Decision made - finally - Nordic Encore LS (2020 model) - electrical question please

They were about $500 when I was selling mine. Many potential buyers did not want to pay that and I was prepared to do it myself with 4X4s across the bed rails of my pickup and the hot tub sitting on those like Cleopatra. Strapped down of course. I lucked out that the guy who bought it had a trailer and we just loaded it up the easy way.

The cover which i looked into replacing was about $500 at the time. So factor that into your net costs as well.

Yeah a cover is going to cost me for sure based on what I am seeing.

I did just get some bad news from them the heater is broken so that will need replacing too. Its also older than 5 years, probably 10.
 
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So $950 for the tub, $500 to move it, $500 for the cover and $500 (conservatively) for the heater. $2450 is getting awfully close to the $3k ish new price, but still a savings.

Got any buddies with a truck and or trailer that would help in exchange for a case of beer ?
 
So $950 for the tub, $500 to move it, $500 for the cover and $500 (conservatively) for the heater. $2450 is getting awfully close to the $3k ish new price, but still a savings.

Got any buddies with a truck and or trailer that would help in exchange for a case of beer ?
I can check but yeah the price is now creeping up for sure and its 10 years old at least.

and what decent tub is 3k new? I mean there are costco tubs for about 4k but those are months out and lots of complaints.
 
See it working.
Certainly, the fact that they told you the heater is broken is a plus on their honesty but again, see it working.

Have you access to a Utility trailer? That would make it a lot easier to move. You can block up the bed of the trailer and slide it on without messing around with trying to get a tub up on a pickup bed.

Are you in NC?

The market here is tough for a good unit. Lots of junk. Honestly, if you could swing it, I would go for that Hot Springs in Raleigh. It's a great tub, having the maintenance records is a huge plus and it appears that it can be fully tested.
 
And if you get one, and if you borrow or rent a trailer, 1 1/2 or 2 inch pvc is your friend!! Waste 20-30 bucks on 3-4 sticks of it and that tub will roll anywhere you want it... within reason!
 
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See it working.
Certainly, the fact that they told you the heater is broken is a plus on their honesty but again, see it working.

Have you access to a Utility trailer? That would make it a lot easier to move. You can block up the bed of the trailer and slide it on without messing around with trying to get a tub up on a pickup bed.

Are you in NC?

The market here is tough for a good unit. Lots of junk. Honestly, if you could swing it, I would go for that Hot Springs in Raleigh. It's a great tub, having the maintenance records is a huge plus and it appears that it can be fully tested.
I would need to rent a trailer and find some folks willing to help move it.

I live in VA

NC tub - well there are 2 I am looking at 1 in Raleigh for 3k which seems nice but the guy has been hard to chat with i.e. says he will call me back, doesn't then I call him and we chat and then he says he will look that up and get back to me. Cannot tell me the model # etc.

The other one is the 2016 Envoy for $8500 and if it was local I think I would be finding the extra $$ needed to get it. Elderly couple that is a fall risk so they have to get rid of it. Tons of bells and whistles and super nice. He has all the maintenance records he has done it and there is not a thing wrong with it. He is also including the electrical breaker box with the supplies etc. Just probably a logistical problem making it happen. Would need a spa company there to unhook, drain and bring it to the front street area and then I need to rent a trailer and drive 4 hours each way to get it and have someone load it for me. Sounds like amazing tub though and one I know we would be happy with.
 
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Similar ‘starter’ tubs are staring there. Add tax and possibly a cover to that tho.

guess I am not really seeing those unless they come from HD, Costco etc which are OOS as well. I still have my fingers crossed for this one here but knowing it needs a more things kinda took some shine off the deal especially when I first talked to them and they said everything worked just fine and no problems. All the pics and the video they sent me appeared to show that but of course you can't see heat in a pic and video, lol.

The owner said the heater wasn't made anymore and thus couldn't be replaced. I am 100% certain that a generic replacement exists out there. It is at least a 220V tub with 2 pumps in it so it doesn't sound like it was the lowest cheapest grade tub at the time - maybe.
 
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Get a pic of the control panel and heater while you're there. Depending on the type of element, it could be as little as $40-50. Not a hard repair imo.
planning on just that.

Wish me luck fellas seeing it in an hour. Be nice if I could make a deal on it since it needs a cover and heater but this guy is like its warm enough here he didn't feel the need to fix it.
 

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oh fun thread, good luck on the hot tub search! Get one while you can if you like it. I can affirm a new hot tub is a long wait. We purchased in December last year and are still waiting for our Marquis.

yIkes yeah don’t want that.
So the tub is a no go they won’t budge on price and it’s a bit of a project. Heater was removed it leaked . Circulation pump was removed. Ozone unit I am sure is no good. Needs a cover all new headrests. Flow knobs on top need replacing as they leak. Paneling on the outside is peeling off etc. if someone was handy and wanted a fixer upper and they would let you have it for free it might not be too bad. The pumps were nice and strong and seemed to work fine.
 

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Yeah, no. Good decision.

Gecko controls which isn't horrible but less desirable than Balboa controls. You can get a compatible heater for the M Class pack if you really wanted to though.

I still think you should seriously consider that 2016 Envoy (if the price isn't an obstacle) even though its a couple hundred miles away from you. That's a hellava tub. You can drain it pretty easily, I would see if you could negotiate with them having an electrician disconnect the spa panel from the main breaker panel. If you have to hire spa movers to pull it out, have them load the trailer as part of the deal. Then you only need help once you get home. Pizza and beer usually works. :)

You can find a starter tub for $4k or so IF you are prepared to trash it in 5 years. At that price, it's going to be made for the mass market and a throwaway. While I wouldn't touch a Dr Wellness tub with a 40' pole, one can be had in that price range new. It's a low end tub with poor support and will cost more to operate BUT it does serve the purpose as an entry level tub for which you will see what works and what doesn't work and if you will use it on a regular basis 6-12 months after the new hot tub feeling wears off.
 
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Good call on the no go.. too bad but looks like a real project!!
That other one does look like a good one, are they negotiable on price at all... maybe $7500.. that gives you a grand to do the moving!
 
Yeah, no. Good decision.

Gecko controls which isn't horrible but less desirable than Balboa controls. You can get a compatible heater for the M Class pack if you really wanted to though.

I still think you should seriously consider that 2016 Envoy (if the price isn't an obstacle) even though its a couple hundred miles away from you. That's a hellava tub. You can drain it pretty easily, I would see if you could negotiate with them having an electrician disconnect the spa panel from the main breaker panel. If you have to hire spa movers to pull it out, have them load the trailer as part of the deal. Then you only need help once you get home. Pizza and beer usually works. :)

You can find a starter tub for $4k or so IF you are prepared to trash it in 5 years. At that price, it's going to be made for the mass market and a throwaway. While I wouldn't touch a Dr Wellness tub with a 40' pole, one can be had in that price range new. It's a low end tub with poor support and will cost more to operate BUT it does serve the purpose as an entry level tub for which you will see what works and what doesn't work and if you will use it on a regular basis 6-12 months after the new hot tub feeling wears off.

I hear ya. I would love the Envoy tbh just not 100% certain I can work out the logistics and you know buying something for $8500 sight unseen 4 hours away is a bit of a leap of faith. If it was say $6500 I think I would have already made arrangements to rent a trailer and go get it. The seller has put me in contact with the shop about moving it/loading it for me but they want way too much to simply move it from his backyard to the street and place on a trailer ($500).

Other concern is this tub by itself weighs 975lbs so that is fair bit heavier than the other tubs I have been looking at. My deck/porch has been reinforced with concrete piers/4x4 posts and additional joists for support but once filled we are talking a lot of weight since this is a decent size tub at 450 gallons.

It certainly is a nicer tub than we have thought of ever getting and I think would be fantastic unit for us if I can make it happen.

All that being said I did find a local dealer today that sells Dimension 1 and Hydropool which seem to be solid brands as well.

They have a D1 Breeze in stock now for $9400

They will have in January Hydropool 6600 for $7400 and a 6800 for $9200
Supposedly in Jan/Feb they could get me into something in the self cleaning line as well for about 10k

All come with cover, lifter, chemicals etc. They do their own service work as well. Hydropool would come with steps too.

I felt really good about the dealer he spent an hour on the phone with me so I don't think I would have an issue buying from them. Downside is they only have the D1 Breeze to dry test in as they have sold everything that has come through the store (common theme I am finding). Naturally the 7400 price of the 6600 sounds a lot better to me but I like what the other 2 offer a tad better being slightly larger and few more features. Hyrdropools would not be available til Jan which kinda stinks but better than a year out of course.

My other options new are going to be

Masterspas Balance 8 - 12k available now
Marquis V84 vector 21 - 13k available now
Sundance 780 Montclair - 13k available now
Sundance 780 Chelsea - 16k available now
Softub Portico - 6k available now

Nothing else from the rest of the vendors til next year some time, unless someone cancels.

Lots to think about. For anyone that has hung on in the this thread to this point you are a brave and crazy soul!


And BTW I cannot thank @RDspaguy for all his advice and assistance - world class fellow here. Someone get him a beer and steak dinner on me if you are local to him!
 
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