As a result of the current economic meltdown, some crafty opportunists have risen from the muck to try and create a quick financial windfall for themselves by various methods which appeal to consumers’ innate desire to find a “bargain”.  I am referring to the internet-based “factory direct” dealers as well as the traveling “tent sale” spa/expo operations.  Here is some useful information that savvy spa shoppers need to know about WHO and WHAT they will be up against.

With so many hot tub manufacturers having filed bankruptcy the past couple of years, there is a glut of spa inventory that is being purchased for pennies on the dollar by enterprising internet resellers.  These spas are being advertised online with artificially inflated Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) and then being slashed up to 50% or more off the list price.  The slick marketing campaign touts these spas as being “factory direct” and are being sold at “substantial savings due to the elimination of the middle-man”.

What is not being presented online is that these spas are coming from companies that no longer have a factory, have no warranty reimbursement program, and have no customer service department.   There is no reduction in cost because the online retailer IS the middleman, and these spas are being sold for the same price they have always been, typically $2,500-6,000.  They are almost universally poor in quality (which is the primary reason the company folded to begin with) and rarely make it to the 5 year ownership mark before becoming landfill.

Poor Quality Spa Purchased off the Internet for $6,000 and Ready for the Junkyard After 6 Months

The other marketing method on the upswing is the roadside tent sales and expos.  These have been around for several years and you have probably seen them advertised heavily on television and radio when they are passing through your area.  The routine is that they are touted as a chance for consumers to shop several different brands under one roof and most consumers assume that this means “several different MANUFACTURERS”.  The reality is that it is a single manufacturer that makes several different brands of spas and they use their product lines to sell off of one another.  In other words, whichever spa you purchase at these expos, the money gets funneled to the same pocket.  High pressure, professional salespeople are hired to operate these tent sales and use every method at their disposal to close the deal fast and at the highest profit margin since they work on a commission-basis.

There is generally nothing wrong with that as it is capitalism at work, however, there is a long list of complaints with the Better Business Bureau, Ripoff Reports, and other consumer-protection organizations regarding these outfits over the years.  Many customers complain that they paid for the product in full and then either never received their hot tub or a different spa was delivered than what they ordered (bait and switch).

Another major complaint from people that purchase at these events is that they are promised by their salesperson that they have made arrangements with a local spa dealer to take care of any service needs they might encounter.  Of course, this is absolutely not true and there is nothing more frustrating for a customer that has spent a large sum of money on a product only to find out that the local spa dealer will not service their hot tub.  Several television reports and newspaper articles are available online detailing these types of events that have left a stain on the pool and spa industry’s remaining reputable organizations.

Please be aware that when you are shopping for a new hot tub or portable spa, there are those out there who operate in the dark gray area of business ethics.  Their methods are used in convincing unsuspecting consumers that they are offering quality products at below normal costs.  A con man’s greatest tool that he has is to exploit a person’s sincere desire to find a great deal.

There are some great spa manufacturers and dealers still offering excellent spas and customer service.  These companies are willing to go above and beyond to keep their customers happy, so please give them a good look while you are shopping.

All of us are consumers in some respect and everyone is looking for a great deal…just make sure that the deal is legitimate by doing your homework so that you don’t end up making a deal that gives you years of regret instead of years of enjoyment.  THAT is not the kind of hot water anyone wants!