theplunge

Thats good advice from Randy. To some a wet test is not important because they are willing to make comprimises in comfort. But you sould like you are not and I don't blame you. Hey Roger: I've been on here enough, before finally registering, to know you've been around awhile so I do respect your knowledge. Question, and your response can't be biased as to being an American, as I am Canadian, and would like to support my Canadian economy by purchasing a product manufactured in my country, we Canadians can be patriotic too. With that being said, I am focusing on quality and hopefully you can give me your opinion as to what Canadian made hot tub is tops in your personal opinion. I would really appreciate your expertise Roger. Thanks. D.C.

HI, I can't tell you much about the spas you are considering, but I was in the same dilemma as you as far as being very remote and no dealers to wet test at. First, this may take you a while (we tested and researched for almost a year) but you MUST wet test. If you don't you most likely will regret your decision somewhere along the line. I have one dealer in town, another 100 miles away then a larger city 200 miles away with several dealers. Probably similar to you. What we did is as we visited friends, or went on vacations, or happen to be in other large cities, (on hockey trips!) we would stop into dealers and tell them we were just looking. Even though they knew we were not ready to buy or did not live close, ALL of them were happy to let us wet test, which we did. Not only was it eye opening, it was fun. Now I know some dealers on this forum may frown on that practice, but what alternative does a remote person have? In all cases we let the dealer know we were just looking and not local, but they did not seem to care at all. In fact you may be surprised, one of the dealers in the town 200 miles away, made us a very very low offer on a last year's model he had in stock, that we came so close to getting. Despite the 200 mile trip, he would deliver for free, and he would ship any parts to me for a service call at no charge. If I was unable to fix myself, and a service tech was needed, the cost would be $150 total. If you are handy or know basic electronics, most repairs are not hard at all. Since he was thousands less than the local dealer, that was a very good offer, that I almost took! I did end up buying from the dealer 100 miles away, though, since I preferred the HS tub and he almost matched this other dealers price... But again, wet test first. Be patient, have fun with it..the tub I thought I wanted from dry testing and the brochures, I hated once I actually wet tested, and one I was not considering ended up being my perfect fit. You may just end up loving the Arctic after wet testing and be back buying locally, but at least you'll know you got the best tub for you. I shutter to think if I would have just gone with my first choice....I know most of friends never wet tested, never made the trips or effort to try and just looked locally, and now regret it when they try my tub. Don't join'em! thanks, Randy [email protected] <[email protected]> Randy, Thanks for taking the time to respond, I didn't expect to hear from someone so quickly. Your advice is on the mark. Even if we took a day trip out of town to the BIG city just to do wet testing would be better than not at all. Your right about dry testing, you can't truly get the spa experience to know whether the jets are going to be sufficient, or that the height is deep enough, that the controls are user friendly, that its comfortable for more than 60 seconds of sitting in a dry tub, that its worth having the waterfall, that you want a lounger only to discover your too buoyant, etc. This is a long term investment, at least at $6000-$10000 I expect it to be. If its the right tub, and the price is at the higher end of my budget, I would be willing to go there. I will take your advice and wet test. Thanks Randy. Deb

Hello, I've been on here for a few hours to realize the advice is worth its weight in gold. Although varying opinions, it does help a consumer to weigh their options to make informed decisions. Ok first off, I get that I need to do a wet test, but, I live 2 hrs away from any major center, we have two spa dealers, at least ones that are worth considering, and they each only carry one of the top of the line and one low end hot tub in their showroom, small town, get it. They are Beachcomber and Arctic. Both locations have only been in the area for a couple of years. Both do not have any water in their spas, so wet test is out of the question. With this said, we are looking at the Beachcomber 360, priced at $6694, includes lifter (either slide & store, or lift & store, our choice), and start up chemicals, and delivery. I have tried to get them to come down another few hundred, but dealer won't budge. The other tub we're looking at is the Coyote Drifter, at $6600, plus delivery $100. I have read a number of issues with the Arctic Spas, Coyote is a "step down" from its big sister Arctic, but not much info on them. I would like to also be able to include Hot Springs, Marquis, Jacuzzi, D1 and others, but due to location they would be out of service range, so please don't promote them. I would appreciate feedback from anyone who owns the two spas I am considering, or anyone who can offer advice would be so much appreciated.