Plantguy

Thanks for the replies. I live in Southern California and use the spa about 2 times a week for about 30 minutes each. It has a tight cover. The patio is covered and shaded so the spa is not in the sun. While there is some condensation (it is visible as small spots at different spots around the spa) this does not seem to explain the now constant streamlet of water at the back corner of the spa. The difference between the condensation drips and this back corner area that is always wet with a puddle of water that streams off the patio is my concern. It seems to me to be a small but constant leak. The factory is north of me by about 30-40 miles and the dealer is north of there about 80 miles. He assured me that he could service the spa as he had them up and down the coast. However, he does not return phone calls or emails, instead his service guy does sometimes. The company is practically nonresponsive at this point. I'm concerned what a small but constant leak might be doing to damage the spa over time as well as the puddle that is now constant at the base of the post that is supporting my patio cover near the back corner of the spa. Actually, I have not paid for the spa yet as it was purchased on a spa-related credit card with 6 months deferred interest and payments.

I’m having trouble with a D1 Lotus Bay spa that a dealer installed for me on 10-16-07. I noticed 3 days later that there was water on my concrete slab patio at one corner of the spa. I called the dealer and reported what seems to be a leak since the install. They did not come to check the spa until 11-6 and stated they thought it was condensation from the cover. The water at that time would be noticeable and at other times the patio would dry up. However, beginning in February the water never dried up so it appears that there is a constant leak. I have begun to measure the water loss and it appears to be consistent the last few weeks at ½” every 5 days. I cannot seem to get the dealer to service or replace the spa and at this point it seems clear he is not interested in making good on the spa he sold (it was a display model about 1 year old and sold as a new spa). Additionally he still has not provided items that were missing at the install: pillow, light, screws, etc and he has not installed the lifter to date. I’m not interested in having the foam insulation poked or the water dyed as it seems clear that the spa has leaked from the beginning and should be replaced or refunded. I’d like some advice from the group as to the loss of ½” every 5 days, what you might think the problem is, and how to get the situation fixed as it seems that the dealer is not going to stand behind his product. (I've posted this on another site and I hope to get a larger response by posting here too).

I had a 2006 floor model D1 Lotus Bay installed approximately 2 weeks ago from a dealer 120 miles away. The dealer had no issue with the distance or being able to service a spa as he stated he had spas 'up and down the coast'. At the install 2 lights were blinking indicating I the spa needs service and I should call the dealer. The spa was missing 1 pillow, the steps were the wrong color, and many screws were stripped in the cabinet. The installer promised to check the next day on the issue. He also gave me different advice than my electrician on wiring and on his advice I let him redo the wire from my box and install the spa's wiring too. My electrician has since said his work did not need to be redone and sent me articles which seems to prove so. I noticed 3 days after the install a leak under one corner. Although I have phoned and left a message for the owner and emailed him I have not been able to get them to come back and service the spa for the leak or the blinking lights. I do not know what damage the leak may be causing. Any advice as to what action I should take next? Based on their behavior so far I have no confidence in their ability to provide adequate sevice and am considering asking for a full refund so I can go to a different dealer.

I've negotiated a good deal, I believe, on a 2004 D1 Lotus Bay refurbished spa. It had a blister in the seat but looks like a good repair job. The deal is $5400 with a 90 day warranty on parts and labor, with lifter, wood steps, cover, and delivery. I was also looking at new ones for $10,500 and comparing them to a new Sundance Cameo with stereo for $10,500. I really like the seats and sequencer on the Lotus Bay as they fit me a bit better than the Cameo, but the Cameo is a pretty great spa. I'm a bit nervous about buying a used spa but this refurbished one seems to be in pretty good shape, but then I'm a novice. I'm ready to go for the deal. Any thoughts from Lotus Bay or Cameo owners or anyone who might want to comment? Any thoughts from those that have purchased used spas or refurbished ones? I appreciate your comments as its a big investment.

Thanks for the thoughts everyone. The used one is a 2004 D1 Lotus Bay. It had a blister in the seat for $7000 or a new one for $10,500. I like the features on it but am having difficulty trying to determine the risk of buying a spa that has had a blister such as if there might be more problems with the shell in the future or not. I'm also looking at a Sundance Cameo (new) which is also a good deal as the dealer there will throw in ozone and a stereo CD player for $10,500. Both seem to be very nice spas.

I'm still considering a blemished spa (Dimension 1) and hope to get a bit more feedback than from my earlier post. This one has had 2 spots fixed on the shell: a blister and an uneven place in the shell. I assume that technicians can fix such things and that they don't reoccur but I don't have any experience with this (my Sundance spa of 15 years ago didn't have any shell problems). I'd appreciate any feedback from folks that have had their spa shells fixed and/or from those that are in the business of fixing them. I think I may either go with this one which is only 2 years old or with a new one if the risk doesn't seem worth it. Thanks in advance!

I've looked and tested Caldera, Hot Springs, and Sundance spas and have found the Dimension One Lotus Bay that has some great features I like. The dealer is offering either a new spa or a 2004 used spa which had a blister and a line or "wrinkle" as he called it (both which the dealer repaired) for a savings of $3500 less than the new one and he would throw in a 1 year warranty covering shell/equipment/plumbing. I don't have enough experience to know what the costs or risks of something going wrong with a 3 year old used spa. Would it be likely to get another blister? I'm not sure what the line/wrinkle is as he said as I haven't had the chance to look at the used one yet. All of you have much more experience than me. Any thoughts? Are there other risks to consider in buying a used spa? The used spa would represent a considerable savings but the new one would have a 5 year warranty and choice of color.

There were some pictures of the Phoenix "factory" floating around here a while ago. See if you can do a search for them. It didn't look good. You may want to steer clear of them. Ah, yes, thanks. I should have thought to do a search on here first. Doesn't look so good for the Phoenix line after reviewing the other posts and the article. I think I'll visit Sundance and Caldera showrooms and maybe check out the Marquis for fun...

Thanks for everyones suggestions! I am going to look at a used Phonenix Driftwood Cortaro tomorrow that is the right size. I am not familiar with this brand (I used to have a Sundance many years ago). Does anyone have experience with this brand? I thought since it is a used spa I might have an expert check it out. I don't think it is more than a few years old.

Each spa company should have a spa that comes close to that 5'x7' but it will be what they refer to as a 3 person spa and in reality it will only fit 2. If you are really hold back by that 5' width you'll have trouble finding anything that holds mor than 2 people. Is that 5' set in stone? Try the Coleman spa model 351 3 seater or sundance makes a 3 seater or D1 makes a 3 seater, even hotsprings makes a 3 seater called the Jetsetter I think. All of them are around 5x7 I'll follow up on those. I might have a bit more room than 5x7 but 7x7 would be a bit too big.

I'd like your suggestions for a spa about 5'x7' to go on my patio in San Diego that would fit 2 people and on a few occassions up to 4 people. I'm thinking something like 1 lounger and 2 seats might work. Any suggestions on brands? Anyone have somthing like this? Many spas seem larger than this but I am limited by my patio space. Thanks!