The Hot Tub from Hell
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Valerie and I had been talking about getting a hot tub for several months, so, when we got back from our
honeymoon, we went to this dealer on US 130 and talked to a salesman. After talking to him a while, we
decided on the size, the color, the color of the frame and the color of the top. We got all the information
that we needed in order to get the appropriate permits and he quoted us a price of around $8,000. I started
looking through the phone book for contractors to do the work that we needed done (a 10 x 10 reinforced
concrete slab, the steps to our deck moved from the side to the front (that's where we wanted to put the hot
tub) and electricity run. Since we had maxed out the service that we had, the electrician was going to have
to upgrade our service. I wanted to get the contractor first thinking that he'd be able to help with the
plans necessary for the permits.
Well, we found a contractor that we both liked and we asked him for a quote. He quoted us $1,800, and $300 additional for the electric. He was a deaf guy from Trenton and we figured we could give the guy the work. Well, we called him and asked him to stop by with a contract with his license number and insurance. When he showed up, he told us (we wrote notes) that he didn't have a license or insurance. In New Jersey, you can't get permits to do the work unless they have that information so we told him we were sorry but we needed them. He understood, but that meant we were back to square 1 and had to find a contractor. I had several others come in, but didn't like any of them (most were more interested in talking about Cotton than the work to be done. Well, we decided to talk to our next door neighbor, Ben, who is a architect, hoping that he'd be able to point us to a contractor. We didn't want to badger him, but it took about a week for him to send us a few names. Since they were all recommended by Ben, I, for no other reason, called they guy named Ed. He was a professional all they way and quoted us a price that was more in line with the going rate in the area, about $5,700. We signed a contract and he told us to call him as soon as we got the permits. He did dig the holes for the footings for where the steps were going and he removed the part of the walkway that had to be removed before he left. He even stacked a few of our concrete blocks as steps for the dogs (by now we had 2 dogs) so they could go up and down. He also reviewed the plans that Valerie had updated and said that they should be fine. The next day, I went over to the township building with the plans for the work, and was told that I needed to have the spec sheet on the hot tub. Ok, so I called the hot tub store and asked if they had the plans and the exact amount of the hot tub. He (the salesman) wasn't there and I was told to call back the next day. So, the next day, I called, he said that he could get me the spec sheet after I placed the order and the total amount would be $10,100. Well, Valerie and I both remembered he initial quote and we figured he was trying to pull a fast one on us, so we got out the phone book, and we looked up things on the internet until we found a different dealer who sold a different line of Hot Tubs (we initially were going to get a "Thermospa" but found a place that sold Hot Springs Spas nearby so we went to their showroom and picked out another spa, selected the color, the color of the frame and the color of the top. (I keep mentioning all three of these because as the story continues, you will see that they make a difference). We chose a white marble tub, with a gray frame (to match the house) and a reddish brown top (to match the deck). The salesman told us that they don't come with that combination, so as we were ready to walk out, he talked to someone who called the factory and we were told that we could get it. He also gave us the spec sheet for the tub and the top. We put half down and went home. So, the next day I took all the paperwork over to the township building to get the permits, and when I showed the plan to the guy in the planning department, I was told that a hot tub is the same as a pool and it has to be at least 5 feet from the house. So with a dejected look on my face, I brought everything home to tell Valerie when she got home from work. When I told her, she said that that was stupid, and talked to Ben next door. He told her that that was not true and gave her the e-mail address of the guys boss who told me that it was a pool and Valerie e-mailed him and he told her the same thing, that a hot tub is NOT a pool and we can have it next to the house. So, the next day I went back over to the township building (trip #3) with all of the paperwork, went to the planning department, got it approved, and went to apply for the permits. The next Saturday, we got a letter in the mail saying that our application was denied because we didn't have the license number of the contractor on the paperwork, the size of the tread and riser wasn't shown on the plans (we said that we were moving the existing steps and those steps had that information) and they needed 2 sets of plans. On Monday, I took 2 new copies of all the plans (I wasn't taking any chances that they weren't going to count the one they already had) back over to the township building (trip#4). That afternoon, I got a phone call saying that they didn't get a copy of the specs for the lid (they must have misplaced them) so I made 2 more copies and drove them over to the township building (trip #5). The next Saturday, we received a letter saying that our application was denied because the license number I had put on the plans wasn't valid. First thing the following Monday morning, I called my contractor and it seems he got copies of all the correspondence and he was at the township building straightening it all out. 3 days later, I got a phone call telling me that everything was in order and I can come over and get the permits. (trip #6). Well, two days later, the contractor came over and framed out the concrete slab, and told me that he called the inspector. The inspector came over that afternoon, looked at everything, and was interested in the plants we have growing on the side of the house. I told him that we just tossed old bird seed there and whatever it is, we have no idea. I told him he could have some of the seeds if he wants, but he was contented with my answer, gave me the approval for the work to continue out back and left. The next day, Valerie and I were out on the deck and while the initial plans had us removing the railing from the side of the deck, we thought about it and we figured it would be safer if we left the railing up and put a gate in where the steps were. So, two days later when the contractor came back, we made that change and he used the part of the railing that he cut out for the new location for the steps and made a very nice gate. He also poured the concrete and put up the steps. The next day, the electrician came and replaced our circuit breaker box and upgraded the service and told us that when the hot tub arrives, he wants to be here and he'll do the work running the line out to the hot tub then. Well, in the mean time, we went back over to the showroom and I climbed into the hot tub to see how it would feel. This was 4 weeks after we ordered it and were told 4 to 6 weeks. I tried everything and knew that it would be perfect for both of us. Valerie didn't get in because she was afraid she'd be too cold after she got out, and then had to drive home wet. Well, 6 weeks to the day, a Saturday, from when we ordered it, we called them and were told it would be in the following Thursday. We were called on Thursday and were told that it would be in on Tuesday, and we'd be the first one they deliver, but, they don't deliver before 5PM. Well, in New Jersey, this time of year, it's dark at 5, and we tried to arrange a daytime delivery so we could actually see it when they deliver it. We both want to inspect it thoroughly before accepting delivery, but the store told us that their delivery people are part time and they can't start until then. I was starting to get angry so I gave the phone to Valerie and she argued with them telling them that our electrician wanted to be here when it was delivered and he wasn't going to start his day at 5 PM, until finally accepting a 4:30 - 5:00 delivery on Tuesday and we'd try to schedule the electrician for Wednesday. We called our contractor and told him when the delivery was going to happen, and he said he'd call the electrician. It seems the electrician took Thanksgiving week off and that we weren't going to be able to get him to come until the following week. We resigned ourselves that we weren't going to have the hot tub filled and operational on Thanksgiving, but we'd still have it. Valerie also took Thanksgiving week off, and we were using the time to get the house in shape for a Thanksgiving dinner for her father and two of her aunts. With two dogs, and with Cotton shedding a dog a day, vacuuming was going to be several days work, but we both knew we were going to have to stop on Tuesday when they delivered the hot tub. Well, Tuesday around noon, I was at the grocery store and Valerie was working in the yard when the phone rang. The called left a message. When I got home, Valerie asked if it was me, I told her no, so I went to listen to the message. It was the hot tub factory in California saying that they loaded a hot tub with the wrong color frame and would we accept delivery until they can get us the right one. With all that has happened, Valerie called back, and left a message for the person who called us (after first typing a wrong number and getting a phone porn site LOL) saying that there's no way we're going to accept something we didn't order. That would mean we'd have to have the electrician here twice, once to hook up the wrong one, and once for the replacement. After leaving the message, we waited by the phone for about an hour, until finally Valerie decided to call the showroom and find out what's going on. The lady at the store, when she saw it was wrong, doubled checked our order and called the factory, telling them they should offer us SOMETHING because of their mistake. Valerie told her that not only didn't they offer us anything, they never called back. The lady at the store said that they are going to put our tub on the truck that day and that it should be here in 4 days, and kept talking about how sorry she was and how they should have offered us something until Valerie just said to her, "Be quiet and listen! Neither you nor I knows what they are going to do that day in California, so there's nothing that either of us can do until it gets here, but you better not have charged our credit card until it gets here. She said she already did that in the morning, but she'll reverse it now". After they hung up, I said to Valerie that I doubt a truck driver is going to be driving the entire day of Thanksgiving, so whatever she just promised isn't going to happen. So, here it is the Saturday after Thanksgiving and all we have to show for our troubles is a concrete slab in the back yard, the deck steps in a different place and a new electrical box. When things actually happen, I'll update this page. The lady from the hot tub dealer called yesterday (Monday, November 27th) saying that our hot tub is in and what time can they deliver it. Remembering that they told us that they don't start delivering until 5PM, I just answered, "The earlier, the better". She then said to me, "OK, we'll deliver it tomorrow, either at 9AM or 1PM, I'll call you when I have the exact time". After we hung up, I e-mailed Valerie and told her what transpired, and she asked for their phone number because she wanted to call to make sure that we weren't getting a floor model from someplace. We both wondered how it would take them 4 to 6 weeks for them to manufacture the incorrect hot tub, but it only took them a week for them to get the correct one to us. Valerie called me back and told me that she was assured that we are getting a new one, and that they just put the wrong one on the truck. We both accepted their answer, and after we got off the phone, I called our contractor to try to schedule the electrician to come and hook it up. He told me that he had scheduled us for Wednesday but he'll check to see if anything had changed. Since he didn't call me back, I'm assuming that he'll be here on time. Later in the day, the doorbell rang and when I went to the door, there was a box sent via Fed Ex from the manufacturer addressed to Valerie. I e-mailed her to let her know, and she called me asking what was in it. So, I opened it and on the top was a card addressed to both of us. 
Inside the box there were two terrycloth robes and two large towels. I understand it was their way of making things
right with us, but as I sit here typing, I have robes and towels, but still no hot tub. When Valerie got home, we
we looking at the robes and we both said, "There goes one Christmas gift idea!" It seems we both had planned on
getting the other a heavy robe for the other for use with the hot tub.
Anyway, we're expecting delivery today, but with all the trouble we've had so far, that still remains to be seen! We were scheduled for a 1PM delivery, and it arrived right on time, at 2. They started installing it and when they opened the cover, I saw that it was was grey. I was sure that we ordered a rust colored one! So, I called the store and they said they have a rust colored one, so one of the guys went back to the shop. I called Valerie, and let her know what was happening, and left a message. She called back almost immediately and told me that she had ordered the grey one, so I quickly called the store, and we caught him before he left with the rust colored one. I apologized many times for MY mistake, but I didn't really feel that bad because of all the ones they made. Anyway, the electrician was here this morning to take measurements, and will be back tomorrow morning to do the installation. I'm taking water over to the store today so they can let me know how to treat the water. 
It's finally hooked up, running, and wonderful. Isn't it amazing how one can forget all the trials and tribulations
one has to go thorough after everything is said and done.
In the spring, we plan on doing some hardscaping of the back yard. We at least want to put in a path from the deck steps to the front of the spa, but we're also talking about putting down an area large enough for a fire pit. I'm wondering just how much trouble that's going to cause! I'll keep you informed. |
