IL Parrothead

Randy, As for the doctor's note, I got one. In IL, I had to pay sales tax. But my accountant says I can write the hot tub off as a medical expense with the note. Hope that helps. Mike

The '06 price seems "okay", not spectacular. The fact that it is an '06 is not a big deal (the warranty still starts brand new when you buy it), but I would think the dealer would really love to move that tub, so he may do better. As for size, I think you hit the nail on the head. Everyone I know that bought a smaller tub wishes they had gotten a larger model. Our tub is my wife and I 90% of the time, but we love that we got a full-size tub on those occasions where we do entertain.

Yeah, even Marquis (which was one of the few, if not the only to have transferable warranties) dropped transferability in 2008. They extended their warranty on a few items, but dropped the transfer program. For some reason, I'm thinking there may be one company left that allow their warranty to transfer, as long as the spa isn't moved. On a side note, when I was looking at used spas on Craigslist, a few sellers told me that as long as I lived nearby, their dealer said they would do any repairs under the warranty of the original owner, and just not tell the manufacturer the tub was sold. Of course, when I asked for the dealer's name and contact info, the response would never come.

Pdampier has the right approach. Knowing what he's got, and knowing what he could have had (cheaper tub, for cheaper money, a midline, or a more expensive tub.) And he made an informed decision. Ken, what you ignore is that many of us are not Costco/Infinity bashers. We just get tired of people coming on this and other forums, claiming to have bought a tub for 3 or 4 thousand dollars that is the equal to a tub that costs 8 or 10 thousand at a dealer. And, as some of the previous posters, who work in the industry repairing these things have said time and time again -- That's just not true! The cheaper Costco spas have their place -- for people that want to try out hot tubs -- not knowing if they'll even like them. Or, to people that know they have the technical savvy to further insulate them and repair them when they fail. But remember, if one buys a more expensive named brand tub, the secondary market is pretty decent. If you don't like your Costco tub, good luck selling a 3 to 5 year old Infinity. But, talking about the economy, tonight's news had an interesting story. A lot of high ticket items (i.e. luxury cars and full-featured hot tubs) are getting discounted, because these non-necessaties are not getting purchased in this crunch. Good deals are to be had out there -- on quality products. You may not have to buy on the cheap if you don't want to.

Not just you. I have T1 at my office and cable modem at home. And this site crawls, almost always. In fact, 2 days ago, it wouldn't even load. I kept getting a 403 error.

Similar to cplarsen, I was going to suggest a spa vac. That should get whatever would be large enough to potentially cause a problem or an injury.

Thanks Markee, and thanks again for all of your help/input!

First time posting pics. Hope I have it right! Hope it worked!

Okay. The dealer dropped off the shock & test strips Thursday morning, and installed the cover lift. Gave my wife the orientation. I soaked Thursday night, and twice today! I love it!!!!!! I took some night shots with the lights on. I'll try to get a couple of day shots tomorrow. Hoepfully, I'll post pics tomorrow night. Glad to join the club! It feels awesome!!!

Okay, I promise -- my last comment on cars. They don't print multiple versions of Consumer Reports. You're just very selective in your quotes -- failing to include the rest of the paragraph around what you quoted....including: "Toyota continues to build some very impressive vehicles.", and "Still, the company builds very reliable vehicles overall and ranks third in reliability among auto manufacturers." I can't even figure out how they're saying third, because their overall score was higher than Subaru, so by score they're in 2nd. And Honda is still #1. Anyway, you're right about people who are handy -- they can do a lot of work themselves. And that's what many of us have said on this and other forums -- If you're buying a Costco or eBay tub, that's okay. But you're going to have to do work on them, to get them up to snuff, by yourself.

My tub is finally here! My electrician buddy hooked up the electric already! My dealer delivered the wrong cover and the wrong cover lifter. Came back with the right cover, but still the wrong cover lifter. He's supposed to be coming back tomorrow to install the cover lifter and give us an orientation. I filled the tub, and fired it up. Also trained (paired) the In-Home Monitor. The start-up chemicals didn't include shock, so I need to pick that up tomorrow, and some test strips. Meanwhile, the tub is heating, and I should be soaking tomorrow! I'll take some pics once I'm all up and running! I am soooo relieved and happy it's finally here!!!!

asharerin, sorry I didn't respond earlier. Just saw your post now. You're completely off the reservation on your car facts. Honda and Toyota -- IN 2008 -- are still ranked #1 & #2 in last month's Consumer Reports Annual Auto guide. They're NOT plagued with problems and recalls AREN'T plenty! I don't know where you're getting that from. Go to Consumerreports.org and check it out. As for Marquis, for 2008 they no longer transfer their warranty past the original owner. They extended the warranty on some of their components, but cancelled the transferability.

EXTREMELY important! While I loved my wet test of the Epic, and ended up buying one (which is getting devlivered tomorrow!!!), we wet tested several tub manufacturers and models before deciding. And, in case it needs to be said, sticking your hand in does not qualify as a wet test.

I don't own Jacuzzi, but tested them. They make good tubs. No glaring problems. Get in the 2 models you're looking at and see how they feel. That'll help more than anything we tell you.

spamom, you can't really put it on dirt. Concrete slab, brick pavers, reinforced wooden deck or crushed stone, but not dirt.

Thank you all -- patio was half-finished before the downpour today. Hoping to get my tub by the weekend!

Any Marquis people know if my Epic will be coming with a GFCI subpanel? My dealer (did just swimming pools until a month ago -- just became a Marquis dealer) seemed to think I'd have to buy one. I thought another Marquis dealer told me it came with a subpanel. Any clue?

Congrats! My paver patio is scheduled for Wednesday thru Friday next week, and our tub (Marquis Epic) has arrived -- waiting for the patio for delivery! Take some pics when you get time!

Westover, nice review. Glad you're happy with your tub!

Makita, If you like everything about the Sundance but the lounger, try one of their non-lounger models, like the Optima or Majesta. As for the base, a synthetic bottom is a nice thing, but a tub will have to get very old before its base is going to rot out. Typically, a lot of other components would go bad long before the base. Do yourself a favor -- test other makes. Find a tub that feels good, and buy it from a reliable dealer, and you'll LOVE it. Don't lose your enthusiasm because of your last two wet tests -- a lot of people don't like loungers at all. Some find 1 or 2 tubs whose loungers they love. You'll only see what's best for you by testing. Enjoy the process, and enjoy your tub!

I'm not knocking Hyundai -- just stating that they're not the same as Honda,Toyota. Airwebber, depending on where you live (i.e. colder climate), full foam is the preferred way to go. As Roger said, leaks in the foam area aren't that common and aren't that big of a deal to fix if they do exist. And the savings in electrical consumption with full foam over most (emphasis on "most") thermal pane tubs make them the better choice. D1 is a good tub. If it's been taken care of, I think it's the no-brainer choice for you.

Airwebber, let me give you just MY honest opinion. I spent the better part of 6 months researching and wet testing to come to the point I am now -- and my tub just came in! Should have my patio done next week and I'll be soaking!!! The reason that Infinity/Keys, etc. offer just what you mentioned points to one obvious point. A lot of uninformed consumers THINK they want a lot of jets and a lot of pumps. But look at the best made tubs. MOST do not have a zillion jets and a bunch of pumps. Why do you want that? Do you believe it will improve your therapeutic experience? In most cases, it won't. Many manufacturers will put out 70-90 jet tubs, claiming they're better than the major tub manufacturers who barely give you half that. But they're little air injectors or small jets that do little, if anything, for therapy. Look at the tubs that are conceded by most "in the know" as among the best: Hot Spring -- 14 to 47 jets, depending on model. Marquis -- 12 to 57... Dimension 1 -- 16 to 57, unless you go to their monster tub w/ 87 Jacuzzi -- 13 to 48 Sundance -- 12 to 55, etc., etc. They use jets that they've done research on -- that give you the best therapy. They use the best pumps and give you the best warranty and service as a result. So, to answer your question, you probably can't get a lot of jets & pumps & something that will last for $4000. But you can get a quality made tub that will give you great therapy at that price. Go to some dealers and wet test and find out for yourself.

The latest Sharper Image catalog, which I just got in the mail today, has an IPOD system with wireless, weatherproof speakers. Check it out. That way, you can keep the IPOD away from the water. Sharper Image Or, they have a whole waterproof speaker system: Sharper Image And, as for you, IknewIwasright.....if you're going to bash others for their spelling, go back to the top of the thread and observe how you spelled "apparently".

I agree with part of your post -- if you're soaking without jets, then therapy isn't as big a concern for you. I'm also a fan of "self-medicating with alcohol" on occasion. The rest of your post is conclusions without evidence. I don't agree that dealers are going extinct -- I just think (like the problem in the mortgage business right now) that the lower quality dealers are being run out of town, but the good dealers with great service who have been around a long time are surviving -- a thinning of the herd, so to speak. I also don't agree that the major brands are suffering in quality. On the contrary, the slumping sales of tubs has killed a lot of the lower quality tubs. Hot Spring, Jacuzzi, Marquis, etc. are all still perservering, because of their reputation for quality tubs. And as to the car analogy -- Honda and Toyota were ranked #1 and #2 in quality for 2008 by Consumer Reports -- AGAIN. Hyundai was #9 and Kia wasn't in the top 10 -- so not exactly "close in quality". Yet again, you're reminding me of a previous soaker/poster. But, as to the stiff drink idea -- Cheers! To each his own.

Dandygrl, did you buy Marquis? My wife and I Just ordered a new Epic.