This is from their home page. Read it carefully. That alone should set off alarm bells because there are half a dozen contradictory statements in it.

--- "Welcome to Whirl-Pool Spa Manufacturers
The best place to find and buy the spa you have always wanted.

Whirl-Pool Spa Manufacturers has been contracted to liquidate excess inventory left over from nationwide promotions for the big box stores (such as BJ's and home depot), Dealer overstocks, roadshow and event sales. In order to avoid additional storage and transportation fees we are selling these spas direct to the public at manufacturers cost.
We are proud to work with one of the most trusted spa manufacturers in the industry Whirl-Pool Spa Manufacturers. Located in the heart of northeast Tennessee Whirl-Pool Spa Manufacturers has over 15 years of experience in every phase of spa manufacturing, service, and support. They take pride in their high quality, custom spas that are designed with innovation, quality, and value.
Whirl-Pool brand spas give you an unequaled hydrotherpy experience that will massage and relax your muscles. Slip into a Whirl-Pool spa and melt your stress away. Your "staycation" starts in your own backyard."---

It's funny you should mention their 'simple' website. Its design only cost them $400. You can read about it in the link. It's mind boggling that the design consultation was done on a public message board.

Other red flags:

- No 800 #
- No street address given
- Website not up to date (January 2009 Liquidation Specials on home page)

I see from your profile that you are in PA, zone 6. I wonder if you are nearby. You could have had a hot tub for free. My next door neighbor had a very large Sundance, in great condition, that his wife could no longer get into. It was free to whoever wanted it. The catch was, that it was too big to fit through the doors. The room it was in was originally a garage. They brought the tub through a garage door, then replaced the doors with a solid wall and finished the room. He ended up having it cut up to get it out. What a shame. At least I got the cover.

Joe

Here is a link that might be useful: Design project consultation done via message board

Yeah I'm in PA, not to far from NJ and Philly. I'm looking for a used hot tub, I didnt want to outlay 8k in these uncertain times. So I thought I could find something that would last us a few years until we get out of this awful recession. I am holding out for the right deal and I dont want somebody else's junk. A moving sale would be ideal!

How on earth did you find the website design on a msg board? You are a true inpector indeed. I dont even think it's the 'real' Whirlpool name that we all know since they are using a hyphen in their spelling.

I read your post twice, I only see one contradiction where they say 'they work with whirl-spa manufacturers' but their biz name indicates THEY ARE the manufacturer. Plus on their 'About Us' page they indicate they are the 3rd largest spa manufacturer in the world. They certainly dont appear to live up to that, per their dinky site.

Thanks for your feedback, you are correct.

--- "Yeah I'm in PA, not to far from NJ and Philly. I'm looking for a used hot tub, I didnt want to outlay 8k in these uncertain times. So I thought I could find something that would last us a few years until we get out of this awful recession. I am holding out for the right deal and I dont want somebody else's junk. A moving sale would be ideal!" ---

Why not place a few ads stating that you're looking for a used hot tub? There may be someone near you who doesn't use their tub and would welcome the opportunity to have it removed.

I'm a home inspector. It's not unheard of to find a hot tub staying with the house and the buyer saying that they don't want it. Maybe you can contact some home inspectors in your area and offer them a finders fee if they would run into a similar situation and you work out a deal for a tub.

--- "How on earth did you find the website design on a msg board? You are a true inpector indeed. I dont even think it's the 'real' Whirlpool name that we all know since they are using a hyphen in their spelling." ---

I Googled the name. That message board was the first result - ahead of the website itself. Now THAT tells you something.

I think it's safe to say that the appliance company is in no way related.

--- "I read your post twice, I only see one contradiction where they say 'they work with whirl-spa manufacturers' but their biz name indicates THEY ARE the manufacturer. Plus on their 'About Us' page they indicate they are the 3rd largest spa manufacturer in the world. They certainly dont appear to live up to that, per their dinky site." ---

Well, -I- went back and read it carefully, and it's only four. Oops. You picked up the most blatant one. Two of the others are similar: They claim to have been contracted to liquidate excess inventory, but yet they also claim to be the manufacturer, and they take pride instead of we take pride. Also, the claim of selling dirt cheap to avoid additional storage and transportation fees does not jibe with the reason they are being liquidated. There are also a few minor errors that a large, legit company simply wouldn't have on their website, such as capitalizing dealer and not capitalizing Home Depot.

For having been in business 15 years, it's mighty strange that the domain name has only been registered since July 15, 2008. It was registered through GoDaddy, something that I doubt the third largest spa manufacturer in the world would do.

A whois search revealed the registrant is Lianna Lawson. Ms. Lawson had a candle company called Winning Wicks that she apparently operated out of her home in Jonesborough, Tennessee. I say HAD, because there doesn't seem to be an active web site for the company. I'm guessing that the candle company folded and she's now selling hot tubs out of her house, over the internet.

Joe

Here is a link that might be useful: Winning Wicks

I just saw an article in a pool trade mag about spa dealers that are selling more used spas now. It may be a better option for a limited warranty,reliability of seller, etc. You might even find a dealer who is selling a new one to a repeat customer who has one to sell to you. Good luck

You might check craigs list too

Scott.

Here is a link that might be useful: Craig's List Main Page

Hi All,

I'm doing all these things: Craigs List, local trader magazines and talking to my electrician and everybody else. The ones on Ebay are too far away for transport costs to stay low.

Ok I'm going to take your advice and call our home inspector. I also alerted our pool service guy because he sees them regularly at his other clients' homes.

On CL, you have to weed through the junk. I'm finding the going rate for selling a good to excellent condition/few yrs old hot tub on CL is as low as 800$ and the ppl who are trying to sell comparable models closer to 2500-3000 are not getting their prices. That tells me I should be able to find something that's a few years old, even indoor-kept, for about 1500. If it has all the bells & whistles & in excellent shape, perhaps as high as 1800-2000.

I'm learning the resale value of these newer used tubs is terrible. If I'm correct, this is in my favor. Yay! I just need to hold out for the right deal & get to the ppl who are downsizing in this recession or moving for other reasons.

Will post a sign too but I'm not sure local bulletin boards will access sellers. I also have a 'wanted' ad on CL too so ppl can contact me before they post it publicly and avoid the hoopla of having buyers visiting, etc.

This is quite a project and if I buy too 'high' I might as well buy new. Cost of transport to be determined.

Most tubs stay when owner does not want to move them.

Tubs that break, Especially in the winter and freeze up are worthless. You won't know if a tub froze up until your ready to throw it out.

I would not buy a big box brand due to warranty and lack of consumer support.

Spas break, thats to be expected but service and support is very important. Who services what brands? How easy are the parts to obtain? Even proper hookup can lenghten the life of the tub.

I sold my last tub with the house last year and now in the market for a new one. I too looked at craigslist and hoped to find a hotsprings/Tiger River/Sundance/ brand for the warranty and reputation.

There are lots of deals on crap.

You get what you pay for, and maybe you have to overpay to get what you want. A leaking tub, a tub out of service, and problem tubs are not worth the hassle.

Just my opinion and Perhaps luck will find you and give you a great tub at a great price.

After a year without our Hotsprings Grandee tub we just purchased a New Sundance model. We got a floor model and saved some money. We missed it and became hot tub snobs after having a great previous model. Our last tub was built in and moving it was not a viable option.

I too was not crazy about the prices and in this economy making a discretionary purchase of that size but the health benefits and indulgence won out. I have too many friends who cut corners on spas and not happy they did so.

We waited a year and shopped. Good luck!

I love this list!

I lined up 5 appointments. All the tubs are between 2 and 5 yrs old. All their starting prices are around 3000. all impeccable condition and serviced locally by our own pool store. New craigs list postings coming on daily. It must be end of season for hot tubs. That surprises me cuz I would use mine all year around. I located transportation with a local friend who hauls junk and debris.

Their prices are high. I wont be making any offers unless they dont sell. The waiting process will take months.

My hair stylist's neighbor gave one away for FREE two weeks ago. It was few years old and in impeccable condition. Drat! I missed that one.

I got sick and tired of looking at people's high priced crap on Craigs List that I went to Pelican in NJ and bought a floor model, 2 yrs old Calspa. I love it! It's got all the bells and whistles and even the warranties. New steps, new skirt, new mounted cover and delivery plus a training session after it's installed. They will come all the way from NJ just for us!!

All the things we were looking for were included as 'stock' on every model. Energy efficiency, ozonator, two 5HP pumps, quality heater, etc.

It has the foot and ankle jets, 2 massage chairs, lounge, neck jets and a waterfall. Big light on the bottom and the other normal stuff.

Retail 9k, I got it for 3900. Could trade it in when we're ready for a new one.

We are so happy now and cant wait for delivery day!!