A spa is a combination of a lot of things. Hoses. Pumps. Gates. Valves.
Jets. Electronics. Switching devices. Heating devices. Temperature
control devices.

If you use high quality components, chances are the spa you build will work
well and be reliable. If you use low quality components, chances are that
the spa you build will break down more often, be less reliable, and have a
lot more service related issues.

That being said, when you go to the Borg stores, it is nearly impossible to
find out the name of the manufacturers of the component parts. And even if
they are stamped with the manufacturer, you need to speak Chinese to read
the address or company name.

Now, throw together a couple of years of manufacture using a long list of
variable parts from various suppliers ............ ALL OF THEM BEING LOWEST
BIDDER, and you have a real bag of snakes.

If you were to take a poll of people who have owned a spa for five years,
there would be a definite statistical correlation between those who bought
good spas from good manufacturers and who like them. Those who bought cheap
spas won't have as high a satisfaction percentage.

Buy all you can afford even if you have to buy used. They last a long time,
and a good used one will cost you less than a bad new one.

Steve