Bought a Hot Springs Grandee from the big retailer up in Placentia. Had fun going from spa to spa like furry little seals comparing jets, filtration and layout. Paid for it dearly in service and response. Really irritating to drop 13k and not receive return calls, so shopped around and found Greg at Hot Spring Spas of Orange County.
This guy is good, his company is relaxed but responsive. Greg remembers your name and your spa, even if you didn't buy it from him. He also gives great advice on products which we've followed since, using less chemicals, hassle and cost than before.
He'll also tell you how to naviagate the system. Recently the remote showed 115 degrees when the water was 85. Greg predicted that it was a thermostat and advised us to call big retailer first to try to get them to honor their warranty. He also told us he would sort out everything with Watkins Manufacturing (which is just down the road in Vista) and make it right if retailer didnt return our calls.
This company is a good resource. This is a case where smaller is better. We should have started here.