Blog | Islander Pools and Spas

** CONSUMER ALERT ** WHERE’S THE SCARIEST PLACE TO BUY A HOT TUB? ANSWER: A FAIR OR TRAVELING HOT TUB EXPO HERE’S WHY: Fairs & Hot tub expos are typically advertised as “national events” and insinuate that all major manufactures are present. However, this is far from the truth. In reality, these expo events are set up quickly and ran by high-pressure sales staff who leave town and disappear as soon as the event is over never to be seen again.   DON’T GET TAKEN FOR A RIDE AT THE FAIR OR TRAVELING HOT TUB EXPO. HOLD ON TO YOUR WALLET You won’t find the world’s number one selling hot tub, Hot Spring Spas or Islander Pools & Spas at these pop-up expos. In the Capital District Islander operates two showrooms in Colonie and Ballston Spa.   YOU’LL FEEL SALES PRESSURE AT A FAIR OR TRAVELING EXPO Sales reps want to close deals as fast as they can to earn their commission. The claims and counterclaims you’ll hear for their products will boggle your mind. They’ll try to sell you what’s on hand, and if you order something like a customer color it could take months for delivery!   DON’T FALL FOR THE “THIS PRICE IS ONLY GOOD RIGHT NOW!” When the”fair” or  “expo” price says 50 percent off, chances are that’s their regular price you’re looking at. Frequently, fair or expo prices are even higher than the regular price so that the sellers can recoup the high cost of the booth and traveling salesmen.   DON’T BE LEFT WITHOUT A LOCAL COMPANY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE SERVICE One of the main reasons to avoid a fair or traveling expo is because when the event ends the fair or expo leaves too, and often without a local showroom or anyone to answer questions, much less provide service after the sale. That’s no way to buy a hot tub. Take your time when buying a hot tub. Take along these 9 questions to get you started:   Do you have a showroom in my local area where I can come for advice and issues? Can you provide reference and reviews about your hot tubs and swim spas? Do you have energy costs for an average size tub certified by an independent testing lab? What options do you have for water care? Do you offer Salt Water models? Is delivery a driveway drop-off or full service to the exact spot where I want it? Do you provide your own service or is it via a third party? Can you give me a copy of the warranty for this hot tub? What’s your cancellation policy? Can I get a refund of my deposit if I change my mind?   FINALLY: If you do shop a fair or traveling expo, we urge you to visit Islander Pools & Spas for a pressure-free experience to compare BEFORE you make any purchase. You will find that we have higher quality products at lower prices with local service! We have been here for over 55 years and will be here for you in the future!   CLICK TO SEE OUR CURRENT PROMOTION HOT TUB BUYERS GUIDE

A bad night’s sleep can leave you groggy, unfocused, and unable to be your best self the next day. When insomnia continues for months or even years, what was once a mild inconvenience can become a debilitating condition. Millions of Americans suffer from sleep loss, and many remedies exist to help them get the rest they need. While no one solution is perfect for everyone, many hot tub owners enthusiastically report that a short soak before bedtime is key to sound sleep. When you need help with sleep, a nightly hot tub ritual can help. “HELP ME SLEEP!” IS A GLOBAL PLEA If you search Google using the phrase “help me sleep,” you’ll find plenty of sleep tips and tricks from all over the world. Clearly, lack of sleep is a big problem for some people, regardless of where they live. In the United States, the problem is very serious. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than a third of American adults don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis. While the percentage of adults who don’t sleep well varies based on location, ethnicity, employment, and marital status, no group is entirely unaffected. When you don’t get enough sleep, you’re not yourself and can’t quite get up to speed the following day. Chronic sleep loss—regularly sleeping less than the recommended amount for your age group over an extended period of time—can increase stress and cause cognitive decline. Driving while fatigued is very dangerous. Working while fatigued can create safety issues in hazardous workplaces and costly errors even in relatively safe environments. Lack of sleep can also cause nervousness, depression, or mood swings. Many factors influence poor sleep, so for some sufferers, changing simple habits could help. According to Wayne Giles, M.D., Director of the CDC’s Division of Population Health, “Lifestyle changes such as going to bed at the same time each night; rising at the same time each morning; and turning off or removing televisions, computers, mobile devices from the bedroom, can help people get the healthy sleep they need.” Others may need to try alternative methods, including warm water immersion. USING YOUR HOT TUB TO HELP YOU SLEEP Hot tub owners know how to get the most out of their spas, including trying to improve sleep through warm water immersion. For many, this involves creating a daily hot tub ritual around regular activities, including sleep. Enjoying a hot soak about 90 minutes before bed will not only calm you, but also signal to your body that bedtime is near. After soaking in your hot tub, your body cools, and as your body temperature falls, you naturally get drowsy. Climbing into bed feeling calm and comfortable can help you fall asleep faster. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for better sleep, but by using a hot tub in combination with changing habits that might impede sleep, you may get the rest you need to always be your best self. For help with sleeplessness and related medical conditions, always consult your doctor. Hot Spring spas are engineered and manufactured to support a healthy, happy life. Each is designed for comfort and simplicity, and can be the cornerstone of your daily wellness ritual. To learn more about our hot tubs, click here.