Looking for cheap hot tubs has never been easier with the advent of online shopping. You can now make your homework in doing research as to the best worth for your money. Some people remain apprehensive, though, in exposing those precious credit card numbers online. If you are buying an item online for the first time, it may really be tough to trust a product that you don’t physically see, let alone the faceless seller. Heed these tips on how to make online shopping for hot tubs and spas a rewarding experience. Once you find out that you can save hundreds of dollars from online shopping, not to mention that you’re doing it at the comfort of your own home, you’ll wish you had given online shopping a shot years ago.
There are a lot of online stores and showrooms filled with inflatable hot tubs, portable hot tubs, and hot tub accessories. Your choice of hot tub may vary depending on your intended use, whether you’re going to place it in your backyard as an outdoor hot tub or you simply need a 2-person hot tub where you can spend quality time with your loved ones. Whatever your purpose is, you don’t want to waste time randomly looking for online shops, which can be very stressful and time-consuming. You should visit a reputable store with a proven track record of excellent customer service and after-sales support.
Many people shop for the best hot tubs because they want to relax muscle aches after a long day, need a place to lounge on after the gym, or want to bond with family and friends while enjoying the therapeutic experience that a home massage spa brings. You can relieve tension from your mind and body. Before lunging for your credit card, though, you have to find out what hot tubs are made of so you can make an educated decision in selecting what best fits your needs.
You can imagine hot tubs as big cauldrons filled with warm, frothy water. Decades ago, when small hot tubs were still being developed, the hot tubs’ bodies were made of wood and customarily circular in shape. In the 1970s, a common complain of tub users was that used hot tubs often leaked because the wood could not effectively confine water. Wood was also prone to bacteria and decay.
In modern hot tubs, you don’t have to worry about these issues. Modern, high-end tubs are made if top-grade acrylic with a sturdy frame and support to ensure that water is contained securely without leaks nor proliferation of bacteria from repeated use. However, hot tub parts like hot tub filters and hot tub covers may vary depending on the manufacturer’s design. You have to be discerning enough to identify which tubs are made of high-quality materials and which are inferior and won’t last for years.
You can get a cheap hot tub for as low as $500 or even less. These discount hot tubs are generally inflatable hot tubs that are made of vinyl. If the vinyl is damaged for any reason, you can easily patch it with a covering material similar to what you do to a punctured motorcycle tire. What’s good in these vinyl tubs is that they are light and portable compared to their wooden or acrylic counterparts. You can carry them around easily and set them up anywhere you like since you do not need to install an electric outlet. You just have to plug them into a regular power outlet and you’re good to go.
The downside, however, is that these cheap hot tubs do not generate heat on their own; they do not have built-in heaters so they have to depend on friction from the pump to warm the water, which can take more than 24 hours. Additionally, when the water does warm up, the tub may not be able to maintain the desired warm temperature of the water and will easily cool off without a hot good tub cover. The jet pumps are also less powerful, and there are no molded seats so you just have to sit flat on the vinyl floor.
Not so cheap discount hot tubs
The next tier of hot tubs’ prices range anywhere from $700 to $1,500. This includes roto-molded and other cheap tubs made of plastic shells, which are not as durable as pricier acrylic shells. When you look at the warranty card, there is a disclaimer that the material might get discolored with continual use. These tubs are easily installed, though, as you can just plug them right into a regular 110-volt power outlet anywhere in the house. They are also more portable and lighter; you can even bring them during picnics and outings as long as you have a power source. In a nutshell, plastic hot tubs are a mix between cheap vinyl tubs and the luxurious, expensive hot tubs and are hardly designed for long-term use.
If you want to take it to the next level, you can choose a tub that is priced fro $1,500 to $3,000. These tubs carry distinguished brand names such as Lucite or Aristech Acrylics, the top two companies that provide majority of the best acrylics in the market of hot tubs and spas.
Lastly, you can make a wise investment in the best hot tubs that may carry a hefty price tag but guaranteed to last a lifetime. They may be priced from $3,000 up to 10,000 or even higher, depending on the brand, material, and build. You have the option to select how many jets, pumps, and additional accessories such as music player, fountains, artificial waterfalls, hot tub steps, covers, LED lights, among others. But what makes a $5,000 tub different from a $15,000 tub? You may not believe this, but it has nothing to do with the price of the raw materials, but it’s simply because of the company’s marketing tactics.
Discount hot tubs last thoughts
Like most other high-end products, the best hot tubs are assembled from third-party materials and then built into what you see as the awesome 8-person tub. When the tub is fully furnished, it is delivered to a distribution center, then to a retail store that advertises the product to lure customers. Ultimately, the customer purchases the tub from a retail store, which orders the product directly from the manufacturer and freight companies that pack and ship it to the customer, or through a distribution hub.
The more the product is processed by middlemen and distribution centers, the higher the price tag rises because of the need to shoulder marketing and handling costs. If you have a direct connection with a manufacturer, you can save a significant amount of money and get your order right away. You only have to find a manufacturer that is willing to ship directly to customers who order online. There are manufacturers that have e-commerce stores use the us import data, so you only have to pay for the shipping costs. You can also rest assured that your hot tub is covered by warranty and return policies since you are dealing directly with the maker.
You also receive great customer service as you get advice from in-house service providers on how to properly maintain your tub. You don’t have to worry about minor problems as they teach you how to trouble-shoot on your own.
Don’t just blindly look for a direct manufacturer. Choose one that has been in the market for years because it is more trusted by consumers. A reputable store has a quality assurance team and backup system to ensure that your hot tub is made only of the finest materials and craftsmanship. Their expertise on the market will ensure that you don’t have to suffer incessant issues like leaks, broken jets, or discolored shells.
Most hot tub parts can be changed if for any reason they malfunction. You can insert foam under your tub to support a plastic shell. But you have to be careful in loading your tub since it may be difficult to change the shell itself and the cabinet. Poorly maintained spas have rusting plumbing system with calcium deposits or obstructions. Thus, you have to be wary of discount hot tubs since you can’t be sure if it’s been properly maintained. In the end, you simply have to make do enough research to make good decisions in buying a hot tub online.