1st Time Buyer In Ontario, Canada...

[rocky_1980]

Hello experts!

I have been searching the web for "hot tub reviews", etc. Without much luck. When I was looking to buy our big screen TV last year, there were dozen of sites that had customer reviews with pros/cons and honest info from owners, not just the dealers/manufactures. Hot tubs seem to be a "smoke & mirrors" type of industry.

I found this site and have been reading for hours (my eyes are killing me ;o). So many of you are in the "biz" and are very helpful for us looking for their 1st hot tub. I will be getting one this fall and I have been trying to stay around the $4-5k Cnd range. Been looking at used tubs (1-4 yrs old) and at the Costco tubs (which are scaring the hell out of me now with all of the info on these posts)

Any ways, Just wondering if any of the PROS on here are in Ontario and have any recommendations for a VALUE tub? And, if buying a USED tub (that brand new would normally be out of my price range) is a big no,no (risk and reward worth it?) Better to buy a brand new value tub or a used higher quality tub?

For example...I can get an Aruba Serenade (Costco tub I think from 2006?) for $4000 Cnd. There is a 2008 Jacuzzi J-365 I can get for $6,500 Cnd Both used tubs are mint and seem to be working 100%, cash with no tax. (checked them both out yesterday)

Thanks to any and all replies and keep up the great work!

Cheers,

Rocky

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

[Peteyboy]

I am a little biased, but I am a service tech and shoot from the hip.

I would check out HotSpring. They are a value because they are very reliable,very energy efficient, and have a great warranty.

Think about what it will cost to run the spa and figure that into any cost of a spa. It can make a big difference.

Also check out other top brands.

Definitely wet test if you can - the best thing you can do is find a spa that is reliable, energy efficient, a good warranty and most of all COMFORTABLE FOR YOU. All spas, and even different models in a companies line, feel different to different people.

Good Luck in your search and ask any other questions you may have in this forum. There are a great bunch of people in here willing to help.

[d1dennis2009]

Hello experts!

I have been searching the web for "hot tub reviews", etc. Without much luck. When I was looking to buy our big screen TV last year, there were dozen of sites that had customer reviews with pros/cons and honest info from owners, not just the dealers/manufactures. Hot tubs seem to be a "smoke & mirrors" type of industry.

I found this site and have been reading for hours (my eyes are killing me ;o). So many of you are in the "biz" and are very helpful for us looking for their 1st hot tub. I will be getting one this fall and I have been trying to stay around the $4-5k Cnd range. Been looking at used tubs (1-4 yrs old) and at the Costco tubs (which are scaring the hell out of me now with all of the info on these posts)

Any ways, Just wondering if any of the PROS on here are in Ontario and have any recommendations for a VALUE tub? And, if buying a USED tub (that brand new would normally be out of my price range) is a big no,no (risk and reward worth it?) Better to buy a brand new value tub or a used higher quality tub?

For example...I can get an Aruba Serenade (Costco tub I think from 2006?) for $4000 Cnd. There is a 2008 Jacuzzi J-365 I can get for $6,500 Cnd Both used tubs are mint and seem to be working 100%, cash with no tax. (checked them both out yesterday)

Thanks to any and all replies and keep up the great work!

Cheers,

Rocky

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

I would never consider a used tub without watching run for at least a week, and even then I would remember the warranty is likely not transferable. Ususally when it sounds too good to be true, it ususally is not all that good, at least in my experience. Have a look at D1 Spas in your area, if you would like I can put you in touch with someone to help you out.

Good Luck in the search,

Dennis

[make_shift]

I live in SW Ontario, buy an Arctic Spa or Hotsprings, I have a Hydropool, and they are ok too, but I know people have better luck with the others, make sure the water you put in is good also, I have really hard water, I have to get a tanker to bring water every 9-12 mths when I change water.

[rocky_1980]

Hello experts!

I have been searching the web for "hot tub reviews", etc. Without much luck. When I was looking to buy our big screen TV last year, there were dozen of sites that had customer reviews with pros/cons and honest info from owners, not just the dealers/manufactures. Hot tubs seem to be a "smoke & mirrors" type of industry.

I found this site and have been reading for hours (my eyes are killing me ;o). So many of you are in the "biz" and are very helpful for us looking for their 1st hot tub. I will be getting one this fall and I have been trying to stay around the $4-5k Cnd range. Been looking at used tubs (1-4 yrs old) and at the Costco tubs (which are scaring the hell out of me now with all of the info on these posts)

Any ways, Just wondering if any of the PROS on here are in Ontario and have any recommendations for a VALUE tub? And, if buying a USED tub (that brand new would normally be out of my price range) is a big no,no (risk and reward worth it?) Better to buy a brand new value tub or a used higher quality tub?

For example...I can get an Aruba Serenade (Costco tub I think from 2006?) for $4000 Cnd. There is a 2008 Jacuzzi J-365 I can get for $6,500 Cnd Both used tubs are mint and seem to be working 100%, cash with no tax. (checked them both out yesterday)

Thanks to any and all replies and keep up the great work!

Cheers,

Rocky

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

I would never consider a used tub without watching run for at least a week, and even then I would remember the warranty is likely not transferable. Ususally when it sounds too good to be true, it ususally is not all that good, at least in my experience. Have a look at D1 Spas in your area, if you would like I can put you in touch with someone to help you out.

Good Luck in the search,

Dennis

Thanks for the help so far...I was talking with the people selling their Jacuzzi J-365 again today and they are willing to let me have it for $6k Cdn all in. They are getting a divorce and they have had the tub less than a year. Comes with the cover/lifter/steps/vac/chemicals/etc. I have heard good things about Jacuzzi Tubs and from what I have been able to find online, that model sells in Canada for around $10k + tax brand new? Good deal? I know the warranty is not transferable...what do u think guys?

Thaks again for everything!

Rocky

Ontario, Canada

[shovelhd]

You should offer them no more than half of new, no matter how nice the tub is. You are going to have to move it, and any repairs are going to be on you. I paid $1800 for a 3 year old Jacuzzi that retailed for $7K. I would not buy a used tub without seeing it wet.

[mrfixit]

I am not familiar with the Jacuzzi, but there are aftermarket extended warranties available for a couple of hundred bucks. Or you can add another $2000 to that $6k and get a brand new high quality Bullfrog with a 5 year "Blame Free' bumper to bumper warranty. Mind you, the seating capacity will be 1 or 2 less, but do you really need to seat 6 or 7 people? Thats alot of tub to keep heated for only 1 or 2 people using it most of the time.

Personally, I would shy away from a used tub. How do you know it was winterized properly last winter? How do you know the chemicals were kept in the proper balance? Acidic spa water will very quickly deteriorate the jets and damage them. There could be hidden damage to plumbing... too many what if's for me.

[spatech (the unreal one)]

Thanks for the help so far...I was talking with the people selling their Jacuzzi J-365 again today and they are willing to let me have it for $6k Cdn all in. They are getting a divorce and they have had the tub less than a year. Comes with the cover/lifter/steps/vac/chemicals/etc. I have heard good things about Jacuzzi Tubs and from what I have been able to find online, that model sells in Canada for around $10k + tax brand new? Good deal? I know the warranty is not transferable...what do u think guys?

Thaks again for everything!

Rocky

Ontario, Canada

You can sometimes get decent deals on used spas but there is an obvious risk. You absolutely need to see them running before you even consider such a move and since there is no warranty you have to think about what you'll do if there are issues. Are you a handy person that will take on the diagnosing/repairs? When you are taking on $1.5 used spa its one thing but $6k is getting up there for a used one and if it has problems you may wish you had spent the extra for a new one. If you're a true DIYer then used can sometimes work out fine.

Whatver you do, remember that quality of build and components matters whether new or used so stick with a well thought of brand like Arctic, Artesian, Beachcomber, Caldera, D1, Hot Spring, Jacuzzi, Marquis or Sundance.

[rocky_1980]

Thanks for the help so far...I was talking with the people selling their Jacuzzi J-365 again today and they are willing to let me have it for $6k Cdn all in. They are getting a divorce and they have had the tub less than a year. Comes with the cover/lifter/steps/vac/chemicals/etc. I have heard good things about Jacuzzi Tubs and from what I have been able to find online, that model sells in Canada for around $10k + tax brand new? Good deal? I know the warranty is not transferable...what do u think guys?

Thaks again for everything!

Rocky

Ontario, Canada

You can sometimes get decent deals on used spas but there is an obvious risk. You absolutely need to see them running before you even consider such a move and since there is no warranty you have to think about what you'll do if there are issues. Are you a handy person that will take on the diagnosing/repairs? When you are taking on $1.5 used spa its one thing but $6k is getting up there for a used one and if it has problems you may wish you had spent the extra for a new one. If you're a true DIYer then used can sometimes work out fine.

Whatver you do, remember that quality of build and components matters whether new or used so stick with a well thought of brand like Arctic, Artesian, Beachcomber, Caldera, D1, Hot Spring, Jacuzzi, Marquis or Sundance.

Thanks everyone for you advice. The tub is still being used by them and I might stop by tonight after work and test it out to see how it feels. Is there something specific I should be checking for behind the panals besides leaks and dead bodies? ;o)

Cheers