With Easter weekend now just 2 days away, this long weekend is one of the best weekends of the year for snapping up bargain hot tub deals before the main Summer season kicks in.  Hot tub showrooms will be selling off any remaining 2006 ex-display models at knock down prices as US manufactured 2007 hot tubs start to hit the UK shores.

Again, here are some of my top tips to buying the right hot tub model:

1. Shop locally - Hot tubs are specialist items and therefore you will need specialist after-sales and service support for years to come.  If you buy from someone in Outer Mongolia the chances of getting them out for any advice or warranty work is negligable to non-existant.  Be safe, check out the local hot tub showroooms and the professionalism of the staff and put as much effort into choosing the right spa retailer as you do in choosing the hot tub model that you eventually buy.
2. Wet Test, Wet Test, Wet Test - Another reason to buy from a hot tub showroom rather than a picture on ebay…you can’t tell by looking if a spa will suit you for comfort, depth and hydrotherapy without jumping in and trying it first.  Always take the family as the water depth will change with the number of hot tub bathers (displacement…physics and stuff!) and always wet test the actual hot tub model that you are interested in buying rather than a similiar one in the range.  Professional spa retailers will have great facilities for wet testing in private so that you can have at least half an hour to try each hot tub model.  If you’re not too shy, always get the staff to demonstrate the spa features whist you’re in it so that you can get the best from the spa rather than trying to remember what they said in their presentation.
3. Getting the right deal - Take Dom Littlewood’s approach and negotiate!  Hot tubs are big ticket items and the more expensive the tub generally the more retailers will have to play with so work on the price and try to get any extras like delivery, installation, commissioning, steps, cover lifters and chemicals thrown in.  If you’re feeling really cheeky go for a free bottle of bubbly and some robes/towels/rubber ducks…keep asking until they say no or throw you out!  Remember you’re not trying to put them out of business as you do actually want them to make a profit and stay in business to offer that invaluable after-sales support.
4. Always pay by credit card - Always pay your hot tub deposit which should be maximum 30% of the final balance by credit card.  This covers you if the spa retailer runs off with the milkman or goes belly up in the period between paying your deposit and delivering your hot tub.  Even if there is a surcharge (should be no more than 2%) still use this payment option as it offers real peace of mind.  If you are requested to pay the whole final balance before receipt of your hot tub, ensure that you pay by credit card…again this will afford you the protection of your credit card supplier should anything go wrong.

That’s about it for now.  Happy Easter hot tub shopping.

Nick

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Spring has hit us early this year and as the sun shines the buying public are out in droves in hot tub showrooms around the UK, bathing costumes and excited families in tow, leaping into different hot tub models to find out which suits them best.

Before you part with your hard-earned cash don’t forget to visit our Find a Retailer area and see which hot tub companies are offering that extra bit of discount with our Print Discount Voucher feature.  Look for the hot tub retailers with this logo and click on the icon to see what extra goodies or savings are on offer.  These offers do change from time to time so check them out regularly, print off the current voucher and poke it under the nose of the showroom staff when you get to the checkout.

Here is an example of a voucher:

Happy hot tub shopping!

Nick

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Dr Jim’s Top Ten Tubbing Tips

1. Test the disinfectant & pH level daily.

2. Shower before bathing (to remove make up and deodorants, etc.).

3. Rinse bathing costume in warm water before and after bathing, try to avoid washing costume with detergents, better still, bathe in the nude!

4. Add disinfectant after bathing to replace that which has been used.

5. ‘Shock’ once a week with an appropriate product or after a heavy bather load (i.e. hot tub party).

6. Rinse hot tub filters weekly.

7. Chemically clean hot tub filters every 4 – 6 weeks.

8. Have a complete water balance test at least once a month which your local BISHTA (British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association) accredited hot tub retailer ought to be able to carry out.

9. Drain & refill your hot tub regularly (determined by Total Dissolved Solids test result), when in doubt drain it out.

10. Sit back and relax!

Jim Lamb - Spa Dr.

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Hi everyone,

Over the next 6 weeks we are going to be doing in-depth reviews of all the movers and shakers in the hot tub manufacturing fraternity.  This will include company information but also and more importantly we will be ‘road testing’ or ‘garden testing/soak testing??’ all of the best selling hot tub models available in the UK.

Our independent tests will include hot tub ratings and reviews and we will post them to the blog as and when we do them so you’ll catch the very latest news here first before it hits the main site or the magazine.  If there are any particular hot tub makes and models that you would like us to put to the WhatSpa? test just let us know by leaving a comment on this post.  We won’t be trying this one on the right by the way before you ask!!

Nick

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Welcome to the new WhatSpa? Magazine hot tub blog. 

Our expert panel of authors and contibutors have lots of exciting content up their sleeves for Spring and Summer 2007 and we will be keeping you informed in up-to-the-minute style about the very latest hot tub and home spa products and accessories to hit the UK market.

If you haven’t already done so, why not request a complimentary copy of our Spring/Summer edition of WhatSpa? Magazine…the UK’s leading glossy consumer magazine dedicated to consumers who are researching the UK market for the very latest hot tubs products, information and advice.  The Spring issue includes an exclusive interview with Fame Academy’s Carrie Grant about how she loves to relax in her own pool and spa along with a whole host of features which will make the task of choosing your hot tub an easy one.  To request your FREE copy visit our Buyers Guide page now. 

Our blog will also include regular hot tub maintenance top tips and advice and if you have any queries feel free to add a comment or question to test the knowledge of our resident team of Spa Doctors.

Our blog is split up by product categories so that you can easily search blog entries on the following subjects:

• Hot tubs & gazebos
• Swim Spas & exercise pools
• Saunas & steamrooms
• Spa chemicals and accessories
• Water maintenance tips & advice
• Spa servicing & maintenance advice

We hope you enjoy our ramblings and feel free to join in at any time by either commenting on articles or emailing your questions to info@whatspa.com

Enjoy

Nick

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