dasher

I almost hate to wonder back into a post I started, this is all about dealers who are mad at competing with discounters now. I don't appreciate the comment about "lack of respect and understanding" if that exist it is the fault of the dealers, most customers don't have understanding about your industry that is why they are looking for a professional they feel they can trust. I worked in retail selling high end lawn care equipment, and we sold on quality and service, our competitors and customers knew our prices and service. The services you offer lead to a potential customer and sales of accessories, so embrace them and make them customers; as many of our customers started with lower quality equipment but we educated them on the differences in quality and service and price was no longer the biggest customer factor. As my parting comment I want to say that the post has become a shining example of what I am talking about. Every business must make it's choices and so will each customer, I hope each and everyone does well as their is a business and customer each type. Find your customer or business and let those that are not compatible go. OK disgruntled dealers, take your shots! Wishing everyone the very best and a Merry Christmas! Dasher

Hi, One more thought, I can't take credit for it. A dealer pointed out to me that the main spa I was looking at, if I put it where I wanted with access to the service panel and access to the tub would have most people would be looking directly into the wall of my house. I am looking at a different model that works for the location I want and has almost everyone looking across the deck or out to the back yard not into a wall. Dasher

Update on the Spa shopping. Wet tested the Jacuzzi J-355 and Sundance Optima and Chelsee. Jacuzzi: A little quieter then the Sundance or a lot quieter then the Sundance with the air system on. The lounge seat was to short for me my feet were over the foot jets and not comfortable. Overall good jets, not great but not bad at all. Due to the short lounger we now have a quote on a J-375 but the dealer does not have it in stock. Sundance: We liked the lounger in the optima but the Spa is way to big for the 2 of us. We didn't like the rased foot thing in the base of the Chelsee it made us both feel like our legs were up to our chest. So the Chelsee is out we are now looking at a Cameo but the dealer doesn't have one to wet test, the good news is I found out 2 different family members have Sundance Cameo spas so when I am visiting realitives for Christmas gonna do a true wet test! We really liked the jets in the Sundance, Lots of power and well positioned from the 2 we did wet test. The only possible negative about the Sundance is the Air system, it's loud and seems to be blowing in cold air, hate to try it outside in January when I am visiting relatives in Nebraska. Current quotes now are $9995 for the Sundance Cameo and $10,049 for the Jacuzzi J-375. Two other tubs we are going to look at yet are the Hotspring and D1 but in my area I have concerns about both dealers, one has closed all his showrooms and has 1 spa set up in his warehouse entry room. The other just has mixed feedback about service after the sale. I will post when more of my spa adventure continues... In the mean time does anyone have any feedback for me on the air system on the Sundance tubs, Loud, cold ect. Is it worth it? Good or bad feedback is appreciated, I want all the information I can get. Thanks again for the great information. Dasher

That is the point, the product is a luxury product, the sales experience is not. They bash each others products, tell you what they think you want to hear but in the end provide no real useful inforation and pricing, hope for the best they may be taking you for a real ride. They have taken the experience of buying it and made it on par with bag fees at the airport and shopping for used cars with the way they sell them. Keep in mind this is my opinion of spa shopping from the two best dealers I have found their are others I won't even consider dealing with. I actually like both tubs, it's not the SPA it's the process. We wet tested both this weekend and I have things I like and dislike about each. Sundance: +Great jets, lounger is a bit longer then in the Jacuzzi J-355 I'm tall so I feel jamed into the Jacuzzi lounger -air system, cold air for the legs in the lounger and it's loud Jacuzzi +overall look and finish seems a bit more upscale then the sundance -Smaller spa, midgrade not top line, are the jets that much better to make up for the fact that I like the Sundance 880 jets better? No ozone system. As to the ozone system, The jacuzzi offered it for an additional $300 but said that you can do the same with mineral and bromide system, the other dealer said bromine can destroy jets and the cover over time. It's not that I don't want a spa I just don't have the answers and am not sure who to trust. Dasher

My wife and I have been planning to buy a hot tub for ourselves for Christmas, and I have to say the whole process is turning me off the idea. What is it with an industry that you go in a store, no prices! One place (hotspring) huge sign Truckload sale, they had 1 new spa in the showroom and showed me the MSRP and quoted me that as a price; nice sale! Year end sales, buy now or you will loose this great deal. But is it a deal, no one knows because what are the real prices!!!! It's better buying a used car! I am down to looking at 2 right now and I will post the deals so you can tell me what you think.... Jacuzzi J-355 Cover, Lifter, Steps, Starter Chem and delivery, no ozone $8799.00 Sundance Cameo, Cover, lifter, steps, starter Chem, delivery, ozone system $9995.00 I know that Jacuzzi is the mid line and the Sundance is top line but I can't see paying jacuzzi more to have the waterfall a bit higher and different lights. It's just sad that the whole process has me fustrated and my wife turned off by the whole idea of getting a spa. Feel free to give me any imput and ideas, If I don't decide by next weekend I am gonna throw in the towel and wait for the spring home show to revisit the idea. Thanks, Dasher, Atlanta, GA