The allure of a soothing spa can be irresistible, especially for those among us who are battling health conditions.

A warm, bubbling retreat promises relief from pain and a sanctuary for relaxation. It's no wonder that many Australians, including seniors and those with debilitating health conditions, have turned to home spas as a form of therapy and comfort.

However, the recent collapse of a popular spa company has left many customers in a troubling situation, with their health, hearts, and wallets at stake.


According to ASIC data, Spas Direct, a company known for selling a range of spas, including plunge pools and infrared saunas, has been liquidated as of 3 June 2024.

This sudden development has sent shockwaves through the community of customers who had placed their trust—and significant sums of money—in the company's products.


The impact of this liquidation is far-reaching, with dozens of Australians finding themselves thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Among them is the family of a terminally ill girl, who had invested $25,000 in the hope that a spa would provide some comfort and aid in her rehabilitation.

The spa, unfortunately, never arrived. 'We are beyond gutted. We just wanted her to be comfortable,' the mother expressed.


Terry Bartholomai, 57, is another customer left in the lurch.

He purchased a Mini Plunge Pool for $16,000 to help manage his debilitating back pain.

Months have passed since his purchase, and the promised pool has yet to appear.

The company's statement cited an 'ongoing dispute with our third-party logistics partner' for their inability to dispatch spas from their facilities.

This has left customers like Kerri Wright, who paid over $15,000 for a spa, feeling 'angry, frustrated and disappointed.'

'Once all invoices were paid over four days, I was then ghosted, no response to phone calls and then the phones were not answered,' she said.

The situation is further complicated by Spas Direct's alleged debt of more than $1.75 million to freight company 3Sixty Global Logistics.


The logistics company holds over 500 spas and spa products in its warehouses, and the future of these items is uncertain amidst legal proceedings.

'3Sixty is [allegedly] currently owed about $1.8million for the warehousing and logistics services that it has been providing to JKJ/Sunseal Garden Spas with trading names Spas Direct (Spas Direct) during 2024,' Mark Carmody, a lawyer, said.

'360 has filed two claims against Spas Direct's related entities for the debt that it is owed.'

Some customers report malfunctioning parts, such as heaters, and a lack of follow-up service to rectify these issues.

The Spas Direct website is currently down, with a message stating that it is 'temporarily unavailable due to an ongoing dispute with a logistics company.'

This leaves customers in the dark about the status of their orders and the company's future.

The stress of financial loss and unfulfilled expectations has replaced the promise of relief.

We recommend monitoring updates from ASIC and the Queensland Office of Fair Trading for readers affected by this situation.

If you've purchased with Spas Direct and are facing similar issues, contacting consumer protection agencies and seeking legal advice is crucial.

The collapse of Spas Direct serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with large purchases from companies that may not be as stable as they appear.

It's a cautionary tale for all consumers to conduct thorough research and consider a company's financial health before making significant investments.
Has the Spas Direct collapse affected you or someone you know? How are you protecting yourself from financial losses when making large health-related purchases? Let us know in the comments below.