www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
TradingUpHotTubs JUN 2012 SPN
Spa Crest Europe can retrofit a Balboa full function iPhone app to any of their Spa Crest and Coastal tubs built since the start of 2011
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MAAX Spas are finding a lot of existing hot tub owners become really technically astute about hot tub technology and trading up has become more important in the last two years
Finally, there’s a category of buyers who bought low tech models seven to 10 years ago but have found having a hot tub has become a way of life and want to take advantage and enjoy newer technology.
But it seems when it comes to hot tubs nothing really replaces enthusiasm. The last two years has seen a change in how trading up has become more important, says MAAX Spas.
“Older spas sold six or seven years ago are not energy efficient and can be very expensive to run,” said a company spokesman. “Some spa owners are now finding older models are just not as luxurious. A lot of emphasis is going on getting people who have already bought into the concept of hot tubs to upgrade. “We are finding a lot of existing hot tub owners become really technically astute about
hot tub technology. They know what they want from an upgrade in great detail.”
Tony Welsby at Spa Crest Europe says: “We don’t normally see our customers looking to upgrade their tubs, but we have seen some disappointed ‘internet purchasing’ customers coming in to see if we will ‘trade in’ their ‘mistake’ purchase against something of a better quality.
“Occasionally, we will get a trade in of a tub many years old, which is quite clearly of an old fashioned or discontinued operating system and layout. “We do take trade ins, some are worthy of reselling with a little TLC, whilst others are straight in the skip.
“The ones we do resell are purchased by people looking for a quality USA tub, but at a price you might pay on the internet for a Far Eastern tub.
“Most people
are happy with their lot, after all, they probably made a big
investment in the first place... but many are interested in after sales economy devices or gadgets, for example, we can retrofit our Balboa full function iPhone app to any of our Spa Crest and Coastal tubs built since the start of 2011.” The upgrade trend has been a factor in improved sales figures in other parts of Europe and especially in the United States. The strategy of convincing customers who are already sold on the enjoyment of hot tubs is much easier than finding new customers says Lauren Stack, Director of the United States trade association, the APSP (Association of Pool & Spa Professionals).
Caldera Spas – a popular hot tub for trading up clients as they move up the quality ladder
Sundance Spas (left top) and Artesian Spas (left bottom) – the move from relaxation to therapy is a factor in many upgrades
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