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Ya, whereabouts are you planning to place it? We are having a mega debate over it. Covered, not covered, how far from the house etc etc. Oh ya, what to put underneath also.

Thanks to all for the thoughts on new tub brand. That process is continuing - got some more wet tests on the sked. The next thing for us is site preparation I think. This may be too generic a question, but what are the thoughts on that? Our proposed site is kinda wet at the moment. One of the dealers said its ok to just put down limestone. Should I be digging out a hole, putting 4x4s around and filling with sand and then a layer of limestone? I read in another thread that the stone needs to be less than 3/4" max correct? Or should we be doing everything we think we want for landscaping around the place prior? I may have erred in not addressing this sooner, although there's not much that can be done at this time of year around here anyway.

I know that's how car dealers list their prices, i meant I wouldn't buy one that way. I negotiate the car price and then each option based on each individual invoice price. That didn't seem to be an option on the tub for some reason. Plus all these prices are very secret - even the MSRPs are unknown. Not so with cars thats for sure. Do you have these? I think they look super handy. I don't even know what I'll put in them and I still want them. I was thinking maybe ice in the storage bar, keep some brews in there.

So it was a no-go on filling the klondiker and testing it out. The reasoning was the amount of work involved - the showroom and outdoor test areas are filled to capacity with fireplaces, outdoor furniture and other tubs, so they decided it was too much to move all around for the wet test of the klondiker. The owner was apologetic about it and said he has an 06 Kodiak at home and we could come over to his house and try that lounger out. That wouldn't solve the differing shapes of the lounger issue tho. He also said that he has no issue with replacing the tub with another one free of charge after delivery if we decide we are not 2 lounger people. I'm assuming switching to the Kodiak or Tundra Given that we did test the Tundra and really liked it, its not a bad option I suppose. That being said, is this a normal practice? I was quite surprised, although not wet testing the loungers was a deal breaker for me, so not a total surprise I guess. What would you all say that approach? I think the dealer is really trying to work with you. It takes a lot to move everything, pay staff to do it ect. I can see where he is coming from as we come upon a busy time of year. He is allowing you to test his personal tub, which would give you a feel for the lounge(the big issue is that some people float out of them) and offering to replace the tub if you do not like it, kind of the same as having a wet test to me in a more personal setting, don't like it then pick a different tub. I think I would applaud him at this point. I get the same feeling, although its tempered by knowledge that its a sale I guess. Maybe I'm too negative. The dealer has been there for many years, and have a lot of repeat business for other items after the spa sale by the sounds of it, so I am feeling like its a good dealer.

I can see that angle - we would be tied to the Arctic at that point, and the super downside would be if we wound up not liking the Kodiak but wanting the lounger! I guess testing out his would be the way to go. That was a nice offer I thought - i guess whatever you have to do to get the sale eh? Perhaps I'll try out the lounger - can't hurt i guess!

So it was a no-go on filling the klondiker and testing it out. The reasoning was the amount of work involved - the showroom and outdoor test areas are filled to capacity with fireplaces, outdoor furniture and other tubs, so they decided it was too much to move all around for the wet test of the klondiker. The owner was apologetic about it and said he has an 06 Kodiak at home and we could come over to his house and try that lounger out. That wouldn't solve the differing shapes of the lounger issue tho. He also said that he has no issue with replacing the tub with another one free of charge after delivery if we decide we are not 2 lounger people. I'm assuming switching to the Kodiak or Tundra Given that we did test the Tundra and really liked it, its not a bad option I suppose. That being said, is this a normal practice? I was quite surprised, although not wet testing the loungers was a deal breaker for me, so not a total surprise I guess. What would you all say that approach?

I concur totally on the secretive nature. I am looking at a Klondiker and am wondering the same thing about what I've been quoted. Part of it is the way the quote is structured. The price of the tub quoted is high, then all these add ons and their high prices are added in, and then there is an "awesome" $5000 taken off that total. So all i can really see is the wholesale value of tub and add-ons and upgrades, and then a big chunk coming off. I wouldn't buy a new car this way. On the other hand, the dealer has had a lot of good things said about them for after sales service. That seems to be a very important factor. I've been trying to find reviews of all tubs. I've read a lot of negative and positive reviews about the same model that are really based on what the dealer did after the fact. Like some wise soul on here told me, the dealer can make a good situation bad or a bad situation good. All that being said, screwing you on the price isn't a good starting point! I don't know where all these models start for prices. I can give you what my quote says for those options tho (remember, these are probably their wholesale prices cuz there's a big discount after the fact): Includes Arctic Ozone - $700 Includes Spa Cover - $500 Lift - $150 Includes Cedar Surround - I don't have this one My other options were: Forever Floor Northern Lights Colour upgrade of some kind (what is that?) Tru Guard Heater That cool 2-tier storage step in cedar (I'm such a sucker - also want that storage bar thing for the side) So all that on the Klondiker Legend (3 pumps, 61 jets I think) plus delivery, starter chemicals, and taxes (Michigan is 6% so less than your PST and GST) comes to $11,500. Hmmmm - you may be paying too much, although the price correction due to exchange rates may not be filtering down to hot tubs yet. I know Arctic is outside of Edmonton, but they're pricing structure may be based on previous exchange rates? I thought I might be paying too much, but like I said, it was more based on the structure of the quote than the quote number itself that had me worried.

Awesome! I like the blog documentation and would like to do something similar with our above ground tub purchase and installation. You may be disappointed in my questions - What brand are the rock speakers? Where did you get them? - Tell me more about this dog system to keep them out of stuff you have going. We were looking at invisible fence but the good big ones are excessively priced it seems. Although that price seems more reasonable today as i type this smelling like a skunk. Don't ask.

Those cabinets do look really nice don't they? I like the cedar look. The idea of the Durawood is appealing also. As i said earlier, the Marquis dealer doesn't have any Epics in at the moment, but I would like to try those out also. What is your configuration for loungers? What was the determining factor in getting the Marquis?

Hey, thanks again for the info. Yes, there is a Klondiker on the floor. We sat in all the spots of it dry, although I don't know if that's any type of indication of anything. What is the model with the one lounger? Kodiak? I don't know if they have one of those or not. Now i'm all concerned about this 2 lounger idea!!

You raise an interesting point. Perhaps we were hasty in thinking 2 lounger version? I didn't realize it wasn't a commonly sold configuration.

Cool - that's good advice, and we were really thinking that way also. The "2 lounger" idea is theory at this point for us, and we're real nervous about not trying something like that out. We would really like to test out the actual one that has 2 loungers as they are even different shaped. Even getting to test a one lounger tub wouldn't be giving us a full picture. The dealers that I've talked to always tell me what is currently filled - is it acceptable to get them to fill the one you are looking at?

Hey Judy, Cool stuff. We're also in the process of wet testing. We just tested the arctic - went well. Both myself and wife "fit" very well into it, and the performance was great (as much as I know about it anyways). My wife has a short fat husband, so she doesn't have the same concerns as you! What are your thoughts on placement? D

Thanks for the info. We did an Arcitc wet test on Saturday - went real well. They had the Tundra wet, although we are looking at the Klondiker. So unfortunately, that means we did not get to try the Lounger. That's a big concern. As you are no doubt aware, the Klondiker is the 2 lounger model, so we're really putting our faith in liking the loungers! We are seeing the tub as primarily for myself and my wife in the evenings - not so much for entertainment. The kida will make do with whatever there is, so no concerns there Even for entertaining times, we are thinking we won't be looking at huge crowds - other couples etc. Anyways, thats the background on looking at the 2 lounger model. That being said, we really liked the jets performace and layout, most of the seats, and pump performance. Maybe we have to try out a really good one or a really bad one or both to get a better sense. Yes, the depth was really good - one seat was higher, but others were fine. Good cool down seat also. The marquis dealer doesn't have any Epics at the moment - won't have them for 3 weeks - so we're kinda stuck on that one. There are D1 and Hotsprings dealers about an hour away, but not too keen on that distance. The next big concern is location. I hope this link works - its a picture of the back of the house where we are planning to put it. We are thinking right in front of the little landing of those deck stairs. It will therefore be out in the open and NOT under the walkout deck. I've always liked being in a tub at night and seeing stars or out in it while its snowing. Add to the both my wife and I feel the "under deck" part to be a bit closed in. Does anyone have opinions on this? Or things they've learned with their own? I am worried about weather wear and tear on the cabinet and the cover mostly. Saw a wicked cool (and wicked expensive) umbrella thing that we could use for sun tho! Back of house Mockup of proposed location Thanks for any input. I'm gonna try to keep the site updated on the progress - electrical installation, ground prep, delivery, usage.

Hello all, We are rookie tub buyers, in search of our first one. I've been doing some reading, trying to get a handle on things, but there seems to be a lot of chaff floating around. We are in Michigan, so it gets a little cold, not too bad. It will probably be a winter activity mostly. Anyway, there are 2 well rated dealers in our area - an arctic and a marquis. Further away gets us into more places but we have not ventured there yet. As yet, we have not wet tested anything. We have sat in the Arctic Klondike and got a quote on it from the dealer. Fairly high, but all signs seem to point to ARctic being a bit on the higher side. I am ok with that if their claims of good performance, quality and low running costs are at all true. I have read some older reviews (2005-6) of jets coming off in the Arctics - definitely don't want that - but nothing recently. I could be a sucker for sales pitches, but I did like the features and the cover (although granted I know little). A good friend of mine got the Marquis Epic last summer. He's the research junkie I aspire to be, and I take his selection seriously. He's in CO tho, so not as cold. Does anyone have any thoughts on these 2 tubs? Ranges for quotes we should be getting? We are off to wet test shortly. I have heard some things about the depth of the arctic not being sufficient. Any thoughts there? Anyways, I appreciate any and all thoughts on the subject. Big decision! Daryl