Jake the dog man Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Sorry Matt, my post wasn't directed at you or even any specific poster. I was just commenting on the general assumption that prices should drop to so low just to make a sale. I am not in the hottub business, but I am in a big ticket luxury small business field. I actually consider myself luckier then some because my stock is already old (antiques) but it still has a cost (what I paid). I can often sit on stock for years until I find a buyer, but most small business owners do not have that option. I also look for bargains, but I will also pay more for customer service & future customer service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt87109 Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Sorry Matt, my post wasn't directed at you or even any specific poster. I was just commenting on the general assumption that prices should drop to so low just to make a sale. I am not in the hottub business, but I am in a big ticket luxury small business field. I actually consider myself luckier then some because my stock is already old (antiques) but it still has a cost (what I paid). I can often sit on stock for years until I find a buyer, but most small business owners do not have that option. I also look for bargains, but I will also pay more for customer service & future customer service. No big deal.... thought I may have offended you. I think we have all seen antiques road show a time or two!.. must be fun touching a part of history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenz1g Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 I can't remember which magazine I read it out of at work, but purchase time on hot tubs have increased significantly within the last few years, mainly because of the ability to shop around and shop online. It doesnt help the current economical situation, neither. As an example, our office ladies have only sold three/four hot tubs this year,(could be associated with horrible sales skills, but I'm a service tech that's barely in the office ), compared to the usual 10-15 a couple of years ago. The consumer definitely has the upper hand here, and just like a dealership for cars, if you show the dealer that you won't be allowed to be stiffed, you'll most likely get a cheaper price. And I agree Matt87019, having worked on numerous hot tubs models, the only difference in some of them are name and fancy additions that aren't "necessary". And in defense of Dan.The.Spa.Man, our shop is of average size as compared to others in this area;however, because we keep high overhead in the form of a very detailed and broad inventory and well paid employees due to the high expectations, our prices ( I assume ) can't drop much because of 1 - our cost of hot tub and 2 - overhead of the shop or whatever shop you're buying from. Also, when making your decision, think of the warranty and how easily the shop will stand behind it... Shouldn't be much a case since whatever manufacturer of the tub pays for the parts.. you never know. I, however, always love working on a Hotspring's simply because any of them in their pearl color cannot be matched Stevenz1q, trying figure out what you are saying about a HS in Pearl, good or bad? Randy It's excellent. I just got a used Hotsprings sovereign in a gunite looking color with tile at the top for 900, and I'm still dreaming about the pearl shells they deliver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBoar Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 As a dealer in the motorsports business i find this topic very interesting. you guys dont have the discounting that I can see, and i have been shopping for a hot tub for the past 2 weeks. go online and see how cheap you can buy a Yamaha. I am willing to bet that your margins are higher than ours are to begin with. but.. on the interet you can find anything cheap if you look hard enough. What i hate are the customers who try to beat you up on price and arent even serious about buying.. I feel your plight....... How is your industry really... i have asked some of the dealers that i have shopped and they say it's good. But,, then i keep hearing about OEMs going out of business.. so i dont really believe it. I found a caldera geneva at a dealer for $5800, i didnt know anything about their spas but i had a hot springs spa before and apparenty this IS a good deal. I sure hope business comes back.......... have you guys lost financing sources? what percetage of your customers use financing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 If you are looking for your first hot tub, It should be mandatory that you buy a used spa, but NOT junk. Here's why... When I got my first tub It was 5 or 6 ft round and had 4 jets. I used it for about a year then I fed it chems. Then when I moved, I got a 8 ft round (free) it too had 4 jets. I Immediately put 4 more in. Even with more action, about a year, and I just fed it chems. Moved again, this time an 2000 Altamar fell in my lap. BIG difference! My point? my point... Oh yes, my point is there are three types of spa ppl. Ones that think they want a hot tub but that wears off and the tub sits. Ones that really want a tub and love it forever. And ones that need a tub (P.T. etc.) . You should buy a good quality USED tub and see if you still go in it after a year or so then re evaluate and see if you want the tub of your dreams. Cuz if you don't, you got a 5000 + or - dollar paper weight holding the concrete down. Can't stress that enough. Don't buy a spa with just jets as your first spa, you won't get the full spa experience. That "wet test" thing is kinda cool too. But I think thats more for a "see if it fits your body" type of thing. I may be wrong ( it happens). End ramble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBoar Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 I have had a spa for 11 years, we sold our house with the hot springs spa, it's the only one i have ever had. we shouldnt have sold it, we just fell onto this caldera,, are they good? it looks like they are highly regarded on this board........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubjeep Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 I can't remember which magazine I read it out of at work, but purchase time on hot tubs have increased significantly within the last few years, mainly because of the ability to shop around and shop online. The consumer definitely has the upper hand here. Absolutely, price transparency exists in most areas thanks to the internet. It sure does give the customer the upper hand, forums and other dealers (all over the country) can be researched for price and availability in a matter of minutes. Local stores have to bring their prices closer to internet ones to keep customers. They feel ...we should cut our prices, take loses, etc. for a luxury item for them to have it. People don’t wander into the market, the power company... expecting to haggle or get a deal. If they did, they would be escorted out. A luxury is just that, something you DON'T need, groceries and electricity are needs. Why not throw out a low-ball price to see if you can get it? I know it stinks, and I get it when selling something privately, some offers are downright INSULTING, but that is how many play the game. There is more than just a low price when buying something, but I fix nearly everything myself so dealer support is not nearly as important to me as it is to some, and no longer is a local dealer needed for parts, all can be had online. As a dealer in the motorsports business i find this topic very interesting. you guys dont have the discounting that I can see, and i have been shopping for a hot tub for the past 2 weeks. go online and see how cheap you can buy a Yamaha. I am willing to bet that your margins are higher than ours are to begin with. but.. on the interet you can find anything cheap if you look hard enough. What i hate are the customers who try to beat you up on price and aren't even serious about buying.. I have been looking around for Utility vehicles. Leaning towards the Kawasaki Mule diesel, I called many dealers and expected to hear some good numbers due to this economic slow down (new car sales down 50%), but they were not exceptional, most selling for $500 over their cost [so they say] (on a $10,500) unit, most who I spoke with said they make money on accessories and service. With such a small spread between dealer cost and selling price, I don't see any killer deals on these units, are there more in other power sports categories? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therooster Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Yes it is a good deal on the Altamar! Great Spa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spa sales rep Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 So I've been lurking around this forum for awhile as well as doing as much research as I possibly can on various spas... I've pretty much decided I'm a Sundance fan. I'm especially taken with the 880 Marin model. It fits my space and my lifestyle and has the features I'm most interested in. Trouble is, I'm in an area that has only one Sundance dealer, and they seem disinclined to offer any real incentive to purchase the spa. Based on searches I've done here, it seems most people have picked up the Marin for between $8,200 and $8,700 -- and this price includes a lot of extras, such as steps, cover lifter and the like. My dealer quoted $9,999 for the floor model Marin (includes stereo, but I don't care about that) with no extras beyond set-up and chemicals. Said he could go another 8% off the price if I pay cash (I will). That gets us down to around $9,200. Still pretty spendy when I compare the price to what others here have paid for the same model. I could do either the Marin or the Altamar and am in no hurry to purchase. Price is my main concern at this point, having narrowed down the selection of spa that works for me. I'm polite, I'm likeable... how come no deal for me? Thanks for any and all input, Raeven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macdahustla Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Hey Bigboar, I was until recently a Hotspring dealer in the UK, now D1, I can honestly say that the caldera geneva is one of the 3 best spas I have ever put my lardy backside into, a great powerful spa with good placement of jets and a decent depth to it as well, think you will come to enjoy it more than your HS Regards Mac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slyboogie23 Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 that price isnt to out of line. You said in your search that marins sell forr 8200-8800 dollars. Probably without stereos! I sell Sundance and we charge a $1000 upgrade for stereo. you would be close to the price your finding. I personally sell new ones cash price for 8000 without stereos. But I do charge +$200 for steps and lift. Well, everyone's advice was extremely helpful. Thanks to all. I did exactly what everyone recommended, and it's made a significant difference in my outcome. I thought I wanted the Marin until I wet tested (I know, I know, I should have already done that!) -- but turns out the Altamar is by far the better tub for me. The dealer has a floor model Altamar with no stereo. He quoted me $8,279 for this unit, which includes hydraulic cover lifter, installation, chemicals -- everything but steps. I think this is a fair price for the unit. I'm still mulling the purchase, but the dealer and I remain in contact and I feel sure we will work it all out soon. Again, I so appreciate everyone's advice. It really helps to go in armed with facts and a plan! All the best, Raeven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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