I bought the Lifetime Guarantee.
Beachcomber said no.

One documented experience. An independent engineer disagreed with Beachcomber's denial.

8
Months old when the shell cracked
1
P.Eng. who said it's not impact damage
0
Replacement tubs offered
∞
Beachcomber's "Lifetime" Guarantee

What Beachcomber Promises

"If the laminated fibreglass composition leaks, Beachcomber will repair it with the right materials and labour, at no extra cost to you."
"This gives us the confidence to have a Lifetime Guarantee on the hot tub shell structure."

The guarantee is prominently sold as a reason to choose Beachcomber over competitors. Here's what happened when one customer needed it.

The Evidence

Photos of the actual damage — 8 months after delivery

East side shell crack, exterior view — full crack visible running height of shell
East side shell crack — exterior view. The crack runs the full height of the shell on the east side, directly behind the cover lift mechanism.
Close-up of crack showing width variation and localized divot near upper termination
Close-up of crack. Width variation along the crack is consistent with bending stress — widest at the bottom where stress is greatest, narrowing toward the top.
Close-up of shell chip — material ejected outward, not compressed inward
The chip. Material is missing — ejected outward under tension. Beachcomber described this as "concave inward denting from blunt force impact." An independent engineer concluded otherwise.
Shell crack showing separation — evidence of internal pressure failure, not external impact
Shell separation. Close-up showing evidence of internal pressure failure, not external impact damage. The chip near the top is positioned at the highest-stress point — consistent with structural failure reaching its breaking point, not the cause of the crack.
Corner of shell raised — not level with rest of the shell despite engineer-certified level deck
Raised corner. The right corner of the shell is visibly higher than the rest — confirmed on a certified level deck. This deformation cannot be explained by an external strike.
Spirit level showing right corner of shell substantially raised — permanent structural damage with tub drained
Permanent structural damage. With the tub fully drained, the level shows the right corner of the shell is substantially raised. The damage is permanent — not temporary flex from water pressure.
Cabinet bulge visible after skirting removed by Spa Country technician — structural deformation
Cabinet bulge. After the skirting panels were removed by Beachcomber's own authorized service technician, the underlying cabinet shows significant outward bulging. This is systemic structural failure — not a surface crack.
Hot tub cover directly over shell crack showing no damage — no evidence of external strike
The cover is undamaged. The hot tub cover sits directly over the shell crack and side panel bulge. There is no damage to the cover. If an external strike caused the crack, the cover would show it. It doesn't.

What a Licensed Engineer Found

An independent Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) inspected the tub in January 2026. Key findings:

Straightedge measurement confirming 5mm top edge deflection
Straightedge measurement at the top edge of the shell, confirming measurable downward deflection — documented by the independent Professional Engineer.

"The overall condition of the hot tub shell and supporting components appears more consistent with stress-related deformation and cracking mechanisms than with localized impact damage."

— Licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.), independent inspection, January 2026

Beachcomber's Own Contradictions

These are direct quotes from Beachcomber's written responses.

On what caused the damage:

First they said
"The outer surface is pushed inward" — compression from impact
Later they said
"The top layer of acrylic is broken off" — material ejection (the opposite)

On whether repair is urgent:

First they said
"The acrylic does not have to be repaired if so desired"
Later they said
"With urgency we highly recommend steps to stop further extension of the crack"

The Ask

One thing. A replacement tub — as warranted under Beachcomber's Lifetime Guarantee.

Legal proceedings are underway in Alberta. Consumer protection complaints have been filed in both Alberta and British Columbia.

Considering a Beachcomber Hot Tub?

This is one documented experience. Before you buy, consider asking:

  1. How does Beachcomber handle warranty claims when the cause of damage is disputed?
  2. What independent review process is available if you disagree with their assessment?
  3. What does the Lifetime Guarantee actually cover in practice?

Updates

January 2026

Independent P.Eng. inspection completed. Formal conclusion: damage consistent with structural stress failure, not impact damage.

February 2026

Consumer protection complaints filed — Service Alberta and Consumer Protection BC. Legal proceedings initiated. Crack continues to spread.