Beware this new scam doing the rounds

[junction29]

See these links I found after talking to some friends;

https://florida-water-analysis.****edconsumer.com/review.html

BBB Business Profile | Florida Water Analysis | Reviews and Complaints (https://www.bbb.org/central-florida/business-reviews/water-soft-and-conditioning-equipment-service-and-supplies/florida-water-analysis-in-winter-haven-fl-90141944/reviews-and-complaints)

"I purchased a water softener and RO systems at the end of July 2017. First of all the sales person didn't disclose all the info about the RO system. It only comes with a 2.5 gal holding tank which isn't much water if your cooking, you run out and it takes about 1 hr to recover. They came back out after going around with them and added a 2nd tank, charged for labor and fittings but waived the cost of the tank, I didn't think there should have been any charge, if I knew about the 2.5 gal tank I would have addressed it at the time of sale. Salesman also said we wouldn't get the white film on our hand washed dishes any longer and we still do. Salesman also said they would provide a bypass for the frig ice/water filter since it wasn't needed due to the new RO system. I went back and forth with them asked 4 people about it, told there wasn't one for my fridge. I called Sears parts found one readily available and they shipped it to me. Total cost $13.75 asked to be reimbursed since they we're inept at supplying one and have not received reimbursement. They started out quoting over $8000 for system and quickly discounted it to just over $4000 with a soap membership. Typical in home sales bull. DON'T BUY A SYSTEM FROM THEM, POOR SERVICE AND WAY OVERPRICED SYSTEM!!!!"

beware
Andy

[villagetinker]

Andy, sorry for your experience. We were approached by 2 or 3 (or more) sales persons shortly after moving in, including the "welcome wagon". All were selling water treatment, filter, etc., systems. One "tested" our water, then showed a notebook with headlines indicating that FL water was BAD, all of this taken out of context. I did a Google search for the government required water tests for Sumter County, water is fine, and well below government requirements. We got the same high pressure sales pitch, asked sales person to leave. Went to Sears, bought a whole house filter and whole house water softener, for around $600, and had this installed by a plumber (in hindsight, I could have done this myself...). Result, we have wonderful water, no restrictions on the amount we use, total cost was around $1000 (4 years ago), and the only maintenance is to add salt, about 4 to 6 bags per year.

What really gripped me was taking the headlines and "test data" out of context and then stating this was what we were getting from the faucet in TV. All we noticed upon moving in was the chlorine smell, and the hardness. To be honest, we had a water softener back up North, so we did notice a difference.

Glad you posted, you may have saved a few others from this situation.

[My Post]

This is like the Seinfeld episode where George is talking about how no one knows if the mechanic is being honest BC it's easy to just take it at face value... "He could tell ya you need a new Johnson rod..."

Have to research everything for yourself....BUT Yelp is a great thing. I feel like most businesses who do people dirty don't last long anymore BC of Yelp. And the good thing about Yelp, is you can kinda tell from the reviews what kind of people are just never happy, and discount them. Let me check this place out now....

[jimbo2012]

I came home to an official looking letter jammed in my door.

Hand delivered door to door (red flag)

It appeared to be from a Florida Water Consumer Awareness Agency.

Wrong, just slick scam

They are selling high priced softeners

do a search online numerous complaints


.

[junction29]

See these links I found after talking to some friends;

https://florida-water-analysis.****edconsumer.com/review.html

BBB Business Profile | Florida Water Analysis | Reviews and Complaints (https://www.bbb.org/central-florida/business-reviews/water-soft-and-conditioning-equipment-service-and-supplies/florida-water-analysis-in-winter-haven-fl-90141944/reviews-and-complaints)

"I purchased a water softener and RO systems at the end of July 2017. First of all the sales person didn't disclose all the info about the RO system. It only comes with a 2.5 gal holding tank which isn't much water if your cooking, you run out and it takes about 1 hr to recover. They came back out after going around with them and added a 2nd tank, charged for labor and fittings but waived the cost of the tank, I didn't think there should have been any charge, if I knew about the 2.5 gal tank I would have addressed it at the time of sale. Salesman also said we wouldn't get the white film on our hand washed dishes any longer and we still do. Salesman also said they would provide a bypass for the frig ice/water filter since it wasn't needed due to the new RO system. I went back and forth with them asked 4 people about it, told there wasn't one for my fridge. I called Sears parts found one readily available and they shipped it to me. Total cost $13.75 asked to be reimbursed since they we're inept at supplying one and have not received reimbursement. They started out quoting over $8000 for system and quickly discounted it to just over $4000 with a soap membership. Typical in home sales bull. DON'T BUY A SYSTEM FROM THEM, POOR SERVICE AND WAY OVERPRICED SYSTEM!!!!"

beware
Andy

Forgot to post this, which is what (falsely) makes it look so 'official'

It claims to be from 'Florida Water Department, Consumer Awareness Department'
when they have no official status at all!!
Andy

[retiredguy123]

My water softener is the shampoo I use to wash my hair.

[Chatbrat]

I use a whole house filter and an electronic descaler--it has paid for itself,have never had to change the fridge filter in 7 years, despite the "timer" that keeps telling me to change the filter

[Carl in Tampa]

I have drunk tap water most of my life, and never felt the need for a water softener which is probably good because they add salt to your drinking water.

A few years ago I remodeled my kitchen, and at that time I added a commercial quality spin-on filter under my sink, so my sink tap water and refrigerator water line are filtered. In the long run this saves money because I don't have to have and replace the water filter in the refrigerator.

There are many paths to water purity, but I would certainly avoid the people who make the high-pressure approaches.

[villagetinker]

I have drunk tap water most of my life, and never felt the need for a water softener which is probably good because they add salt to your drinking water.

A few years ago I remodeled my kitchen, and at that time I added a commercial quality spin-on filter under my sink, so my sink tap water and refrigerator water line are filtered. In the long run this saves money because I don't have to have and replace the water filter in the refrigerator.

There are many paths to water purity, but I would certainly avoid the people who make the high-pressure approaches.

I disagree, I have a test kit (from the pet store) to test the level of salt in the water, there is NONE in ours with a salt based water softener. I test the water 2 or 3 times a year to make sure the system is working correctly.

[rjm1cc]

If you want a softener I think you should be able to find one under 1,000. Start by talking to your water company for advice.

[villagetinker]

Lowes, Home Depot (and Sears) all sell combo units that have the water softener and filter in one unit. Not sure about going with Sears as there are so many reports about them going under, but I have always used Sears and they were very reliable, always exceeding the expected warranty. I had 3 up North, average lifetime 10 years each, and one here.

[junction29]

Forgot to post this, which is what (falsely) makes it look so 'official'

It claims to be from 'Florida Water Department, Consumer Awareness Department'
when they have no official status at all!!
Andy

Hi all,
The thread seems to be going off the plot a little.

My reason for posting was to warn of a company that appears to me to be trying to pretend to be an ‘official body’ when in fact it is nothing of the kind.

Whether people here in TV feel they want either a water filter or a water softener is one thing, but what they don’t want is scamming by unscrupulous companies and ending up paying thousands of dollars more than they should be paying for a product, whether it is any good or not.

Regards
Andy

[784caroline]

Forgot to post this, which is what (falsely) makes it look so 'official'

It claims to be from 'Florida Water Department, Consumer Awareness Department'
when they have no official status at all!!
Andy

Not sure there even is an official "Florida water department" ...so they could from their own Florida Water Department. Technically they are not wrong, you (and most consumers) make assumptions.

[jimbo2012]

here's a pic of the letter, that letterhead can mislead many seniors,

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=4acc385339&view=att&th=1612eef09cfa2607&attid=0.1&disp=safe&realattid=1590594594586755072-local0&zw

[Sandtrap328]

When we moved to The Villages 8 years ago, this scam was happening also.

One high pressure salesman did a "water analysis" for us. He took a testube of our tap water, put a few drops of a black dye in it. The water turned dark. He said that was conclusive proof we had contaminated water.

I showed him the door!

Yes, the water is "hard" here but it tastes good to us.

Call Seniors vs Crime before you let anyone from a Florida Dept of Water in your house. They will be able to tell you how many consumer complaints have been filed.

[Kahuna32162]

We are just one of the many Villagers who have discovered the NOVA water filtration system plus an optional FULL tank water softener. Total cost under $1,800 dollars. That's a far cry from what the crooks want and these are the nicest guys to work with. Lot's of new construction going on and lots of brand new folks moving to the Villages every week. If you think you need better tasting water and have always had a water softener, then call Brad and Bob at NOVA. They are sponsors here on TOTV and you'll find ton's of great comments about work and product.

[John_W]

I can remember in 2011 having received many letters, cards, phone calls for water tests, my neighbor even spent $3100 to have one installed. A week later I'm was on my front porch and I watched water shoot out the side of his villa and run down my driveway.

My favorite was a lady who called and said she was from The Villages official welcome committee and she had a $25 Home Depot gift certificate to give me. I said, I'm pretty busy, can you just mail it to me. She said, unfortunately I can't do that, I've got to give it to you in person. Also while I'm there you'll be happy to know I have a water test kit that I can show you how to use.

[jimbo2012]

To be clear, there is no way to get an accurate reading in home with with those test kits.

Moreover, they aren't needed just call the water dept., they have real test equipment and will provide the numbers.

All of which begs the question, why do these guys test water in the first place, simple, if they add or reduce a few extra drops the the test can indicate any results they want to scare you into buying their product. :ohdear:
It also allows them more time in your home

We believe the first priority is Whole House Water Filtration (WHF), a softener is a secondary option not primary.

Less than 10% of our customers opt for a softener after installing a WHF.

More info call 566.2649

.We are residents with over 40 years experience

[dillywho]

See these links I found after talking to some friends;

https://florida-water-analysis.****edconsumer.com/review.html

BBB Business Profile | Florida Water Analysis | Reviews and Complaints (https://www.bbb.org/central-florida/business-reviews/water-soft-and-conditioning-equipment-service-and-supplies/florida-water-analysis-in-winter-haven-fl-90141944/reviews-and-complaints)

"I purchased a water softener and RO systems at the end of July 2017. First of all the sales person didn't disclose all the info about the RO system. It only comes with a 2.5 gal holding tank which isn't much water if your cooking, you run out and it takes about 1 hr to recover. They came back out after going around with them and added a 2nd tank, charged for labor and fittings but waived the cost of the tank, I didn't think there should have been any charge, if I knew about the 2.5 gal tank I would have addressed it at the time of sale. Salesman also said we wouldn't get the white film on our hand washed dishes any longer and we still do. Salesman also said they would provide a bypass for the frig ice/water filter since it wasn't needed due to the new RO system. I went back and forth with them asked 4 people about it, told there wasn't one for my fridge. I called Sears parts found one readily available and they shipped it to me. Total cost $13.75 asked to be reimbursed since they we're inept at supplying one and have not received reimbursement. They started out quoting over $8000 for system and quickly discounted it to just over $4000 with a soap membership. Typical in home sales bull. DON'T BUY A SYSTEM FROM THEM, POOR SERVICE AND WAY OVERPRICED SYSTEM!!!!"

beware
Andy

We've been here since 2004 and this is not new. It makes the rounds every year....sometimes several times a year.:cus:

[Two Bills]

I have drunk tap water most of my life, and never felt the need for a water softener which is probably good because they add salt to your drinking water.

A few years ago I remodeled my kitchen, and at that time I added a commercial quality spin-on filter under my sink, so my sink tap water and refrigerator water line are filtered. In the long run this saves money because I don't have to have and replace the water filter in the refrigerator.

There are many paths to water purity, but I would certainly avoid the people who make the high-pressure approaches.

No salt enters the consumer system.
The salt is to clean the softener filters.
It is not recommended to drink softened water, that is why most kitchen cold taps bypass the softener.
For drinking water a filter should be added to that tap alone if required.

[jimbo2012]

No salt enters the consumer system.
The salt is to clean the softener filters.
It is not recommended to drink softened water, that is why most kitchen cold taps bypass the softener.
For drinking water a filter should be added to that tap alone if required.

Been doing this many years since 1974, you are IMO miss informed.

A water softener will add about 35 milligrams of sodium to each 8 oz. glass of water you drink.

there is no way to filter out that salt it passes thru any filter.

We only install water softeners with a inline WHF whole house water filter after a softener, that is the correct way to do it.

I see many softeners installed without filters after the unit, in the backwash or re-gen process bits of the resin bed will enter your water pipes you don't want to ingest these.

in first pic with a black colored softener (ours )you can see a proper install.

the second pic with a white colored softener shows a retrofit with another brand softener.

I tiny filter at the sink really is not going to do much.



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