When deciding what spa to buy, we looked long and hard, for at least 6 months. My research included this web site. We finally has it whittled down to 2 brands - Sundance and Catalina. Both of those spas were available locally, and we wanted to take the advice of many current spa owners, who advised us that it's all about the dealer for service and support. They were right. Buying the spa is only the first step for spa owners. We finally went with Sundance spas Optima, for 2 reasons. First, there was more positive information about the manufacurer (They have an ISO certification, which makes them a good manufacturer). Second, the dealer of the hot tub,The Great Escape, can give a good price due to their volume of sales. The company who was selling the Catalina Spa just couldn't seem to close the deal. Our spa is great! We are in it almost every night, even in the cold Chicago climate in January and February. We have experienced only a few problems, such as a broken stereo speaker and jet control knobs, which we think were damaged in shipping. Service was fast and professional. Remember that if you are considering a spa, the electrical hookup will be an important, and potentially costly step before you buy. P.S., we purchased a spa enclosure from Alliance Woodcraft, via the Backyard King internet dealer, and it's beautiful! Plan carefully, buy from a dependable dealer, and enjoy!