Insparations Bocca Granda Review

Overall Rating

I also purchased a Manhattan hot tub on 16th June 2007 through Tradeprice Hot Tubs. I was told it would take 8 - 10 weeks, but even if I paid in full, the tub would not arrive any quicker; it just meant I would get a £300 discount. I have paid 2 instalments, both of £1,500.00. I got a letter on 14th August 2007 stating that there was a delay in shipping due to a backlog, and they would contact me soon to arrange installation. I ring them every week, and I am told every time that they haven't heard anything from America regarding a shipping date. I find it very hard that you can run a business when you don't know when stock is going to arrive. I feel very nervous now.

Members' Comments onrutheyd's Review

• josiejump on 7th Sep 2007

  Hi there Rutheyd.
  We ordered a Lexington from Trade Price Hot Tubs on 18th July, paying in full to ensure delivery within 6 weeks. Same trouble as you've had, I'm afraid. Spaserve are the company who deal with the order. The ONE AND ONLY piece of correspondence we've had from them stated that shipping was delayed due to a backlog and they'd be in touch. They never return calls or emails, and certainly have not been in touch regarding delivery. Every time we call they say the consignment is stuck dockside and shipping is imminent. If Spaserve/Tradeprice are just Insparations under a new name then I'm now incredibly concerned. I will leave my email address on the Review Centre Gardening forum, for anyone who would like to get in touch with me.
  Many thanks
  JJ

• rutheyd on 10th Sep 2007

  Hi JJ
  
  I spoke to Spaserve on 5/9/07, and I was told the container had left America that day, and she would be in touch within a week to arrange a delivery date. If you ring the national number it goes straight to a call centre, and they never pass on the messages. I have always rung the direct line and always got through. I will write a comment again if I hear anything.
  
  Rutheyd

• josiejump on 11th Sep 2007

  Thank you for your reply. I have now been in touch with the American distributer, American Spa Inc, who have also said the container has left. I am feeling very relieved! I'll keep you posted on any further developments.
  Thanks again
  JJ.

• Kimlisa on 13th Sep 2007

  Hi There
  
  I am about to have a home visit with a view to ordering a Dallas spa from Trade Price, any information about this company, their products etc would be very welcome.
  
  Kim

• rutheyd on 15th Sep 2007

  Hi Kim,
  I had a home visit from Tradeprice hottubs, they were very helpful and nice. The guy gave me two options for purchasing the tub. The first was to pay all up front and I would save £300.00 or I could pay in three instalments. I went for the three instalments and by visa card just in case. Some people have been told that paying all upfront guarantees a 6 week delivery slot. I was told it would be 8-10 weeks either way I paid. I then got a letter from Spaserve (that is the company importing the tubs from the USA) telling me there was a backlog and the container was going to be at least 2 weeks late leaving the USA. It has now been 14 weeks since I ordered it and it is somewhere over the Atlantic. As yet I have no installation date which I'm hoping to get next week. Some people have stated on this site that they never return their calls and that the staff are very rude. I have not had any problems like that, they have always rung me back and been very polite. I think the problem is lack of communication, especially when the have, in my case £3k of my money and I am constantly chasing them for information. With any luck I will have my tub in a couple of weeks. Good luck with your visit.
  
  
  Rutheyd

• josiejump on 23rd Sep 2007

  Hi Rutheyd,
  
  Do you have any further news regarding delivery and installation? It turns out that our container has not left the States yet. (as of Friday 21st Sep) so we have nothing else to report. Getting seriously annoyed now. WILL WE EVER GET A TUB!
  
  Please can you keep me up to date
  
  JJ

• rutheyd on 24th Sep 2007

  Hi jj
  
  Yes, I spoke to Spaserve at the beginning of last week, and the container left the USA on the 4th September. I was told it took 3 weeks to arrive and would get a delivery dated within the next 2 weeks. They also told me that they had taken on extra fitters to meet the back log for installation. It seems one of the containers coming over went AWOL and ended up in Zeebrugge. He thought that was funny, but I wasn't laughing. My daughters 10th birthday was August 10th, and I was told it would be delivered then. She has now delayed her Hula party by 6 weeks. She will soon be 12. The wait continues.
  
  Rutheyd

• Kimlisa on 25th Sep 2007

  Hi Ruth
  
  I would refuse to pay them the final instalment when it's delivered.
  
  We have decided to source our hot tub locally due to these precise issues. We have a manufacturer in Salisbury, close to where I live in Southampton (Catalina Spas). Servicing and repairs is always going to be an issue with a company selling spas all over the UK.
  
  I hope you get your tub soon and some financial recompense from Spa Serve.

• rutheyd on 4th Oct 2007

  Hi jj
  
  I spoke to Spa Serve on Monday 1st, and was told the tubs are in the UK, but the delivery list had gone astray. I spoke to them again yesterday and I have got an installation date of 25th October; so that's another 3 week wait. They were supposed to ring me yesterday, but by 3:30pm I rang them, then they were going to ring me back in 10 minutes. After an hour and 20 minutes I rang them again. When I rang them weeks ago I was told that they could get my tub out to me the next day, as I've waited so long, but now I have a 3 week delay. I wish I had never found this company. I hope yours is being delivered soon.

• janetrazavi on 1st Nov 2008

  Hi, We have had the same problem (it's been over 12 weeks since paying in full) and no Tub. I was wondering if anyone actually received the hot tub or not? I'd be grateful if you could respond. Thanks.
  Janet