Are Hot Tub Prices Negotiable?
If you are considering buying your first hot tub, you may be wondering if hot tub prices are negotiable.
Is it like buying a car where you can expect to haggle?
Are hot tub prices negotiable? The truth is it depends. In some cases, yes, and in other cases no. When it comes to online ordering or big box stores, the answer is generally no. But if buying from a local retailer or at a tent sale, home show or other event, we recommend you try, as we believe most retailers will come back with something to improve their offer.
We get asked this by people in our stores (often right before the negotiation begins), and so we wanted to set the record straight here as best as we could. We don’t know every situation you’ll find yourself in, but in general, if you’re shopping at local retailers, the industry is open to some negotiating. Those stores are good finds and our recommended places to shop for hot tubs (we only sell Hydropool hot tubs through local retailers for this reason, because we believe in this system).
On the other hand, you may come across a hot tub dealer, typically at pop-up sales or home shows, where suddenly the price of a spa is completely negotiable, and thousands of dollars are being shaved off the price tag “just for you.” This scenario is a red flag, as the hot tub itself is probably inferior quality, just priced with an extremely high markup to allow for these “too good to be true deals.”
When it comes to buying a hot tub, knowledge is power. So in this article, we want to give you the information you need to find the best deal for a hot tub. We will cover:
- How can I get the best deal on a hot tub?
- What should I watch out for when buying a hot tub?
By knowing exactly what to look out for, you will be able to find a model that is just what you want and keep an eye out (and even negotiate) a good price on a quality hot tub.
How Can I Get the Best Deal on a Hot Tub?
Research first
Buying a hot tub is a big-ticket item and one that needs to be researched first to ensure that you select the right one to suit your family’s needs and lifestyle. Often, if you do not do your homework first before making your purchase, it will end up costing you more in the long run.
Here’s a few articles that may help you on this end:
Set your budget
Knowing what you can comfortably spend is the best starting point before you begin shopping. A salesperson may ask you your “range” during the shopping process. This is because hot tub prices span from $8,000 to more than $20,000, so there’s a wide range of price points to consider.
When setting your budget, there’s the price of the hot tub, and the cost of installation. This article explains everything you need to know.
Narrow down to a model or two
If you have found a few hot tub models that you are interested in, it doesn’t hurt to ask the hot tub dealers if they can give you a better rate. There may be a bit of wiggle room or they may be able to include an add-on you would like. If you are still trying to find a lower price for the model you want, ask your dealer when they have sales coming up. These events typically provide the best opportunity to get a bargain.
Know when to buy
If you are buying from a reputable dealer, they will typically have standardized pricing but often feature discounts, promotions or sales. In Canada, there are three major buying seasons: spring, early summer -- then there’s typically a bit of a break through summer -- and then more sales resume in the fall before slowing down over the winter (which is ironic: Winter is one of the best times to use a hot tub).
In the off-season, you may be able to find slightly damaged models, floor models that need to go out the door, or previous-year models that can be sold for less: Don’t be afraid to ask about those!
Our best advice on what to look for
Look for a good price on a quality hot tub. This can be hard because most hot tub makers don’t tell you their pricing up front (Hydropool puts pricing right on its website for each model, but we know we’re an outlier here).
You don’t want to be ripped off. And if you go seeking the deal of the century, you’re going to be a mark for a salesperson who sees you coming, and chances are you’re going to end up with a hot tub that doesn’t work for very long (more on that in the second half of this article).
Our best advice on what to ask for
The best deal isn’t just on the price of the hot tub.
- Asking for store credit on upcoming chemical purchases can be a way for you and the store to have a win.
- Extended warranties or discounting upgrades are often easier for stores to accomplish than straight-out price drops.
- Try not to be picky. The color might not be exactly what you want to get the best price. Decide early if you’re trying to get the exact hot tub you want or the lowest price – it’s much harder to get both.
- Subscribing to mailing lists may fill up your inbox, but it will give you a heads up on sales.
- Offer to pay in cash. Many businesses give you a better rate on a cash price.
- Have a limit and don’t exceed it. Salespeople are trained to upsell, so be prepared to resist their pitches. Be candid with your upper limit.
- Prior year models and floor models get sold off on a regular basis: Don’t be shy about asking for one, along with a lowered price.
What Should I Watch Out for When Buying a Hot Tub?
Pushy salespeople
Be sure to be wary of any sales rep who is overly pushy about adding a ton of extras to your hot tub. In some stores, sales associates rely on a heavy commission structure and these add-ons, although enjoyable, may not be the best use of your budget. By selecting a model within your price range that has the best programming, self-cleaning features, and adjustability you will be set with a quality, solid model that will last. Add-ons can always come later.
Avoid cheap
There is a chance that a cheap hot tub may not even survive its first winter. Poorly made hot tubs are notorious for pumps that freeze, pipes that burst and shells that crack from cold weather exposure. There is no way that a hot tub priced at a couple of thousand dollars will last or be easy to maintain. If you consider spending $5,000 for a poorly-made unit that only lasts a couple of years, requires double the number of chemicals to clean and several costly repairs to a well-made, self-cleaning model that has an average lifespan of 10-15 years with a robust warranty, the best value for cost of ownership is evident.
Skip Online or Going Out of Business Sales
While an online or going-out-of-business sale may be enticing, be a bit wary. The same with tent sales that are from a manufacturer that doesn’t sell regularly in your area. Buying from a reputable, local hot tub dealer (that isn’t going anywhere) has a major advantage. This advantage is that they provide installation and warranty servicing. While you may get a great sale on a hot tub, if there is no one in your region to repair or service it when it breaks, you could be faced with a lot of hassle, difficulty and unexpected expenses compared to if your spa was backed by local dealer support.
Can I Negotiate My Hot Tub Price?
The answer is yes, we think you should try in most cases, if you’re dealing with a local retailer. When dealing with a big box store or online, we think you’re probably wasting your time.
We recommend you do research beforehand so you have a strong sense of the prices involved and who sells hot tubs in your area regularly, so you know you can get support if you need it. You also want to have a sense of who makes the best hot tubs. We think your goal should be to find a good hot tub at a good price, rather than try to get the deal of the century.
We hope we have helped you figure out your approach to negotiating your next hot tub. If you want to get started, contact one of our local retailers today.
