Hello, all. We have a 1996 Royale model Sundance Spa. It was sold as a new 1997 model to us...subsequently, the selling dealer lost his franchise owing to such tricks, we're told.

Now, 8 years into ownership, we're being told by the nearest dealership's technician, on his 4th trip down here (100 miles each way), that Sundance had 'quality problems' during the 1996 season, and, that the reason we keep chasing plumbing leaks is that the PVC adhesive that was used during that time is defective. Further, he tells me that we can (probably) expect to keep chasing failed plumbing connections until we're broke.

We're losing 50 - 70 gallons of water per day out of the spa, and, refilling it in sub-freezing temps is a real problem (a daily chore for the past 3 weeks, while we wait for 'special' fittings to be shipped in from California). This will be our 3rd $300 leak repair - the second in 2005...we're on our 3rd circulating pump (and, it's getting noisy and failing fast)...our 2nd air blower...a failed, 2 year old Sunzone Ozonator (the fittings rotted off)...and, the list just keeps getting longer and longer.

Oh...Sundance's regional sales guy called and asked why I was upset. The official company response to my request for consideration was to offer to sell me a new spa, comparable model, for 'dealer cost' of (only) $7,000. Yeah, right. That's what I paid for this one... Or, we can call the people that owned Sundance Spa in 1996 (Clark Manufacturing) and beg them for mercy. My 'net search revealed an $8 mil lawsuit filed by Sundance/Jacuzzi against Sundance/Clark for failure to pay on Clark's warranty claims. Jacuzzi won, after a jury verdict was rendered. I am not hopeful.

So, my question to the group is, what to do? Anybody have any experience with these defective glue joints? I am to the point of simply pulling the AC power off the thing and having a Bromine-flavored Popsicle on my deck...

Thanks for opinions, experiences, and, for your time in reading this sad tale.

I would get rid of the tub. i would get another one but a different brand.

When a company has some issues with quality and they realize that and this fix the issue, it does not mean they have to warranty those spas forever. Once the warranty is done it is done.