Editing review post installation:
We had a complicated experience with Backyard Leisure. Regarding the shopping/purchase experience, Dave was extremely helpful in-store and was responsive following up when we had questions prior to making a purchase decision. He didn't try to sell us the most expensive thing, and instead was focused on what features each spa had and what would work for us. We were between Backyard Leisure and another retailer, but ultimately decided to go with Backyard Leisure based on the experience with Dave.
We paid for our hot tub at the end of August 2022 in-full due to a Labor Day sale and cash discount that made the spa much more attractive price-wise. The expectation was that delivery would take longer than normal. They initially told us they were backed up with supply chain issues (understandable) and the installation probably wouldn't happen until the end of December. We received no follow up after the point of purchase (fully paid) and only received updates when we began to call once every week or two around January/February of 2023.
Every time we got the same run-around "your hot tub is on the next truck, we've received a shipping notification, you should receive a call for installation in the next week." Every week we would receive no follow-up and when we would call to get more information, we received the same story. According to one of our calls, the hot tub was ready at least by late February 2023 and waiting for pickup at the manufacturer, but it may have been ready even before that. We only found out when one of the associates called the manufacturer to confirm which was initiated by us hounding them. Apparently Backyard Leisure was having issues with their prior trucking company, which they claimed was the larger issue. All other judgement aside on whether or not that's truly the root cause, the complete lack of proactive communication for several months is the main issue. Also, I find it hard to believe that from February until we finally got our spa, they had 0 deliveries from the manufacturer.
We finally received delivery in June of 2023. I was able to work with Julie to get delivery relatively soon after the spa was received by Backyard Leisure. The install team was quick, put the hot tub exactly where we wanted it, and installed the cover. They were courteous and didn't damage the lawn or any landscaping getting the tub in. You couldn't even tell they were here, other than a giant hot tub now on our patio. Happy with the setup at our house.
I will say, the salespeople we spoke to are very friendly and understanding of our frustration, however it got to be exasperating when we would get a commitment for resolution, only to have the same conversation 2 weeks later. When you spend as much money as Backyard Leisure's products cost, it is not a far-fetched expectation to want regular updates. Ultimately, the initial sale and final delivery/install were good experiences, but the months in-between of inaction and mis-information were the issue.
--------------Review pre-installation-------------
We paid for our hot tub at the end of August 2022 and still haven't received our shipment. They initially told us they were backed up with supply chain issues (understandable) and the installation probably wouldn't happen till the end of December. We received no follow up since the point of purchase (fully paid) and have only received updates when we call once a week.
Every time it's the same thing, "your hot tub is on the next truck, we've received a DN, you should receive a call for installation in the next week." Every week we receive no follow up and when we call to get more information we get the same thing said back from us.
I will say, the sales people we speak to are very friendly and understanding of our frustration, however at this point I feel as though we've been scammed. read more