Ready to get started? Here are the top 5 hot tub buying mistakes to avoid.

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2 If you re in the market for a luxurious new hot tub, congratulations! A spa is an exciting investment, offering space for friends and family to relax, have fun and make long lasting improvements to health and fitness from the comfort of home. Browsing for the perfect hot tub is a thrilling experience, but one that can quickly become overwhelming. With hundreds of fantastic models on display and countless features to explore, choosing the one hot tub that fits your lifestyle can feel an awful lot like finding a needle in a haystack. While thousands of people each day make the decision to buy a hot tub, not all of them do so with a plan. Taking time to think through your goals with ownership and familiarizing yourself with what s available before you buy is a smart way to make better decisions as you navigate the spa buying process. To get you started, we put together the top 5 hot tub buying mistakes. Take a few minutes to read through our collection, and use it as a roadmap for what to avoid as you begin your journey. With some practical guidance and a few smart tips, you ll have confidence in your decision and more importantly, peace of mind that the hot tub you ultimately choose is the perfect fit for your needs, lifestyle and budget. Ready to get started? Here are the top 5 hot tub buying mistakes to avoid. 2 This guide provided by:

3 Mistake #1 Cheaper Does Not Mean Better! Buying from a Traveling Show or Expo Versus a Local Dealer The next mistake buyers make when looking to invest in a new hot tub is also one of the hardest to remedy. Buy from a traveling show or expo instead of working with a local dealer and you can never be sure what you are getting. Of course, traveling shows always create an environment that stresses urgency. Buy now or miss this amazing offer. Or, Sale prices this weekend only. The truth is, traveling hot tub shows use high pressure sales tactics designed to make you feel like you will be missing out on something extraordinary if you pass by. The staged platform rarely features more than one brand or manufacturer, even as it appears to have tons of great names on display. And the "Amazing Offer"? Nine times out of ten it s normal pricing. Most importantly, buy from a traveling show and you have no opportunity to try the hot tubs before buying. By contrast, a reputable, local dealer is not trying to rope you in to a sale before he leaves town. He or she is an expert on a variety of brands and will more than likely have several of the best-rated models on site. Of course, you can always schedule a wet test for any models you may be interested in, and can always take time to think about it before making a commitment. Perhaps the most compelling reason to stick with a local, trusted and recognized hot tub dealer is after purchase service. When you buy from a traveling show, who will be servicing your investment in the event something goes wrong? Pro Tip: A local dealer is vested in the community, works alongside you and your neighbors, and has likely built a reputation for sales and service - something the best traveling expo has never done. Remember to think about who you would rather deal with when you need a repair, would like to order spare parts, or simply get an educated answer to a pressing question. 3 This guide provided by:

4 Mistake #2 Underestimating the Value of Clean Water and a Great Filtration System No one wants to step foot into a hot tub with dirty water. A spa with crystal clear, sparkling water is instantly inviting, and a healthier environment too. While that may seem obvious, underestimating the value of clean water and a great filtration system is our second hot tub buying mistake. Spa water is the core of your hot tub. When it s clean, clear and healthy, the experience is top notch. Most buyers today are informed enough to understand the requirements surrounding general spa maintenance and water care. With ownership, some water care is a necessity. But, only a handful of people know that there are top rated, energy efficient solutions available to help you keep your water clean. Quality filtration systems can dramatically decrease the need for spa maintenance, removing dirt and debris that collects in the water. It s simple really. The happiest spa owners have the cleanest water. Pro Tip: Clean water begins and ends with a really great filtration system. Be sure to ask your dealer to explain the differences between standard skim filtration systems and alternative options. 4 This guide provided by:

5 Mistake #3 Not Knowing all Your Size and Shape Options Hot tubs have been around for quite some time, yet most people have a picture in their head of what the ideal hot tub should look like, and it doesn t always align with what is available on the market. Before stepping foot in a hot tub dealership, most people looking to buy think all spas are square. Luckily, this couldn t be further from the truth, as hot tubs have come a long way since the original square wooden tubs. Here are just three of the different style designs that are available to hot tub enthusiasts. Traditional - The traditional hot tub is a classic spa design the image most people see when thinking about a hot tub. It s traditional. It s also square. Despite looking plain, traditional models offer all the same state-of-the-art features as newer designs, but in classic, traditional packaging. Traditional design doesn t necessarily mean small. Many traditional models offer seating for eight or more. Curved - When traditional models are too plain, buyers can find modern hot tubs with a sleek and stylish back section, elevated to create a curved appearance. A nice alternative to a classic spa design, the curved spa maximizes privacy and provides more protection from the elements with a shell that seems to wrap you in its warmth. Cascade - The newest design for hot tub enthusiasts is the cascade model, which includes a vanishing edge design - an aesthetically stunning feature that eliminates water displacement from multiple users and the need for skimmers. Pro Tip: Finding the best fit in a hot tub that meets your expectations means carefully considering all the options - even those that you do not know exist. Don t be afraid to look at a variety of spa designs, even if you think you have your mind made up. 5 This guide provided by:

6 Mistake #4 Placing too Much Emphasis on Short Term Price versus Long Term Value You re not alone if you re wondering what the difference is between price and cost and why it should matter when buying a hot tub. After all, you buy what you can afford and the sticker price guides decision making, right? Not always and here s why. Price is what you pay for a product or service at the time you purchase it. On the other hand, cost is what it takes to maintain and properly care for that purchase. In the hot tub industry, ticket price is one thing, but cost is something entirely different. When browsing for the right hot tub, keep in mind that simply because you see a lowticket price, does not guarantee that the cost long term will be advantageous. Too often, consumers confuse price with cost and are disappointed when the original price tag emerges into costly maintenance, care and upkeep. Not unlike purchasing a car, you re not likely to buy off the lot without thinking about gas mileage and maintenance costs. The super sleek convertible that s priced to sell may not be a wise investment when you get it home and realize it has awful gas mileage and parts that can only be purchased overseas. 6 This guide provided by:

7 Avoid buying for price instead of cost by seeking out energy efficient models that can significantly decrease operating costs long term. With the right insulation, spa cover, efficient pumps, heating systems and energy efficient models can dramatically reduce operating costs, saving you money over less expensive, cheaper models who flaunt a low sticker price. Besides, a very low-price tag may not include delivery, start-up, chemicals, covers and more, leaving you shocked at the total when these critical extras are added later. Take into consideration cost as well as price and increase your odds of enjoying your hot tub in the long term and not just until the electric bill comes. Mistake #5 Not Reviewing the Controls, Cleaning and Convenience Considerations Our number four hot tub buying mistake is one that people seem to make across industries. Whether you re buying a car, a new washing machine or an air conditioning unit for your home, understanding what the best models on the market have to offer is critical. Particularly with a large investment like a hot tub, failing to take the time to review your options in terms of controls, cleaning options and convenience considerations can leave you in the dark about how to look for models that will maximize your enjoyment. The defining characteristic of any great spa is convenience. Top brands have made convenience a priority by integrating a wealth of creature comforts - gadgets and controls that make your hot tub experience memorable from start to finish. 7 This guide provided by:

8 For example, industry-leading spas are equipped with wireless remote capability for adjusting the jets, temperature, lights and more, allowing you to monitor and control your hot tub from anywhere. Certain models have a mobile app for your IOS device so you can access your hot tub via a direct Wi-Fi connection in your home, or anywhere in the world you have an internet connection to your smart device. Another modern convenience option are touchscreen controls. A colorful control panel with intuitive icons and animations makes operating and using your spa as simple as can be. With no buttons to press - just the touchscreen - you can program filtration cycles, set the right temperature and even find the perfect music to accompany your soak effortlessly. Control panels are state-of-the-art hot tub features, and important to understand. They re a must for not only maximizing your enjoyment in the spa, but also, for alerting you to any issues that can negatively impact your spa s health. Did you know that there are models equipped with self cleaning sweeper jets to keep the floor of your hot tub clean and ready to use? Self-cleaning sweepers are just another example of an invaluable feature that first-time buyers may not know about, and may miss when looking to buy. Pro Tip: Get to know the options that are available in the hot tub industry overall, not just with the models you are interested in and narrow your choices now, before you buy. Know what you are looking for and eliminate the risk of buyer s remorse when you learn about great new features not available on your model. 8 This guide provided by:

9 In Conclusion As you can see, there are many considerations that go into creating a successful process of buying the perfect hot tub. From searching for the right tub to match your lifestyle to choosing the one model that meets your expectations, having knowledge ahead of time about what you are looking for and why is smart. Taking time to plan the buying experience will ensure you leave the dealership happy and satisfied. We set out to help you on your buying journey by collecting the top five hot tub buying mistakes. Our goal was to raise awareness about the buying process so that first time buyers could avoid some of the common pitfalls. We hope you enjoyed this guide and its contents, and wish you the very best as you navigate the exciting (and always changing) world of hot tubs and spas. 9 This guide provided by:

10 About Us The Relax & Retreat Hot Tub story began in the early 2000s where the owner worked for a small pool and spa company, moving hot tubs to supplement his income while going to school. This is where his passion for customer service and knowledge surrounding hot tubs began. Fast forward to 2012 and we ve started our own company, opened our first retail store and have been on an epic ride ever since. From our beginnings, we ve stayed true to our core beliefs of delivering an exceptional experience for our customers while offering unparalleled value. We owe a huge thanks to our customers for joining us on this awesome journey and for putting their faith in us for all their product and service needs. As a company in the Dallas / Fort Worth area founded on customer service we live by three principles: Offer Value for our customers while making it a Pleasant and Seamless experience and take care of our Employees. We feel that if we can nail all of these we ll continue to cultivate a business full of loyal customers and employees. As we continue to grow and move forward we hope that you ll continue to be a part of our story! 10 This guide provided by:

11 Find Us Relax and Retreat Hot Tubs 1135 E. Plano Pkwy ste. 8 Plano, TX (972) info@relaxandretreathottubs.com Monday - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm Sunday Closed 11 This guide provided by: