Just how much funds will we genuinely save with a water softener

Q. My husband and I recently had a demonstration on how we could save cash with a water purification system.The salesman said we needed a purification system for under the kitchen sink and in our basement. He offered us a five-year supply of soap made particularly for soft water, and said that we could save over $200 per month with his water treatment system on things like soap, shampoos, detergents, water heating, plumbing repairs, clothing and beverages. He had a miniature water purifier, which he hooked up to our faucet, and preformed the tests. It sounded fairly excellent until he told us the system was $6000, but we could make monthly payments of about $160. My husband said he wanted to take into consideration it, but the salesmen said that if we acted that night that he would give us a $1300 discount, which would make our payments $120 a month. We still wanted to consider it, so he called his boss who said he had one system for $3200 and our payments would be around $85. This was too significantly to pass up, so we sighned the contract (maybe we had been just worn down by his four hour demonstration). After sleeping on it, we exercised our proper to cancel the next day. Did we do the proper factor or do you believe we had been foolish to pass up such a good deal? Also, are all those things he told us about just how much a purification can save actually true?

A.
A water specialist from a reputable local dealer should test your water for hardness, iron,pH, TDS, sulfur, chlorine, nitrates, manganese, tannins or other contaminants, which may be particular to your area of the country. You can always ask to see the salesperson’s certification. A certified water specialist will have an identification card from the WATER QUALITY ASSOCIATION (“WQA”) listing his degree of expertise (CWS-I is the lowest and CWS-VI is the highest). The WQA also has a designation for Certified Sales Representatives (“CSR”) and Certified Installers (“CI”). Even though these designations are no guarantee of expertise in itself, if you look for these certifications, you’ll you will have a higher likelihood of hiring somebody professional and ethical for your house water treatment.

Did you make the right decision? Most likely, the salesman who spent four hours in your home would have made a huge commission had you purchased the system (some companies pay commission so high, you could probably hire a gangster to kill someone for less!). Keep shopping, and look for a reputable dealer with an established reputation in the community, who sells quality equipment. The five-year supply will cost you about $200, but you may not like it (I like Lever 2000, my wife likes Dove, my kids like Dial. you know the routine), so save your money on that.

Mark Timmons “The Water Doctor” has been within the water treatment business because 1972. He presently is Certified by The Water Quality Association as a CWS-VI, CI, CSR and has held these certifications because 1980. He writes his “Ask The Water Doctor” column for many newspapers and publications.

Mark is Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for US Water Systems, you can learn far more about, and buy, water softening systems on the US Water Systems water softener page.

Processing your request, Please wait....