The dream of owning a garden spa, a personal hot spring, is a tempting one. However, the reality of spa retail can be less than tranquil. Together lets go through the potential perils of buying at lifestyle sales versus staying with a local business.
Dealer Dilemma: A Tale of Two Businesses
Let's dive into the pros and cons of buying a hot tub from a lifestyle show versus buying from a local dealer.
With any high ticket item, prices seem to dance a merry jig, varying wildly from dealer to dealer. As with any small business, owners are in control of mark-up and business overhead costs vary from place to place. Though, brands themselves set the RRP, the high and low bar of what a product can be sold for, to create some continuity between all dealers.
You can experience two distinct flavours of salesmanship: a small local business, the depth of their expertise knows no bounds, and they are willing to share that knowledge. These dealers tend to treat others as they’d like to be treated, and are too small to afford to treat customers badly and risk bad reviews on show. Another flavour is the show dealers, found amongst sprawling garden shows with deep price cuts, often as much as 20% but, guess which dealer boasts in-house technicians and a sterling reputation for service? Hint: It’s not a travelling show!
When looking for stellar aftercare, you may choose the local dealer. For convenience, for quality, or for rapport reasons. When wanting a quick deal you must be willing to sacrifice your aftercare support.
The "Big Box" Mirage: A Cautionary Tale
Let’s look at another hot tub sale aftercare nightmare. The allure of a spa from a big-box store, with prices seemingly slashed by 30-70%, can be strong. Buyers beware, these mail-order marvels often come with warranties as thin as a summer breeze, and the brands themselves may be shrouded in a veil of multiple names, obscuring less-than-stellar reviews. You may think you’re getting a great deal with a “sale” on (is a perpetual sale still considered a sale?) but the reality is just a worse product for your money. Big box stores aren't the only culprits here, giant warehouses with heavy online presence can also fit the bill.
The construction of these budget spas can be economical at best. Thin spray foam insulation and cavernous voids between the shell and cabinet walls translate to energy inefficiency. Comparing a poorly insulated budget tub to a high R-rating insulated Hydropool, reveals a stark difference in operating costs. (Think £100 per month versus £30 in the winter.) Don’t even get us started on inflatable lay-z spas. Yes, they make owning the dream of a garden oasis achievable, but ongoing costs (energy mostly) will end up costing as much as a Hydropool 4300 after a few years.
Big-box and "megastore" construction standards are often questionable. And the absence of a local dealer for post-purchase support can leave you adrift in a sea of technical jargon. Without a professional on stand-by, you are left to sift through the online abyss looking for your own spare parts when issues (likely) arise.
Big box stores and hot tub warehouses often suffer from the same issues - trying to sell cheap spas at low prices as fast as possible - leaving no cause for aftercare. Both are often in the business to make money fast, with no thought to investing in servicing or repairs in the coming years. The used car salesman approach to the spa industry - high volume, low quality, quick deals.
We’ve been contacted by more than a few hot tub owners that have purchased a cheap spa from a warehouse such as this, only to find 1-2 years later that they’re now out of business, nowhere to be found and the owner is left with an off-brand spa, high and dry for parts, repairs, and servicing.
Proceed with Caution, and a Budget
If your budget allows, opt for an entry-level spa from a reputable brand and a long-established local dealer. Above all, remember that a well-maintained spa, filled, running, and properly chemically balanced is a happy spa.
In this industry, a little skepticism and a lot of research can go a long way in ensuring your journey to hydrotherapy bliss is a smooth one. Afterall, spas are large appliances, requiring ongoing maintenance and expert service. That's where the local dealer, with their knowledge of spa construction and local water conditions, becomes indispensable. If you are on the hunt for a quality hot tub, get in touch with us!
