Planning on buying a spa online? While web shopping has its advantages, there are some risks you should be aware of before you commit to spending thousands of dollars on a spa over the internet. This article and video break down the pros and cons of online spa shopping.
Are you wondering if it’s safe to buy a spa pool or swim spa over the internet? A spa is a big purchase so it pays to do your research before committing to buying one online, especially if you haven’t checked it out in person first.
Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of online spa shopping so you can shop with confidence and avoid buyer’s remorse!
In this digital age, you can have almost everything you need delivered right to your doorstep. From your basic necessities like groceries and clothing to fancy gadgets – and that includes spas.
In fact, most people interested in buying a spa pool or swim spa go to the internet to explore their options and beyond that, buying online can be a convenient means of getting a spa. So the answer to this question is, you definitely can!
Shopping online saves you time and allows you to easily explore options, and compare products and prices. However, unlike a pair of shoes, a spa is a big ticket purchase.
Whether you decide to purchase a spa online or through the traditional in-person spa-buying process, it is important to take time and effort before hitting the ‘buy now’ button!
In our opinion, the question shouldn’t be ‘can’ you buy a spa online – but ‘should’ you buy a spa online? Keep reading to learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of shopping for a spa pool or swim spa online and hopefully help you decide if this option is for you.
Shopping online has never been more popular, especially during the pandemic. Consumers have realised how convenient it is to buy a variety of things over the internet, and we've become quite comfortable with online shopping.
Let’s look at some of the main benefits of buying a spa through the internet.
When you shop online, all the options that are offered by that online shop will be viewable. You can review the specs and the features, go from one model to another to make comparisons and visit multiple spa stores (virtually).
This is a vital part of the spa shopping experience as, the more you know about the product, the more likely you are to make a good decision and avoid the dreaded buyer’s remorse!
Our free Spa Buyers Guide can be a great resource to learn more tips and ideas on how to get the best spa for you.
Reading reviews online isn’t exclusive to buying a spa. According to research, 89% of global consumers read reviews and product ratings before placing online orders.
Although this can be a huge-deciding factor for most shoppers, please be mindful that not all reviews are created equal. Some sites might publish fake reviews to boost their claims to attract more customers.
To read genuine reviews about a spa or any product, it's better to rely on the reviews that you can find on trusted review platforms like TrustPilot®. Platforms like these verify each review to ensure it is made by real people who have actually used the product in question.
Check out Spa World's TrustPilot® reviews.
It is generally easier to compare spa pool prices online with many (although not all) retailers showing the price of their products upfront. You can also switch from one site to another to look for better pricing or deals and check shipping costs and other charges. Much easier than driving all over town from store to store.
The internet is open 24/7, there are no traffic jams or parking issues, and you can shop at your most convenient time without pressure from pushy salespeople. These are just some of the reasons why more consumers prefer online shopping over visiting physical stores.
But, it doesn’t have to be a choice. Ideally, when shopping for big-ticket items like spa pools or swim spas – it’s best to do both.
For instance, if you do all your research online, compare prices, read reviews, check out the options and then go into the stores to try out your preferred spa brands and models – you get the best of both worlds.
You’ll be fully informed before going in-store and then, after trying out the products and checking out the companies in person, you’ll have peace of mind you’ve made the right choice.
Like most things, there are pros and cons to buying over the internet. Unlike smaller purchases or cheaper purchases, however, it’s not that easy to return a spa if you change your mind or it’s not what you were expecting.
So, before you hit ‘Buy Now’ on that brand new 5-seater hydrotherapy spa you’ve been dreaming of, here are some things to be aware of.
Each year in Australia, millions of dollars are lost due to online shopping scams. The amount might seem insignificant when considering the global volume of online shopping, but it shows the possibility of losing your money to scammers.
There are ways to protect yourself against online scams. First, do some research on the company to make sure it is legitimate and trustworthy.
Click the button below to learn more about what to look for in a spa store.
Second, carefully examine the website itself. After all, fake websites abound on the internet so you want to make sure it is legitimate and safe. Here are a couple of tips:
With the hundreds of online spa stores you may find today, unfortunately, not all of them are genuine. If you don’t pay attention, you may face potential safety risks such as identity theft and data breaches.
Cybercriminals hack into websites and steal customers' login credentials or credit card information. By doing this, they can either impersonate users and make illegitimate purchases or even sell personal data to thieves online.
A quick google search will offer up plenty more tips on how to know if a website is safe or not. You’re potentially handing over a lot of money and important information so it’s worth spending a few minutes to protect yourself.
Make sure any store you buy from has good after-sales support. Ideally, they should have a 7-day customer care centre that can help you should anything go wrong or if you need help or advice.
This is especially important in the first few weeks of your spa arrival but also further down the track if you have a warranty issue, need replacement parts or require technical support. The last thing you want is to be left with no after-sales support should anything go wrong with your purchase.
When you shop from a spa store that has been in the business for years, especially those with physical showrooms, you’ll have the confidence that your investment is in great hands. You won’t need to worry about what happens if their website shuts down because they have a physical store you can go to.
To help you practice safe online shopping, here are some security tips.
Pro tip: If possible, start your spa shopping by doing your research online first, then go into a physical showroom to meet the salespeople and view the products in person. You'll soon know about the company and if you can trust them.
Another great advantage of going to a physical store is that you get to try one out for yourself.
Most spa stores have dark rooms where you can ‘wet test’ the spa you're interested in. With this, you’ll have the opportunity to sit in the spa to make sure it has the right seating size and features you need.
Click the button below to read our detailed guide in finding the right spa size and configuration for you and your family.
Shopping for a spa pool or swim spa either online or in-store has many benefits.
Online shopping gives you the benefit of shopping from the living room sofa round-the-clock at your own pace, without sales pressure. In-store shopping, on the other hand, offers a unique in-person experience. This includes a “wet test”, where you can personally try using the spa you are interested in, and speak with knowledgeable spa specialists.
So which do we think is best? In our opinion, it’s best if you can do both.
Why? Well, a spa is not one size fits all. There are also some spa features you just need to experience. For example, the number of swim jets. It’s easy to say, you only want two swim jets, but how do you know if that’s the number that best suits your swimming level unless you try it for yourself?
Our advice?
Start by going on online to do some research on preferred brands and retail stores. Compare prices, features, and technical specifications, then narrow down your best options. Don’t forget to look at the reviews of spa models and retailers on legitimate platforms.
Then, if you are able, visit your preferred company's showrooms to view and test out the spas, learn more from the salespeople, and get expert advice based on your own personal preferences.
You can even negotiate on price if you visit a store.
Of course, if visiting a physical store is not an option, then buying online is still a viable option. Just remember to follow the tips we’ve given above. You can also always contact a Spa World™ salesperson for tips and advice.
We hope this article has helped you understand the risks, pros and cons of shopping for spas online.
If you need more help, you can reach out to us online or visit us in-store, at your nearest Spa World™ showroom.
All information including pricing and product details, was accurate at the time of writing and may change without notice.
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