Spa buyers and spa owners should do, know and consider.

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   1. 1. DO NOT OVER BUY. What I mean by that is . The simpler you keep it the less it will cost you to buy and repair. If your goal is to buy and have the enjoyment of relaxing in a warm water therapeutic tub.
   1. Then buy one. All the popup tv's and stereo's are nice until they do not pop up or work. They spa industry does not warrant them. You are on your own with little chance of being happy. Want to watch tv , listen to radio. Set one up and do so. Do not do it buying a problem. Beware of overly customized spas where everything is special. Remember you will have to fix something someday.
   
   
   1. 2. Do not just look at the spa. Find out where it was made. CHINA? USA is better and look at the jets and ask who made them. If Waterway (the Best) for example . Most likely when you need a replacement and at some time in your ownership, as with any spa, you will. You will be able to get it replaced. Spa dealers will tell you that you can only get THIS jet from them so they can get top dollar. In almost all cases a generic replacement is available at half the price. Unless it is a import. Then you may be lucky to get it at any price.
    
   1. 3. The controls and pumps are a big factor in ownership cost. Have them open the cabinet. Look at the controls. Spas are a simple thing really. Water is sucked in, pushed thru the heater and the filter back to YOU. Ask if something goes out where can I get a replacement. They will say from us. But what if us is not here? If the equipment is (circuit Board, Topside, Heater,etc) is exclusive I quarranty
   1. you are going to PAY. A proprietary circuit board for example can cost $800.00 not including tax and installation. O' By the way, most service people that come to your house have no idea how to properly install most boards so they will want to do the whole controller for a lot more. It is quicker and less risk of damaging the board or not setting it up right. Installing a control box is something you could do yourself.
   1. Controls are also a simple thing. They monitor heat and turn things on and off. One pump, 2 pumps, 3 pumps, 4 pumps. Still that is all it does. Only the spa companies want to make it complicated. Again look at the equipment as a person that may have to repair or replace it someday. 
    
   1. 4. Now this is part that is a little self serving but I want you to look at the Smart Touch 1000, 2000, UNIPack 1000 and the UNIpack 2000. What I want you to see are the similarities  These are standard equipment pack styles used by almost all spa companies at some point. They are well made. Not expensive .Reliable and can be replace by the home owner with little knowledge and time. The heater elements are available from many sources on and off line at low cost. With this type of equipment you may find as we did. Getting a proprietary circuit board and selling at $500.00 to $1000.00 with possibility it was not even the problem is not good. Better to have generic style equipment that can be replaced by other generic style equipment (Control box, topside, heater ,etc) for half the price and do it yourself. Remember all it does is monitor the heat and turn things on and off.
    
   1. 5. Find out about the company and almost as important the dealer. The dealer is the one making all the promises. There are a lot of companies. Cal Spas, Hot Springs (Watkins) are a couple that will be around for a long time. (By the way that was NOT a recommendation. Just a opinion ). Many have come and gone. Some came just for the money and left a lot of people hanging. No company is perfect. No spa is perfect. Things change so protect your self and your investment in you spa.
   1. Remember the spa companies are really spa assemblers.  They use many of the same parts from the same suppliers. It is mostly important where the parts came from and if they are replaceable if that dealer, spa company are gone or will not help you. 
    
   1. 6. Take Care of the spa you get. Use your chemicals properly. They will cost you greatly if you do not. Jets popping out, seals leaking damaging the pump motor, heater elements, pressure switches, etc. All lead the error readings pump failures and service calls. $$$$$$$$$$
   1. Hope this helped. It is just my opinion. But if we can help more call us or visit our websites.
   1. Thank You