Just got a Hot Tub and my warranty is already void?

[ishoot308]

Jason;

If I were you I would try and resolve this as amicably as possible with the factory and simply tell them exactly what you stated here. Be persistent but be as polite and respectful as possible and tell them it was their certified dealer who allowed the setup to occur with an extension cord. If this was not correct why did they set it up this way?? Have the factory do your pleading for you to their dealer as it sounds like they were listening to you at least...

Getting lawyers involved will cost you more money than the repair bill...

Good luck!

Dan

[Winnisquamer]

Like stated above I would contact the hot tub brand and explain the situation that it was installed as such and that had the tech informed you of the installation not being up to manufacturers code or warranty requirements they shouldn't nor would you have let them install the unit. As far as the installer being responsible for any of the costs I find that unlikely, he could've told you your warranty was good for 2,000 years, it doesn't mean he's right.. Always, ALWAYS read your warranty paperwork when purchasing anything you plan on having serviced at some time.

I always assume a salesmen is full of ****. (Excuse the language)

[brk-lnt]

I would also suggest calling the factory.

Ask them *why* an extension cord voids the warranty. They will likely tell you its due to people using low-grade cords that have too much voltage drop. Then ask them what wiring they'd recommend for your setup (gauge, etc.). If you extension cord meets or exceeds their specs, ask them how/why that voids your warranty when it is functionally equivalent to a "properly" wired setup.

However, if you're "in the business", you should know that extension cords are prohibited from acting as "permanent" wiring, which is effectively what you're doing. Regardless of what the dealer said/did, I think YOU know this is an improper setup on a technicality.

[JasonG]

Already working with the factory and they are trying to work it out with the dealer.

Appreciate the responses!

[dpg]

You SHOULD give us the name of the dealer if they plugged in the extension cord at setup and said nothing, shame on them. Well (maybe) you could wait till this is resolved so they do not read it here themselves but this is something inquiring minds (and people shopping for one) should know. I agree about the lawyer, I'd pay for the fix before giving anything to a lawyer.

[ITD]

Name the dealer and the brand so others won't get sucked into this scam, the dealer sounds clueless. A lawyer will cost you many times what the dealer is charging so forget that. Either pay up or fix it yourself, hot tubs aren't rocket science, but you should be handy if you try.

[Kamper]

I think you're not going to get satisfaction in this.

Even if your town's codes require permanent wiring/plumbing for hot-tubs, the dealer actually only delivered it even if it were placed to your exact specifications. Permits would only have been required if that work had been done so you can't nail them on permit issues.

My advice is to get the proper wiring done and pay for the repairs as necessary. Then enjoy yourself and put it behind you. This is likely to be cheaper than a law-suit and definitely less frustrating and time consuming.

Good luck!

[JasonG]

I really would rather not name the dealer, especially where it is not settled. This may work out or it may not.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by JasonG

I really would rather not name the dealer, especially where it is not settled. This may work out or it may not.

I agree! If the dealer steps up to the plate and works with you on this issue why bad mouth them for no reason.

If they don't...well then the choice is yours...

Dan

[COW ISL TIME]

Hi Jason, I am a hot tub dealer I sell three brands of hot tubs and have two locations. I would like to ask a couple of questions, was this dealer some one who works out of a warehouse and offers $8000.00 hot tubs for $3999.99 in the seacoast area ? If it was he is selling Chinese hot tubs witch are basically a disposable hot tub.
Please don't use an extension cord no matter how good it is, it's a very dangerous condition and voids the warranty on all three brands that I carry.
If the dealer is at all reputable he should be working with you on solving this problem instead of passing it on to the manufacturer , and the manufacturer should be forcing the dealer to help the customer out.
Moral of the story try to go to a brick and mortar store with a good word of mouth reputation, stay away from the places that don't have store fronts and the internet company's, you may pay a little more but in the long run you'll be happier and get a better product

[JasonG]

Originally Posted by COW ISL TIME

Hi Jason, I am a hot tub dealer I sell three brands of hot tubs and have two locations. I would like to ask a couple of questions, was this dealer some one who works out of a warehouse and offers $8000.00 hot tubs for $3999.99 in the seacoast area ? If it was he is selling Chinese hot tubs witch are basically a disposable hot tub.
Please don't use an extension cord no matter how good it is, it's a very dangerous condition and voids the warranty on all three brands that I carry.
If the dealer is at all reputable he should be working with you on solving this problem instead of passing it on to the manufacturer , and the manufacturer should be forcing the dealer to help the customer out.
Moral of the story try to go to a brick and mortar store with a good word of mouth reputation, stay away from the places that don't have store fronts and the internet company's, you may pay a little more but in the long run you'll be happier and get a better product

Hello
No, this is a well established retail business with great reviews online. Price was on target with other sellers across the country.

I fully understand about the cord now. What continues to irk me a bit is after the first repair ( I was not home ), the same dealer plugged the hot tub into the extension cord after the repairs were done.

[SIKSUKR]

I beg to differ here a little.Jason clearly said the dealer told him he needs to have an outlet installed. I know I've been excited about a certain something and wanted to use it right away until I can do it properly in the past. Another thing that he posted was " A slight burning smell from the hot tub over the past 6 weeks". 6 weeks of burning smell and still had not installed the outlet? From my view the op has culpability in this.

[LIforrelaxin]

Can I interject in this craziness here.....About the extension cord specifically....

Extension cord is an ambiguous term... there are many types... some where are designed to be used with low wattage lights etc. in side your home... Some that are meant to be used outside with low wattage devices... Right on up to heavy duty extension cords used to connect a RV or Boat to a power source....

What are hot tub manufactures warning against? Having an inappropriate extension cord which could cause a fire.... or other danger...

If you run a outlet to the Hot tub, you are in essence using an extension cord.... however it if it is done by an electrician, you are probably going to end up with a dedicated circuit, and by code the wire used will be off the correct size to deal with the current load to provide the power needed at the hot tub.

If I put a dedicated circuit off my main box, with the correct receptacle, and used a have duty extension cord to my hot tub... That should in no way void a warranty....

IF the OP has done his work right, and used the proper equipment in his set up, he shouldn't have casued an issue with the hot tub itself.... If he is smelling a burning smell it could be a legitimate problem with the tub....

However as he is using an extension cord he opens that door.... but if he provides details to show that his setup is as good, or better then having an electrician install a to code circuit and outlet... A court would be hard pressed to rule against him.

[JasonG]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

I beg to differ here a little.Jason clearly said the dealer told him he needs to have an outlet installed. I know I've been excited about a certain something and wanted to use it right away until I can do it properly in the past. Another thing that he posted was " A slight burning smell from the hot tub over the past 6 weeks". 6 weeks of burning smell and still had not installed the outlet? From my view the op has culpability in this.

Well..that is not what I or the dealer said. As the dealer was done installing, filling with water, and plugged in the extension cord, he then suggested an outlet. Did not say it was required. Did not say it would void the warranty. Did not tell me it was a safety issue. Did not tell me I was wrong. But lesson learned to think that a dealer or sales person would actually tell me that what I was planning to do was wrong and would void a warranty.

Was not 6 weeks of using the tub straight and smelling burning. That would be crazy. It was found 6 weeks ago. Dealer came out for first repair ( and still plugged it back into an extension cord himself after the repair ). Use it for a few days and smelled the burning again. Unplugged. Tub has had a lot of down time the past 6 weeks.

Sure, throw blame on me for trusting someone to actually tell me what I had planned was wrong. I mean that seriously, major lesson learned here to trust anyone. I wish I was told what to do from the start. But I relied on the expert with a well established store to tell me what I can and cannot do. Going forward I literally need to google pro's and cons of anything significant I buy.

[4Fun]

There are 2 reasons they probably recommend not using an extension cord.

First one is safety. A dedicated outlet with a GFI breaker should be used. You are more likely NOT to use one if you use a cord. Second, If you use a low capacity extension cord you WILL burn out the motor as it can't pass enough current to the motor. This could also explain the burning smell. Additionally, even with a heavy duty cord more or loose connections will also add resistance to the circuit.

Motors are very sensitive to this. It's similar to running your well pump on a generator without enough capacity. It will work but eventually burn out.

This should be a glaring issue for the installer especially on the service call.

[Winnisquamer]

Originally Posted by JasonG

Going forward I literally need to google pro's and cons of anything significant I buy.

Everyone should.

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by JasonG

Well..that is not what I or the dealer said. As the dealer was done installing, filling with water, and plugged in the extension cord, he then suggested an outlet. Did not say it was required. Did not say it would void the warranty. Did not tell me it was a safety issue. Did not tell me I was wrong. But lesson learned to think that a dealer or sales person would actually tell me that what I was planning to do was wrong and would void a warranty.

Was not 6 weeks of using the tub straight and smelling burning. That would be crazy. It was found 6 weeks ago. Dealer came out for first repair ( and still plugged it back into an extension cord himself after the repair ). Use it for a few days and smelled the burning again. Unplugged. Tub has had a lot of down time the past 6 weeks.

Sure, throw blame on me for trusting someone to actually tell me what I had planned was wrong. I mean that seriously, major lesson learned here to trust anyone. I wish I was told what to do from the start. But I relied on the expert with a well established store to tell me what I can and cannot do. Going forward I literally need to google pro's and cons of anything significant I buy.

Easy there. Your op sure sounded like what I responded to. It certainly doesn't mean that is in fact the case. Good luck.

[JasonG]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Easy there. Your op sure sounded like what I responded to. It certainly doesn't mean that is in fact the case. Good luck.

No worries.

[jeffk]

One of the things about an extension cord, it's not only the cord, it's the supply line to the outlet you plug it into. Say you need a 10 Ga wire to meet the draw for the tub. So you get a heavy duty 10 Ga extension cord and plug it in. But the receptacle it is plugged into is wired with 12 or even 14 Ga wire. The draw will be too much for the line. A receptacle specifically wired for the tub would be 10 Ga all the way from the appropriate sized breaker.

I agree that the dealer should have strongly warned you and said it would void the warranty; even refuse to plug it in. That's good customer service. However, ultimately, they give us all the product paperwork so that WE can read it and be responsible for the product.

Yeah, I don't read mine either.

Bummer.

[Kamper]

My hot tub is 220v. That meant I needed a 'paired circuit' (not sure of the technical term). Was yours just 110v?

[JasonG]

Originally Posted by Kamper

My hot tub is 220v. That meant I needed a 'paired circuit' (not sure of the technical term). Was yours just 110v?

Yes, just 110v.

Electrician came by and installed a dedicated 20 amp line to the hot tub. Factory agreed to take care of the claim and understands both sides of the story.

[noreast]

Originally Posted by JasonG

Well..that is not what I or the dealer said. As the dealer was done installing, filling with water, and plugged in the extension cord, he then suggested an outlet. Did not say it was required. Did not say it would void the warranty. Did not tell me it was a safety issue. Did not tell me I was wrong. But lesson learned to think that a dealer or sales person would actually tell me that what I was planning to do was wrong and would void a warranty.

Was not 6 weeks of using the tub straight and smelling burning. That would be crazy. It was found 6 weeks ago. Dealer came out for first repair ( and still plugged it back into an extension cord himself after the repair ). Use it for a few days and smelled the burning again. Unplugged. Tub has had a lot of down time the past 6 weeks.

Sure, throw blame on me for trusting someone to actually tell me what I had planned was wrong. I mean that seriously, major lesson learned here to trust anyone. I wish I was told what to do from the start. But I relied on the expert with a well established store to tell me what I can and cannot do. Going forward I literally need to google pro's and cons of anything significant I buy.

That's some passive approval plugging it back in himself, I'm posting this without reading the rest for some reason, my guess is the further along I read I will learn they're doing the right thing for you.