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hottubrepair

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  1. Here is my experience of working at a larger spa manufacturer. Our spas were getting a "3 Star" rating on their website. We discovered this by one of our dealers calling us after surfing the web. We called the Eastern US company and questioned them on how they surmised the "3 Star" rating. We felt that our spas were deserving (justly) of a higher rating, so we asked how we could send them a spa to test it. They refused and said that testing was not required.....we only needed to send a copy of our warranty and a brochure. (Good thing we had an awesome marketing division.....) Now my company has a "5 Star - Best of Class" rating. Since then, I have seen 2 or 3 more "Spa Ratings" materialize on other websites. A poor rating or no rating on these sites pressures manufacturers to advertise with them in order to be included and get a rating. As an honest business person, this makes me ill. Consumers need to be aware and realize that these "ratings" are fundamentally meaningless.
  2. Most spa manufacturers run the ozone jet 'wild' without any manual valves attached to it. This means that you should not have to turn any dials or controls. Otherwise, if you forget to open the valve, you would have no ozone output. Remember that, even with ozone, you must use a residual sanitizer (chlorine, bromine, alternative sanitizers) to keep your water clean and healthy. If your ozone generator is old, have it checked to insure that it is still producing ozone. (The light may be on but the generating portion may be past its useful life.)
  3. Thanks for the energetic discussion on my posted question...... My summary: 1. Spa companies looking for the easy money coming from selling to box stores need to think clearly about the day they stop sending P.O.'s. 2. Box stores should research and buy from solid companies and not jump ship when some other spa whore (too strong?) comes around with a cheaper price/ product. 3. Defunct company asset buyers need to be sure what they are getting into and realize the sometimes lasting repercussions of good will (bad will). 4. Maintaining good margins solves a lot of problems (for all parties concerned). Thanks again.
  4. Rose, tell us what happened/ how they fixed your spa. What was wrong with it? Also, OZONE by itself as sold by spa dealers, will not sanitize a spa effectively or safely enough to allow humans to bathe in it. You will need another sanitizer to keep your water clear. Regular use of chlorine/ bromine/ alternative sanitizers wil be needed. If your spa is cloudy at all, the light bulb in our head should go off. 'Something is wrong.' It is usually that there is not enough sanitizer in the water and the bacteria is multiplying. If you see 'slimy' bubbles, this is an indication of not enough sanitizer. If your water has a 'funky' smell, not enough sanitizer. If you feel a slippery slime on the spa interior, not enough sanitizer. Whoever told you ozone is a magic pill for your spa needs a lesson in chemicals. Ozone is a great aid - just not a primary source of sanitization. ( A lot of salespeople will tell you that Ozone is the only thing required in order to get the sale and avoid scaring potential customers away with the thought of using chemicals.) Chemicals are a little scary at first, but the learning curve goes quickly. BTW I have 20 years experience in the spa industry with a specialty in chemicals. Spa flushes usually are a mix of acid and detergent. You can use this if you have a buildup of scale, but this is not usually required on a newer spas. Yours is quite possibly a biofilm that was a result of low sanitizer. Superchlorinate your spa with lithium chloride (chlorine) and this will kill any biofilm. REMEMBER, cloudy spas are bad........
  5. My biggest concern with buying anything from any box store would be the quality of the 'service'. I am sure Costco/ Home Depot do not employ spa service people. In my experience, it is hard enough to find service in one of their stores. Imagine this: • Your spa is shut off. You don't know why. Outside temp is below 32˚F. (The temp where water freezes for you southerners) • You can't get in contact with the Costco/ HD spa-trained "customer service specialist" as he is (on holidays, in the bathroom, helping someone else, talking to god, abducted by aliens) • They offer you the magic 1-800 number to call. (Presumably going to the spa manufacturer as Costco/ HD quite possibly just washed their hands of the repair responsibility.) • You call the 1-800 number and get a 'repair ticket' number. The operator in Kalamazoo tells you a repair man will be out soon. They don't know when - just soon. (Behind the scenes, the 1-800 guy is frantically tring to find a local repair guy who is willing to accept their measly $40 per hour to fix the spa.) (Oh ya, and you live 45 minutes outside of the city. This only adds to the problem as every repair guy the 1-800 people talk to says, "NO, its out of my service area.") • All of the service people that are willing to repair your spa are booked up for about a week with their other $60/hr jobs. • The 1-800 guy gives you an 'approximate' repair date of "a week from next Thursday". • YOU GO HOME AND CRY BECAUSE YOUR SPA IS FREEZING. (AND WHAT DOES WATER DO WHEN IT FREEZES - IT EXPANDS) YOUR HOSES AND PUMPS ARE NOW CRACKING/CRACKED. "This is all under warranty", you say, "I don't have to worry. They will fix it." • YOU FIND OUT FREEZING IS ONE OF THE ITEMS NOT COVERED IN THE WARRANTY. • After paying your rather large credit card bill for the repairs not covered under warranty, you dream of the day when you will buy your second spa. A beautiful model from your local dealer who, by the way, has a serviceman on the payroll just waiting to help you out if you have the slightest problem. Disclaimer: I made this story up from mixed memories of my actual experiences/ imaginations to make you think before you purchase.
  6. I read in a previous post last week that HydroSpa was bankrupt. Does anyone know if this is true?
  7. I agree that the Kodiak lounger is longer. You will need to reach the foot jets to get any massage on your toes..... the Cub would work better for this. The Kodiak corner massage chair leaves a lot to be desired and will leave you feeling like a little kid in a high chair who can't touch the ground. Kind of a mess up in the design of the Therapy Chair on the Kodiak. I am over 6 feet and can barely touch the floor. Just feels awkward. Also, the 'step' on the Kodiak will through grandma for a loop if she tries it. The bottom step is a 'doozy'. The Cub will be a nice size for a vertically challenged couple. If you expect more than 2 people in the spa, though, the Cub sucks. For 2 couples, you better be 'swinging' (Laugh) Wet test....wet test....wet test........
  8. Here is my take: 104˚F is OK if you live in California or similar. Once you get below 32˚F, you need to maintain a higher temperature in the spa water to maintain a comfortable water feel. I live where it regularly gets down to minus 30. (and yes I sit in the spa at this temp) I enjoy 101 - 102˚ in the summer. I enjoy 105˚ in the middle of winter. And, yes, the water temp plunges the instant the cover is removed. UL take note. How about 107˚ for a limit.
  9. Its all about how much money the guy wants to make OR how badly he wants to sell a spa. If the other dealer is reasonably close to you then buy from him. The $1000 you will save will pay a lot of service bills IF there is an repair needed. The warranty will cover the parts and some of the mileage. Most electrical hookups that I have been part of have been $700 and up.
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