Complaint Review: Spa King - Port st lucie Florida

We made a decision that we wanted a spa. We set a budget of $3,000 and the spa had to be small enough to fit on our screened patio. We both have back problems and a spa would be a huge help for both of us.

I searched on line for a local dealer; the few numbers I came up with had all closed down. I priced a couple of new spas on line and they were well over our price point. I happened to be on Craig’s List and decided to search for a Spa and that is how I found Spa King. They advertised rebuilt Spa’s starting at $1700.00, it was a Sunday and I checked out the web site and was surprised to find out they were right in Port St. Lucie.

We went to see them that same Sunday. We were definitely in a market to purchase, we were not playing games. We met with Jim who seemed very knowledgeable and took the time to show us the available inventory. He showed us several spa’s but the one we liked was the Leisure Bay that we purchased, it was the right size, price seemed reasonable, and he assured us the spa would be rebuilt and would look like new when we received it.  We purchased the spa and arranged for delivery in two weeks since we had to hire an electrician to install a direct line for the spa. We were very excited!

Finally, the day came for our spa to be delivered, Saturday, May4th. The delivery was a little rough. The spa was soaking wet and leaking water. Not sure if it was because it had been left out in the rain or water that remained from testing. It had rained all week and the spa was delivered on an open trailer. They had to remove one of the screen panels to put the spa in our patio. When the spa was lowered to the floor, a crooked screw( poor workmanship) caught on the carpet and ripped the carpeting on the patio, it also did a little damage to the one side of the spa. Ok, we let it go, stuff happens, we can get a small rug to cover the hole. The delivery person set it up, showed us the filter, the chemicals etc. We were so anxious to get it going so we could use it. We immediately started to fill it up and could not wait to be able to turn it on.  Finally, after about 8 hours it was filled and had reached 98 degrees. We jumped in the spa, we were thrilled. Then came Sunday, we opened the door to the patio we noticed there was water all around the spa and the carpet was soaked. Or first thought was it was still from the water that was leaking out when it was delivered. We dry vacuumed the carpet and went in the spa again Sunday morning. Later in the day the carpet was soaked again, at this time I sent Jim a text and told him the spa was leaking. He immediately called and said to email [email protected], I did. I also called the 800 number and Jim answered the phone. I was a little alarmed but thought maybe something came loose on the delivery since it was a rough delivery. The tech came out and called me when he left. He said there was a broken jet, which he replaced. Also, do not use the spa for 48 hours since he had to use silicone to replace the jet. I asked if he thought this was damaged due to the delivery but he did not think so. By this time our patio carpet, with the hole in it, was soaked. Monday night we once again dry vacuumed the carpet, thinking, this would be it and it should begin to dry out. We had planned to refill the spa on Tuesday. Tuesday morning the patio carpet was once again soaking wet which meant the spa was still leaking. In addition, there were pieces of wood all around the spa, I called Jim because I was concerned about the wood being damaged. At that time we also noticed the cabinet was cracked under the tub and there were several screws missing, poor workmanship for a spa that was refurbished.

I called Jim on Tuesday and told him the spa was still leaking and to please pick it up before it caused anymore damage, at this point I will probably have to either have the carpet replaced or professionally cleaned since it now smells horrible.  He had to speak to John, to see what could be done, he called later in the afternoon and offered to swap it out with another used spa. I said no thanks; I do not want any more used products from you.  The quality of their workmanship was very troubling as well as the fact that they had to hire an outside spa technician to come to troubleshoot the leak. This really troubled me since how can they rebuild these spas if they do not have qualified technicians.  My assumption is they buy them working make them look pretty and sell them as rebuilt.

Tuesday night I get a phone call from John, who identified himself as the owner operator of Spa King. He wanted to come speak to us in person. Ok, good idea, you can see what a mess I have on my hands, but you are not going to convince us to keep this spa. He insisted he wanted to make us happy, “if we weren’t happy he wasn’t doing his job”. He offered us a new spa for a couple of hundred dollars more, we looked it up on line, ok, not a bad deal, around $ 3200 he said. We left it that he would call in the morning regarding the replacement and when he would pick up the leaking spa.

Wednesday morning, I receive a call, the spa is now $3400.00 and I had a chance to read some reviews, not too impressed, so no, I do not want to spend more money on something that is not exactly what I wanted just so he could make us happy. What would make me happy is give me back my money for the piece of this tank that is leaking all over my patio. Opps, change in attitude, company policy, no refunds only exchanges, but he will take it back for a 10% restocking fee.  $280.00 to return a spa that never worked? That is ridiculous! It has already cost me $ 400.00 to wire for the spa, $ 150.00 to deliver a spa that tore my carpet, and at least another $300.-400.00 to replace my patio carpet. So the way I see it I am already out $850.00 and I have absolutely nothing to show for it. My response, please just pick up the spa.

I receive an email from John Wed. afternoon. He will pick up the spa if I confirm that I agree to pay the 10% stocking fee. He also once again goes over my option. He cannot understand why I won’t  take advantage of the wonderful warranty I have. Wait!, I did take advantage, they sent an outside tech to come to fix the leak under warranty but it’s still leaking!

I feel like I am the victim here, like I am being punished for doing nothing but purchasing a used spa that I paid $2800.00 + delivery and tax for. I purchased this spa in good faith based on what I read on the company’s web site and what I was told by the salesperson. (We purchase mostly dealer trade-ins with most units being 3-6 years old, quality spas have a 15 year plus life span. But not all spas are the same, will you know the difference? All spas undergo our 20 point inspection, followed by 48 hours of water testing of all systems. Repairs are made using new parts and electronics as needed. After all the systems are checked again the spa under goes a deep cleaning of the plumbing and filter systems. Next we apply a new finish to the outside cabinet ensuring your spa looks great.) I did not receive what I purchased. I kept up my end of the agreement, I paid the asking price. Spa King did not deliver what they promised. Now I am being held hostage by this leaking monstrosity on my patio that has ruined my carpet ( which will have to be replaced) and has made my patio completely uninhabitable due to the wet carpet and the SMELL! 

I did not change my mind and just decide I did not want the spa, if that was the case I would have no problem paying the 10%. At this point I think Spa King should pay me for damages and the stress this has caused me.