We bought this as a factory blem in 2000. I never could find any blemish. It has proven to be everything we could ever ask for. I like the way the jets are positioned, the seating (quite a variety), the ease of care (far less than anticipated). We still use the original cover and only the heater has been replaced. Everything else is original. I use it 4-6 times a week and have a hard time imagining a spa could have been so trouble-free for so long.
That is not to say it has been perfect. There have been several issues over the years, ones we have been able to muddle through one way or another or, in some cases, do without. With Saratoga, it's the factory not the dealer that does the service. And that's the problem. We are 45 miles from the factory and frankly their service sucks - BIG TIME. They are never at the phone when you call and sometime days pass before they reply. They are obviously reluctant to come out. Once they sent a kid, a nice enough fellow, but he knew little or nothing about his job. Another time, the technician never showed. Forget being late, he never came and never intended to as far as I was able to make out. Now they want me to give them my credit card number before they will schedule a trip. That is simply not acceptable. And a local guy who services all brands stub review.ems ays he cannot buy parts for them anywhere. My own research at the time confirmed that. They've got the parts and they don't want anyone else putting them in. They do not do this cheaply, but that is less of an issue than the fact that they just have not proven to be responsive or reliable. And now they want to use my card to pay themselves before they come.
In short, they made a great product for me, but that was it. Good luck afterwards.