andyj

Yes, thanks! That's where I've been getting the prices quoted above.

I've posted here a few times; I've narrowed down my hot tub choice to either an Arctic Summit or a Caldera Niagara, and I've wet tested many including these. Just saw that there's this spring outdoor living show in Tacoma that's supposed to have "great deals" etc on spas. Being that I've talked extensively with the Arctic and Caldera reps here in Seattle and discussed prices, does anyone know if I can get a "better deal" if I make the drive down to this show?? I'm kind of assuming not, but I've never been to any of these and am more than willing if it will lower the price!! The prices even for refurbished tubs have been really high with the dealers (ex. 2006 refurb Arctic for $8500, same for 2006 Caldera, plus tax). Thanks for any help!!

Still curious if it matters at all where you area located when it comes to price? Thanks!!

Thanks for the input. Does it matter at all where you're located as far as price? I'm in Seattle WA. I agree with you spaguru, I don't get how they can ask that much for a 2006 refurbished model!

I'm still in the decision process, but after wet testing many different brands, models, etc. my two favorites are still the Arctic Summit LE and the Caldera Niagara. Initially I was leaning toward the Arctic (my #1 choice for comfort), but price seemed high for a refurbished one, warranty was only a year, and there was a $95 fee for any time they might have to come out. Caldera has a great warranty (10yr no leak shell, 7yr shell surface, 5yr no leak plumbing, 5yr component, 5yr heater, 3yr cabinet) and my understanding is they give you the same warranty if it's new, refurbished, or whatever. I'm told there is a 2006 floor model (without the spa frog) for $8500 plus tax (includes cover, lift, steps, delivery). If I want a 2008 floor model with the spa frog it's $9500 plus tax. Not sure what they are charging for a new 2009 . . . . I think it's in the 12's? What do you think of these prices?? I've also asked if there are any factory blemish models available but haven't heard back yet . . . . anyone ever get one of those and/or would you consider it? Thanks!

I am in the business and I would never sink a tub in to a deck $8,300 is a lot for a used product when in reality you can purchas a new tub for $5,000 - $8,000. Also a 2006 model usually has a factory warranty of 3 or 5 years. Your dealer is not really offering you a deal in my opinion if the equipment has already been refurbished. Also I did not see any mention of you ever "wet testing" the hot tub. You need to try it out before you buy it and your dealer should accomidate you after hours for your privacy. It all needs to come down to COMFORT and value. In regards to warrany - my opinion has always been "the simplier the better". Never buy the fiber optic lighting, remote control, or the cd / stereo, pop up tv.. they alwasy break. Thanks for your input. I 100% agree with you on "comfort and value" as well as "simple is better". Don't need the extra stereo, lights, etc, just want a tub with hot water and jets that do the job needed. I did wet test the Summit for over an hour, and the dealer asked if I wanted to come back the next day to wet test it again. I felt that of all the spas I had wet tested, this was "the one" that I really enjoyed. Every seat was comfortable, the jets hit all the right spots, I never floated out, and the lay out would be great for family and my little nephews. That being said I agree the warranty and price is too little/too much for this spa. If those two things can be improved on, I'd still be interested in getting this model of spa someday =).

Congrats on your purchase!!! I ended up passing on the tub for now, I told the dealer I really like the Summit LE but besides deciding if I really wanted to buy the tub before I was finished with the remodel, I really didn't like the look of the shell. Where it is going (under my deck but on a concrete patio that is accessed out the basement french doors) the shell is 100% visable, and for me to spend that much cash I figure I really should like all the features on it, including the looks. I did tell the dealer if that he eventually gets a floor/demo/refurb model that has the different shell and is a great price, to please give me a call. He was fine with my decision which made me like him even more as far as a dealer goes. You'll have to let me know how you like your tub when you get it all set to go!

No, I'm in Seattle WA

Thanks for the input!! I have also been looking on Craigslist and at other refurbished ones, as well as new. Supposedly the current model is going for $16,200 according to the dealer. "All parts have been repaired or replaced" was a blanket statement he made about all his refurb models, but when the warranty was only a year compared to the normal five they have, it made me wonder a bit.

So I'm at a crossroads. I have always wanted a tub, large enough that I can enjoy many different seats and one that my twin sister and family can help me enjoy. My job is physical (firefighter) and the thought of a daily soak has been a dream for a while now. I currently am doing a huge remodel on my house and am down to framing, electrical, sheetrock etc. of the basement from an unfinished to a finished product with a few bedrooms, bath, etc.. Realistically I should wait to get a tub until I am totally sure the funds I THINK will finish my project actually does =). That being said the tub thing has been foremost on my mind the last few months. I have read and reread so many of the topics here, and I've checked out all models around me (sundance, jacuzzi, clearwater, caldera, hot springs, limelight, cal spa, marquis, and arctic). I have wet tested most of these spas as well. When I stepped into the Arctic Summit LE it was by far the best so far, with the second choice going to Caldera Niagara. No question my choice is the Summit, and I really liked the dealer; felt he was honest and upfront, and would actually be there to answer questions after the tub was mine. It is a 2006 refurbished Summit LE, according to his stock check it has the deluxe lights, will include the cover, onzen system, delivery, starter kit, tru-guard heater, also he's making the covermate lift half off and throwing in the 64inch 2-tier step. Out the door with tax for $8300. Only other charge I'd have is the electrical, which I would do myself and would run about 300-400. tub color is platinum. I put a deposit on it with the understanding I would think about it and give him the "yes" or "no" on Monday (deposit was mainly so it wouldn't sell over the weekend) . . . dealer said full refund and no hard feelings if I changed my mind. Concerns: #1 one year warranty on parts, normally five years but because it's a refurb it's one. Dealer states all parts on it have either been repaired or replaced if needed. #2 The unit is the metal "sprayed like a bed of a truck" gray. Durability will be amazing, however I don't really like the look, and I really didn't want a gray color, but that's the only color it comes in. The tub would be going into a sunken patio below my upper deck . . . a concrete patio that has been stained a saddle brown color and matches the heated concrete floors in the basement. #3 as I mentioned before, finance wise I should finish the remodel first, then buy a tub, though I "want" one now =). Am I making too much out of the outside look of the tub (color wise?). It's not as nice looking as the cedar or the other durable composite like stuff, but if it was brown and matched the house colors I would be more inclined to buy now. Since I'm having concerns about the shell should I just wait, finish the remodel and purchase the tub within a year, hoping they'll have a newer demo or refurb that would have the shell that would work? Regardless if I purchase this week, or at the end of the year, I know the summit LE is the model I would want and I feel strongly enough about the dealer that I would want to purchase from him. Thanks for listening to me ramble and work this out via this post =). Any thoughts on making this decision?

So I am yet another person searching for a tub! Been reading many of the forums here, have been to see many tubs (sundance, hotsprings, limelight, calspa, clearwater, arctic, jacuzzi). Wet tested a few, only one I liked so far was the clearwater beachcraft but at over 10K it's out of my budget. Hope to wet test an Arctic and a calspa next week as well. The Arctic I was looking at is a refurbished, and yes I need to ask more questions about it =). It's a summit LE, probably a 2006 model, has the metal shell that had problems so they put the spray stuff on it (like rhinoguard I guess?). I love the feel of it dry but obviously need to wet test it. My understanding is all new jets, onzen system, cover and forever floor included though I will need to purchase the lift, delivery also, with tax I was quoted about $8500. Really can't afford more than around 7500, and don't know how much the dealer is willing to work with me on that end. I know list price for a new one is 16,200 . . . any opinions? Only other negative (which I understand the soak and enjoyment of the tub itself is most important) is I personally don't like the look of the grey shell. It would be going on a covered patio that has been stained a dark brown, so not sure how great it would look. I will also wet test the calspa and another clearwater one possibly next week. Thanks for any help!