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!

The beautiful Hot Spot Tempo is a luxurious 6-person hot tub suitable for any budget

East Texas Spa is pleased to announce the exciting new line up of affordable hot tubs from the world’s leading manufacturer of portable spas, Hot Spring Spas.

Hot Spot Spas were designed to give consumers a competitive alternative to the poor quality spas being sold online, at mass merchandisers, and at roadside shows.   For about the same money, you can own a beautiful, energy efficient, therapeutic Hot Spot Spa that comes with local service from an award-winning company that has done business in the ArkLaTex for over 25 years.

The Tempo and Relay are large spas that have all the features available from most other premium spa manufacturers: numerous jets, beautiful underwater lighting, a waterfall, stylish and comfortable seating along with being extremely energy efficient due to the unique insulation techniques inside the spa’s maintenance-free cabinet.

The Sprint and Dash are retro-styled hot tubs in the tradition of the original round wooden tubs which started the industry, yet have modern controls, jets, and cost-saving features.    If you’re looking for an “old school” hot tub with all the conveniences of a new model, take a look at these!

For those wanting a "retro" look with modern technologies, check out the Dash and Sprint

For those of you limited on space, you might want to consider one of the newly redesigned Solana SX or TX hot tubs.   The SX is a roomy spa perfect for a young family with small children while the TX is the most popular two-person spa on the planet.   Since they operate off of a 110V outlet, they are truly a “plug-and-play” hot tub!

Hot Spot Solana TX- A tub built for two!

Come in and take a look at these fantastic value spas at East Texas Spa in Tyler and Longview.