JohnnyLovesHisSpa

LOL. If I worked in the dealer-based spa industry, I’d fear Costco, too, as they’d be literally killing my business off. The reality is, I’d be selling few tubs this year while Costco and its partners are selling more than can be manufactured on-time (rumor has it, Infinity is building 500 a week just to meet demand, thus causing the backlog in shipping). I can no longer blame my poor sales on “the economy” when I clearly see dollars are still being spent on spas elsewhere, like Costco. Dealers in my area, like Spa World, have already bit the dust due to their failed sales model. Overaggressiveness, escalated mark-ups and high-pressured, commission-based sales simply no longer work. Costco, Home Depot, Wal-mart, Best Buy, Sam’s Club, Lowes, etc. are proof that smart people want to extend their dollar. They want a fair price for quality products without all the hard-sales tactics and nonsense. Thus, it makes perfect sense why so many anti-Costco characters are trolling this forum. Since their spa showrooms are modern-day ghost towns — they have ample time to come here to put fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) into new, and potentially new, Costco spa buyers. It behooves these individuals to cast fear since more and more spa manufacturers are willing to cut them out and go the direct-to-consumer route. So the next time one of these dealers or their colleagues calls you a “garbage feeder” or “low end quality” shopper or insinuates you are “dumb” for buying “junk” at Costco, just remind them you’re happy with your purchase—and if not, have a lifetime warranty on most everything you buy there—and that they, the dealers, are the ones going out of business at an alarming rate. Capitalism works. Costco proves it. Have a great and happy day soaking in your new tub!

I haven't said the manufacturer's name because that's not the point, IMHO. You can continue with this line of reasoning all you want, but from a consumer's point of view, the dealer is the draw. He's local. He's accommodating. He's the go-between. He's coordinator for maintenance, services, chemicals, repairs...etc, etc, etc. If you don't believe me, go to a spa dealer, pretend you're an average Joe interested in a tub, and listen to all the hyperbole. Now you're assuming that Infinity is a bad company. Where do you get your evidence from? So far, I'm extremely happy with my purchase and their offerings. They have delivered everything on time and as promised. And if Infinity--at anytime--gives me undue grief, I'll pitch a fit with Costco.

The drain on the Infinity Sun Peak is on the wall to the right of the service panel, along the black bottom base.

I've experienced it first hand, so I know it's true. Wanna come to White Lake, Michigan, some time? We could grab a coffee and stand in front of the now abandoned Spa World store. The sign is still up on the front, but the showroom is empty. Perhaps you could take the sign home with you to add to the collection of other dead and defunct spa businesses who've left their customers hanging out to dry after promising them the world. I'm sure you know more than I do with that regard. Capitalism at its finest. May the best man and the better sales model win.

You know, I truly understand your need to personally attack those who effect your bottom-line. Keep it coming, because it makes you look cheap, like the hustler I am sure you are. I've been to the traveling spa road shows before and have seen the used-car salesman carnival act you guys put on. It drove me to Costco, just so you know... You must not shop at Costco or Sam's Club much, right? Because if you had, you'd know what everyone else seems to know, that not everything is a bargain there. Nor has anyone but yourself ever made the claim. Aside from the consistently good prices on most bulk items, the true beauty of these stores are the unusual deals you may find from week-to-week. I went there one day about five years ago to buy beer and steaks and walked out with a professional-grade, gym-quality Nautilus elliptical machine for under $500.00. The next week, the remaining units were gone for good and have never been back. I bought an Apple iMac there for hundreds less than the Apple store or CompUSA was selling them, plus I got a free extended warranty that would have cost another couple hundred dollars. Why? Because Apple, at that time only, had a surplus on non-Intel-based iMacs it wanted to clear in a hurry from its inventory. They turned to Costco to sell them. I am sure Apple and Costco made a bundle on volume sales, too. iMacs have never been back, either. A smart shopper knows a good deal when he or she sees it. I've waited for over three years to make my spa purchase. I've done my homework. The right product finally came along. The right price finally came along. The right warranties came along.

Bottom-line: had you bought a spa made by one of the very reputable manufacturers, service would now be their headache if the dealer went away. The best ones gain their reputation by taking care of business when needed. Right. And fortunately for me I avoided the headache and didn't go that route. My hope is that all those poor souls who did believe all the garbage Spa World was preaching--to justify the outrageous prices they were asking--are protected.

You're welcome. So what's your secret, John, for not freezing-to-death once you find yourself out of your 104 degree tub and in cold, winter conditions? The run from my hot tub to my basement door is about 45 feet. I can't wait to do it at Christmas time

Of course you are right, Spatech. Technically, it's a manufacturer's warranty and issue. But, the way the sales approach was framed to me was that they, Spa World, the dealer, would take care of any issues I had during the warranty period, worry-free, and within a 24-hour window. That Spa World had the reputation to uphold, blah, blah, blah, and that they were the greatest benefit to me, blah, blah, blah. Many people here know the drill, I am sure. Bottom-line: had I bought from them, service would now be my headache.

That all depends on Infinity and who they call locally to come out. Hopefully it will be the guy who went belly-up. I'm sure he has to do something nowadays to keep food on his table. Yes, southeastern Michigan gets very cold and snowy during the winter.

People buy Costco spas partly due to the return policy so I understand your point there but what's so unreal about teh Infinity warranty. Good warranties are defined by 3 things: 1) What is written, 2) The manufacvaturer standing behind the warranty above and beyond (because what you have in writing is sometimes not worth a damn), 3) The people perfoming the waranty service. Why should I believe Infinity's warranty on these will be any more than average, if that? I expect it to be along the lines of Hydro Spas which is spotty but maybe they are a little more willing to honor theirs to teh customers expectations but we'll see. You're correct about that one, Spatech, which is exactly why I went with Costco. You see, the last dealer I spoke to--a guy who promised me all this great support and service if I bought one of his tubs (for more than twice the amount of the Infinity spa and with less features)--just went belly-up and out of business. The establishment was called Spa World on M-59 in White Lake, MI. Anyone in my area reading this will confirm it's no longer around. So to confirm with you, his promises and the paper they were printed on simply weren't worth a darn.

You are correct, mcpetran. My wife just told me we did indeed pay sales tax on the tub. I apologize for the error and I stand corrected.

Oh, I am sure both Costco and Infinity have made a lot of money on this tub...by selling volume. I'm just glad a FUD-meister such as yourself got one less sale. You don't need "fools" like me, even though you're the inarticulate one. Bingo. Welcome to the wonderful world of FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt). I'm glad you've shown your true colors and what exactly motivates you. You really can't help yourself, can you? Constant spin... Ever notice how Best Buy and Home Depot and Lowes and Costco and Sam's Club are all smashing successes? It's because their sales models are simple. They are commission-less and assume their customers know what they want. If not, they've hired nice, non-aggressive associates to answer any questions you may have. This is why I love capitalism. The free-market is always building a better mousetrap.

Because I happen to believe it. YMMV.

Perhaps. I have no hard evidence that supports the "manufacturing 500 a week" claim, as it was a comment I heard on two separate occasions by two different people, but I do know a few things: 1. Costco promoted the heck out of this tub a month before, and the three weeks during, the time one could purchase it. Direct mail, Costco home page, at least two targeted e-mails sent directly to core customers ... all with slick photos and an enticing $600 additional discount. I'm sure there was even more marketing. 2. The price. Anyone who wanted a spa but felt they were too expensive would have had a great interest in this quality tub at a $2,999.00 price tag. 3. The features were very impressive. 4. Free delivery and no tax if ordered online. Again, another perk that more than likely got the attention of thousands of potential buyers. 5. Unreal warranties from Infinity and Costco. I think the promotion did exactly what Infinity had wanted. It allowed them to make a profit off the sales of a whole heck of a lot of tubs for an inexpensive, friendly price, rather than profit from the sale of a few tubs at a ridiculous mark-up and with high-pressured sales. And I hope Infinity changes the spa industry with this sales model, too. Good, affordable hot tubs at a great price ... who exactly doesn't want that? God, I love capitalism!

If I get five or six years out of this tub before repairs that, IMO, is a good thing!

It's not so much about quarreling, Sandi, as it is about these spa dealers spreading FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) into new and potentially new spa buyers. If you buy from me ... that's a good thing ... great insight ... that'll cost you ten grand! If you buy from Costco ... that's a bad thing ... you'll live a life full of spa misery and despair ... had you only spent another seven thousand with me you would have saved yourself all the headaches! The hard sell approach is what drove me AWAY from the spa dealers in my area and drove me TOWARD Costco. The ten-year Infinity warranty and Costco lifetime return policy was icing on the cake for me. No dealer will touch that. NONE.

Hi Kid -- I, too, was feeling very unprepared for our spa! I found an electrician who agreed simply to do all the connections if I did most of the labor and bought the parts ahead of time. So I went to Lowe's and purchased the 6-3 cables, the conduit, the spa panel, 50A breaker and other misc items. I drilled all the holes through my basement joists, fed the electric lines. The total electrical bill was $425.00: $225 parts, $200 to the electrician. I was more than pleased. He was a great guy, too. I'll be giving him more work in the future! As for the delay on the Sun Peak, it may be due to the factory being so overwhelmed by the popularity of this product. I've heard they're manufacturing over 500 tubs a week to keep up with the demand. This, plus the fact that an actual Infinity employee delivered my tub (and my next door neighbor's) from Tennessee to Michigan. He said that's how they're saving a bundle on shipping costs -- self delivery. And before one of you dealer-naysayers thinks this is a hack job, that employee-driver had over twenty years of spa experience. The semi he was driving had roughly a dozen tubs on it, all being delivered that day. In addition to the electrical install, my second-greatest fear was what to do with a tub dropped-off at the curb? But when the delivery came, the Infinity guy put the tub on his dolly and brought it right to my backyard patio for a $50.00 tip! I've had my tub for a few weeks now and am still thrilled with it! Aside from water chemistry trials and errors, NO PROBLEMS! My family and I get a soak in almost every night. Great product, IMHO. Would buy it all over again!

Hi kengorman -- Please add me to the ordered, delivered, filled and running without issues catagory Ordered 07.06; delivered 07.29 and happy as a clam since! It's a great tub--especially at that price! My next door neighbor and got his on the same day -- so actually make that two in the ODFRWOI column.