Buying a hot tub is a big decision. It’s a major purchase that can have a significant impact on your life. And when it comes to major purchases you don’t want something that’s going to cause you more headaches than it does joy. So being diligent and researching your options to allow you to get the best deal possible is a sensible course of action. What’s the best hot tub for the money? It really depends on what you’re looking for, how you plan on using it and how much you’re willing to spend. But there are a few things that you should keep in mind no matter what type of hot tub you want to purchase. To help you focus on these important generalities we’ve come up with this article.
Warranties
For the amount of money, you’re paying for a hot tub, you should be able to depend on a good warranty. Take the time to properly inspect the warranty you’re being offered. There are many ways they can be drawn up and an unscrupulous dealer may present a warranty that they have no intention of honouring. Check for any deductibles that need to be paid before servicing occurs. Sometimes these deductibles are higher than the cost of paying for the repairs yourself. Some warranties are pro-rated and will cover less of the total cost as time goes on. Look out for any exclusions to the warranty. You’ll want your warranty to cover the shell, plumbing and controls of your hot tub at the very least. Excluding any of these elements may make the warranty relatively useless. And sometimes the warranty isn’t covered by the company you’re actually buying the hot tub from. This may become an issue if the warranty provider is a foreign company.
Value for Money
Just because a hot tub is cheap doesn’t mean it’s the best value for your money. It’s very easy these days to buy a hot tub online for less than a thousand dollars. But you’ll most likely be completely on your own as soon as your payment goes through. Things like installation, repairs, maintenance and after service will be your responsibility. And if anything goes wrong you may find yourself with what amounts to a large rain barrel sitting uselessly in your backyard. As with many other things, sometimes it’s better to pay for quality upfront to prevent paying more later on. Think carefully before paying the lowest price you can find. It may be the difference between a long and loving relationship with your hot tub and a short, antagonistic nightmare.
Reputable Versus Disreputable Dealers
Unfortunately, the popularity of hot tubs has attracted a lot of disreputable dealers. The internet has had a lot to do with this proliferation, but you can find shady hot tub dealers almost anywhere these days. However, most disreputable dealers will be fly by night companies that move from place to place and never settle down roots in a fixed location. This doesn’t mean that every hot tub dealer you see in a shopping mall parking lot or at a summer exhibition will be a scammer, but you can rest assured that a company that invests in a permanent showroom will be there to answer any of your questions if things go wrong. And although purchase deposits are quite common, you’ll want to be very careful of paying full price for a hot tub before it arrives at your home. A good hot tub dealer can make the difference between an incredibly positive experience and one in which you’re constantly questioning your decision-making skills.
To find out more about the benefits of owning a hot tub, download a free hot tub buyer’s guide below, or visit us at our hot tub store.