Hot Tub Advice

[jne]

So I accidentally promised my wife a hot tub.  Any and all advice is welcome - good dealers, good values, features, considerations.  I don't need any fancy fountain shows and lights or anything.

[Hoss]

So I accidentally promised my wife a hot tub.  Any and all advice is welcome - good dealers, good values, features, considerations.  I don't need any fancy fountain shows and lights or anything.

Lucid moment or a little imbibement?   

Sorry, couldn't resist...

I love the term 'accidentally' in this context.  I remember married life...

[Noodlez]

[cannon_fodder]

My parents have a SoftSide hot tub and with a deck built up around it and LOVE it.   The in-ground ones are more trouble than they are worth, according to several people I know that have them.  And my in-laws purchased a used hot tub for a bargain and with a little work have it as good as new.

Personally, my only advice is invite me.   

[sgrizzle]

Softside won't get you near the number of jets and it's harder to keep warm.

Try wholesale hottubs or one of those places. Markups at the big chains is ridiculous. Home and Garden shows are a great place to browse and they give good deals since they have to haul it out of the building anyway, might as well haul it to you.

[PepePeru]

the fair?

[Conan71]

Don't pay until it's installed.  Customers of Leisure World got hosed, it sounds like.

[jne]

I checked out Leisure World a while back and the prices were outrageous - there was no chance I was giving those salesmen my $s - it was only a couple of weeks later I heard about them shutting down and leaving their customers hanging.  I've been to the Wholesale Hot Tubs place and thought they had some reasonable options and easy going sales, but again, I don't know much about these damn things and don't know anyone who has experience with Wholesale Hot Tubs - they have been around a while...  I was very intrigued by soft sided options since the concrete pad this thing will likely land on was my hope for a screened porch (possibly a next summer project), but the Internets told me that they lose heat quickly. Used is an option I am definitely considering, but I'd probably wany to find a company to move the thing if I find a deal on one.

[OpenYourEyesTulsa]

I sold my hot tub on eBay.  You can check there for good used ones.  You can quiz the seller and if they know a lot about it they probably kept it clean and running good.  If it is a big one like more than 4 person, you will want a professional hot tub mover to help you.  Fiesta Pools and Spas can refer you to the guy I used when I sold mine.  If you get a small 2 person tub you can plug it in a regular outlet.  If you get a bigger model, you have to pay an electrician to install dedicated power.  That costs like $400 but if you buy one used on eBay, ask the seller to throw in their power box with the breakers in it and you will save a lot of money.

If you have a home warranty, you can add a hot tub for a small monthly charge.  Some newer hot tubs may still be under the 5 year manufacturer warranty but you have to check to see if the warranty is transferable.

[jne]

I sold my hot tub on eBay.  You can check there for good used ones.  You can quiz the seller and if they know a lot about it they probably kept it clean and running good.  If it is a big one like more than 4 person, you will want a professional hot tub mover to help you.  Fiesta Pools and Spas can refer you to the guy I used when I sold mine.  If you get a small 2 person tub you can plug it in a regular outlet.  If you get a bigger model, you have to pay an electrician to install dedicated power.  That costs like $400 but if you buy one used on eBay, ask the seller to throw in their power box with the breakers in it and you will save a lot of money.

If you have a home warranty, you can add a hot tub for a small monthly charge.  Some newer hot tubs may still be under the 5 year manufacturer warranty but you have to check to see if the warranty is transferable.

Thats helpful.  I'm probably looking at a 4 person sized tub, but if I buy one that I'm responsible for moving, I would rather pay someone with insurance and/or experience to move it for me.  I actually have an old unused 220 line running along the outside of my house right where it needs to go.  I'm hoping I can save a little cash by getting the dedicated breaker installed right there and run it to the tub from the wall. 

[RecycleMichael]

How many Californians does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

None. Californians screw in hot tubs.

[Red Arrow]

How many Californians does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

None. Californians screw in hot tubs.

Big threads in the ground? How do they keep from breaking the pipes? 

[AVERAGE JOE]

Ask this guy 

[wildgoose]

Wholesale Hottubs is at 16th and Memorial.  A friend of mine bought a brand new custom built tub from them and it was about 40% cheaper than most of the local stores.  They also fix up and resell older tubs. 

When I had a hottub this forum was where I learned how to do just about everything.

http://www.rhtubs.com/spa-forum.htm

Good Luck.

[Conan71]

Where the hell is Sauerkraut with one of his recommendations from Google Street View?