We get asked all the time by our customers, potential hot tub buyers, friends and even our moms:

“Are you going to be at the big Spa Expo this weekend?”

And we understand why they ask– the hot tub expo does a ton of advertising saying “Multiple Brands competing for your business.” And it would make sense that we would be at an event where there are multiple hot tub brands, right!?

Multiple Brands not present at the Hot Tub and Swim Spa Expo

But we’re not at these Spa Expos because there is actually only one brand represented.Household name-brands like Hot Spring, Caldera, Sundance, Jacuzzi, D-1, Maax Spas and Marquis aren’t going to be there. The hot tub expo gets away with advertising multiple brands because the manufacturer carries a few different lines of hot tubs & spas. But they all come from the same place– and one hot tub retailer represents them all.
Besides the misrepresentation of multiple brands, here are a few things we’ve learned about these Hot Tub and Swim Spa Expos from customers & friends who have visited:

Because this is a one weekend only event, the convention center will be filled with hot tubs and swim spas brought in to be sold immediately.You’ll be offered a chance to sit in some of the hot tubs that are on display, but they aren’t going to be filled with water (and who wants to strip down into a bathing suit in an expo center full of people anyway!?) Just like when purchasing a car, it is important to “wet-test” a hot tub before you buy. You never know how the jets are going to feel until you test it out. And if you’re on the taller or shorter end, you want to make sure the water depth is just right.

While you might be able to order the custom colors you want, more than likely the sales team will be pushing the models they have on display so that they clear our their inventory immediately.

High-Pressure Sales Reps

The sales reps at the Spa Expos are brought in specifically for the event. They are experienced show sales people, and are trained to get the sale on the spot (if they don’t close the deal that weekend, they don’t get commission) They are high-pressure and want you to make a decision immediately.
We think that it’s best to take your time when considering adding a hot tub to your home. It’s an investment that will make a great addition to your backyard or interior room & you want to be sure you’re picking the right brand. We even suggests scheduling a backyard consultation before you take delivery.

Be Informed

If you do end up going to a Spa Expo in your local area here are some good questions to ask the hot tub company:
1. Do you Operate a Showroom in my local area? And how long have you been in business?
2. Who do I call for a service or repair issue?
3. What is your cancellation policy?
And more.. Check out some great questions in our Hot Tub Buyer’s Guide before you go to the Hot Tub Expo!
Happy Hot tub Shopping! And please stop by one of our 5 Iowa and Minnesota Showrooms if you’re in our local area!

This blog post is courtesy of our friends at Spring Dance Hot Tubs in the Philadelphia area. Big thanks to Rebekah!

We get asked all the time by our customers, potential hot tub buyers, friends and even our moms:

“Are you going to be at the big Spa Expo this weekend?”

And we understand why they ask– the hot tub expo does a ton of advertising saying “Multiple Brands competing for your business.” And it would make sense that we would be at an event where there are multiple hot tub brands, right!?

Multiple Brands not present at the Hot Tub and Swim Spa Expo

But we’re not at these Spa Expos because there is actually only one brand represented.Household name-brands like Hot Spring, Caldera, Sundance, Jacuzzi, D-1, Maax Spas and Marquis aren’t going to be there. The hot tub expo gets away with advertising multiple brands because the manufacturer carries a few different lines of hot tubs & spas. But they all come from the same place– and one hot tub retailer represents them all.
Besides the misrepresentation of multiple brands, here are a few things we’ve learned about these Hot Tub and Swim Spa Expos from customers & friends who have visited:

Because this is a one weekend only event, the convention center will be filled with hot tubs and swim spas brought in to be sold immediately.You’ll be offered a chance to sit in some of the hot tubs that are on display, but they aren’t going to be filled with water (and who wants to strip down into a bathing suit in an expo center full of people anyway!?) Just like when purchasing a car, it is important to “wet-test” a hot tub before you buy. You never know how the jets are going to feel until you test it out. And if you’re on the taller or shorter end, you want to make sure the water depth is just right.

While you might be able to order the custom colors you want, more than likely the sales team will be pushing the models they have on display so that they clear our their inventory immediately.

High-Pressure Sales Reps

The sales reps at the Spa Expos are brought in specifically for the event. They are experienced show sales people, and are trained to get the sale on the spot (if they don’t close the deal that weekend, they don’t get commission) They are high-pressure and want you to make a decision immediately.
We think that it’s best to take your time when considering adding a hot tub to your home. It’s an investment that will make a great addition to your backyard or interior room & you want to be sure you’re picking the right brand. We even suggests scheduling a backyard consultation before you take delivery.

Be Informed

If you do end up going to a Spa Expo in your local area here are some good questions to ask the hot tub company:
1. Do you Operate a Showroom in my local area? And how long have you been in business?
2. Who do I call for a service or repair issue?
3. What is your cancellation policy?
And more.. Check out some great questions in our Hot Tub Buyer’s Guide before you go to the Hot Tub Expo!
Happy Hot tub Shopping! And please stop by one of our 5 Iowa and Minnesota Showrooms if you’re in our local area!

This blog post is courtesy of our friends at Spring Dance Hot Tubs in the Philadelphia area. Big thanks to Rebekah!

We get asked all the time by our customers, potential hot tub buyers, friends and even our moms:

“Are you going to be at the big Spa Expo this weekend?”

And we understand why they ask– the hot tub expo does a ton of advertising saying “Multiple Brands competing for your business.” And it would make sense that we would be at an event where there are multiple hot tub brands, right!?

Multiple Brands not present at the Hot Tub and Swim Spa Expo

But we’re not at these Spa Expos because there is actually only one brand represented.Household name-brands like Hot Spring, Caldera, Sundance, Jacuzzi, D-1, Maax Spas and Marquis aren’t going to be there. The hot tub expo gets away with advertising multiple brands because the manufacturer carries a few different lines of hot tubs & spas. But they all come from the same place– and one hot tub retailer represents them all.
Besides the misrepresentation of multiple brands, here are a few things we’ve learned about these Hot Tub and Swim Spa Expos from customers & friends who have visited:

Because this is a one weekend only event, the convention center will be filled with hot tubs and swim spas brought in to be sold immediately.You’ll be offered a chance to sit in some of the hot tubs that are on display, but they aren’t going to be filled with water (and who wants to strip down into a bathing suit in an expo center full of people anyway!?) Just like when purchasing a car, it is important to “wet-test” a hot tub before you buy. You never know how the jets are going to feel until you test it out. And if you’re on the taller or shorter end, you want to make sure the water depth is just right.

While you might be able to order the custom colors you want, more than likely the sales team will be pushing the models they have on display so that they clear our their inventory immediately.

High-Pressure Sales Reps

The sales reps at the Spa Expos are brought in specifically for the event. They are experienced show sales people, and are trained to get the sale on the spot (if they don’t close the deal that weekend, they don’t get commission) They are high-pressure and want you to make a decision immediately.
We think that it’s best to take your time when considering adding a hot tub to your home. It’s an investment that will make a great addition to your backyard or interior room & you want to be sure you’re picking the right brand. We even suggests scheduling a backyard consultation before you take delivery.

Be Informed

If you do end up going to a Spa Expo in your local area here are some good questions to ask the hot tub company:
1. Do you Operate a Showroom in my local area? And how long have you been in business?
2. Who do I call for a service or repair issue?
3. What is your cancellation policy?
And more.. Check out some great questions in our Hot Tub Buyer’s Guide before you go to the Hot Tub Expo!
Happy Hot tub Shopping! And please stop by one of our 5 Iowa and Minnesota Showrooms if you’re in our local area!

This blog post is courtesy of our friends at Spring Dance Hot Tubs in the Philadelphia area. Big thanks to Rebekah!

Getting your hot tub ready for the winter

We all know that October through March is prime hot tubbing weather. The early sunsets, cold temperatures, and snowfall adds to the hot tub experience.  Often we’re asked “what do I need to do to get my hot tub ready for winter?” Today we’ll take a look at a few things a hot tub owner should consider as cold weather approaches.

1)      Water condition: The last thing we want to do in January is drain and refill our hot tub. Take a look at the condition of your water. When was the last time you refilled it? If the quality is questionable and/or it’s been more than 3 months since your last drain and refill you may want to consider a fresh fill. Refilling this time of year should get you through to the spring before you’re due again. If you’re short on time, call our service department and ask about our Spa Valet Service.

2)      Filters: The filtration system on a hot tub is the heart and soul of your spa. Filters should be rinsed monthly and thoroughly cleaned and soaked at least every six months. Soaking in a cleaning solution is an absolute must before the winter. Clean filters will keep your spa running trouble free, while dirty or clogged filters can affect the performance of the jets and may interrupt the spa’s heating system. Additionally, most of our customers own a second set of filters that they can exchange in the colder months.

3)      Spa Cover: Fall is the best time of year to inspect your spa cover. Having a heavy or torn cover can make your spa difficult to use and raise your energy consumption by 50%. If you cover is still in good condition take the time to condition it one last time before the cold weather hits. If your cover is torn or heavy, it’s time to replace it. We only use covers from Watkins Manufacturing (Hot Spring Spas). This ensures a perfect fit every time. Also, they are made with brackets needed for all Watkins made cover lifters. Call us today to order your cover. We can also schedule an installation where we will remove your old cover for you.

Taking care of these three items will help you rest easy through the cold winter. We do offer services from a drain and refill to weekly spa check-ups. Consult our service department  to see what plan is best for you.

Getting your hot tub ready for the winter

We all know that October through March is prime hot tubbing weather. The early sunsets, cold temperatures, and snowfall adds to the hot tub experience.  Often we’re asked “what do I need to do to get my hot tub ready for winter?” Today we’ll take a look at a few things a hot tub owner should consider as cold weather approaches.

1)      Water condition: The last thing we want to do in January is drain and refill our hot tub. Take a look at the condition of your water. When was the last time you refilled it? If the quality is questionable and/or it’s been more than 3 months since your last drain and refill you may want to consider a fresh fill. Refilling this time of year should get you through to the spring before you’re due again. If you’re short on time, call our service department and ask about our Spa Valet Service.

2)      Filters: The filtration system on a hot tub is the heart and soul of your spa. Filters should be rinsed monthly and thoroughly cleaned and soaked at least every six months. Soaking in a cleaning solution is an absolute must before the winter. Clean filters will keep your spa running trouble free, while dirty or clogged filters can affect the performance of the jets and may interrupt the spa’s heating system. Additionally, most of our customers own a second set of filters that they can exchange in the colder months.

3)      Spa Cover: Fall is the best time of year to inspect your spa cover. Having a heavy or torn cover can make your spa difficult to use and raise your energy consumption by 50%. If you cover is still in good condition take the time to condition it one last time before the cold weather hits. If your cover is torn or heavy, it’s time to replace it. We only use covers from Watkins Manufacturing (Hot Spring Spas). This ensures a perfect fit every time. Also, they are made with brackets needed for all Watkins made cover lifters. Call us today to order your cover. We can also schedule an installation where we will remove your old cover for you.

Taking care of these three items will help you rest easy through the cold winter. We do offer services from a drain and refill to weekly spa check-ups. Consult our service department  to see what plan is best for you.

Getting your hot tub ready for the winter

We all know that October through March is prime hot tubbing weather. The early sunsets, cold temperatures, and snowfall adds to the hot tub experience.  Often we’re asked “what do I need to do to get my hot tub ready for winter?” Today we’ll take a look at a few things a hot tub owner should consider as cold weather approaches.

1)      Water condition: The last thing we want to do in January is drain and refill our hot tub. Take a look at the condition of your water. When was the last time you refilled it? If the quality is questionable and/or it’s been more than 3 months since your last drain and refill you may want to consider a fresh fill. Refilling this time of year should get you through to the spring before you’re due again. If you’re short on time, call our service department and ask about our Spa Valet Service.

2)      Filters: The filtration system on a hot tub is the heart and soul of your spa. Filters should be rinsed monthly and thoroughly cleaned and soaked at least every six months. Soaking in a cleaning solution is an absolute must before the winter. Clean filters will keep your spa running trouble free, while dirty or clogged filters can affect the performance of the jets and may interrupt the spa’s heating system. Additionally, most of our customers own a second set of filters that they can exchange in the colder months.

3)      Spa Cover: Fall is the best time of year to inspect your spa cover. Having a heavy or torn cover can make your spa difficult to use and raise your energy consumption by 50%. If you cover is still in good condition take the time to condition it one last time before the cold weather hits. If your cover is torn or heavy, it’s time to replace it. We only use covers from Watkins Manufacturing (Hot Spring Spas). This ensures a perfect fit every time. Also, they are made with brackets needed for all Watkins made cover lifters. Call us today to order your cover. We can also schedule an installation where we will remove your old cover for you.

Taking care of these three items will help you rest easy through the cold winter. We do offer services from a drain and refill to weekly spa check-ups. Consult our service department  to see what plan is best for you.