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Clearance and Warehouse Tubs: What Is Different, What Is Final, and What Warranty Applies

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary7
  1. Why a Tub Ends Up on Clearance
  2. What Is Final About a Clearance Purchase
  3. Warranty on Clearance Tubs
  4. The Handyman Special
  5. How to Buy a Clearance Tub
  6. Related Guides
  7. Common Questions

Clearance walk-in tubs and warehouse tubs are real Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs, fully functional in nearly every case, that carry a minor cosmetic imperfection in the acrylic, a small scratch, or a blemish that keeps them out of regular stock. They are listed individually by serial number on the clearance page at ellasbubbles.com/walk-in-tub/clearance-sale-discount/, each with its own description, photos, and often a short video showing the unit and the flaw. Because every listing is a specific physical tub, the terms are different from a made-to-order purchase: the tub is sold as it is, its listed terms are final, and it goes to the first customer who pays for it.

Why a Tub Ends Up on Clearance

  • A cosmetic imperfection in the acrylic surface, such as a mark on the deck, or a slight alignment difference between the door and the shell that does not affect performance.
  • Leftover or overstock units, including occasional off-white shells when the standard color is white.
  • Units built to a configuration or drain side that did not match an order.
  • Returned or display units that have been inspected and tested.

Any model can appear on the clearance page, since a listing depends on what is in the warehouse rather than on the model line. Read each listing carefully and watch its video. The description states exactly what is different about that tub, and in most cases the tub is in perfect working order.

What Is Final About a Clearance Purchase

  1. Sold as described. A clearance tub comes exactly as the listing states and cannot be modified. A jetted unit cannot be sold as a soaker, options such as a heated seat cannot be added, and the drain side cannot be changed.
  2. Final terms. The clearance listing is already the reduced offer and cannot be reduced further. Clearance walk-in tubs are also excluded from the Lowest Price Match Guarantee in the Terms of Use.
  3. First come, first served. A listing stays available only until someone pays for it. The team can reserve a unit by collecting payment, but cannot hold it on a promise.
  4. Installation is separate. The clearance reduction applies to the tub only; it does not lower what an installer charges. See what installation involves.

Warranty on Clearance Tubs

Warranty terms for clearance tubs are listed on each individual listing and can differ from tub to tub and from the standard Lifetime Limited Warranty. For example, some listings show a limited parts warranty of a stated number of years, and some warehouse-sale items carry no warranty. Always check the warranty line on the specific serial number you are considering before you pay, and keep a copy of the listing with your invoice. Lifetime technical support by phone and live video comes with every Ella tub regardless of the warranty line.

The Handyman Special

Occasionally the clearance page includes a unit labeled as a handyman special. This is a tub with a minor door leak caused by a manufacturing defect. It is heavily reduced, sold as-is, and the door leak cannot be repaired or covered under warranty. It suits a walk-in shower installation or another use where a watertight door is not required. If you need a tub that holds water, choose one of the other clearance units, which are in working condition.

How to Buy a Clearance Tub

  1. Open the listing and note the serial number, drain side, therapy package, and the stated imperfection and warranty.
  2. Confirm the size fits your space using the specification sheet for that model, and check the door side against your house drain with the left or right hand guide.
  3. Contact your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 with the serial number to confirm the unit is still available.
  4. Pay to reserve it. Clearance tubs ship by freight like any other tub, and shipping is confirmed for your address as part of the order; ask the team if you would prefer to collect the unit in Chicago.
Ella's Bubbles: Walk-In Tub Quality Control and Testing
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Initial Inspection and Unboxing Each Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub is unboxed, and its surface is inspected for any shipping damage.
  2. 0:22 Rigorous Testing and Quality Checks The assembled tub undergoes extensive testing for leaks, pump function, and the integrity of all mechanical systems, doors, latches, locks, and seals.
  3. 0:43 Final Cleaning and Packaging After passing inspections, the tub is cleaned, dried, and prepared for boxing, with accessories individually wrapped.
  4. 1:17 Re-wrapping and Shipping Preparation The tub is re-wrapped in protective plastic and bubble wrap, and important installation paperwork is attached before secure mounting in its shipping case.
  5. 1:51 Invoice Verification and Shipment The individual invoice is double-checked and copied to ensure accurate records before the Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub is shipped to its destination.

Watch: Ella's Bubbles: Walk-In Tub Quality Control and Testing with chapters and a full transcript.

This video shows the quality control every tub passes through at the Chicago warehouse: each unit is unboxed and inspected, assembled to order, leak-tested with the pumps run and the doors and latches checked, cleaned, labeled, and then wrapped, crated and matched against its paperwork before shipping. Clearance units go through the same inspection, which is how the team knows and documents exactly what is different about each one. When yours arrives, follow the delivery inspection checklist and compare the tub against its listing before signing.

Common Questions

Why are tubs on clearance and do they work?
Most clearance tubs carry a minor cosmetic imperfection in the acrylic, such as a mark on the deck, or a slight alignment difference between the door and the shell that does not affect performance. Others are leftover or overstock units, units built to a configuration or drain side that did not match an order, or returned and display units that have been inspected and tested. They are fully functional unless the listing says otherwise, so read each listing and watch its video to see exactly what is different about that tub.
Can I add jets or a heated seat to a clearance tub?
No. Clearance and warehouse units are sold exactly as configured and are not modified, so a jetted unit cannot be sold as a soaker, options such as a heated seat cannot be added, and the drain side cannot be changed. If you need a particular option, look for a listing that already includes it or consider a standard made-to-order tub, where the heated seat and backrest is a regular option.
Is the clearance offer negotiable?
No. The clearance listing is already the reduced offer and its terms are final, so it cannot be reduced further. Clearance walk-in tubs are also excluded from the Lowest Price Match Guarantee in the Terms of Use, and the reduction applies to the tub only, so it does not change what an installer charges.
Can I get photos of the imperfection?
Yes. Each listing carries its own description, photos and often a short video showing the unit and the flaw. If you want a closer look at a specific spot, contact the team with the serial number and they will send what they have on file for that unit.
What is the handyman special?
A handyman special is a tub with a minor door leak caused by a manufacturing defect. It is heavily reduced, sold as-is, and the door leak cannot be repaired or covered under warranty. It suits a walk-in shower installation or another use where a watertight door is not required; if you need a tub that holds water, choose one of the other clearance units, which are in working condition.
Do clearance tubs have a warranty?
Each listing states its own warranty, which can differ from the standard Lifetime Limited Warranty. Some listings show a limited parts warranty of a stated number of years, and some warehouse-sale items carry no warranty at all. Check the warranty line on the specific serial number before you pay and keep a copy of the listing with your invoice; lifetime technical support by phone and live video comes with every Ella tub regardless of the warranty line.
Is a clearance tub returnable?
Clearance tubs are sold as described and as-is, so read the listing carefully before you commit. Review the returns article and confirm the terms on your invoice before paying, since the invoice can stipulate different terms. When the tub arrives, compare it against its listing and note anything unexpected before signing for the delivery.
Is the drain side I need likely to be on clearance?
Stock varies and moves quickly, since each listing goes to the first customer who pays for it, and some drain sides are scarce on the clearance page. Check the page often, or ask the team to watch for the configuration you need. Because the drain side of a clearance unit cannot be changed, confirm the door side against your house drain with the left or right hand guide before you reserve one.
Will the repair on a clearance tub wear off?
Nothing is repaired or repainted. Clearance units are new, fully tested tubs with minor cosmetic marks from manufacturing or handling, such as scratches near the faucet deck or slight color variation, and each listing links to a video showing the exact flaw. A tub with a leak is never sold as a working clearance tub; the only exception is the handyman special described above, a unit with a minor door leak that is sold only for use as a walk-in shower.
Does a clearance tub come with the faucet and drain?
Yes. Clearance units ship with their faucet, supply lines and assembled drain like any other tub, and the spec sheet is available for them too. Large clearance items such as shower stalls are local pickup in Chicago only; see picking up in Chicago.
Can Ella's Bubbles share photos or videos of a specific clearance tub by email or text?
Yes, beyond what is posted on the clearance listing itself, the team can send you the photos or video showing the tub and its imperfection by email or text message. Contact your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 with the serial number of the unit you are considering so they can share what they have on file.
Should I consider a clearance tub instead of a made-to-order tub?
A clearance tub is worth considering if a listing already matches the model, therapy package and drain side you need, since these are real Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs with only a minor cosmetic imperfection in the acrylic, and most are fully functional. Each listing includes a video that describes the specific imperfection on that unit, so you can decide whether it matters to you before you commit. If nothing on the clearance page fits your space, a standard made-to-order tub lets you choose the configuration yourself; your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can help you weigh the two.

Have a question about a specific listing? Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support with the serial number or call (800) 480-6850 and the team will help.

About this guide. Answers in the Ella’s Bubbles Support Center are compiled from real conversations with tub owners, our technicians’ notes and the product documentation, then reviewed by our team. Tub models and options have evolved over the years, so a detail here may differ slightly from your exact tub. If something looks different on yours, send us your serial number and a specialist will confirm it for your model.

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