Newbie4Now

Since I see you're out there... (and not knowing how experienced any internet user might be...) let me just say: This board has fantastic search capabilities. Try a SEARCH from the top and click on "MORE SEARCH OPTIONS" at the bottom of the pane that opens up. You have a tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience to mine here -- as long as you remember the cardinal rule -- anything said on an internet forum needs to be taken with a grain of salt until further substantiated... / "just my 2 cents"

WOW I never thought I would find anyone who admitted drinking Jim's kool-aid. ( Enjoy ! )

Hey hey hey Seattle Mama -- I love that name (!) Here's the deal on this board -- you will find many other people (like myself) who are just shopping and looking for help you will find many other people who are recent BUYERS sharing their experience you will find many other people who are OWNERS that will share their knowledge AND experience you may find Jim_the_Jim ( he only wants to sell you his own [you can buy it on the internet] tub... ) you may find Soakerman ( he will preach endlessly about the value of tubs you can buy at COSTCO... ) Don't give up (on your search or this communitiy). There is a tremendous amount of knowledge here and everyone (-2) is anxious to help -- even "newbies" like yourself (!) KEEP PLUGGING YOUR TOPIC and YOU WILL GET THE RESPONSE YOU NEED... / Good luck and here's to your future tubbin' (!)

This is really starting to sound like JTJ (!) Maybe GOD is on the side of Soakerman & Costco...

and your point was "what?"

Tell me why I'm wrong -- I'm starting to think that every time I see SOAKERMAN it's really just another form of Jim_the_Jim...

Tell me why I'm wrong -- I'm starting to think that every time I see SOAKERMAN it's really just another form of Jim_the_Jim...

Let's start an effort to make English the official language of this site...

Where are you located ? If you don't want to be specific, at least reveal your region/and-or/the local temperatures... BE CAREFUL in trusting what you read... Monster(s) lurk on the boards and it takes some time to figure out who is "shooting straight." A quick synopsis of what I've learned here : 1. WET TEST -- nothing else will make a purchase feel good if the tub itself doesn't ... 2. DEALER Support and Service -- otherwise you've got a "great tub" until it takes the big dive... 3. FILTRATION/SANITATION -- this is the key to low maintenance and user safety. Keep it clean (!) / "just my 2 cents"

Here here, this community is starved for photos... Congrats on the new tub -- please share your delivery, install, and "first fill" experiences for the benefit of the entire community (!)

"Piling on" Congratulations are in order for anyone who's gone through the process of trying to find the right tub/price/dealer/etc... Please keep P&S in mind as you receive delivery, get installed and become a regular tubber. Don't be afraid to share your experience as you travel further down the road -- all this information helps newbies and oldies alike ! / Pictures are always welcome. / Congrats again.

You may want to add the AGE of the tub... I'm betting that will affect what the "regulars" here might tell you. As a casual observer, and an active shopper for a new tub right now -- the price sounds great... depending on age and your ability to find good service should you require it. -- Make sure it works. -- Try to arrange a "wet test" if you can -- sit in the tub while it's working and make sure you like the feel. Nothing else will make a tub purchase feel good if the tub itself doesn't feel good TO YOU. / "just my 2 cents"

THANK YOU SO MUCH. Once again, the value of the P&S forum is validated. Thank you, thank you, thank you. / and don't forget : "Happy Tubbin'"

I'm just asking people who post on any other topic that "COSTCO is the BEST source for tubs & accessories" to post here [unless it's really appropriate to the original topic] since a discussion such as "PRICING and CONFIGURATION OPTIONS" for XXX brand probably doesn't want their input (at least in THAT topic...) I'D BE THE FIRST PERSON TO SAY "I have learned much from SOAKERMAN (just using an example...) But if he's not interested in ARCTIC Pricing -- why dilute the thread ? If the scope of a topic allows that kind of input, hey great ! But when someone asks for respect of their topic -- and only strays in direct communication with other posters -- can't we please expect that the evangelists restrict themselves somewhat ? What if some started a topic entitled : "Please share your COSTCO success stories with the group..." and I posted something like "why in the world would you buy Costco when...blah blah blah..." That wouldn't be ON TOPIC -- which is a critical component of the community we're trying to create here. (As I understand it) A place where SHOPPERS, BUYERS, and OWNERS [even RETAILERS, TECHNICIANS, and REPAIR staff] can share their EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE and (occasionally funny) ANECDOTAL STORIES with those who are STILL DREAMING, SHOPPING, BUYING, or TRYING to MAINTAIN their tubs (!) / "Just my 2 cents"

Come on, you COSTCO people, stick on the topic HERE!

I suppose it would be futile to point out that the topic is "CURRENT PRICING FOR ARCTIC SPAS" ?

"Piling on" Congratulations on getting a tub (!) Please consider staying on here for the long haul and sharing your experience (AS AN OWNER) now that you've overcome the significant hurdles of CHOOSING A BRAND and MAKING THE DECISION Heaven knows these are both significant milestones for anyone coming in "cold." / Happy Tubbin'

SpaSearchin' / Sorry I missed this earlier -- I haven't got back to my own HS retailer over the weekend since both my nieces were visiting. I hope to do that tomorrow (even though as I've indicated in another post) I've personally lost interest in the HS line of spas (purely personal preference -- no slight to HS intended). I'll post updates to my HS Pricing/Configuration topic tomorrow after I talk with the sales manager and find out if "the sale is on." Outside of what I'll be reporting then, I have no ideas about the value/pricing equations for HS. Although I've been reading for several weeks here and have seen many references to the Dimension 1 spas, I'm not sure if there are local dealers since I have not run across this brand in any of my own searching... [i'm in Ontario, Canada] Checked out the SpaSearch site earlier today (forget who I should thank for that link but I believe it was one of the "original members"). I was disappointed that there are no "relative" scores -- you're either IN or OUT. Does that mean that manufacturers that are excluded were examined and found failing, or that perhaps they never applied ? Not quite sure. Maybe our original source could offer up some more information ? / Good luck in your search / Buyin' A Tub Is A Real itch

I know there's been some recent banter on the "enclosed" or "open" debate [you can catch up here for the last topic I spotted...] but this question's got a little spin on it. For those spas that are fully enclosed, gazebo/cabana/indoor etc, what are the "best practices" for ventilation or is there even a concern? My case is this : I live in Ontario and winter is WINTER here (only a reference to temperature and not meant to start another debate -- my wife's not the "outdoor" type...) The spa I plan will be completely enclosed by a fairly large (16X22) Cabana. I'm finalizing decisions on solid wall / half wall / windows / screens / doors throughout (there are 6 walls in total) and am currently trying to err on the side of "open." That is to say, screen all non-solid surfaces as opposed to using windows, use the largest non-solid surfaces I can, etc. The ceiling will be high. Do I need to include roof vents ? should I plan to include a ceiling fan ? what's the best approach to take so that I can think logically about any real issues and not get "carried away" on yet another issue involved with my project ? As always, anyone (bar one TWO) is free to offer up some perspective and/or some experience on this one. Pictures are always a plus ! / Thanks in advance for the input...

MUNCH / Any progress on your decision ? Have you wet tested both tubs ? If you made a decision, what swung you over ? If you haven't, what's the focus of your angst at this point ? / "curious minds want to know"

This post got past me (I think it started the day I discovered P&S forums...) but I just want to flag it for one more round : Anybody else have -- manufacturer's lifts that came with their spa and were great ? weren't worth a nickel ? -- anybody care to share pictures of lifts or storage areas they've made themselves ? -- anybody else have experience with third party lifts they love ? they hate ? I've checked all the links in the post so far, and done a little freehand searching myself out there... Personally, the shelf units look nice and simple but that CoverMate II looks pretty slick as well. On a side note, as a SHOPPER who hopes to be a BUYER soon and an OWNER shortly thereafter, I'm amazed at the world of "accessories," add-ons and supply distributors you can find online. Can't wait to get in the water ! / Thanks to everyone for their contribution to this topic

Adding my congratulations ! Your journey towards tubbing has taken you through many of the same streets I'm walking... Just want to keep up the heat -- particularly as a shopper still considering the Pacific Calypso model -- and encourage you to report on delivery and install. Pictures would be great, especially of you and the dogs bringing in that tub on the sled !

Always curious to find out what other shoppers have discovered along the way... How did those wet tests turn out ? FYI / While "round one" went to ARCTIC [for me], I've made some course corrections in my own thinking which I'll explain here. I've found ARCTIC to be a very high priced product. When I got done to investigating pricing more seriously, my galaxy of choices widened back out to include ARCTIC, Hot Springs, Pacific Spas and a quick reexamination of Jacuzzi. I've since dismissed Jacuzzi again (really was not impressed with the J-480, and again LOTS of C$$$) Hot Springs had a certain appeal with strong local support but -- completely personal decisions, these -- I just didn't care for the feel and design of their tubs. I've got some additional information coming on the pricing of the VISTA model (I started a separate thread for HS Pricing/Configuration discussions ) but I think I'm done looking there for now. I bumped into Pacific Spas (didn't realize there was yet another Canadian manufacturer...) and like what I see so far. While I've only plunged my hand in the tub, I expect to do a full WET TEST this coming week. The price points here lead me to believe I might be able to swing a "completely loaded" setup. I'm most intestested in massage therapy and filtration -- my wife likes the water features, lighting and music... Still talking to ARCTIC but I am concerned about the noise and vibration issues with their builds since I'm leaning towards a placement of the spa directly on a newly built deck. I've been wet in their tubs a couple times -- did seem noisy compared to some other brands, this is based on my own direct experience. Finally, with ARCTIC, pricing seems high and my prospective dealer has never mentioned service or support once in 5 discussions... My criteria have evolved somewhat : 1. FEEL 2. Filtration/Maintenance 3. Service/Support (experience and quality of local dealer and technicians) 4. Price (a unique variable in that -- outside of realistic boundaries -- it can outweigh higher-ranked variables) As always, the input from specific community members (all but one, actually) has been instrumental in my process thus far. I would expect that to continue as I have learned lots and lots and lots from the active, constructive community here at P&S. At any rate, back to the topic. How did ARCTIC and SUNDANCE compare in your head-to-head tests ?

Thanks to the follow up and other recent posts -- pictures are also greatly appreciated ! I'm leaning towards 1. completing my deck and cabana as a solid unit (full floor with tub on top) -- maximize flexibility and protect the resale (maybe the buyer has no interest in hot tubs...) 2. purchasing a full-foam spa to help minimize vibration and noise (also including a 24/hr circ pump) 3. making sure - through brand or upgrade - that I have a completely sealed base 4. using custom steps and platforms to encase the spa for asthetics and access (this should provide easy entry and exit while ensuring accessibility for maintenance) I think these issues have moved from status:critical (desperately need to figure this out...) to status:resolved (think I have the answer for now...) As always, anyone else who wants to weigh in is welcome. / Thanks again / I'll try to get some pictures of the site up later -- it's just a yard with stakes and ropes for now !

A big "Thanks" to everyone who's provided some input here... more food for thought. My take-away so far is that 1. everyone favors a VERY solid foundation ( although I seem to remember a post from sometime back where someone built a nice gravel base for his tub to "settle in to." -- If I remember correctly, I believe that sparked a lot of spirited discussion at the time... ) 2. vibration would probably be less of an issue if the deck is unconnected to the house, if the tub is of the full-foam variety and if a circulation pump is handling filtration. 3. "built arounds" can create a great custom look (remember to allow access!) but "on the deck" preserves the greatest flexibiity for the space. ( this is one I've got to mull over -- I love my house but I might sell it someday. I like the flexibility and might be worried about changes to the spa over time (new spa, different size, different shape) wrecking havoc on the "built around" flooring. Again, to be clear, the spa and flooring will all be contained within a fairly good size cabana I'm having built along with the deck... ) JUST ONE QUESTION for ROGER Are there any specific products you were thinking of ? I was wondering if the heavy, rubber flooring which is typically used under weight equipment and exercise machines in gyms might work. I know of a fitness store where I could buy large panels of this... / Thanks again everybody !