Is Ella's Bubbles the manufacturer of its walk-in tubs or a retailer?

Ella's Bubbles is the manufacturer. The company was founded in 2005 as a Chicago-based OEM manufacturer of acrylic walk-in tubs, and every tub is assembled, jetted and rigorously tested in its Chicago facility before it ships from the Chicago warehouse to the dealer network. Ella products reach homeowners through dealers, retailers and partners, which is why the practical question is usually who handles what, a split that Should I ask Ella's Bubbles or my retailer my product questions? lays out in detail.

A Chicago Manufacturer Since 2005

The short company video on this page states it directly: founded in 2005, Ella's Bubbles is a Chicago-based OEM manufacturer of acrylic walk-in tubs, leading the way in acrylic walk-in tub development, production and distribution, with multiple partnership production facilities in the United States and international sales worldwide. OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer, meaning Ella designs and builds the tubs that carry its name rather than reselling another company's product.

Ella is the brand name printed on the tubs, and Ella's Bubbles is the company behind them, so an Ella Elite, an Ella dealer and Ella's Bubbles support all point to the same manufacturer. Is the brand called Ella or Ella's Bubbles, and are they the same? settles that naming question. The replacement parts the company stocks are made specifically for Ella walk-in tubs and ship from the Chicago warehouse.

How a Tub Gets from the Factory to Your Bathroom

Because Ella builds the tubs, the path to your home runs through whoever sold it to you, and that seller can be an Ella dealer, a retail store or a partner. The tub itself does not change. A tub sold by a retail partner is the same tub a dealer supplies, with the same Lifetime Limited Warranty and the same lifetime technical support. What changes is only who manages the order.

• Retailer orders still ship from Ella's Bubbles. When you buy an Ella product through a home improvement store or another retailer, Ella builds and ships the tub as the manufacturer. If the phone number that came with the retailer order is not reaching you, Ella's Bubbles will email you, identify itself as the manufacturer, reference your retailer order and the product you purchased, and ask for the best number so the freight carrier can schedule delivery.
• Dealers can drop-ship. A dealer placing a drop-ship order gives Ella the phone number of the person who will actually receive the tub, since the carrier must call the delivery contact before the truck comes out.
• Model availability is local. The specific models and shower components available to you depend on your local Ella dealer, and the team at (800) 480-6850 can point you to the dealer serving your area.

Walk-in tubs travel as less-than-truckload freight and are delivered curbside by appointment, so Ella confirms a valid, working US phone number on every order before the tub is released. Why Ella Needs a Working Phone Number Before Your Walk-In Tub Ships explains what happens if the carrier cannot reach you.

What Being the Manufacturer Means for You as an Owner

• One warranty, whoever sold the tub. The published Lifetime Limited Warranty is the same document whether the invoice came from a dealer or a retailer. Ella is not bound by warranty promises made by dealers, retailers, distributors or contractors, so the published terms are what count.
• Lifetime technical support comes from the factory. Support by phone, email and video chat is included with every tub, and it covers how a feature works and installation questions while your plumber is on site.
• Parts come from Chicago. Replacement parts are made for Ella tubs and ship from the Chicago warehouse. The team asks for your model, serial number, photos and where you purchased before sending anything.
• Ella does not install or repair. The company manufactures tubs but never performs installation. A licensed local plumber or electrician does the labor, and labor is warranted by the installer who did the work, while Ella supplies parts under the warranty and answers technical questions.

Which Questions Go to Ella and Which Go to the Seller

The rule of thumb is simple: product questions go to the manufacturer, order questions go to where you purchased.

• How a feature works, how the tub installs, which replacement part you need and how the warranty applies: Ella's Bubbles, at (800) 480-6850 or through a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support.
• Which model fits your bathroom and which models and shower components are available to you: your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850.
• Order status, delivery and returns on a retailer purchase: where you purchased, because the retailer manages its own order, delivery and returns.
• Warranty activation and what the warranty covers: Ella's Bubbles.
• Whether a listing or boxed product is genuine Ella product: Ella's Bubbles, through a ticket, confirmed from the listing link or the model number on the box.

If you are not sure which kind of question you have, start with Ella. The team will tell you if it belongs with the seller instead.

Making Sure the Tub Is Actually an Ella

Because walk-in tubs from different makers look alike, and because Ella parts fit only Ella tubs, the first thing the team does on any parts request is confirm the tub is an Ella and learn where it was purchased. You can check this yourself in one photo. Pull the removable access panel next to the door away from the frame and look for the serial label inside; an Ella serial usually begins with M. The door is the next clue: an inward brushed stainless steel door with frosted glass, an outward white U-shape door with three latches, an L-shape outward door with the handle on the front, an inward acrylic S-shape door, an inward brushed aluminum door, or a glass door on a low LayDown tub all point to an Ella family. Is My Tub an Ella? goes through each one.

One trap to know: a retailer shower kit can carry an Ella QR sticker while the product inside is another maker's, and a non-Ella faucet fitted to an Ella tub is covered by its own maker. If the door matches none of the Ella families and there is no M serial label, the tub is most likely not an Ella, and My Tub Is a Different Brand. Will Ella's Bubbles Parts Fit? explains why that tub's manufacturer is the right source for seals, latches and valves.

Watch: Innovative Walk-In Tubs Shipped Worldwide | Ella’s Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.

Related Guides

• Video Tour: How Your Tub Is Assembled, Tested, Packed and Shipped From Chicago
• Can You Build Your Own Walk-In Tub, and How Is One Built to Order?
• Where Are Ella Walk-In Tubs Made, and What Is the Country of Origin for Customs?

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