Thinking of buying a hot tub? Consumer Alert: Look but don’t buy at a home show or parking lot sale!

The Home Show is a great place to see the Vita Mix blenders, ginzu knives and peruse the seemingly hundreds of kitchen and bath remodeling booths.

But hold on to your wallet. Don’t get taken for a ride at the hot tub sales booths.

You won’t find the world’s No. 1 selling hot tub – Hot Spring Spas – or Olympic Hot Tub amid the fireplace inserts and storm windows because we think you deserve a better shopping and buying experience than you’ll get at a home show-any home show.

For one thing, the endless aisles are no place to make an informed decision about a relaxation investment of thousands of dollars to last for years to come. You need to make your decision in peace, and at Olympic we suggest you even schedule a consultation in your own back yard before you take delivery.

That’s not an offer you’ll hear from the hired guns at the hot tub booths.

The invitation to try out the tubs at the home show is going to mean a dry run – not that you’d want to strip down to swimsuits there anyway – when what you really need is a “wet test” before you buy. You need to feel the jets and make sure the water depth fits your height and the seating fits your body.

Sales reps at a home show will put on the pressure and close deals as fast as they can to earn their commission and keep your deposit. The claims and counterclaims for their products will boggle your mind. You are likely to hear that if you’re not going to buy today, they can’t help you because they work commission. (SO?!) They’ll try to sell you what’s on hand, and if your order something like a custom color it could take months for delivery, that is if you receive it at all!

Don’t fall for the “This price is only good right now!”  When the “home show” price says 50 percent off, chances are that’s their regular price you’re looking at. Frequently the home show price is even higher than the “regular price” . The sellers have to recoup the high cost of the booth and expenses….from you!

Even worse, the traveling show leaves with the show, and probably without a local showroom or anyone to answer questions, much less provide service after the sale.

That’s no way to buy a hot tub.

Take your time when buying a hot tub. Shop slowly and take along these 9 questions to get you started:

1.      Do you have a brick & mortar showroom in my local area where I can test soak the models I’m interested in?

2.      How long have you been in business? How long has the manufacturer been in business?

3.      Can you provide references and reviews about your hot tubs?

4.      Do you have energy costs for a 4-6-person hot tub used in our area four-five times a week for 30 minutes at a time (the average use period) that has been certified by an independent testing lab?

5.      What options do you have for water care that’s chlorine and bromine free?

6.       What about delivery? Is it driveway drop-off or full service to the exact spot where I want it?

7.      Do you do your own service or is it via a third party?

8.      Can give a copy of  the warranty for this hot tub?

9.      What’s your cancellation policy? Can I get a refund of my deposit if I change mind?

If you want more questions, we have more for you to download in the Ask Alice section on our website before you go enjoy some hot dogs and bad coffee at the home show.

Then come to an Olympic Hot Tub showroom for a free test soak, free backyard consultation, and pressure-free information about Hot Spring Spas, the world’s #1 selling hot tub. You won’t find that at any home show. See you soon!

Relax for Life™

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