the many jets and features of the unit including the shoulder jet seats. It seamed like the perfect spa for us being we both have issues with our shoulder muscles since being involved in a serious auto accident several months ago. Although the salesman never asked us to get into the unit to see if we were comfortable in the shoulder jet seats, he did say that there was a male and a female sized shoulder jet seat, so we figured they should be fine.

1 week later at a home show we saw another dealer of the same products and decided to see if the prices were similar between dealers (this dealer was over 50 miles away from our home). After some brief conversation the first thing this sales rep asked us to do was to sit in the different spas to see how nice they felt and fit. We realized the shoulder jets of the LSX1050 on the male seat did not fit my shoulders as my shoulders would only fit if I slid my butt all they way out to the edge of the seat. I am 6’ 220 but a long upper torso. We did get a price from this dealer on the LSX1050 and found the price very close to one we already had.

I contacted West Chester Spas and asked to take a wet test of the unit I placed a deposit on to make sure it was the same wet as dry. The next day I did so and found that I did not fit under the shoulder jets. The following day I contacted the owner Larry Granger and told him the problem.

He is where the problem starts. I was told he would not refund my whole deposit. He said he had already paid a $1600.00 commission on the sale and I had to take a store credit for that amount. If I agreed to take a store credit for the $1600.00 then he would credit my credit card for the balance of the $4200.00 deposit. If I did not agree, he would not credit my credit card for anything and I would be on my own to the fight to get my deposit back.

I can’t believe that the owner would not be able to recover a sales commission from his employee since the spa was never delivered. I also can’t believe that he would offer a $1600.00 store credit if he could not recover the sales commission. If my math is correct this would cost him the $1600.00 commission plus the value of the goods I purchased unless he would be able to recover the sales commission but just didn’t want to lose a sale. If this all seams strange to you, it certainly is confusing to the credit card company that I am disputing the charge with. Do you think this is someone who is interested in customer satisfaction or just his bottom line, you decide!

Soreback purchased a spa from us at a spa show and he subsequently decided that he did not want to follow through with his purchase and he wanted his deposit back. The request to have his deposit refunded was made over a week after he purchased his spa. The front of contract above the sale total clearly states that “All Sales are Final – No Returns – Deposits are Not Refundable”. The back of the contract restates this. Soreback did not come into the store for over a week to wet test his spa and when he did he said nothing to the sales person about the spa not fitting him. It was after this wet test that he called to cancel, well after the 3 days that Pennsylvania allows by law to void a contract.

At the show we used independent sales contractors and as a part of their contract they are to be paid their commissions in full at the completion of the show on all sales that do not have contingencies written on the contract. Had Soreback said that he wanted to wet test the spa first we would have written this contingency on his contract and his deposit would have been refunded in full after his wet test when he decided that he didn’t like the spa.

We offered to refund his deposit, less commissions already paid, in the form of a store credit. Soreback declined this offer. We are trying to resolve this issue in a way that is fair to all parties.

Soreback has filed a claim with the BBB and we are working with BBB to resolve this claim. Should the BBB find that Soreback should receive his deposit back in full we will abide by that decision. Soreback paid his deposit with a credit card and he is disputing this charge, should the credit card company find that we are in the wrong we will refund his deposit.

[Stevie]

You should be out of business Larry! It's slime like you that reflects on all quality dealers. Not refunding a deposit is just bad business and tells me that you need this money to survive. You are in it for a quick buck instead of long term investments in people. Do you not realize that sort of BS get's around very quickly and your reputation will be the first thing to go? I just wished I ran a dealership by yours! You would be out of business in NO TIME as I would advertise this sort of business practice for ALL to see!

So what you're saying is that because you have a poor business practice of paying commissions prior to delivery, the customer is at fault? Give your fricken head a shake!!!

Go flip burgers at McDonalds and do this industry a favor by getting out of spas!

I teach sales ethics, customer service, event sales, marketing and product positioning and your store sounds like you are in need of some serious training on all of it. Let some people that understand service and sales teach you how to run proper events without screwing the customer. Contact me here and I'll supply you with my costs. Oh, and if you put a deposit down on my services and then cancel, it will be refunded!!

Steve