Thought On My New Spa

[darkproject2]

We have had our new spa for only approx 2 months so I still understand we are still in our honeymoon period but I though id write about of our whole experience. Im in Australia, so his refers to Aussie spas, not sure how relevant it will be.

First looks:

We already thought we warned a spa after seeing a cheap one ($5000 aus) at a hardware store and cheap imported spa on ebay, I really have always wanted a warranty with such a large investment like this, We already have a spa bath in our home which we never use. It takes 1.5 hours to fill and there is no heater. We have had an open space perfect for an outdoor spa since we moved in We talk a lot about it, we decided to finally go for it.

The dealers

I had done a fair bit of research on the next (inc this site) and though what I knew before actually seeing my first spa. In Australia, id have to say spa dealers are like used car salesman only worse (no offense meant to any sales ppl on this site), never had I gone to buy a product where and individual was prepared to not only write off another company, but the staff members working these, bizarre. I went to approx 11 dealers selling 4 different brands of spas, all seemed to want may business, all seemed to have better quality better equipped spas at a cheaper price than the competitors. The majority of them dealers seemed dodgy, nobody would allow us to wet test a spa unless it already had water, they could show us an already filled ‘similar’ model. WTF?

We finally decided on a spa with 2 lie-downs within our price (now I know that would have been a bad move). We decided to check out one last store which had then same spa, a family business, sales people seemed not too bright, but at least they seemed honest. To our shock the same spa, same brand was $1200 cheaper for a spa worth $7500, an amazing difference. We looked more at this show room and found an even bigger better spa model for less than the previous seller of the same brand and it was a local seller. Win, win you would think. The spa we bought is here -the series 1 (opal)

http://www.sapphirespas.com.au/models/flor...orida_range.htm

The purchase

The spa we looked at was $1500 cheaper (8500 for cash) than other stores, I talked him down another $300, we were then told 8 weeks until delivery. The display (never been used for wet tests) had the colour we wanted we could have it in 3 days and it had extras, we just didn’t know how much, the salesman said it had extra neck jets so, I also bargained and knocked another $150 off the price, so we got the spa delivered, installed with steps and chem. Pack for $8150.

The Spa.

The spa was delivered little did we know what we were getting. Being a display model of the series1, on top of standard the spa came with: 2necks jets, 2 shoulder jets, it also came with led lights with about 10 different colours (awesome). The real catcher is the fact that the spa has a second pump as well included instead of 1 standard pump. We got much more than we bargained for.

2 months on:

I know it is still early days, but believe this spa has the best of both worlds, it has its hydrotherapy, when by myself I will use one of four seats depending on my needs, it also has the party factor with the bench are you can actually fit 9 people quite easily. We are still using the spa about 3 times a week.

The Good:

- All the extras with a cheaper demo model

- The size, it has 7 seats including a lie down

- It has 4 great seats I always swap between plus a bench to squeeze more ppl in

- The feel of all the seats, they all offer different types of massage

- The light; I know it has no real function but I love having it on, I like to spa more a night because of it.

The Bad:

- A few very minor scratches form the demo model (with water, nobody can see)

- OZONE – the demo model did not have this, meaning more chemicals meaning more cost. Is it expensive to have ozone installed? Is it worth with if I don’t have a circ pump??

- When running the blower, the bubbles feel cool, is this normal?

- After sales service, even though I spent a fortune, the cover was missing 2 clips, the dealer tried to charge me $28 more replacement ones.

- Dealer and warranty servicing.

Thanks for reading, let me know you thoughts.

[Tom]

We have had our new spa for only approx 2 months

- OZONE – the demo model did not have this, meaning more chemicals meaning more cost. Is it expensive to have ozone installed? Is it worth with if I don’t have a circ pump??

- When running the blower, the bubbles feel cool, is this normal?

- After sales service, even though I spent a fortune, the cover was missing 2 clips, the dealer tried to charge me $28 more replacement ones.

- Dealer and warranty servicing.

Thanks for reading, let me know you thoughts.

Thank you for a clear and helpful report.

Ozone? Depends on model and your dealer.

Cool bubbles? Normal.

Dealer and warranty? You seemed to feel that the dealer was honest and helpful.

Best wishes for happy hot tubbing!

[Richs100]

Dark Project:

That is one great looking spa and spa setup! I didn't think I would like the look of a black tub, but yours looks great. Especially with the red (we call it the 'severed limb') tub light.

I remember that you posted some pics a while back. Your spa area really cleaned up nicely!

Good luck and happy tubbing!

Rich

[darkproject2]

Thank you for a clear and helpful report.

Ozone? Depends on model and your dealer.

Cool bubbles? Normal.

Dealer and warranty? You seemed to feel that the dealer was honest and helpful.

Best wishes for happy hot tubbing!

Hopefully I should be ok in terms of waranty, you hear about some shocking acses on this site, but you only ever hear the bad news, its rare that peole post if they get good service

[Ira]

Is it expensive to have ozone installed? Is it worth with if I don’t have a circ pump?

From what I have read: - If you are in a warm climate - without a circ pump - the ozanator would only come on when the heater is running - you really don't need a several hundred dollar(US) Ozanator. May need to use more waterline chemical.