You may have seen commercials that tout huge savings on spas when you buy factory direct. While this seems like a deal that can’t be beat, you may be sacrificing critical quality and support.

Buying through a local dealer allows you to test the spa before you buy. Dealers are experts who can answer any questions you may have, offering excellent service while you shop and providing dedicated support for delivery, set up and lifetime of your hot tub.

Here’s some more information about why it’s best to avoid buying a factory direct hot tub.

A factory direct hot tub may lack quality

Simply put, factory-direct hot tubs lack the quality design, construction and materials to make them worth your while. Poorly designed seats can mean you’re constantly fighting to stay put. Inferior materials can lead to poor energy efficiency and can create more maintenance problems than you care to deal with. On the other hand, a high-quality hot tub from a manufacturer like Caldera Spas can help you avoid those problems so you can focus on comfort and relaxation.

When prices are too good to be true from the start, you must wonder where the cost savings are coming from — and where the manufacturers may be sacrificing quality. The absence of equipment such as a quality cover can significantly raise the price of owning your hot tub in the long run — and seriously get in the way of enjoyment due to poor insulation that will need more energy to heat the water.

A lack of other spa side options such as cover lifter, handrails, and steps may not directly affect your hot tub, but their absence can further hinder your ability to enjoy the spa.

[ Find your nearest local hot tub dealer here ]

Factory direct hot tubs don’t offer expert installation, service, or support

The best source for long-term support of your spa’s mechanical and electrical systems is a local dealer that can physically assist with your spa if you need help installing or troubleshooting. Without this assistance, you may have trouble keeping your hot tub in operation.

You may even have trouble installing your spa in the first place. If a factory direct hot tub is a model that can be directly wired to your home, you’re left to figure out the installation on your own.

A dealer, on the other hand, will help to guide you in installing your hot tub. With a depth of experience in your area, they can recommend a reliable professional electrician who has direct experience with the dealer’s hot tub models. This makes the installation efficient and hassle free.

Unlike reputable hot tub brands that make their manuals and installation directions available, a factory-direct spa’s documentation may be incomplete or not easily accessible. The same may be said of the equipment needed to keep the spa in good repair.

Hot tubs require periodic servicing, including cleaning or replacing filters, water treatments, and occasional replacement of parts. A factory direct hot tub that came from thousands of miles away may not have the needed water treatments or parts available in your area. You’re left to try and make do with off-the-shelf chemicals from your local pool supply store or to match part numbers off of an online list without guidance. These are parts and services that a local dealer can easily assist you with. At the very least, they can provide answers to your questions.

While a quality experience may be possible from a factory direct hot tub, it is far more likely that you’ll enjoy a hot tub made by a known and reputable brand purchased from a local dealer much more. Buying a factory-direct hot tub is a gamble, and your money is better spent on a sure thing.

You can’t test a hot tub before you make a purchase

Going to a local dealer and having a test soak is helpful before buying a hot tub. This way you can sample the massage jets, the water quality, and the feel of the seats. You can also witness firsthand the quality of the cabinet, shell, and hardware.

When you purchase a hot tub from a brand without any local representation, you could miss out on this critical step to ensure that your big purchase is worth your money. A test soak can help you test the following things:

•    The comfort of the seats
•    The power of the jets
•    The range of jets for different massage actions
•    How easily the jets adjust
•    If the controls are easy to reach and intuitive to use

A test soak could influence your decision to choose a different brand or model, which is a decision you can’t make when buying factory direct.

The next step: Choosing the perfect hot tub

Once you’ve decided to purchase a new hot tub, it’s time to pick out your perfect model. Browse the entire lineup of Caldera Spas, or check out our learning center for resources that can help you identify those features that are most important to you. Then visit a local dealer who can answer any of your questions and help you pick out the perfect spa.

Our spas and accessories are backed by a global network of dealers and customer service professionals. To experience the quality of a Caldera® spa for yourself, locate a dealer near you to take a test soak and request a brochure to find the best spa for you.

The post Thinking of Buying a Factory Direct Hot Tub? Why You Should Reconsider appeared first on Caldera Spas.

Above-Ground Hot Tub Design Benefits

Above-ground hot tubs can fit in a variety of settings in your yard. If you live in colder weather, a portable hot tub can be placed very close to your house. Portable hot tubs can be built into a deck or above ground, and portable hot tub equipment is built into the hot tub exterior. Portability is an advantage — you can, with some effort, take your hot tub with you when you move.

If you live in colder weather, a portable hot tub can be placed very close to your house.

Built-in hot tubs can be designed in different shapes and sizes, and are often attached to a pool or part of a pool setup. In-ground hot tubs can also be worked into a yard or landscape. Equipment is not built-in and is usually in a separate location and can be bulky and noisy.

Portable hot tubs can fit in a variety of settings in your yard.

Do portable hot tubs or in-ground hot tubs have better massage options?

Portable hot tubs offer many more hot tub jets and configurations, and the jets are  adjustable, sized and positioned differently depending on hydro-massage options. Portable hot tubs offer multiple types of ergonomic seating options, as well as varied seating sizes to fit bodies of all sizes and types.

Portable hot tubs offer multiple types of ergonomic seating options, as well as varied seating sizes to fit bodies of all sizes and types.

In-ground jets are usually one size with bench seating that is not as conducive to hydro-massage. Sometimes, it can be a challenge to align your body to a jet to hit just that right spot on your back, and forget about a neck massage –that requires submerging your head below the waterline!

Are built-in hot tubs and portable hot tubs energy efficient?

Portable hot tub filters and water care options are very advanced making hot tub water care easy, and owners can often care for their own tubs. Portable hot tubs are energy efficient and designed to run all the time so there’s no heat-up period. They work with covers and cover lifters so they can maintain temperatures and stay cleaner.

Many portable hot tubs are made of acrylic, which is easier to clean and not as abrasive as materials used in in-ground hot tubs like concrete, textured surfaces, tile, and fiberglass. In-ground hot tub surfaces can also be rough on the skin and on swimsuits.

Perhaps most important to consider is that in-ground hot tubs have to be heated prior to use, and don’t run all the time so are not as energy efficient, and cost more to run overall.

What’s the best hot tub?

So what’s the best type of hot tub for you, in-ground or portable? Well, it depends on a number of factors. Ask yourself these questions:

• Where in your yard do you want your hot tub located?
• Do you want a hot tub that is always hot and ready to go, or are you OK with waiting for it to heat up?
• What do you need in terms of jets and massage?
• How important are features like lighting, water enhancements, and entertainment options to you?
• Are you willing to do some of your own spa maintenance and up-keep?
• What is your budget?

Consider all of the above when hot tub shopping, and talk to your local dealer about any questions or concerns. See if you can try out some different spas , to see what hot tub therapy works for you. You’re making an amazing investment into your overall wellness!

Interested in hot tub pricing?

Ready to connect with a hot tub dealer?

Further Recommended Reading

• Product Focus: Energy Efficient Caldera Spas Leave Your Money in Your Pocket
• Is a Test Soak Helpful Before Buying a Hot Tub?
• Tips to Build Confidence for Your First Hot Tub Purchase
• Where Do I Begin to Design a Great Backyard with my Hot Tub?

The post Above-Ground Hot Tubs vs. Built In – Pros & Cons appeared first on Caldera Spas.

Questions to ask before deciding on a spa.

The post What size hot tub should I buy? appeared first on Caldera Spas.

The clear advantage to a used hot tub is the lower price. The disadvantage is that the spa’s early life has already been consumed, so you may not get as many years of use out of a second-hand hot tub as a new one.

Like a car, the life of a hot tub largely depends on how well it is cared for.

The post Should I Buy a Used Hot Tub? appeared first on Caldera Spas.

The right cover lifter depends on which model you purchase. Try folding and unfolding covers with cover lifters at the dealership and see which feels best. Learn more about the ProLift Hot Tub Cover Lifters.

To learn more read our in-depth article about hot tub cover lifters.

The post Are There Different Types of Spa Cover Lifters? appeared first on Caldera Spas.

It’s also much more likely that your cover could be damaged as you take it on and off your hot tub. That damage can affect the cover’s energy efficiency and wind up costing you money in energy bills.

And worst of all, anecdotal evidence suggests you’ll tend to use your hot tub much less if getting the cover off and on is difficult and time consuming.

Read our in-depth article to learn more about hot tub cover lifters.

The post What If I Don’t Buy A Hot Tub Cover Lifter? appeared first on Caldera Spas.

The only negative is that most lifters disrupt the attractive, clean lines of a spa and the look of a smooth flat cover. That’s why Caldera^® Spas integrates the lifter bar inside the cover. The integrated bar helps complement the spa’s design, resulting in a much cleaner look and a more attractive design aesthetic.

Read this in-depth article to learn more about hot tub cover lifters.

The post How Does a Hot Tub Cover Lifter Work? appeared first on Caldera Spas.

With a cover lifter, you can be in your spa in seconds, enjoying all the benefits of a daily, 20-minute soak . So…is a lifter really necessary? We think so.

Caldera Spas offers a variety of Prolift^® cover lifters. Your local dealer can help you determine which one is right for

This article will tell you more about hot tub cover lifters.

The post Should I Buy a Cover Lifter? appeared first on Caldera Spas.

Read our in-depth article for more details on care of the hot tub cover.

The post Are All Hot Tub Covers Essentially The Same? appeared first on Caldera Spas.

Cleaning and treating your spa cover, maintaining proper water chemistry and gently removing leaves, snow and ice will help your cover last longer.

You can find out more details on hot tub cover care from this article.

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