In the hot tub industry, membership-based warehouse stores have become one of the most prominent distributors in the past decade. At Sam’s Club, you can purchase hot tubs any time of day or night through their website. Of course, you have to be a member to do so!
The reason people love Sam’s Club hot tubs so much is that they provide a wonderful value and have a very flexible return policy. Sam’s Club carries an array of high-quality hot tub brands that are well-equipped, perfect for any household.
The one burning question that many people seem to have is,
“Are Sam’s Club hot tubs all that they are cracked up to be?”
We’re here today to help answer that question so that you can stop sifting through hot tub websites online and purchase the tub of your dreams!
PRICES
The best thing about Sam’s Club big box retailer compared to other traditional hot tub dealers is that they provide relatively low pricing on hot tubs that you would expect to pay much more for right off the bat!
Sam’s Club hot tubs range from about $2,500 to $9,000.
Click the button below for accurate hot tub pricing on the models that have the features you're looking for. Our service is FREE and helps shoppers get the lowest deals on hot tubs in their area.
Lifesmart Spas, which is a hot tub brand under the umbrella of Hotspring Spas and Caldera Spas, is a brand of entry-level hot tub models that are sold through big box retailers.
In addition to Sam's Club big box store, they are also sold through eBay, Costco, Amazon, Home Depot, Wayfair, and much, much more.
There are 12 different models to choose from, and prices range from between $2,000 to $5,000.
Lifesmart Spas are a perfect choice for those who are looking for convenience, affordability, and portability.
Everlast Spas are manufactured by Strong Spas out of Pennsylvania.
They are sold pretty much exclusively through big box stores rather than traditional hot tub dealers.
The Everlast Spas line has higher-end hot tub choices for those looking to spend a bit more in order to advantage of top-notch features and more innovative technology.
The number of jets and structural integrity in their luxury models are competitive to that of much higher priced brands.
SHOULD YOU BUY A HOT TUB FROM SAM'S CLUB?
ADVANTAGES OF PURCHASING FROM SAM’S CLUB
Great Prices
One of the primary reasons that people decide to purchase their hot tubs at Sam’s Club is that they have the best value compared when compared to third-party hot tub dealers. Because Sam’s Club doesn’t mark up their product pricing in the same way that traditional retail stores do, you can expect to get a good bang for your buck.
They don’t have the burden of carrying costs or showroom costs that many traditional stores have, which is why they are able to sell for such a low price. The business model for Sam’s Club is based on higher sales volumes and smaller profit margins. Whereas you’ll find hot tubs for anywhere from $4,000 to $12,000 at your traditional retailer or hot tub dealer, you will be able to find those same hot tubs at Sam’s Club for anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000.
Easy Return Policy
Another huge advantage of a hot tub purchase from a big box store rather than a traditional hot tub dealer is that they have the most customer-friendly return policies. Sam’s Club allows owners to return hot tubs, providing the customer with a complete refund. Of course, you will have to take on the burden of transporting your hot tub back to your local Sam’s Club, which can be a difficult and inconvenient task depending on how difficult the installation process was in the first place.
DISADVANTAGES OF PURCHASING FROM SAM’S CLUB
Not Much Variety
When you go to a local hot tub dealer who specializes in selling hot tubs, you’ll get to see a bit more variety up front. One of Sam’s Club's biggest weaknesses is that you’re not going to get the same selection when it comes to colors, shapes, sizes, and layouts. Once you have selected a hot tub model at a traditional dealer, you will typically get to add upgraded features that you like, which can include everything from water management systems to stereos to ambient lighting and more.
Of course, more features and extra upgrades will cost you a lot more than a hot tub from Sam’s Club, though if they are in your budget and you really want them, the cost may not matter. Spas from Sam’s Club usually come in a preconfigured package, which is another one of the reasons why they are able to sell their hot tubs at such an insanely low price.
Post-Purchase Support Isn’t Great
While membership based warehouse clubs have solid return policies, their support system is not that great. Their warranties are pretty short when compared to similar spas sold through third party dealers, and we’re not totally sure why. We think that it may have something to do with reducing costs that would be associated with future maintenance and repairs in this sales channel.
They also provide shorter warranty labor coverage, and in some cases, they don’t offer labor compensation at all. This means that if you have a problem with your hot tub at some point, you’ll have to hire a local hot tub guy to come down and repair your hot tub. The only thing Sam’s Club will provide is the part.
Sam’s Club does provide you with a warranty claim, though you’ll have to use it to phone their support line. Discussing what is wrong with the operator might be a bit difficult, especially if you don’t know how hot tubs work in the first place. Trying to troubleshoot hot tub problems yourself or ordering a part that you only think might be the issue can both be daunting.
Need a Hot Tub?
FAQ
SAM'S CLUB HOT TUB RETURN POLICY
Sam’s Club has a pretty long return policy, which can be found here. If you return your hot tub to a Sam’s Club location, you will receive credit that was charged at the time of purchase. They may also provide your full refund on a shopping card for Sam’s Club.
WARRANTY
Sam’s Club items are backed by what they refer to as their satisfaction guarantee. Every warranty can be found paired with the specific product. Spa warranties are generally shorter than those found at local dealers. If a shorter warranty period does not appeal to you, not to worry, you may secure an extended warranty at the time of purchase.
FINANCING
Sam’s Club does not offer any special financing for hot tubs compared to their other products in their lineup, though you can get ahold of a Sam’s Club credit card to help finance your hot tub.
NEXT STEPS
There is no doubt that Sam’s Club has helped to revolutionize the shopping experience, especially when it comes to larger families. Memberships help customers to stretch their budgets no matter what they are buying, and when it comes to hot tubs, that same budget stretching ability is apparent.
If you are considering purchasing a hot tub from Sam’s Club and you believe that you have found the deal of a lifetime, make sure that you read into that warranty to make sure that you are getting exactly what you think you’re buying! All in all, relaxation is possible at a discounted price if you buy through this big box store.
We invite you to use our FREE hot tub quote service. It's our job to take out the hassle of calling multiple hot tub dealers. We bring the lowest quotes directly to you. Click the button below and answer a few simple questions so that we know what type of spa you're in the market for.
About The Author
Meredith Kiley
Full-time staff writer at wyllz.com and stay-at-home mom.