Is Anyone Familiar With Premium Leisure Spas?

[Fife]

Hi...I am looking at model LE 852 which has a lot of features but I am concerned about the quality because the cost seemed low compared to Dimension One. Has Premium leisure been around a while and are they reliable. Apparently the warranty is a 2 year parts and labor...non prorated.

Thank you all for your feedback.

[Dr. Spa]

Premium Leisure was virtually unheard of until Hydro Spas went out of business last year (or the year before). There's many rumors, beliefs and stories going around, from they're simply Hydro Spas restarted after their bankruptcy under a different name to they've been around for X number of years, to who's know what... As I started, they were virtually unheard of until Hydro Spas went out of business recently.

[hot_water]

Premium Leisure was virtually unheard of until Hydro Spas went out of business last year (or the year before). There's many rumors, beliefs and stories going around, from they're simply Hydro Spas restarted after their bankruptcy under a different name to they've been around for X number of years, to who's know what... As I started, they were virtually unheard of until Hydro Spas went out of business recently.

I agree. I'm under the impression that it's fairly strongly related to the old Hydrospa. The spas look very similar.

I had a Hydro and it was a great performer with good basic parts, , but mediocre at best in the build quality department. The perimeter insulation scheme was ok for me (in CA) but had a massive air leak that would no doubt result in high energy use in cold regions... but easily modify-able to seal it up and improve it a lot.

One rumor is that the owners or some of the owners of Premium Leisure are the same people that had an interest in Hydrospa. I don't know if that's true, but if it is, then I think they may have done dirty on many Hydro customers, leaving them without warranty support. They sold 3 models exclusively through Costco (Platinum, Platinum II and Platinum III Legend) over three years and *Costco* did step up and contract with another company to provide warranty support for their members. I'm not aware of anything good happening for the non-Costco Hydrospa customers.

Again, this is all a rumor. If true, I personally wouldn't buy one, no matter what.... even though my Hydro gave no trouble. Something to look into, I suppose.

There is a forum member here, user name avasicek, that I believe is or was associated with both Hydrospa and possibly Premium Leisure. He might be able to comment. Haven't seen him post in a while , though.

[avasicek]

Im still around lurking, just dont get the time to post or keep up like I used to. Even though I am not in sales, I clearly work for the company, so my opinion wont really carry the weight an actual shopper wants to hear. Its expected in any industry that I am simply towing the party line, so I do not generally chime in much when I am around, unless its a general type question that nobody seems to be looking at (regardless of brand). My duties keep me busy elsewhere these days as my role has changed quite a bit. In the early days of Premium Leisure, having just purchased the assets of Hydro Spa, its natural that the spas looked similar. They were after all, the same molds. Shortly after we hit the ground running, is when the changes started happening. The spas slowly evolved, they got plumbed different, then equipment was changed, while they looked the same on the outside, under the hood they were different animals all together. Quality rose, service calls dropped through the floor, and to keep me from being a sad, bored, service manager, my efforts were pointed towards other projects.

The Leisure's Edge line...Not sure how anyone can say they look similar to anything past or present in this industry, let alone a Hydro Spa unit. A sports car maybe, spaceship even. There isnt a straight line on these spas. Seats contoured to the body designed for comfort. Its a complete change in philosophy if one does insist we are Hydro with a new name, right down to the last detail. Its about comfort and power, not jet count. Its about looks, fit, finish, and styling. Its not our top end, its not our bottom either, but in my opinion can stand toe to toe with near any. Its about taking a step back, actually listening to what both dealers and end consumers actually want in a hot tub. Its purpose built to sit exactly where we have it placed in the market. Been doing this line of work quite some time now, seen spas and spa companies come and go, and never have I seen a product where the marketing didnt do it justice. The actual in the flesh product looked better than the marketing pictures. (For as simple as the system is, the waterfall is one of the coolest things I have seen on a spa in many, many years, it just doesnt photograph and do it justice.)

To continue beating the poor horse, its just one more of the many ways its a different company. A line of spas designed with a computer, not a guy carving out a plug from foam by hand for 6-months and $50k plus per mold, that looks like the last one they spent a year carving. A spa that doesnt look like the same cookie cutter unit near every company produces. Ive said it before, and really hate to sound like I am harping, but again for the record; We sell to dealers only, no mass merchant. In the time we have been around, the total number of spas produced and all while dealing with and overcoming the very issues in this very thread (not to mention the wonderful economy and winter that would never end...) and still nearly no negative posts left and right, should tell everyone loud and clear I am not coming out of left field. Used to be, couldnt go a few days without a good ole company bashing.

In the end, I really have to differ to the logic and resounding, thread after thread, message present on this board. If you like the product. If you like the dealer. If you are satisfied with the seating, pressure, equipment, warranty, service the dealer will offer, if the price is right, etc. If after all of those points and research, you are confident its the right deal, then you have done what you can to self educate. If you are on the fence, I would suggest taking it one step further. Call the factory. If you are in the area, stop by the factory. This is honestly one of the most companies I have ever worked for. Ive made the offer to anyone who reads these boards, I am not in sales, but I will personally and very very happily, take the time to show what makes these spas different. Offer is still open to anyone, consumer, professional, and skeptics here alike.

They have me that excited and I am that confident. I personally put my hands on as many spas in a day as possible, checking every fitting, clamp, union, underwater light seal, pack settings, computer testing results and work hand in hand with one of the best engineering teams I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I dont see many others here that can say the same, and that honestly astounds me.

The new Leisure's Edge line has been on display at several shows, and been received well. If there isnt a major show in your area, the line-up is on display online. Love my posts or hate them, the spas are worth the look. Again, like I said, not a salesman. Not going to harp features, compare it to or bash a fellow manufacturer, I think these new spas can stand on their own merits. Sit in one, test one, weigh the dealer selling the Leisure's Edge vs. the other brands being shopped, and make the decision that is right for your family and lifestyle. In the end, if you are happy with your purchase, then nobody can tell you otherwise. Its not near as hard as some make the process out to be.

AV

[Fife]

Thank you so much avasicek and also hot_water for your responses.

I saw the LE 850 at a home show this weekend in NJ. The dealer is a warehouse seller in NJ. He does not service, so my last question probably is: Does Premium Leisure have independent servicer's in NJ. Would I simply call Premium Leisure's main number if I had a service issue?

Thanks again,

fife

Im still around lurking, just dont get the time to post or keep up like I used to. Even though I am not in sales, I clearly work for the company, so my opinion wont really carry the weight an actual shopper wants to hear. Its expected in any industry that I am simply towing the party line, so I do not generally chime in much when I am around, unless its a general type question that nobody seems to be looking at (regardless of brand). My duties keep me busy elsewhere these days as my role has changed quite a bit. In the early days of Premium Leisure, having just purchased the assets of Hydro Spa, its natural that the spas looked similar. They were after all, the same molds. Shortly after we hit the ground running, is when the changes started happening. The spas slowly evolved, they got plumbed different, then equipment was changed, while they looked the same on the outside, under the hood they were different animals all together. Quality rose, service calls dropped through the floor, and to keep me from being a sad, bored, service manager, my efforts were pointed towards other projects.

The Leisure's Edge line...Not sure how anyone can say they look similar to anything past or present in this industry, let alone a Hydro Spa unit. A sports car maybe, spaceship even. There isnt a straight line on these spas. Seats contoured to the body designed for comfort. Its a complete change in philosophy if one does insist we are Hydro with a new name, right down to the last detail. Its about comfort and power, not jet count. Its about looks, fit, finish, and styling. Its not our top end, its not our bottom either, but in my opinion can stand toe to toe with near any. Its about taking a step back, actually listening to what both dealers and end consumers actually want in a hot tub. Its purpose built to sit exactly where we have it placed in the market. Been doing this line of work quite some time now, seen spas and spa companies come and go, and never have I seen a product where the marketing didnt do it justice. The actual in the flesh product looked better than the marketing pictures. (For as simple as the system is, the waterfall is one of the coolest things I have seen on a spa in many, many years, it just doesnt photograph and do it justice.)

To continue beating the poor horse, its just one more of the many ways its a different company. A line of spas designed with a computer, not a guy carving out a plug from foam by hand for 6-months and $50k plus per mold, that looks like the last one they spent a year carving. A spa that doesnt look like the same cookie cutter unit near every company produces. Ive said it before, and really hate to sound like I am harping, but again for the record; We sell to dealers only, no mass merchant. In the time we have been around, the total number of spas produced and all while dealing with and overcoming the very issues in this very thread (not to mention the wonderful economy and winter that would never end...) and still nearly no negative posts left and right, should tell everyone loud and clear I am not coming out of left field. Used to be, couldnt go a few days without a good ole company bashing.

In the end, I really have to differ to the logic and resounding, thread after thread, message present on this board. If you like the product. If you like the dealer. If you are satisfied with the seating, pressure, equipment, warranty, service the dealer will offer, if the price is right, etc. If after all of those points and research, you are confident its the right deal, then you have done what you can to self educate. If you are on the fence, I would suggest taking it one step further. Call the factory. If you are in the area, stop by the factory. This is honestly one of the most companies I have ever worked for. Ive made the offer to anyone who reads these boards, I am not in sales, but I will personally and very very happily, take the time to show what makes these spas different. Offer is still open to anyone, consumer, professional, and skeptics here alike.

They have me that excited and I am that confident. I personally put my hands on as many spas in a day as possible, checking every fitting, clamp, union, underwater light seal, pack settings, computer testing results and work hand in hand with one of the best engineering teams I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I dont see many others here that can say the same, and that honestly astounds me.

The new Leisure's Edge line has been on display at several shows, and been received well. If there isnt a major show in your area, the line-up is on display online. Love my posts or hate them, the spas are worth the look. Again, like I said, not a salesman. Not going to harp features, compare it to or bash a fellow manufacturer, I think these new spas can stand on their own merits. Sit in one, test one, weigh the dealer selling the Leisure's Edge vs. the other brands being shopped, and make the decision that is right for your family and lifestyle. In the end, if you are happy with your purchase, then nobody can tell you otherwise. Its not near as hard as some make the process out to be.

AV

[avasicek]

Yes, in the event the dealer is unable to service for whatever reason (life happens), my group will coordinate all service. Its fairly rare though, most are required to service or have their own preferred tech, just that my office issues the work orders to keep the service history and paperwork straight. Generally though your dealer will always be your first point of contact regardless of who arranges what.

[spatech (the unreal one)]

Yes, in the event the dealer is unable to service for whatever reason (life happens), my group will coordinate all service. Its fairly rare though, most are required to service or have their own preferred tech, just that my office issues the work orders to keep the service history and paperwork straight. Generally though your dealer will always be your first point of contact regardless of who arranges what.

I'd want to call my dealer and know someone is coming out, whether its the tech who has a desk/work area in the back of his shop or whether the dealer is coordinating a capable/trained local tech isn't usually a bid deal. Sometimes a dealer uses a local tech that they coordinate with and that's fine because in essence the tech is working through them. If they are leaving it to you to contact the manufacturer to find a local tech and taking a "hands off" approach to the issues and solutions then I think that is second rate and a bad sign.

[bizdoc]

Fife:

I can't comment on the latest model, but I have owned a Premium Leisure Lexxus for 18 months. Less than a month after I bought it from a local dealer, the dealer went out of business. After about 4 months, I noticed some blisters on the shell in one corner. I contacted Premium Leisure and we began some discussions about a warranty replacement. Although they would replace the spa, the shipping and removal/reinstall costs would be mine. We settled on a fully covered repair to the shell, which is invisible a year later. The mechanicals have been fine and we are very happy with the spa, and it was much less than any comparable ones from other area dealers. Tech support was very good about handling the issue and arranging the service. The acrylic repair guy was a specialist who came from VT to CT to do the repair--and did a great job.

Bottom line on my experience--great value, great manufacturers service and happy customers!