Soak Not Stress: This Is Confusing Stuff

[Soak not stress!]

I have been reading the threads on this forum for a few hours today and have learned lots of information. My wife is saying you need to STOP and make a decision! We went to two dealers yesterday (CalSpa and Caldera) and they were both very helpful, but there is so much to learn it is confusing...

There seems to be enough dealers that post on this site that will tell me I am lazy and stupid and need to look at more options and the fact is that with 2 kids time is critical and going to more dealers will just complicate the process.

For Caldera, their book has 12 different tubs. They have some 2006 at "close out prices" and then 2007. We are having a hard enough time figuring out the best Caldera spa (for the price) much less do a comparison with CalSpas...the 20 question link was really helpful.

My question: if you had 4 hours to research and make a decision on which hot tub to get, how would you spend the 4 hours? How do I prevent getting screwed by either picking the wrong spa or not getting the best financial deal for the right spa?

Thanks for any help. For the purposes of this, let's leave Big Box options out of the discussion. The cost/benefit has been pretty well covered in the forum.

[waldorbigbill]

I know your feeling about being confusing. I don't care what anyone says the bottom line it to try one and wet test once you find the brand you like then worry about making sure everything is good insulation ect. Once you do that then go after pricing. I think to many people read in to stuff brand x is bad becase of or brand y is bad because. The less things that cloud your judgement the better. I not saying you shouldn't ask question you should ask plenty just find a few tubs you like before you start picking them apart.

Good Luck

Bill

[Soak not stress!]

I know your feeling about being confusing. I don't care what anyone says the bottom line it to try one and wet test once you find the brand you like then worry about making sure everything is good insulation ect. Once you do that then go after pricing. I think to many people read in to stuff brand x is bad becase of or brand y is bad because. The less things that cloud your judgement the better. I not saying you shouldn't ask question you should ask plenty just find a few tubs you like before you start picking them apart.

Good Luck

Bill

Thanks for the note, I read your previous posts and you seem to be entirely sensible. Based on your note I am going to try and wet test the Calderas that I liked best for the price offered(2006 Moorea for $6000 or Olympia )and hopefully confirm its as good as I expect... and then try and find one like at CalSpa that beats it in the next week or so...

My prejudice coming into this was and continues to be against going big box, but with a costco a mile from my house and with their liberal return policy it gets tempting...

[waldorbigbill]

Well I wish you luck what ever you do.I would look at it like buying a car take your time and don't feel rushed whats better to rush out and get one be soaking tomorrow then not be happy because something you don't like that you over looked in rush to buy it or wait look around take time and enjoy the spa for the next 10 to 15 years?No matter how we break it down a $3000 big store item or a $6000 Big boy tub its a lot of money for a toy. We buy them because we enjoy them and they are relaxing. You have trade off for both one is cheaper in cost the other you have dealer at your fingertips with items you might not find in the other but you are also paying lot more. Either way enjoy the spa let me know how you make out.

Thanks

Bill

[Trigger]

It is confusing. There are a lot of options, competeing brands, dealer info, and the fact these things aint cheap.

Idealy, shopping the major brands, wet testing, researching the product and taking your time is the best route, However, if I had to focus it down there are a few things:

Stick with a major brand, (you mentioned Caldera, they have a great reputation.). and reputable dealer. This is your best path.

Visit a few of the top names. Wet Test. Compare across brands.

Know your budget. Don't let Steroes, fany waterfalls, exspensive lights confuse the issue even more. You want Steps, Cover, Cover lifter, Delivery and solid advice and support.

Stay away from Internet dealers, Ebay, Side of the road tent sales, smaller local spa builders or "discounters". Avoid The Thema folks on TV.

Good luck. Don't buy just anything to "Get it over with". This is supposed to be fun, and if you choose a quality tub, it will be something that you will enjoy for many many years, as well as be part of your deck/yard/home.

:^)

[spatech (the unreal one)]

My question: if you had 4 hours to research and make a decision on which hot tub to get, how would you spend the 4 hours? How do I prevent getting screwed by either picking the wrong spa or not getting the best financial deal for the right spa?

There are MANY spa makers out there but not everyone feels inclinedis going to visit EVERY option in their area (assuming they have many to chose from) so you want to find your best options and see if it's a good dealer as a well as a good spa. Everyone's short list of the best spa makers is different but you'll often see a repeat of recommended brands like Caldera, D1, Hot Spring, Jacuzzi, Marquis and Sundance because they've gained a reputation for Quality and service. I always recommend going to the websites of the top spa makers to see who has a local dealer, visit 4 or 5 if you have that many within a half hour or so and wet test your couple favorites (preferably you'd test a couple spas in the store like a lounge version and a non-lounge version).

[Soak not stress!]

Thanks for the additional input this is helpful. People compare this to buying cars, but with cars there are so many online resources available; you can get a taste of pricing (new and used) on the web before going into the dealer. Not so in the spa world. Impossible for me to really see where the CalSpa Avalon at $7000 fits next to the Caldera Moorea at $6000 or the Tahitian for about $8000.

But, what you guys are saying is that wet testing should give me that answer. And then if I widen my search it will be easier for me to narrow down my options at the next dealers...and at that point try and cut the best possible $$ deal for the spa. I assume there is wiggle room in the pricing, but the CalSpa guy was saying this is the best price ever for the Avalon and their 2007 pricing is coming out in the next week or so. CalSpas does not get much play on this forum, so hard to speak to their overall brand credibility but where I sit the deal they offer today should also be available in a month.

Anyway, thanks for the positive and helpful words.

[spatech (the unreal one)]

I assume there is wiggle room in the pricing, but the CalSpa guy was saying this is the best price ever for the Avalon and their 2007 pricing is coming out in the next week or so. CalSpas does not get much play on this forum, so hard to speak to their overall brand credibility but where I sit the deal they offer today should also be available in a month.

Sometimes there is a lot of wiggle room, someimes a littel and sometimes they give a price that is truly a bargain. I can't tell you much about rpicing but if they won't budge much on the spa see what you can do to get the accessories you'll need close to or at cost to make the deal (a lifter is really a must to have IMO and extra chems beyond the starter kit can be had cheaply as a last minute deal maker often).

As far as that deal with cal, I agree that you should be able to get teh same dal a month from now so that's porbaly salesmanship which is not a knock ont hem, it's fairly common to see. I'm not a big Cal Sap fan but you can do your own research to determine who you want to deal with and this is really a 4 part deal;

1) choosing a quality spa,

2) getting it from a good dealer,

3) getting a fair deal,

4) picking the spa brand/model that fits/feels best for you and your family.

[Trigger]

Thanks for the additional input this is helpful. People compare this to buying cars, but with cars there are so many online resources available; you can get a taste of pricing (new and used) on the web before going into the dealer. Not so in the spa world. Impossible for me to really see where the CalSpa Avalon at $7000 fits next to the Caldera Moorea at $6000 or the Tahitian for about $8000.

But, what you guys are saying is that wet testing should give me that answer. And then if I widen my search it will be easier for me to narrow down my options at the next dealers...and at that point try and cut the best possible $$ deal for the spa. I assume there is wiggle room in the pricing, but the CalSpa guy was saying this is the best price ever for the Avalon and their 2007 pricing is coming out in the next week or so. CalSpas does not get much play on this forum, so hard to speak to their overall brand credibility but where I sit the deal they offer today should also be available in a month.

Anyway, thanks for the positive and helpful words.

I'm not a dealer, but the 07's are out. Is the Calspa salesman giving you one price on the Avlon (isn't that a series of tubs, not a model? Which Avlon are you looking at?) and tell ing you next week the price is going up?

Yea, Right. Don't for a second belive that.

The Moorea at 6K strikes me as a very good deal.

[Soak not stress!]

I'm not a dealer, but the 07's are out. Is the Calspa salesman giving you one price on the Avlon (isn't that a series of tubs, not a model? Which Avlon are you looking at?) and tell ing you next week the price is going up?

Yea, Right. Don't for a second belive that.

The Moorea at 6K strikes me as a very good deal.

Okay, so this may be laughable but the model that they are offering their best price ever is on their top of the line the A857L, which has 3 pumps compared to 2 on the others I was looking at. Being in sales, I listen hard to everything these guys say while trying to separate BS from fact. I asked him why he was jamming us into this model and forgoing all the others on the floor and the guy said that they sold 15 spas last week and 12 were this model because it was the best deal. He said 3 people had been on the fence and when they saw this price they came barreling through the door with check in hand! The BS meter did not flash and scream as much as I expected it to.

Question: CalSpa makes theirs to order so we were quoted 5 weeks. The Moorea is a left over 2006. Why would Caldera not make to order? If this were a floor model should I be concerned? Why would there still be 2006 models out there?

[Trigger]

Okay, so this may be laughable but the model that they are offering their best price ever is on their top of the line the A857L, which has 3 pumps compared to 2 on the others I was looking at. Being in sales, I listen hard to everything these guys say while trying to separate BS from fact. I asked him why he was jamming us into this model and forgoing all the others on the floor and the guy said that they sold 15 spas last week and 12 were this model because it was the best deal. He said 3 people had been on the fence and when they saw this price they came barreling through the door with check in hand! The BS meter did not flash and scream as much as I expected it to.

Question: CalSpa makes theirs to order so we were quoted 5 weeks. The Moorea is a left over 2006. Why would Caldera not make to order? If this were a floor model should I be concerned? Why would there still be 2006 models out there?

A floor model should be discounted. A concern? If it's been filled with water, and used as a demo, the filters should be changed, and these usually should be discounted. It's not uncommon for a dealer to sell floor models, and you can get a decent deal. But ensure it's in good shape, comes wiht full warrenty, and new filters. If it's just an unused floor model, check for scraps, and such. I'm sure some folks have climbed in and "dry tested it"

A 2006 left over this late in the year is unusual, but not unheard of. Some dealers don't move as much as they'd hope. I've heard spa sales are down. As a consumer, I'd consider myslef lucky to have an option of buying a left over.

That being said. This cal dealer sounds like a huslter. He moveed 12 of Avalons last week, because of the price? That's sounds very high..... Better buy it now! gimme a break. The more you talk about him, the more he sounds like he should be selling cars. . I'd be warry of him. This cal dealer sounds like a fast talker. Oh yea, don't forget the price is going up next week..... riiiiiiight.

[spatech (the unreal one)]

Question: CalSpa makes theirs to order so we were quoted 5 weeks. The Moorea is a left over 2006. Why would Caldera not make to order? If this were a floor model should I be concerned? Why would there still be 2006 models out there?

Caldera certainly makes to order as well (all the major makers do) with the exception being the floor models of course and occasionally there may be a canceled order (not too often).

Floor models are generally cleared out March/April. It's not much of a surprise that they have a few left (I'd imagine they probably have moved many/most but it's not atypical at all to see a few left early April). As far as floor models go, make sure the warranty is still fully in tact (should not be an issue but ask for clarity). In general, there is no reason to shy away from floor models, especially if you get a better deal because of it. Some dealers don't discount their dry floor models too much because they reason (and correctly IMO) that they are really not appreciably different than the same spa wrapped in the warehouse but who wouldn't prefer one still in the wrapper so they have to drop it a couple hundred bucks but as long as it looks as good as new, comes at a good price and has a full warranty its a good way to go.