My experience with Dublin Spa Center, and especially with salesman Nate, has been dispiriting, to say the least. I've never owned anything like this before, so I relied entirely on him in making this decision. I had two primary areas of concern about purchasing a swim spa: the cost to run it after the initial purchase, and accessibility. Nate told me that the impact on my electric bill would be minimal, due to the amazing insulating power of the spa cover. Then, when I worried that I wouldn't be able to lift said cover (which, at several inches thick, is quite heavy), he assured me that it would be very easy, and that he had never heard anyone tell him that it was a problem.
Well, my electric bill more than DOUBLED in the month following the purchase. It's so high now that PG&E even charged a separate fee for the excessively-high usage. That's hardly a "minimal" impact; the spa runs constantly.
The worst part, though, is that I can't even use the spa by myself - because I can't lift the cover. After installation, Nate admitted to me that the person who installed the spa actually *told* him that it would be difficult, if not impossible, for anyone to manage the cover alone, given the height of the tub and the way the stairs were configured. Sure enough, I am completely unable to make any use of this spa at all when I am home alone. In spite of knowing all of this, Nate cheerfully charged my credit card anyway, and professed complete bewilderment when I told him that I felt misled.
In fairness, Nate did offer to replace the heavy cover with another one, which he claims will be easier to lift. I consented, because it could hardly be *more* difficult. It hasn't arrived yet, although the spa was installed six weeks ago; I imagine that my PG&E bill will increase yet again after the new cover does arrive, because any insulation will undoubtedly be reduced.
I wish that I had never made this purchase. If I could, I would return it in a heartbeat. As it is, I am considering simply disconnecting it and letting it sit empty, since I can't use it anyway. I'm giving two stars, rather than one, because the tub itself is pretty great - when other people are here to help, it is enjoyable and seems to work as described. But as for the business itself, well, suffice it to say that I've been reminded why it's not always wise to trust a sales person to tell the truth about a product. read more