tsand

Visited the local D1 and Marquis dealer last night. Consumer Digest gave the Marquis a very good rating and thought I would sneak a peak. With wife and children in tow we spoke to a very confused salesperson. Not sure what was up, but he seemed a bit "inebriated"? We didn't wet test any tub, but dry tested (if that is a proper term). Sitting in the tub, while most likely not as valuable as wet testing, gave us some pretty good information. Anyway the Marquis is a very nice spa. But what we discovered is that my wife does not like the lounge seating and very much likes the foot "volcano" jet. The salesperson told that Marquis didn't have anything resembling the Nautilus in seating and jets. Therefore the D1 Nautilus was the #1 selection in the evening. We are off to a local Artic dealer tonight or tomorrow. And will soon visit the local HotSprings dealer as well. My question is can anyone point us to any spa manufacturer that might have a similar jet and seating arrangement to the Nautilus? It is hard to tell what Spas have this from the internet pictures I reviewed last night Thanks Tsand

Interesting bait, but I will bite. I would suspect that it could be Spa/Pool dealer or a Division manager for a Spa manufacture. Or it might be someone who decided to start their own Spa/pool dealership. Either individual has a business interest in me not buying a big box spa. In other words anyone that is attempting to steer me towards the Spa manufacturer/dealer sales model. If I buy at Costco, I don't buy at a dealer. Please reread my last post and note that I am not criticizing anyone. I simply suggesting that there are some on this forum as I describe above. Newbies and those sincerely looking for information and advice on a spa purchase should be aware of this fact. They should also be aware that there are some on this forum that have some kind of ego stake in convincing others that the big box spa they purchased is better/equal/whatever than the dealer provided spa. I am just looking for some civil discourse and reasonable, fact based opinion. Thanks Tsand

Here are a few lessons learned from a humble person still looking for a Tub: 1. Some people on this Forum have a vested, financial stake in what tub I (the public) buy. They are not looking out for me, they are looking out for their business interests (fair enough). 2. Some people on this Forum are just plain rude (Costco proponents, Dealer Proponents and the Peanut gallery all included). 3. It is a free country (at least until some convinces me otherwise) . So the flames, name calling, rude behavior and other poor manners will continue. Funny how hiding behind a keyboard make people feel free to insult, while face to face many wouldn't never do so. Therefor those reasonable folks looking for information will have to sort through the chafe until we find the wheat. 4. Cyber bullies are in most every forum. (If you think this site is tough go to ContractorsTalk.com and see the flames there, brutal). Thanks to all of you that post to the common good. I appreciate everyone's opinion (and their interpretation of the facts) as long as they are presented in good faith. Thanks Tsand

Brent, Sorry this has been a bad experience for you. I am a newbie to spas and thought I would use this site and other sites to help me make up my mind between spending big bucks for a dealer provided spa or try to find an "apples to apples" less expensive alternative from either Costco, Sams club, HomeDepot or the internet. Knowledge is king, or in most things these days, Knowledge is cash IMHO, generally you can make major purchases in two ways. First: Call in a pro and spend big bucks. For many people that is a good thing. Many people have the money to pay for peace of mind that a pro is going to give. It is a no effort, no worry solution to what you want. Second: Use the Internet to research, research and research and safe tons of cash by doing it yourself. There are risk for both methods but the risks are different. Risk for the Pros: Someone has to pay a pro big bucks to get their experience and knowledge. The risk, if you call in a pro, they could be crook or have a bad product. Or they can just be charging for experience and knowledge you can aquire yourself so that you don't need to pay them for "it". When I was planning for a new deck I got quotes for $30,000 to $40,000 and up. I ended up doing it with carpenter friend for about $10,000 and everyone raves about how great it looks. The risk here was we could have screwed it up so bad we have to do it twice (which thankfully we didn't). And my friend made some major money working after hours from his primary job. A win win for all. I see the purchase of the spa in a similar fashion. We priced the size and features of the Costco (infinity) Sun Peak at a couple of local Spa dealers and they wanted $10,000 minumum. Costco wanted $3000. Risk for Costco: I get an inferior product that will not let me use the spa causing me to return it, big hassles, work, time, frustration if it goes wrong. If I pay an expert $300 to install the spa. Now I have $6700 in the bank. I use it for a year, and the tub is a lemon, I pay someone another $300 to uninstall and costco will give me my $3000 back. It might be a $600 loss. Or, I might just rent a piano dolly call some friends and install the thing myself so little cost (or risk) to me. If you are not a DIYer, then see a dealer and enjoy the peace of mind that money can buy. If you don't mind the risk and effort to save some serious cash, then give it whirl As far as the bullies and smart a**es on this site, their rude behavior and caustic remarks only tell us that they either have an agenda (spa dealer afraid of a change in their marketplace) or they are just jerks with nothing else to do. I like everyone's opinion when it is expressed in good faith and not given at my expense. If someone can show me why I might take a different track without a hidden (or otherwise) agenda or rude remarks, then that is why I am reading these posts in first place. Brent, I am glad you enjoy your spa. I can learn from you so don't stop posting your experiences. I may not do what you did, but I am going to learn and that's what the bullies don't want (I guess). PS I still don't have a spa, Costco sold out or ran out of the Sun Peak. Back to the drawing board. Thanks Tsand

I think I might contact Infinity on Monday and see if they have some comment. In looking at that web site before, I could never find a comparable spa to the Sun Peak. Some on this forum have said the Dundee is the closest, but I thought it was fairly dissimilar. Thanks Tsand

I mailed Costco about the Sun Peak here my question and their reply: +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ --Original Message-- From: Date: 10/3/2007 10:06:30 PM To: whproducts@costco.com Subject: Costco.com Product Information Note this message was submitted through the costco.com web site customer suggestion page on 10/3/2007 12:00:00 AM at 22:05:53.9737710. ========================================================= Comment/Suggestion/Request/Question Text: It appears that Costco is no loger selling item #11227141 which is the infinity Sun Peak spa. Will Costco offer this product in the future? ========================================================= +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear XXXXXXX, Thank you for your e-mail to Costco Wholesale. The items on costco.com, including promotional offers, are limited to supplies on hand and we are unable to guarantee availability. Costco.com purchases in bulk quantities to get the best price for our customers, and our buyers try to negotiate additional inventory whenever an item is sold out. At times we are unable to replenish our inventory. Our inventory on Costco.com is live and when additional inventory is available it is back online within minutes. We encourage you to check the site frequently for availability of this item as well as other new and exciting merchandise that is added each day. We value your business and thank you for shopping costco.com! Thank you, Costco Wholesale Corporation customerservice@costco.com

I have no idea if there's a new "Highlife" available from HS dealers, or what its features might be. However, if you're doing a straight-up comparison of the Costco Highlife and the HS Sovereign, here are a few differences: 1) Height - the length & width of the two models is the same, but the Highlife is allegedly 3" deeper. I believe that has more to do with the cabinet height than the actual water depth. The Sovereign is rated at 355 gallons, but the Highlife is rated at 365. A 10 gallon difference over an 80"x93" area is about a third of an inch, not three inches. So, they're basically the same in terms of water depth. 2) The Sovereign has the water feature. 3) The Sovereign comes standard as 230V, and includes the subpanel. The Highlife comes as 110V, & there's an additional charge to upgrade to 220V. No mention of the subpanel from Costco. 4) The Sovereign comes standard with an ozonator. The Costco model does not mention an ozonator. 5) Most Hot Spring dealers sell the Sovereign with delivery included. The Costco model has curbside delivery. 6) The Hot Spring has bigger/more filters (120 sq. ft. vs. 90 sq. ft.) 7) And finally, what seems like the biggest difference to me: the pumps. The Costco model has the Wavemaster 7000 pump, rated for 1.65 HP. The Sovereign has the Wavemaster 9000 pump, rated at 2.5 HP. That's a pretty big difference, considering they have what seems to be the same jets. One would THINK that Hot Spring engineered that particular model (the Sovereign) to be properly powered with the 2.5 HP pump. I would imagine that the 1.65 HP version feels quite underpowered in comparison. I'm not sure how much the Sovereign sells for at most Hot Spring dealers. Roger mentioned "a grand or two". If I could go to an actual dealer and pick out my own colors too, and wet test the model to make sure I want it, I could see paying a grand or two more for the Sovereign. After a few minutes review of the Hot Springs website, I think the better comparison with the HighLife is to the PRODIGY. They seem to have a more similar set up as reviewed by D.P. Roberts above

There is some conversation about this topic in this thread. http://www.poolspaforum.com/forum/index.ph...amp;hl=infinity I am in the same situation as you. I should have remember the rule about Costco and Sam's Club. If you like it, buy it because it most likely will not be available the next time you check. Thanks Tsand

Sorry to be dense, but I thought the HighLife is sold at Hot Springs Dealers? I read that the new Hot Spring Highlife model retains the design of the old Sovereign, but it is now three inches deeper, and has an additional jet pump. It appears that a major spa dealer (Hot Springs) is selling a higher line spa at Costco. Thanks Tsand I higher end manufacturer has made a product available for Costco, yes you are correct. But it has been configured for Costco base on a price point. It is not the same as the Soverign, which you could choose the shell and skirting color on and several other options. The Soveriegn also came from the dealer with a dealer backed warranty, delivery and set up, and several available options including 2 moto massage jets standered on the Soverign. If your asking if there are any manufacturing differences I can't answer that. They are about a grand or two less than that tub from a dealer. Part of that could be Costco margins but ya have to think some is in construction. Beats me. I think it is the best tub available from Costco. Can anyone give me a ballpark difference between the Hot Springs Highlife, "Discovery" by Keys Backyard and the Pilates H20 by Tatum. It appears that Costco.com has the Hot Springs Highlife and Discovery Odyssey have the same price.

Sorry to be dense, but I thought the HighLife is sold at Hot Springs Dealers? I read that the new Hot Spring Highlife model retains the design of the old Sovereign, but it is now three inches deeper, and has an additional jet pump. It appears that a major spa dealer (Hot Springs) is selling a higher line spa at Costco. Thanks Tsand

Take a good look at this tub by Hot springs. its nothing like the ones you can get at the dealers. Jacuzzi had a tub at sams.it was a joke. I'm sorry, are you saying that the Highlife is good or bad? Thanks tsand

Well it looks like the Sun Peak is gone from the US. It looks like it might be available on Costco.ca (canada). However Costco looks like they have introduced 3 new major lines. The first is the "Pilates H2O" line up of three tubs (The Cobalt, Pearl and Platinum). The second is the Discovery line of three tubs (The Odyssey, Arcadia and 400 NLXE) and last is the Hot Springs "HighLife", which I think is one of the major brands that is normally sold by dealers. I am new to the Spa world and almost purchased the Sun Peak this summer. I wonder if I should have jumped at the tub when it was on sale for $2999? There were major delays in getting my deck completed therefore I didn't want to buy the tub and have it sit in my garage for 2-3 months eating up my warranty period. Time will tell if my inaction was a good or bad thing. I really wanted the tub because of my reseach on features, cost and value. On the other hand many on this forum don't like Costco selling tubs, don't like Infinity tubs and think that dealer purchased tubs is the only smart move. In the end I wonder if Discovery, Pilates H2O and Hot Springs spas are reasonable products? They certainly are more expensive than the sale price of the Sun Peak (close to double). At costco.com the top of the line Discovery is $5699. The top Pilates H20 is $6999. The Hot Springs Highlife is $5699 (all prices include CURB delivery). At this price point and with these features is a dealer purchased spa now more cost effective? Or has Costco found feature/price/service equilibrium? Thanks Tsand

Well, it appears that Costco is no longer selling the Sun Peak. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup....〈=en-US Has anyone contacted Costco to inquire on the details? Thanks Tsand