My $5000.00 Caldera Tahitian

[ceejay642000]

Hi everybody,

This is my first post as a spa owner and lemme tell ya its a lot more fun posting as an owner than as a shopper I'm really thankful that I found this forum----I was completely lost until I came here so thank you all for your contributions.

I'll try to keep this brief. I made up my mind that I had to have a Caldera Spa, for all the same reasons that everybody else likes them so much. I'm a single man so I decided on the Tahitian, smaller tub but with the powerful features. But they wanted $8400.00 + tax and the guy refused to budge on the price. I gave up and just decided to bag it for the time being-----Anyway, I've always been a guy that tries to avoid buying something brand new if I can find it gently used for less money. For example, In the end of 2005 I bought my 1998 BMW 323 is, at that time a seven year old vehicle, with only 33,000 miles on it, for 12,000 bucks. I've always been lucky finding great deals, so I really believed somthing would turn up cheaper, and it did.

Just this last Monday, I went on Criagslist and there was the deal I had been waiting for. A lady was relocated here to Washington from Texas. She had a one year old Caldera Tahitian, made in 3rd quarter 2005, that wouldn't fit in her new residence. She and her husband had only used the tub 15 times and believe you me, it shows. My new gently used tub is in mint condition and it was only $5000.00 and zero tax.

Granted, there is a bit of difference between the new 2007 model and the one I bought but nothing that I'm going to fret about. Keep in mind that my Craigslist experience was not dumb luck. I have been going to that site 3 or 4 times a day, every day, for the last three months. I simply enter the word "Hot tub" in the keyword search and I wait and I wait.....finally it paid off.

So if you're like me and can't afford to spend a lot, but you want a top of the line tub, try out my method:

1) Come to this forum and read what brands and models are getting all the praise and kudos.

2) Go see and wet test those tubs in person at your local dealer.

3) then wait for your tub to turn up gently used at a killer deal.

I know, I know, no dealer support and the tub's warranty is not transferable-----But Caldera Spas and BMW's are quality products, so I'll just have to take that chance

Good luck and if something goes wrong with the tub, I'll eat crow and let ya know

Chris

P.S. If you're wondering how I got the tub moved here, I utilized the services of a guy who does nothing but move spas for a living. He charged me 325.00 and he did a great job. He was formerly a Caldera installer for the local dealer so not only did he deliver it, but he taught me how to use the spa, and the chemicals, just like they would have done had I bought it at the local dealer. So realistically, my total investment was $5325 for the spa if you figure in the delivery.

[soakerman]

That's a great feeling to get a great deal! Most spa movers will gladly give advice on set up, chems and maintenance. If they won' a dealer will! .You don't need to purchase a spa at the dealership where you purchase your chems so advice they will definately give! I can't ever think it is a good investment to spend more then five thousand for a spa, just seams a bad use of money when their is simply to much competition both used and new.

Hope all is mooth sailing in your new "used" spa!