thinkxingu

Hey All, thanks for the feedback. So, looks like I can get into a Dash/Sprint for around $4K. What I didn't know is that the 110V versions will run the heater and pump simultaneously if the jets are in low. Any higher, and the heater shuts off. I don't think we'd do 110 considering we're in NH and the last few nights have been in the negatives. Also, I'm assuming efficiency would be lower and we'd save on the back end in electricity costs. Any other suggestions, if we're trying to get below $4k? S

Roger, do you just cut and paste for every post?! JK, but seriously--what would I be looking at as far as repairs? I understand about the efficiency, so maybe I'll work at looking more closely there (I am in NH), but is my assumption that I would be buying more basic components, not defective components, at a lower price point? Also, how about the Hot Spot Sprint and Dash? I can't find prices online, but I'm assuming they're in the lower range, yes? As for preparation: we've got a deck that was built expressly for a hot tub (double 2x10's, 4x6 supports, etc.) and I've already got the site prepared for wiring and an electrician friend to help. Thanks, S You can spend less but, unless your willing to be your own service guy, make comprimises on jets and power (feel) Energy usage which will be higher. Fit and finish which will be crappier. Then 5-7 grand is the low end. If you pay less you will get less. That's a simple fact.

Happy New Year All! My wife and I were searching for spas--the ones we liked were all $6K plus--but now we've decided that maybe we'd be cool with a basic round one since all the ones we've been in, and liked, have been the round, community types at resorts. SO: other than used, what is the least expensive way to go that would give us hot water and some bubbles?! Thanks, S

Good luck! One question, though: do these tubs require specific GFI boxes? If so, looks like I need to wait on the wiring. If not, why did you buy the Hot Springs one? Thanks! S

I'm assuming he's a pretty good friend if you've all tubbed together, so hook him up for God's sake! 1. you know the tub and have used it, 2. it will make his life easier, and 3. it seems he's being fair. S

Hey All, Last year, had a deck built for a (eventual!) hot tub and am wondering what decorations or design features people have found useful. For example, someone mentioned not using lights because he/she liked looking at the stars, but for some reason I think lights might be nice. Suggestions and PICS for lighting, decorations, special features, etc. would be great! Thanks, S

Roger, I liked the D1 dealer best--he said that although their tubs don't look the 'sexiest,' they put the most thought into legitimate therapeutics. I also noticed the D1s almost all had foot jets whereas the others didn't. Not sure about the exact models we're looking at, because we've got to decide on the lounger/no lounger idea first. S

Hello There, So, we have Sundance, Marquis, and Dimension 1 dealers near us. I know we're looking at the 660, Everyday, and @Home series as budget options, but which of these is best? We want to be around $6K. Much more, and we'll probably look at Costco alternatives. Thanks! S

Kasey, This is what I want: 1. Prices on the tubs, so I can quickly find the ones that might suit me and start to ween out the ones that won't. 2. Someone to acknowledge I'm there and offer help, but not hover--it's clear when customers want help or not. 3. I want a salesman who will point out the pros and cons of the models I choose, but not to criticize my choices. 4. I want the salesman to tell me what I could gain by moving up as well as what I'll lose by moving down. 5. I want to know what buying this brand and at this store will get me--the services included, the store's/brand's history, and philosophy. 6. I want the salesman to explain their pricing and what it includes, if I'm not ready to buy, OFFER me brochures, a card, and their pricing information--transparency leads to comfort. I have bought crazy expensive watches, jewelry, pens, cars, and other luxury items and one quote has always captured my sales/buying experiences: "All things being equal, people will buy from a friend. All things being not so equal, people will still buy from a friend." S PS Of all the luxury items I've shopped for, shopping for tubs has been, by far, the worst.

Hello, Bose are crap--they'll last forever, but then you'll be listening to crappy speakers forever. Polk Atriums sound real nice and are fairly compact. Boston Acoustics Voyager series are the best, bar none, for the money. They sound amazing for an outdoor speaker, are bulletproof (literally: they submerge them in salt water and run them over with trucks to test the shells), and look nice. S

Nalod, Your sarcasm would have been funnier if you didn't try so hard and misspell every other word. I think you proved Matt's point, and the reason he requested no feedback: every Costco related thread ever created turns into a slam-fest. In fact, the last one was closed because it went so off-topic. It was nice, for a while at least, to hear someone's real experiences without "you'll be sorry when it breaks down and kills all your children while burning down your house" and other ridiculous sentiments. Question, though: Costco tub is $4500, comparable "real" tub seems to be $6500 or so. Will the Costco need $2K of fixin' in its lifetime? S

Hotrod, I hear exactly what you're saying, but from what I've read it would be hard to go wrong with any of the tubs from the 'better' brands, e.g. Hot Springs, Bullfrog, Sundance, etc. If that's the case, and if dealers don't post pricing, how can a consumer be sure that he is getting a fair deal. I was about to pop for a Sundance Burlington, but I received three different prices at the same dealer within a week ("this price includes stairs, chemicals, a cover, and delivery, oh wait, it only includes..." "Who told you that it includes stairs?" etc. etc.)! If the prices were posted, and fair, I'd have it on my back deck right now. S

Hello There, I've been watching this site and shopping for a while, and I have the same complaint: Most of the stores in my area don't even have their units priced on the floor!! I want to walk in to a dealer and look around without having to ask for each price, or if the price includes a cover, lifter, some chemicals, stairs, delivery, a smile and a kick in the butt, or what. In fact, I'm not sure I'm going to get the same price on different days or by talking to different people!! It's actually quite frustrating and one of the reasons I may end up buying from Costco or Home Depot, etc. There's a commercial in my area that says something like, "imagine you went to a grocery store and the milk wasn't priced, so you ask the clerk and he says, 'well, what size fridge do you have? Where you gonna use it?' That's what windows companies do; they make you wait until you get to the house and then hit you with the high prices..." That's what I feel like. Ughh. S

Hello There, We just found a dealer we didn't know about but gets good ratings. The problem is, we've never heard of some of the brands he sells. Any information on which of the following would be good choices and which would not be so good? Thanks! SML Artesian Vita Reflections Master Down East Legacy

Thanks for the responses. As for the warranty, this (http://www.sundancespas.com/CustomerCare/680Warranty.pdf) says it is 5 years on the shell and 3 years on the components. Also, compared to what else I've found (BullFrog, Hot Springs, etc.) this seems to be a good value for the price, no? SML

Hello, New to the forum and looking for help or suggestions. Local dealer has brand new 2008 floor model Sundance Hartford with stainless jets, ozone system, LED lighting system, cover, lift, delivery, and chemicals for $5,400. Is this a good deal and a good tub? Also, any options for a similar tub/price point would be appreciated. Thanks! SML