Why Buying a Hot Tub from a Home Show Is Probably Not a Good Idea

We have learned from many customers how buying a hot tub from a Home Show can be quite unsatisfactory and frustrating. This piqued our interest as a topic we felt worth exploring. At Imagine Backyard Living, we are dedicated to understanding what’s important to the consumer so we can better communicate the pitfalls of buying a hot tub at a Home Show. Here is what we have learned:

  • While these venues may be a decent place to visit to get ideas, they are not a good place to make a purchase decision on a big-ticket item. Take time to investigate the dealer and the product before signing any contracts. Certainly do not put any sort of major deposit as a down payment. If you do make a down payment, make the amount very small and use a credit card. Get in writing that the exhibitor will give you the right to cancel with a full refund if you change your mind. Beware if they will not give you that right.
  • Many companies send professional sales teams to Home Shows that are accustomed to pressuring people to buy…its the only way the salesman makes any money. Oftentimes these high-pressure tactics lead to impulse purchases and significant buyer’s remorse.
  • Make sure the brand is recognizable and has been around a long time. Normally reputable brands like Jacuzzi and Sundance wont allow their products to be sold in this type of environment in many markets.
  • Most Home Shows post warnings to attendees to be careful and cautious of making purchases while there and that the Home Show will not stand behind any claims made by exhibitors.
  • Feel the quality of the acrylic shell. Can you flex it with your fingers? Get in the tub and stand in the center. Does move and flex when you stand on it? If so, you are asking for trouble
  • You can’t test soak before you buy. We recommend taking a test soak as a critical step to making a good decision. After all, you are investing in a hot tub for the hydrotherapy and soaking experience. You are investing in a hot tub for the quality of the hydrotherapy experience. Don’t get caught up in all the talk about what’s under the cabinet-it’s a sales technique to take your attention away from what’s most important-great and legendary hydrotherapy.
  • A lot of jets and high horsepower pumps do not equal great hydrotherapy and will mean higher energy costs and costly repairs on the cheap jets used in the tubs.
  • Search Yelp for reviews on the brand. For example, take a look at the Yelp reviews on Master Spas.
  • Who will service you after the product is delivered to your home? Are they certified by the factory? Hot tubs built by lesser known or unreliable brands are known to have lots of service issues and if you aren’t sure about the brand, or how it will be serviced, you likely are asking for lots of headaches and out of pocket costs down the road.

Although there may be some decent things about Home Shows, it’s important to be wary of deals that are too good to be true and high pressure sales tactics. Many of these companies do most all of their of their business at Home Shows so they have to get lots of sales or they are in trouble. What’s most important is that you take your time and explore your options. This is a long-term investment that can quickly turn bad if you make an impulsive choice by a high pressure sales person.

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