Buyers Beware! The Dangers of Hot Tub & Swim Spa Expos in Arizona

Have you heard about home and backyard expos?

Don’t be fooled by urgent TV ads promoting an expo with “major brands.” It’s often one small dealer that carries a few off-brands. The high-pressure environment is not a good place to buy a big-ticket item like a hot tub or swim spa. The nightmares that can go with that are well documented.

Instead, take your time and be careful when investing thousands of dollars in your health & wellness. Here are some expert tips for shopping for a hot tub or swim spa.

The Dangers of Buying From a Spa Home Show

Considering visiting or buying from a home show? Whether you’re looking for a hot tub or swim spa, purchasing from a home show can become cause for concern.

1. Lack of Long-Term Support: Vendors at expos often operate temporarily and may not provide ongoing customer service, making it difficult to address issues or get replacement parts after the sale.
2. Limited Warranty Coverage: “Weekend only” deals may come with restricted or unclear warranty terms, leaving you without adequate protection for your investment.
3. No Established Reputation: Many expo vendors are not local or well-established, increasing the risk of buying from an unreliable or unknown source.
4. High-Pressure Sales Tactics: Expos often rely on urgency and aggressive sales techniques, pushing you to make a quick decision without proper research or comparison.
5. Inferior Product Quality: While prices may seem attractive, many hot tubs or swim spas sold at expos are lower-quality models that may not last as long or deliver the same performance as premium brands.
6. Unverified Installation and Delivery Services: Expo sellers may not offer professional installation or proper delivery services, leading to potential damage or improper setup.
7. Hidden Fees: Special expo pricing can sometimes include hidden costs for add-ons, delivery, or installation, making the final price higher than expected.
8. Lack of Customization Options: Expo models are often pre-selected and limited in features, leaving you unable to choose the configuration, color, or options that best suit your needs.
9. Risk of No Return or Refund Policy: Many temporary vendors do not offer return policies, leaving you stuck with a product that doesn’t meet your expectations.
10. Difficulty Finding Parts or Service: If the vendor disappears after the expo, you may struggle to find compatible parts or a service provider familiar with your specific model.

Buying from a reputable, local dealer ensures long-term support, product quality, and a stress-free ownership experience.

Luckily, our team of experts at Imagine Backyard Living are all too familiar with these shows and expos. That’s why we have put together this helpful guide to help you navigate buying a hot tub or swim spa – especially if visiting a home show or expo is on your radar.

Do Your Research

Whether you choose to buy from expos or a store, make sure you research the products and the dealer, as this is an expensive and long-term investment. Spend some time online looking for reviews on both the brand and the dealer. Ask the dealer for customer references and if they have their own in-house service department with factory-trained and certified technicians.

Many businesses use outside companies to service their spas, which can understandably lead to frustration and delays – especially when you need service.  Visit their showroom so you can see if they are for real. Meet the owners and other management you will be working with.

Learn about the backgrounds of the people working for the company. Visit the Better Business Bureau or search social media for reviews about the brand and the dealer.

Don’t Be in a Hurry

Even if you find a tub you like, don’t rush into signing a contract until you know for sure if and when it will be available.

The time constraints and high-pressure tactics that are typical in a fake expo or home show can lead to impulse purchases and deep regrets, especially with lesser-known brands or dealers that will tell you what you want to hear to get the sale.

There are many instances where customers sign contracts that don’t allow them to cancel, even if the spa they chose isn’t available when promised. It’s best not to sign any contracts or make a down payment until you have done full research.

A reputable dealer will want you to take your time to make the right decision and will be happy to reconnect later once you’ve done your research. If you do decide to make a deposit, make sure to get a full refund clause in writing and use a credit card so you can dispute the charge when they try to give you a hard time.

Always Look For Reputable Brands

Because there can be so many products on display at these backyard expos, it’s easy to get sucked into the excitement.

The professional salesman from a home show or expo will try to pressure you to buy and confuse you with fancy “under the cabinet” chatter and talk about the number of jets and unrealistic high horsepower pumps.

The fact is a good hydrotherapy experience is NOT about high horsepower pumps and lots of jets! It’s about the placement of those jets and the technology developed to provide maximum hydrotherapy.

In fact, too many jets and high horsepower pumps will create an uncomfortable soaking experience, create long-term service issues and drive up energy costs. There is no way a 4 or 5 horsepower pump makes any sense in a hot tub – it would blow the jets out of the wall!

You won’t find reputable brands like Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs, Sundance® Spas and Hydropool® Swim Spas putting on fake “expos” or home shows, as they don’t allow these high-pressure sales tactics.

If you don’t see these trusted brands, just treat the visit as a chance to get a sense of the size and seating arrangement that might be best for you. Then go home and do more in-depth research online about what’s out there. Remember, our team at Imagine Backyard Living is always here to help.

Don’t Be Pressured To Buy From Backyard Expos or Home Shows

Purchasing a hot tub or swim spa is a big decision and a long-term investment. Choosing the best tub for you is about your well-being and quality of life, and that’s not something you should be pressured into by a professional salesman from any of the local expos that might come to your town.

About Imagine Backyard Living in Scottsdale

Imagine Backyard Living has been the #1 Volume Single Store Jacuzzi® Dealer in the World for 6 Years in a Row! Continue your search for the perfect hot tub or swim spa in their award-winning showroom.

Visit ImagineBackyard.com or stop by 15551. N Greenway-Hayden Loop, Scottsdale 85260. 480.607.3529