lree32 Posted August 14, 2009 Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 Just found this forum after I saw the Evolution Mediterranean listed in a Costco ad for $3,499 and started reading on. Wow! If not Evolution (and I know price is an issue for many folks) what other brands would be recommended? I know nothing about physics, materials, construction etc. I'm just a common person looking for a good tub. Does anyone have any feedback on Saratoga Spa's? I'm in CT and one of my local dealers sells them. They are manufactured in upstate NY. I'm looking for a middle of the road tub for 4 to 6 adults for therapy and relaxation. Most important is reliability to me. The Costco price and return policy is tempting, but I don't want to constantly have to have it repaired and taking it back for full refund sounds great, but in reality who the heck wants to do that??!! What a hassle! So if any tech's out there can give me a list of reliable functioning tubs that will last, I would greatly appreciate it. I would like to spend no more than $8k complete package incl installation, cover, steps etc. Thank you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peteyboy Posted August 14, 2009 Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 I would recommend HotSpring. If your looking for reliability they are at the top. They have excellent energy efficiency (this can counteract a lower price spa), they are very solid structurally and they have a great warranty. I've been servicing them for a long time and in my opinion you can't find one with a lower failure rate. A majority of the spas I service are from a lack of maintenance, which is easy to do. The most important thing to consider is the comfort and how the jets feel TO YOU. Wet test different spas if you can - this is the best way to distinguish the differences. At least sit in them dry to see how the seats feel. HotSpring has always been geared toward therapy. Good Luck !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spatech (the unreal one) Posted August 14, 2009 Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 Just found this forum after I saw the Evolution Mediterranean listed in a Costco ad for $3,499 and started reading on. Wow! If not Evolution (and I know price is an issue for many folks) what other brands would be recommended? I know nothing about physics, materials, construction etc. I'm just a common person looking for a good tub. Does anyone have any feedback on Saratoga Spa's? I'm in CT and one of my local dealers sells them. They are manufactured in upstate NY. I'm looking for a middle of the road tub for 4 to 6 adults for therapy and relaxation. Most important is reliability to me. The Costco price and return policy is tempting, but I don't want to constantly have to have it repaired and taking it back for full refund sounds great, but in reality who the heck wants to do that??!! What a hassle! So if any tech's out there can give me a list of reliable functioning tubs that will last, I would greatly appreciate it. I would like to spend no more than $8k complete package incl installation, cover, steps etc. Thank you!! Before I would ever consider one of the Costco tubs I would look at Arctic, Artesian, Beachcomber, Caldera, D1, Hot Spring, Jacuzzi, Marquis and Sundance (and Saratoga). All of those make premium spas but they also have mid priced spa lines which take away some of the bells/whistles to make a better price point. Don't be blinded by a price tag; never sacrifice quality for price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerimiahR Posted August 14, 2009 Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 I'd warn you away from buying a hot tub from Costco. Seriously consider buying something through local dealer. You'll get much better support over the years, and end up with a much higher quality product. There are really only two bonuses for buying a spa at Costco. They are cheap, and you can physically return them. From my experience with our local Costco, and customers, Costco has a pretty high rate of return for hot tubs. I'd strongly suggest Hot Spring, as that's the brand I sell, and know it pretty well. Fantastic product, and the manufacturer is amazing as far as I'm concerned. Extremely easy to work with them. Caldera & Sundance are also good brands to take a look at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lree32 Posted August 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 I'd warn you away from buying a hot tub from Costco. Seriously consider buying something through local dealer. You'll get much better support over the years, and end up with a much higher quality product. There are really only two bonuses for buying a spa at Costco. They are cheap, and you can physically return them. From my experience with our local Costco, and customers, Costco has a pretty high rate of return for hot tubs. I'd strongly suggest Hot Spring, as that's the brand I sell, and know it pretty well. Fantastic product, and the manufacturer is amazing as far as I'm concerned. Extremely easy to work with them. Caldera & Sundance are also good brands to take a look at. Thank you all for your replies! Is Saratoga then a good product? I have two Hotspring recc's here, but the Saratoga dealer is close by and a friend of my neighbor. The Hotspring dealer is about a 40 min away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n1oty Posted August 14, 2009 Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 I'd warn you away from buying a hot tub from Costco. Seriously consider buying something through local dealer. You'll get much better support over the years, and end up with a much higher quality product. There are really only two bonuses for buying a spa at Costco. They are cheap, and you can physically return them. From my experience with our local Costco, and customers, Costco has a pretty high rate of return for hot tubs. I'd strongly suggest Hot Spring, as that's the brand I sell, and know it pretty well. Fantastic product, and the manufacturer is amazing as far as I'm concerned. Extremely easy to work with them. Caldera & Sundance are also good brands to take a look at. Thank you all for your replies! Is Saratoga then a good product? I have two Hotspring recc's here, but the Saratoga dealer is close by and a friend of my neighbor. The Hotspring dealer is about a 40 min away. The Saratoga's are very good, especially those in the upper half of the line-up with the M-Class control box. The tubs are well constructed and well insulated. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lree32 Posted August 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 I'd warn you away from buying a hot tub from Costco. Seriously consider buying something through local dealer. You'll get much better support over the years, and end up with a much higher quality product. There are really only two bonuses for buying a spa at Costco. They are cheap, and you can physically return them. From my experience with our local Costco, and customers, Costco has a pretty high rate of return for hot tubs. I'd strongly suggest Hot Spring, as that's the brand I sell, and know it pretty well. Fantastic product, and the manufacturer is amazing as far as I'm concerned. Extremely easy to work with them. Caldera & Sundance are also good brands to take a look at. Thank you all for your replies! Is Saratoga then a good product? I have two Hotspring recc's here, but the Saratoga dealer is close by and a friend of my neighbor. The Hotspring dealer is about a 40 min away. The Saratoga's are very good, especially those in the upper half of the line-up with the M-Class control box. The tubs are well constructed and well insulated. John Thanks John! I'm looking at the Saratoga Grand and Canfield models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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