Richs100

Actually, they have degraded the product over the years. They seem to have a lot of shell cracks these days. Hey Jim, I think you've got this pigeon right where you want him. Offer him some of those purdy flashing spa lights to close the deal!

If it was 25 below, I would have went on a trip too. To Miami. Smart guy.

Booga Booga.

Congratulations mstern. You'r gonna love that tub. I really liked my old tub but the new Envoy I bought 8 months just floors me. I love it. Just ask Jim the Jim. He can tell you how happy I am with my tub. I tell him about it every chance I get!

I see that you just couldn't resist the old "Tong and Rogers" trick, huh, Trig. Isn't about time for the dreaded "cone of silence"?

Save it for the Judge, Jimbo. We have seen your warranty work close up. How about the Erik Selberg mess. Send the customer a defective, re-labled, diverter equipped, Phoenix tub, then screw with him for weeks on end until he finally tells you to pick it up and charges back his credit card. I also remember the proud proclamations on your own "forum" to the effect that if someone demands what they are entitled to or feels so aggrieved as to dare to make a complaint to the BBB (of which you are supposedly a member), they get the absolute bare minimum of "warranty compliance" and nothing more. (and I can just imagine what that means in your brain) Oh yes, we are well aware of the H*ven Warranty Program. Once again, I'll opt for the warranty from the godless corporation and take my chances!

Does that duck have a transducer in it?

I haven't had any problems with the moto at all. Yes, Hot Springs are full foam (and in twelve years, I've never had a leak)

Yes, I like it. Its a unique feeling. But I also like some of the other seats in the tub. It depends on my mood. I probably use it 2 out of 3 times I'm in the tub. I would try to get another tub with it if possible.

Yup. In fact, the last picture is my view when sitting in the lounge with the moto-massage. The first pic is after the tree hit the old tub and its gazebo.

BEFORE: AFTER: RECENT SUMMER EVENING SOAK:

Is that a heart/lung machine next to that tub? Did it come standard with the tub?

Jman: It sounds like you've got everything except PUNCTUATION! My head hurts after trying to read your posts. Please slow down and use a period or comma every once in a while, dude! Thanks in advance, Rich

That's very true. I always make sure the dry cycle is turned off. Could get very expensive otherwise!

I've seen this stated twice now... which tub is it? Is it viewable online? I'd like to see it. John: The spa is the Highlife. (search "Highlife Spa" on Costco's site) "from the makers of Hot Spring". $5,699.00. I understand it is similar to the "Classic" Sovereign model on the Hot Spring site. It looks a lot like my old Prodigy with the white endurol shell and tile work. One motor. Probably a good, reliable starter spa if your in the market for that. One of the problems I see with the Costco model is that you don't have that strong link to a local dealer and I'm not sure that it carries the normal 7/5/5/1 year warranty offered on tubs sold by a dealer. Someone else may know this. Thanks Rich. So for $5700 you can get a nice starter 110v Watkins spa from costco. Sounds about right. For $1300 more you can get a Tiger River Caspian with full dealer support & delivery & setup, chemicals, 220v with subpanel, a cover lifter... a clearly better spa with full dealer support for 23% more $. Okedoke! If anything, you would think this illustrates, at least for watkins, the relative values of their models. Indeed (back to Jim the Jer... Jim's comment) it would be the same quality build, just far lower cost parts (1 pump, diverter valve plumb, 110v etc) - a lower end tub for sure, for a little less money then the higher end tubs @ the dealer... Good analysis, John. The Tiger River is a nice tub for just a bit more. I very briefly considered the Highlife tub when I replaced my old Prodigy last year, but I wanted something with more bells and whistles and the same high level of quality. But I still think that the Highlife has a market. It is significant that Hot Spring continues to offer four (4) tubs in its "Classic" line. There must be a market for them out there.

Ive heard that dishwasher detergent is ok since it doesn't foam, but some may disagree. I've washed my HS filters in the dishwasher with the detergent and then rinsed them real good with a garden hose. Good results. No Foam.

According to a gang of one, Most people think the same way. I really hate it when others claim they know what I want. I wish people would just speak for themselves. This is especially true when the person claiming to know what I want, has little to no experience themselves. Most People Now, that was funny! LOL Your going to get a lot of action around here with that name!

Do we have to use that? That thing NEVER works! I hear that! (surprisingly!)

I've seen this stated twice now... which tub is it? Is it viewable online? I'd like to see it. John: The spa is the Highlife. (search "Highlife Spa" on Costco's site) "from the makers of Hot Spring". $5,699.00. I understand it is similar to the "Classic" Sovereign model on the Hot Spring site. It looks a lot like my old Prodigy with the white endurol shell and tile work. One motor. Probably a good, reliable starter spa if your in the market for that. One of the problems I see with the Costco model is that you don't have that strong link to a local dealer and I'm not sure that it carries the normal 7/5/5/1 year warranty offered on tubs sold by a dealer. Someone else may know this.

Wow. Talk about an off topic attack! And this guy is spouting this drivel from, of all places, Orlando, FL? That's cheeky! Been there, done that, won't do it again. Sorry, JW, but my 'cone of silience' just came down. You may be able to hear me, but I won't be able to hear you. Enjoy your tub.

Hi Amy: Each county or city has its own laws, but I am not sure that you got good advice on this issue. A portable hot tub would not normally be impacted by property setback requirements. It is not a permanent structure. If it was a city clerk that told you that, you might want to check with a local attorney to make sure the city gave you correct information. Usually, set back requirements apply to the building of a permanent structure. Even if the setback rule should apply, since you already bought an Arctic, I would look into the possiblity of requesting a varience or special exception from the city. But I really don't think a lot set back requirement can apply to a portable hot tub. Rich

Well, I'm glad we got that all cleared up.

Simple Answer. The reputation of the manufacturer. Some manufacturers have good reps, other not so good, and still others have miserable reps. There is a correllation between reputation and quality. That's why we don't all drive Yugos now. It was apparent very quickly that they were pieces of junk that did not run. Reputation suffered. Sales plummeted. No more Yugo. But BMW and Mercedes are still selling cars. In my choice of a hot tub, I rely on Hot Spring's reputation for quality to assure me I'm going to get a quality tub with quality componets for my money. I think your generally safe in doing this with HS, Sundance, Jacuzzi and some of the other major manufacturers. I do not think it is possible to do this with any tub made by Hydrospa. Period. That is obviously not their business model or marketing strategy. Sorry if you disagree, but that's the way I figure it. I am not willing to experiment with trying to save some money and just hope getting a quality tub out of the deal. If I want a Costco bargain, I'll buy rib eyes.

Hmmm, the old "them vs. us" strategy. Cunningly clever, JW. I'll bet many a close hands of poker have been won by you this way. I'll draw a chalk line across the board right now. Roger: How's that burden? I hope it's comfortable, because........IT'S FOREVER!!!!!!! Booga-Booga! (Sounds kinda JA like, doesn't it??) JW.....you really need a soak, fella. BTW, I don't want to have to know what kind of seals I have in my motors. I just want to know they are the good ones and not the crap ones. So I go with a "quality" tub and I don't have to worry about it. My tub is for relaxing, not researching how good the "after-the-sale" service is or isn't. But that's just me.

I never said I hate "the Costco Gang". I said I hate that name because I like the store so much.