Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I have wanted a hot tub/spa since ... forever. My husband and I have a deal that when I secure 30 wholesale accounts I can get one. I currently have 25 accounts so I`m close. I don`t want to spend more than $5k but I`m in a colder climate (NH) and need something with good insulation. I have been reading that Hotspring is a great brand, but I can`t afford one of theirs (or their sub-brands). I`ve been checking out Beachcomber, Artesian and Cal Spas as well. I am not a big jet person. In fact I love those classic round bench-style spas. I think those would be great for parties and for the boys to swim in when they get older.
My husband is an ironworker (rodbuster) and his back hurts daily. I am stressed out most of the time between the biz and the kids. I think this is something that will make our lives a little bit more fun and relaxing. I never EVER treat myself and I can`t tell you how excited I am about this! Any advice on brands is greatly appreciated.

Chris,

I had a hot-spring SPA... Wasn`t too bad in fact I`d look closer at them.  We have a Master`s SPA right now.  Great SPA but don`t consider them please.  They had a warranty program where you`d get a large amount of the money back after 3 years.

The company supporting this deal went bankrupt and everyone got scr*wed.

I guess my 2 cents is... don`t buy Master`s Spa.

Great to hear you`re waiting until you obtain a goal... Too bad more people didn`t think that way!!!!

 

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Bryan C. Fleming

http://www.BryanCFleming.com

Hi, Chris:

I don`t personally own a hot tub/spa (but it is on the list of "must haves"/"maybe`s" when I buy the new house in GA.  However, I did do some checking through my membership with Consumer Reports. 

The following 6 models were listed as "CR Recommendations":

WATER-JET These tend to cost the least and offer a more vigorous massage.
Kohler Devonshire K-1357	Devonshire (low-end)	$750
Jacuzzi Cetra 536 N880	Cetra (midlevel)	1,500
AIR-JET These offer a subtler massage and allow bath salts and oils.
Kohler Devonshire BubbleMassage K-1357-G	Devonshire (low-end)	$1,200
Jacuzzi Cetra 536 T840 BF90	Cetra (midlevel)	2,500
COMBINATION WATER AND AIR These let you choose water, air, or both at once.
Waterworks Classic Tub 3 CLAW 30	none (high-end)	$5,125
American Standard 2748.428W	Town Square (midlevel)	2,700

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

Alright, I know absolutely nothing about hot tubs, but when I saw your post called "my first reward - buying a spa", I thought, OMG, that woman must be doing insanely well as an entrepreneur to consider buying a salon spa business as a treat to herself!!  I literally thought you were buying a salon!   We don`t call hot tubs "spas" where I am and it took me a minute to catch on!

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"Whether you think you can or you think you can`t, you`re right."
paraphrased Henry Ford

astonishingly, i can add some value to this post, entreprenerd! and no, i never envisioned this being a StartupNation community topic!!! but hey, it`s all about the lifestyle, isn`t it?!

a year ago i did the same "reward" thing. bought a spa (hottub, truegrits) for the backyard area. it`s perched over a forested ravine. instead of the modern, highly efficient/lower maintenance hottubs, i chose an "old school" wooden style. i love the idea (and look) of japanese soaking tubs. i don`t like a lot of "jets" either, but instead more the soaking. i think the one i have is both pricey and involves more care, but to me it`a work of art. it`s totally natural and perfect for the setting. the company i used can be found through this link, which is a photo on their site of the tub i got. i think jarah wood is australian eucaliptus.

instead of the usual sign off "Start It Up!", this one deserves a variation...

Soak It Up!

rich

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Rich Sloan , Co-Founder, Chief Startupologist, StartupNation

Thanks guys! I know, I felt kind of silly posting about this, but I think setting goals and giving yourself a reward for that goal is a good thing. I`ve wanted a hot tub ever since I can remember. I hardly ever pay myself right now and if I do it goes right to the mortgage and I never see it. I think this will help me with my stress level. It will also force my husband and kids and I to spend more quality time together. I decided on a Nordic Warrior XL hot tub in "pewter". It is round with bench seating and holds up to 6 people. I got it new for well under my budget, so that`s good! It should be here in 3 weeks. Meanwhile we are pouring our patio and running the electric. I am so excited I can hardly contain myself!

Thanks so much for the info and nice comments!
Bryan - I heard the same thing about Master Spas. Hotspring is great but out of my price range.
Cre8tiveOne - Thanks for the great info!
TrueGrits - Too funny! I wish I were that successful!
Rich - That is really cool! I`ve only seen ones like that with the wood stoves attached. I like the round look. The one I ordered is round.

Have you reached the goal yet?

I think it`s great that the community doesn`t have to be all about business.


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Yes, I reached it and it`s all ordered. I should have it in 2 more weeks! Hopefully I can get my electrician cousin up here that day to hook it up too.

I actually thought this was sort of a business post since it is a reward for reaching a business goal.

When you`re in business for yourself it`s all personal and it`s all business. I love it.

Congrats on reaching the goal.



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