hottubdan

Should be good for Thursday after work soak!

If they give you 6-8 week stall time to demand money back. If they demand wire transfer or cashiers check, time to run the other way. http://houston.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/ho120309.htm

Flame on.

Cal makes a decent tub. I would put them on the same level as Dynasty. Hotsprings makes a good spa, but the Hotspot line is probably less of a tub than the Cal. Since dealing with Cal can be an issue for anybody, make sure the dealer is good. The Hot Spot line may have less bells and whistles than a Cal Spa. However, I think you will find the factory has a better reputation for customer support and the spas have a better reputation for reliability. Not fancy...just good.

I suggest you switch to a sanitizing system. Even the Peroxysan site does not claim their product sanitizes the hot tub. That is why you have the mold. That is why it will return. Enjoy your sauna.

Issue is not the bulb. My guess is dimmer switch either does not funtion or was replaced by on/off switch.

As a pro, I have to say, I recommend people try Fix-A-Leak. It doesn't always work, but when it does, it is a cheap fix.

I have to defend the practice of disclosing charges if no warranty issues are found. In this case, with ongoing issues, probably not. However, many issues are filter cleaning issues, not warranty issues. Who is supposed to pay if a tech shows up, cleans filters (spa owner's responsibility) and all is now good? Not warranty-manufacturer won't pay. If customer, in good faith asked for, what he thinks is warranty service, without disclosure, should he pay?

If the mark up on spas is 50%, then the manufacturers should be getting rich, as that is where that 50% is. Sure isn't on the dealer level. On another note, the spa shell process isn't even close to what you described.

Agree with Shaamus. The first place to look is the cover seal against the shell. See if you can feel any spots where heat is escaping with your hands. Even your Costco tub shouldn't have been that bad... I had a Costco Hydrospa Platinum II for three years in California and would estimate my energy costs as $30/mo worst-case dead of winter (to the extent we even have winter here). I would agree the prime suspect is the "tenting of the CM3." We used to have that issue when we used them. However, living with the rational tiered electrical use rate system as we do, I think your hot tub will still send you into tier 3. Anyone know who is making the cover for Sundance these days?

The manufacturer covers the coupon discount, not Costco. So, Costco maintains their margin, the manufacturer increases volume at the expense of their small margin. So, if they get returned, the cycle of failing spa manufacturers and Costco may continue. You should be happy with whatever spa you get. Some people will be snobby because they bought a spa at Costco at a low price. Others because they bought a brand name for a high price. So be it. One more thing. As a dealer, I cannot imagine anyone carrying Strong Spas as long as they sell them at Costco.

While I am an engineer, and don't mind tinkering a bit, I have my limits. I am not too concerned about having to order and replace a pump or valve or sensor, but don't have the skills or desire to rebuild a pump, or deal with a delaminated tub, or any sort of custom repair, rather than simple part replacement. I agree with you on the foam issue... If I lived in Montana I would be much more concerned about the potential energy savings from a fully foamed tub, but being in Seattle, I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of energy efficiency, and maybe even a little extra noise, to have the accessibility. I am guessing the guy who came out heavily in favor of foam is a salesman who sells only that type... But the most important question of all - Which model tub will attract the most buxom blonds in bikinis (or less!) to my tub? At least 2 guys in this thread touted full foam. I sell 'em and the other bought one. Fact is, you are correct to want to buy a questionable tub without full foam. No track record, as you say. So, chances of plumbing leak are what? Don't know. I do know with my customer base of thousands of in place spas, odds are pretty good you will not get a plumbing leak. It can happen; not saying it doesn't. Just less likely in my opinion. So, if planning to repair plumbing leaks is a decision in your buying process, then you seem to be leaning in the right direction.

We have sold Jacuzzi and I can tell you the quote above is not even close to being accurate. Fact is even if a spa is sold to Costco for $500 over cost, it doesn't take a lot of returns to make that "profit" a loss. Seattle is the home of two of the most successful dealers in our industry. Aquaquip sells Sundance and Jacuzzi; Olympic Hot Tub sells Hot Spring. Have you visited them? Wonder what your thoughts are.

I'm absolutly sure you don't want this answer so whats the difference? Very specificly a top end tub will have a better fit and finish, better jets, better engineered plumbing system, cleaner, neater equipment bay, better pumps and control system. A long standing reputation for reliability and longevity. A better warranty, a dealer to back up your purchase and answer your questions right down the road, or if your worried about your dealer a manufacturer that hasn't comprimised quality for a price point forced upon them by a big box store. 7500 is a good price for this though 8500 might be better. But you have a return policy with Costco.....maybe. I DO want those answers! But I want specific answers! What is the specific pump manufacturer and model number in a Strong CX80, and how does it compare to specific pump part number in someone else's 8500$ tub? Same question for Control Panel, and any other parts that can be objectively measured. Unless you have that info, and can provide specific examples (even for other tubs) how can I separate a salesman's hype from fact? I tried to compare Strong warranty 5/2/1 with Cal Spa (a mid range product?), for example, and my first google "hit" was someone screaming about their refusal to honor a 5 year warranty because a seal went bad and water leaked into a pump...I googled "Jacuzzi" and "warranty" and I found it is a parts and labor long warranty sounds good...I also found someone complaining that Jacuzzi tells them to contact the retailer, and the retailer telling them to contact Jacuzzi for warranty service... I have confidence in Costco backing up a warranty... I'm in the business and I can't tell you that. What I do know is what you suspect. Dealer's costs are more than Csotco's, often for a better product. Dealer's margins are more than Costco's. NEEDED to be in business. What I learned long ago, is that some people prefer to buy from box stores. Doesn't matter the product. Some people prefer to buy from specialty retailers. It's OK.

Of course they won't tell you...and if I was in retail, I wouldn't want that secret out either! which is why I use the internet to research just about every purchase >$1000, where bargaining on price is an option...to get that information, and I usually am successful! Just curious. Besides spas and cars, what else can you bargain on? Besides, you can't bargain at Costco.

Arf, I can see from your posts lately that you're about to buy the Strong so I know why you're trying to convince yourself and/or us of this. The cost difference to build and support (R&D through Warranty and much in between) a high quality premium spa like Jacuzzi, Hot Spring, Sundance ... is noticeably more than a mid or lower end spa maker though a lot of the difference is also in the quality of the end product which can be difficult to put a price tag on but is a huge factor. Also factor in the chance which is apt to be chugging along after 12, 15, 18 year and you'll see a big difference. Spas can make for expensive planters. You've pretty much decided to buy from Costco and you're preemptively defending the purchase wanting to believe you're buying the same thing for less. I can understand those that want to say the jury is out on Strong so and the evidence isn't there to assume Strong will follow the Costco predecessors like Infinity, Tatum, Keys, Hydro... but you're reaching in your hope here because part of the reason the past companies went the way of the dinosaur is the way they had to cut corners to bring down the cost down to sell through Costco in the first place so there is reason for us to be skeptical, we've heard this story before (wish I had a dollar for every person who said Infinity would be different than its predecessors). Many of us who've been around have seen plenty of these "lower price, industry parts" spas that sell for less and to think it costs the same to build them as a premium spa is just wishful thinking. Actually, I am looking for some FACTS to convince me otherwise. Give me some specific examples of R&D expenditures, give me specific examples of lower quality components. Most of what my novice eyes have seen is that higher cost buys features and accessories. Costco drives prices. The previous Costco spa dealers very likely went out of business because the sold their spas with too little markup. If I buy a $4500 Strong Spa at Costco, and Strong goes out of business 2 weeks later becuase those $4500 tubs cost them $4600 to manufacture, I really don't care, as long as they are using "industry standard" components, so I can get parts in 6 years...I dont want to pay $7500 just so Strong stays strong and profitable... Denser foam, vs 1# foam. Foam filled vs. an inch or so of foam. Saves you money. Costs hundreds. 5 year warranty vs. 1 or 2 year. Potentially saves you money. Costs hundreds. Local dealer support. Priceless.

Arf, I can see from your posts lately that you're about to buy the Strong so I know why you're trying to convince yourself and/or us of this. The cost difference to build and support (R&D through Warranty and much in between) a high quality premium spa like Jacuzzi, Hot Spring, Sundance ... is noticeably more than a mid or lower end spa maker though a lot of the difference is also in the quality of the end product which can be difficult to put a price tag on but is a huge factor. Also factor in the chance which is apt to be chugging along after 12, 15, 18 year and you'll see a big difference. Spas can make for expensive planters. You've pretty much decided to buy from Costco and you're preemptively defending the purchase wanting to believe you're buying the same thing for less. I can understand those that want to say the jury is out on Strong so and the evidence isn't there to assume Strong will follow the Costco predecessors like Infinity, Tatum, Keys, Hydro... but you're reaching in your hope here because part of the reason the past companies went the way of the dinosaur is the way they had to cut corners to bring down the cost down to sell through Costco in the first place so there is reason for us to be skeptical, we've heard this story before (wish I had a dollar for every person who said Infinity would be different than its predecessors). Many of us who've been around have seen plenty of these "lower price, industry parts" spas that sell for less and to think it costs the same to build them as a premium spa is just wishful thinking. Spatech, I have no doubt your assessment of the OP is accurate. I would however like a question to the OP's answer. We've had two opinions posted. One that Costco has a $1000 markup and a dealer would be $2000 markup. The second was Costco has $500 markup and dealers have $2500. While I would love to see the facts, I don't think we'll them. But certainly there seems to be consensus that a tub, any identical tub, would sell for between $1000 to $2000 cheaper at Costco through economies of scale vs a dealer ... albeit without the local support. Full disclosure, I'm a CXSi80 owner still in the honeymoon period. I can see you rolling your eyes already, but this markup does drive purchase decisions. I'm not suggesting the CXSi80 is superior to anything (or even on par with anything.) I'm suggesting the CXSi80 didn't carry dealer markup of a grand or more. DK117 It doesn't matter what the category is. Costco makes their nut on Memberships. Then they make small margins on their products. Fact is they have a horrible history in the spa category.

Heater is #1 suspect.

Hmm, seems it's "hot springs - UK division" I was reading about: http://www.hottubbuyer.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1 http://www.vantisplc.com/Vantis/News/HotSp...inistration.htm A quick reread reveals most of the "warranty not honored" threads were also in the UK. Ownership info: This information is about a dealer/distributor in UK using the Hot Spring name. Has nothing to do with the financial health of Watkins Mfg. a division of Masco Corp., a US firm.

I was getting 120V on each hot wire, but didn't check them together to see if it was 240. I'm not sure what was wrong with the breaker, but I replaced it with a new one and everything started working. The fact that the inside panel (we call it the aux or auxilary panel) isn't working had nothing to do with your pump issue. It probably failed. Your spa tech should have noted that upon inspection. If you bought from original owner, you should have had them fix it under warranty. If you bought from a Hot Spring dealer, you might want to see if they will replace it.

I suspect they are making claims to sell their Electric UV units. We have been testing Hot Spring Ozones in the field with the testers and finding some producing ozone after 4-7 years. We are also replacing some within same time period.

Still using it and love it! It's even better now that I have bought a shock/chlorine combo and just hit it once a week along with the once a week silkbalance. It doesn't get any easier! Its definetly worth a try out, on any tub! Best for spas with circ pump and ozone.

Thank you. If you wouldn't mind though, could you answer my questions if you know the answers? I'd like to know, it brings me some peace of mind, you know? The hot water only comes in through the floor drain. It should feel warmer than the ambient water. Without a cover it is going to take a long time to heat. Maybe Watsons has a loaner cover.

Debatable if it works or not??!!...Essentially Useless??!!!....Wow, it's so true that this industry has more opinions than it has answers!! Personally, I like to take my 240 volt wires and stick em in the water while I'm sitting in it to kill off the "Bad Stuff" Well, an opinion, yeah... just about everything poste on an internet forum is an "opinion". You have to look at the logic to see if it's reasonable, no? Can you TEST for it? How do you know it's working? How do you know that there's enough of it dispersed in your water to have any sanitizing effect? I'm not the only one that has doubts about ozone - look at this thread, for instance: http://www.poolspaforum.com/forum/index.ph...60&hl=ozone "IF" you are generating ozone in sufficient quantity and "IF" you can actually get it dispersed throughout the water then yes I believe it works. But since I can't TEST for either of those things, then those become mighty big "IF"s in my opinion. You can trust your health to it if you like... my "opinion" is that it's an unnecessary gamble. But, it's probably a better option than the 240V idea You CAN test for it.

Flow issue? Clogged filter? Circ pump?