You ve peeked in the windows, studied the magazines and maybe even visited a local spa dealership or two to see firsthand just how amazing a modern spa can look and feel. But before pulling out your wallet, it may be a good idea to brush up on a few basics to ensure your purchasing experience is nothing short of spectacular. Let s be honest, a new spa is an investment. And like any other large purchase, it deserves to be made after careful consideration to a variety of factors. The good news is, choosing the right spa to fit your lifestyle and your budget doesn t have to be complicated, but it does take effort and a little help goes a long way. If you re eager to buy, take a minute to review some common first time buyer mistakes and avoid making an uninformed, rash decision. The right hot tub can last twenty years or more, choose wisely and get peace of mind in knowing you ve made a smart investment in a quality spa. Choosing Wrong: Consider The Reason You Want a Spa - Therapy vs Relaxation vs Entertainment The modern spa is extremely versatile, offering users unlimited fun, relaxation, even improved health from the comfort of home. But just as there are multiple uses for a home spa, there are also a variety of features designed to enhance certain performance aspects. In other words, a spa designed with entertainment in mind may look different from one designed to promote relaxation. To be clear, every spa is the perfect environment to unwind, relax, entertain or relieve pain, but the right features can optimize your experience. It may seem like an obvious consideration to think about why you re interested in spa ownership. But the truth is, many first time buyers buy the wrong hot tub 2 This report provided by: Sweetwater Hot Tubz - www.sweetwaterhottubz.com
simply because they don t put any time into thinking through why they want a spa to begin with. Why does it matter? How You Plan On Using the Spa Guides Decision-Making - Do you have a bad back or are you looking to relieve arthritis pain? Maybe you just like the idea of relaxing at the end of the day with your spouse or significant other. Thinking through your personal reasons for wanting a spa will help you determine not only the right size, but the appropriate jet configurations and seating options. It also helps narrow your choices, which makes it significantly easier to choose between one or two final models. If you re unsure of the differences, be sure to ask your dealer to show you the different seating options, jet configurations, depth and how slight changes in all of these factors can impact your experience. Forgetting Before the Purchase Details: Location, Privacy and Pre-delivery Considerations If first time spa buyers could have one re-do, it would most likely be better planning before getting the spa home. Remember, a spa is not a new couch or coffee table - it typically cannot be easily moved around the deck or backyard in search of the perfect spot. In fact, site location, privacy concerns and other pre-delivery considerations should be finalized before delivery, no questions asked. Choosing the Right Site - When it comes to choosing a final resting spot for 3 This report provided by: Sweetwater Hot Tubz - www.sweetwaterhottubz.com
your new spa, you have options. And that s a good thing. You can choose a deck or back patio, the open backyard, even an enclosed porch. However, the key to making the right choice is thinking about ease of access, convenience and stability. In other words, while a new spa may look amazing on the deck, if your foundation is not strong enough to support the weight of a new hot tub, the deck may not be a wise choice. Make certain the site you choose is structurally sound, free from overhanging wires or tree debris and easily accessible. If weather is an issue, think about the convenience of being closer to the house during cold or snowy weather. Privacy Concerns - Another important detail that often goes overlooked by first time spa buyers is privacy. Unfortunately, even if you think you have given plenty of thought to privacy, and made what you believe to be an informed decision, think again. Privacy is often not an issue during the summer months when the bushes are full, the trees are overflowing and the neighbors are buried behind green, lush foliage. But when the seasons change, suddenly the private retreat you enjoyed all summer long is now a front row seat to your neighbor s kitchen window. Be sure to think about privacy and more importantly, how the changing of the seasons can potentially impact your seclusion. Pre-Delivery Details - The bottom line? Safe, secure delivery of your spa has everything to do with how prepared you are before it arrives. From ensuring you meet electrical requirements to ground preparation to providing adequate delivery access, taking time to review and coordinate all pre-delivery details saves time and energy. Taking the right steps to be prepared ahead of time means you can enjoy 4 This report provided by: Sweetwater Hot Tubz - www.sweetwaterhottubz.com
your spa as soon as it arrives rather than staring at it through the back door as you wait for the details to be ironed out. Saving a Little Now to Pay More Later-Investing In a Brand Name Spa Price point is always a concern for consumers. After all, no one wants to pay more for something than they have to, and folks enjoy knowing they were able to secure a great deal. But when it comes to large investments, price is even more of an issue, and it s often difficult to justify an expensive product. But one fact that is always true, regardless of the product is that high quality and performance are essential to a great experience, and you truly get what you pay for. With that said, price is not the only variable to consider, and it is entirely possible to find a great deal on a quality spa. But here s where the difference comes into play. If you opt for a discounted price, the great deal you think you are getting is often diminished by high operating costs and long-term expenses you may incur in the months and years to come. Remember, there s a reason why brand names get to be brand names quality, longevity, innovation and consistency year after year. Why Are Brand Name Spas Better? - But why are higher quality brand name spa companies so much better than discounted brands? Simple. They typically invest in higher quality materials that are designed to stand the test of time and they lead the industry with innovative features and options, which make spa use better and more fun. Quality brands are cautious with their reputation because they ve worked for years, sometimes generations to build a name people trust. With a higher standard, better 5 This report provided by: Sweetwater Hot Tubz - www.sweetwaterhottubz.com
craftsmanship and innovative technologies, brand name spas offer a guarantee and a promise that quality and performance will never be sacrificed for cost. The Importance of Taking a Wet Test Did you know that you can make an appointment to take a test soak in one of the leading spas on the market? Most people do not. Yet, would you buy a car without taking a test drive? Or, would you buy a car after just sitting in it in the showroom? The same hold true for hot tubs. You really need to bring your suit and the take the plunge to truly understand how the configuration of jets, seating arrangement and overall feel of the hot tub works for you. Reputable dealerships are always willing to schedule test soaks for prospective buyers and you should never hesitate to ask. After all, you could be using your hot tub for twenty plus years if you choose carefully- make the effort to try each and every seat in all the hot tubs you are considering in the showroom and avoid finding out something you don t like after you ve taken delivery. Buying On the Internet or a Traveling Road Show If you ve been shopping for a spa for any length of time, you may have seen a few fast talking TV commercials touting the benefits of a huge sale going on at a local convention center or stadium. Commonly referred to as road shows these are spa companies the come to town for a few days, advertise heavily, sell a few spas 6 This report provided by: Sweetwater Hot Tubz - www.sweetwaterhottubz.com
and then move on to the next town. While the advertised prices are low, and it seems harmless enough, there are several problems with this type of transaction. If you choose to purchase a spa from a traveling road show, who do you call if you have a question or a concern after you get your spa home? Where do you go to receive service or maintenance help and what about warranty protection? These are all important questions you need to think about before rushing over to the stadium and handing over your hard earned cash. Maybe a trade show is the right place to look at the options in person, to narrow your choices for later. However, it may not be the smartest strategy to buy from a traveling show that will not be around a week later. You should also be weary of hot tubs that are for sale over the Internet. Most major brands prohibit this practice to protect local dealers and end users. Again, issues like delivery, service and warranty come into play. While the Internet is a useful tool for buying many things, it may not be the best way to make a large investment or purchase items where quality craftsmanship is critical for performance. Internet companies offer bargain prices and they can even claim to sell leading or top of the line spas. But when it s time for routine maintenance or repair, not having a local dealership to buy parts from or an skilled service technician to trust is a mistake. 7 This report provided by: Sweetwater Hot Tubz - www.sweetwaterhottubz.com
Local dealerships are in business because, like the brands they sell, they have worked hard over the years to earn the trust and respect of the local community. Dealers who have been in business for more than five years have built credibility and loyalty that comes from exceptional customer service, consistency and a genuine interest in helping well deserving folks enjoy improved health, entertainment and fun. In Conclusion Buying a hot tub is an exciting experience. Let s face it, who wouldn t want to come home to on-demand stress relief, soothing massage and family friendly entertainment outside the back door? With a wide range of features, price points and models, it s easy to build the perfect at home retreat and backyard oasis of your dreams. The most successful purchases have been carefully planned for, and smart consumers understand the value in learning as much as possible before committing. If you re in the market for a new spa, it makes sense to think about how to make your purchasing experience as easy and convenient as possible. Informed decision-making comes from knowing what you re looking for and why, but also, how to avoid making mistakes that could cost you now and in the future. This guide was designed for first time spa buyers, to highlight a few of the fundamentals of spa ownership that can make it easier to choose the perfect spa to fit your needs and budget. Thinking about some of the reasons why you are interested in purchasing a spa will help you make the best choice in a brand designed to optimize your experience, whether it s for improved health, fun or relaxation. 8 This report provided by: Sweetwater Hot Tubz - www.sweetwaterhottubz.com
Taking time to think through pre-purchase details like where you plan on placing your spa, ground preparation, privacy and electrical requirements can make sure that when you take delivery, you know exactly what you need to do to get your new investment up and running as quickly as possible. 9 This report provided by: Sweetwater Hot Tubz - www.sweetwaterhottubz.com
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