WARNING AVOID THIS CENTRE
I never leave reviews but leaving this to help others by warning them to COMPLETELY AVOID purchasing anything from The Swim Spa Centre by Freedom Leisure at Summerhill Garden Centre, Billericay.
In a nut shell, think worse than car salesmen and think no compassion. This company will leave you out of pocket and nothing to show for it.
YOU CAN GET BETTER DEALS FROM ALTERNATE JACUZZI DEALERS, LOOK ELSEWHERE. I SAVED £1300 ON THE SAME EXACT MODEL THAT FREEDOM LEISURE WERE TRYING TO SELL ME !
Long story short (as it has been going on for a month now - June/July 2024), I phoned this dealer asking if they had a specific model as I knew exactly what I wanted and was told "Yes I have one left" so off I went to the show room. It was sold! Along with 90% of everything else on display. Don't bother going to this showroom is the key takeaway from this review.
Salesman tried his hardest to sell me another model that I didn't want (I wanted a lounger) as he had them in stock. Tactic used by car salesmen. Salesman reluctantly reserved me the model on the Jacuzzi order system (one I originally went to see and wanted) but I got ABSOLUTELY NO DEAL/DISCOUNT. I agreed to put my deposit down, researched the tub a bit more (I'm not familiar with tubs as had never bought one before) only to realise I could have purchased the exact same tub £1300 cheaper with extra features. I gave the the Swim Spa Centre the opportunity to fully match another dealers offer. Salesman at Swim Spa centre phoned and complained to Jacuzzi. Jacuzzi then phoned the dealer with the better offer and told them off and said they couldnt sell to me as I'm outside their territory. I lost the better deal and now lost my deposit at the Swim Spa Centre. Yes Swim Spa Centre came out to do a "free survey" but the survey guy told me he was only local anyway, and to spend 5mins looking in my back garden, I don't think is worthy of £100!
Other dealers don't even need to visit your property, they are happy with photo/video footage for the site survey. Much easier than booking time off work for 5 minutes.
I HAVE WARNED YOU, SAVE YOURSELF THE PAIN AND BUY ELSEWHERE. BUYING A JACUZZI SHOULD BE A NICE RELAXING EXPERIENCE. MINE HAS BEEN MADE HORRENDOUS BY THE SWIM SPA CENTRE. I might as well have flushed my money down the toilet.
My mistakes you can learn from - If you sign that agreement of the non-refundable deposit at the Swim Spa Centre (where there's little freedom for leisure actually as they try make you buy something you don't want) which I did, you will be locked into a nightmare and they won't fully match a better deal advertised anywhere else. There will be no compassion. BE WARNED. Make sure you research the tub features, what it can and does/doesn't come with as like me you might not be made aware of everything that exists out there when looking around the showroom. Don't be drawn into travelling to a showroom when the salesman on the phone says "Yes, I got one left"
Other than that enjoy your Jacuzzi, even more so if you AVOID THE SWIM SPA CENTRE.
Feel free to message me of where I would recommend buying a Jacuzzi from.
Reply from Freedom Leisure LTD
Hello Mr Whittaker,
I am sorry you felt you had to leave such a harsh review regarding our service. Our first most interest is always to make sure our customers purchase the best hot tub to suit their needs and provide the most informative service.
I would like to reply by stating that our confirmation of order that you did sign, does state it is not refundable. There is a lot of work that goes into an order within the first few days, and this particular product was specially ordered in just for you, which we now have sitting in stock. Regarding your comment on a site survey, we complete a site survey as part of our package because we want to be able to attend and install your hot tub with the correct install equipment needed and as smoothly as possible. This is shown in your survey information, as it is not a straightforward install, an online company will have issues. We have installed 100’s of hot tubs, most of our customers have never installed one, so we do not wish for them to have to provide pictures on what they think may be the route it would have to take unless that is the only option. It’s part of our service, which many customers like, as it is also a chance for us to answer any question or concerns you may have and we can also check your electrics and base if you would like us too, as for many it can be a bit of a daunting experience.
You did not actually sign your order on the day, you went home and thought about it, then found it cheaper online and asked us to match it, which we did, before you signed the order. Within two days, your site survey had been completed, your spa had been ordered and delivered to our store and your paperwork all completed. Which I hope would be the service you would expect. It was only later in the week when you came back asking for addition products to be included, that we were no longer able to match the price. On our side of the order, we have done all we can. Unfortunately, the point that you have now chosen not to purchase the product from us is entirely down to you. And we are sorry we have not been able, on this occasion, been able to install your hot tub for you. You informed us that you were putting the purchasing on hold for a hot tub at the moment, as already had a hot tub which you were trying to return, we did state that although your deposit was not refundable, we would hold it on file should you ever wish to use it against another hot tub.
As a company we cannot refund to one and not to others, which is why we have signed confirmation of orders, with all the information clearly set out, and you must read and sign before we go ahead.
I am sorry that in this instance you have felt you have been treated unfairly and felt the need to complain on our website. Our aim to try to provide a friendly helpful service to every customer.