NightRyder
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Posts posted by NightRyder
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I am a plumber by trade, I have seen the inside of hundreds of tubs including Hydro. The best way for me to explain the difference between the thousands of jets, pumps, motors and pacs Hydro buys and the thousands of jets, pumps, motors and pacs Marquis buys is to order up a Waterway or Balboa or Qecko or Sta-Rite catalog for those who don't care to value my opinion and let you look at them. They sell jets for 10 bucks a piece and they sell jets for 40 bucks a piece. Which do you think Hydro buys and which do you think Marquis buys? And I really could care less if anyone here values my real experience, heck you have your own, use it. I never waste an opinion of someone more knowledgable than I. We can never stop learning unless we choose to.
I have never said the Costco Hydospa unit was garbage, just not the same as a 8-10 thousand dollar tub as has been said and is being implied. There's not one owner here of those units that can value them yet. Longevity takes time (look at the word) IMO someone like me or several others on this forum can value them better as we have seen 5-6 year old Hydrospa tubs. Use this information or don't, there's no skin of my back!
Touchy...Touchy. Your addressing your comments to the wrong person. I'm not the poster who requested your comments/opinion nor were any of mine aimed at you. Chill
NightRyder
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Let's see, you want a thread killed because the topic annoys you, but you continue to keep it alive by reading and posting in it; including responding to a post not directed at you blink.gif
Yeah.......OK
I've never been one to wait for someone to ask for my opinion. If I have one and feel like expressing it I will.
All fine and good but it's a damn funny way to kill a thread or make it go away..........
That's what I like about this place, always good for a laugh, plus the insight into the mindset of those in the industry is always enlightening.
NightRyder
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Is his opinion or anyone else's with the spa experience even relevant to you? I think you're only awaiting his response so you can summarily disregard it and claim he's biased. He gives his opinion based on the various spas he has seen in his repair business where he takes them apart and repairs them. You have your opinion based on the spa in your back yard and based on looking at a few at dealers. I doubt any dialogue between you two will lead to any meaningful revelations.
This thread should be killed.
Let's see, you want a thread killed because the topic annoys you, but you continue to keep it alive by reading and posting in it; including responding to a post not directed at you
Yeah.......OK
NightRyder
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How long has Costco been selling Hydro units? Have we reached the 5 year mark yet?
I'm sorry but when I reccomend a value tub I fully expect it to last 10 years with very little trouble. I have reccomended several brands that I feel will make the 10 year mark with one sitting in my yard that has reached the 6 year mark. Will these Hydro units make it to 10? Can anyone answer this million dollar question?
Obviously, no one can say one way or the other. My PE I is 2 1/2 years old and doing fine. What will it be doing in 7 1/2 years, I don't know. I've been trying to figure out exactly what about my spa would make it not last...Is it the shell? Doesn't look any different from my neighbors Marquis as far as thickness and finish goes. Is it my Waterway Pumps and jets? My ABS Base? The treated wood frame? My 56 frame motors? My Hydro-Quip control pak? My manifold plumbing? With the exception of the shell, everything about the spa is standard replaceable off the shelf parts. I'm not saying my spa is the equivalent of a Marquis or Hot Springs but for $3400 I'm quite happy with it.
Having said all that, would I buy the new PE III for over $5K? Probably not, I can get a $9K Marquis at the yearly factory clearance for that kind of $.
NightRyder
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Wouldn't they just return them to Costco, rather than try and sell them? isn't that the whole deal with buying costco?
It's a nice option to have but I'm sure if Costco were getting any substantial returns they would already have discontinued their relationship with Hydro-Spa.
NightRyder
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Call me slow but I can't picture what you did. It sounds like it works well, so can you go into detail?
I can't comprehend what you did? To where? With Velcro?
GREG!
Comfort Therm bats are wrapped in plastic, I used adhesive Velcro - One part attached to the Bat in several locations - The other part attached to a corresponding point on the spa frame.
NightRyder
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Does anybody else have a problem with Polystyrene panels or have any experience with using Fiberglass type insulation in their cabinets? If so, how well did it work? Did it help your costs noticably?
I added 1/4" foil covered foam radiant barrier insulation on the inside of the cabinet panels, and John Manville Comfort Therm poly enclosed fiberglass bats fastened with Velcro for easy remove-ability inside the cabinet. I've had this setup for over 2 years and it works really well. The cost to run my PE I spa averages about $30 to $35 per month during the winter in NW Oregon.
NightRyder
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Our local Marquis dealer has Great Lakes and there @Home line available from 2295 to 5100 in 11 different configurations and styles and colors with options to numorous to list, all with 100% dealer backing and support. And free delivery and set up.
And nightrider, you need to get that thing back to Costco and get the new PE3, after all it won't cost you nothing.
Why would I want to return a product thats been trouble free and that I'm happy with?
As far as Marquis goes, if I want one I'll take my trailer and drive 45 minutes to the factory during their yearly clearance sale and pick up a full featured/sized spa for less than half the retail price. Personally I have no use for a dealer, I'm not knocking them or anyone who chooses to purchase a spa through one, in fact some people shouldn't buy a spa without one, but they are irrelevant to me.
NightRyder
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Thre very well could be good values available at Costco in hot tubs. But I have not seen one over about a year old, either in real life or from any posts.
Well now you have, my Platinum I turned two in November. No problems and still very happy with it, but as in all things Electrical/Mechanical whether you pay $3400 (mine), $8000 - Buy it from a dealer or a warehouse, YMMV.
NightRyder
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Nevermind...Already corrected...
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I believe the Costco mark up is 30%, about the same as most Internet retailers, working with low overhead.
I don't know the markup in their current model, but when I bought my Platinum Elite I the markup was just shy of 15%. I know this because they loaded the spa directly off the delivery truck onto my trailer and the invoice for the entire shipment didn't get removed, I found it when I got home.
NightRyder
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I've had my Platinum Elite I for just over 2 years and am still very happy with my purchase. I had to contact the CS recently over a minor problem (not the spas fault) and I received excellent service. If your a do it yourself type, want to save some bucks and avoid all the dealer/sales BS the spa is a good deal (IMHO), plus it comes with Costco's money back guarantee.
If you want a "name brand" spa and live in the Pacific NW, Marquis has several factory outlet stores in the Salem, OR area. You can buy a factory refurbished Marquis with full warranty for 50% or less than the price of the same model new, of course choice is limited to what they have in stock.
Good luck
NightRyder
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Well, been away for awhile and I see not much has changed (the argument continues
). Just a short update: My Platinum I just passed its 2 year anniversary and is still doing well. My 6 year old grandson accidentally put a hole in the vinyl cover that goes over the spa controls so I called the 800# to order a new one, after explaining what happened they went ahead and replaced it under warranty and even sent me a spare, I know it's only a $5 part but it was still a nice gesture. That's about it, my Wife and I still use our spa 2 to 3 times a week and are still very happy with our purchase. Hope everyone has an enjoyable holiday season, and to those that PM'd me with questions I appologize for the late replies.NightRyder
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Well, at least my rattling the cage finally got a response. I don't know if it was my numerous messages, emails, postings here or the complaint with the BBB, but someone finally called me back. They are supposedly sending out parts and dispatching a tech to fix this under warranty. I hope so! I'll post again if and when the tech calls and shows up to hopefully fix it!
Glad your getting a response etski: If you need any information on spa care or chemicals please check out Roberts Hot Tubs FAQ section, especially the water maintenance articles by Vermonter and Northman.
http://rhtubs/cgi-bin/bbs/config.pll
Good luck
NightRyder
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I have to agree Chas, this guy needs to seriously consider buying from a reputable local dealer if he returns the Costco spa or he's likely to end up in the same fix again.
NightRyder
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My apologies to the readers of this forum and to Hydro Spa. I was mistaken with the information I previously posted. (It belonged to another company which I had researched.) NightRyder is correct with his info. My opinion of Hydro Spa remains negative based upon the balance of my post.
No problem wesj53, we all make mistakes. I'm not here to promote or defend Hydro Spa just trying to keep things accurate so perspective buyers can make an informed decision.
NightRyder
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I then went onto the BBB site and found Hydro Spa with an unacceptable rating with hundreds of unresolved claims, many claims that were closed by the company but not acceptably according to the consumer, and just a few claims closed to both parties' satisfaction.
Please don't take this the wrong way but can you please provide a link or reference to this claim? Here is what I found on the BBB site.
NightRyder
http://xxx.bbbwestflorida.org/commonreport...&language=1
Hydro Spa Parts & Accessories, Inc.
13055 49th St N
Clearwater, FL 33762-4016
Telephone: (727) 573-9611
Fax: (727) 573-7758
xxx.hydrospaxxx
The BBB reports on members and non-members. If a company is a member of the BBB, it is stated in this report
BBB Definition:
report - A summary of activity reflected in a company's BBB file. Includes basic business background, BBB membership information, and Bureau complaint activity over the previous three years. Also reports may include any known government actions, advertising issues or other information that results from activity conducted by the BBB.
.
Original Business Start Date: January 1991
Principal: Mr. Brian Wiley, President
Customer Contact: Mr. Brian Wiley, President - (727) 573-9611
Entity: Corporation
TOB Classification: Spas & Hot Tubs - Dealers
BBB Membership: This company is not a member.
The Bureau processed a total of 14 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total of 14 complaints closed in 36 months, 8 were closed in the last year.
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My 2 year old Elite I runs about $30 a month in the winter (yes I added insulation), same as my neighbors similar sized Marquis. I wouldn't recommend it, but you could full foam the spa for a few hundred dollars or less. My solution was less than $150 and can be found in the main "Costco Elite" thread.
dlynn: If you plan on using fiberglass make sure you use the kind that is wrapped in plastic like John Manville "Comfort Therm".
NightRyder
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Costco has the greatest return policy. They obviously get took many times by selfish members.
We will be able to compare power bills with last years, starting this month as we have been here a year.
Congrat's on the new spa. If you need to add insulation it's not a big deal. I added insulation to my Platinum 1 by using John Mansville " Comfort Therm" plastic enclosed fiberglass bats and a little velcro. I now have operating costs comparable to my neighbors full foamed Marquis and still have easy access for service. I'm comming up on the socond year anniversary with mine and am still very happy with it.
NightRyder
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Enjoying my tub greatly as well. Have been using it for about two weeks now and everything is working perfectly. The jets are awesome and after a while I have to turn them down because they are so strong. It has been really cool here at night where I live(in the mid 40's) and I touched the side of the spa to see if I could feel any heat and I could not. As soon as I remove a side panel I feel a lot of heat come out of the cabinet, so I actually think the cabinet and foam panels are doing a good job of helping to keep the heat it. A question for anyone else that has a Platinum II, does the button for the air blower light up when you press it? I noticed that the pump buttons and light button light up but the blower does not. Do not know if it was supposed to or not. Has anyone found a source for the Aromtherapy beads? I looked all over and am having trouble finding them.
Steve
Steve:
You can find them here.
http://www.rhtubs.com/store/fragrance.htm
BTW - I've ordered from them before and they provide excellent service.
NightRyder
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Buying a spa without seeing and/or testing first could be a "potential" disaster.
There must be a B movie in all that drama somewhere. How about "The Legend of Hell Spa" or "Nightmare on Elm Street XX - Freddie gets a Hot Tub"
Sorry..... Couldn't help myself....
NightRyder
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Amanda hit the nail on the head. People are tired of getting treated like walking cash boxes and being set upon by some sleazy, pushy ill mannered yahoo that only sees $$, there are alternatives. I don't even go to a lot to shop for a new car anymore. In the case of my last 2 auto purchases I only went to the dealer to order/pay and pickup the vehicle when it arrived, everything else was handled via email, including bargaining. I know not all sales people are like I have described, but all it takes is one to sour the whole experience.
NightRyder
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The Highlife is Watkins attempt to reach to reach another segment of the spa market while carefully trying not to aggravate their dealers. IMHO.
NightRyder
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NightRyder - any info on your custom insulation on your Elite Platinum? I'd like to hear what you did and if you would've done it differently at all after going through the process.
Aloha,
Stevo
Sorry for the delay Stevo, been on vacation.
Insulation:
I added radient barrier foam insulation to the inside of the cabinet secured with construction adhesive.
Between the cabinet and the shell I added 6" of plastic wrapped fiberglass (John Mansville - Comfort Therm) secured using velcro for easy removal. I am very happy with this setup. The cost to run my spa is comparable to my neighbor's full foamed Marquis and I still have easy accessabilty if needed. Total material cost was about $125.
NightRyder
What Is A "cheapy" Hot Tub?
in Portable Hot Tubs & Spas
Posted
My final 2 cents before I go away again. Are the Costco tubs the equivalent of top of the line tubs like Hot Springs or Marquis? No of course not. Are they the POS some here make them out to be? In my experience with my own tub, no. I consider the $3400 I spent on my tub to be well worth it and I don't think there is a tub out there that can justify a price above $6K based solely on superior components. I work about 15-20 minutes from the Marquis factory and have known several people who work or have worked for them. The actual cost to manufacture one of their spas is about 48%-50% of the MSRP, of course you have to add profit, shipping, marketing, service and dealer markup to that. That brings us to value, which is subjective. People assign value based on their own wants, needs and expectations. What is of high value to one person may of little value to another, that doesn't make either one of them wrong. I purchased my spa where I did for several reasons but the main one was Costco's return policy. This was our first spa and I wasn't going to invest a lot of money in one without knowing that I could return it if it wasn't going to be used past the initial few months. Now that I know that we will continue to use a spa I would be more comfortable buying a spa without the liberal return policy but there is still no way I would pay more than $5K or $6K for one, personally I don't see the value in it.
NightRyder