[LimeBiscuit]

We just moved here from Maryland.

On Monday, the Welcome Wagon lady mentioned getting a GE water softener. Then on Tues (today) we got a call and visit from the GE water softener sales rep.

He had a pretty interesting demo with lots of water tests and chemical reactions. Basically, his point was that you'd be lucky to stay alive here in The Villages if you drank, bathed, or cooked using the public water system.

What's the general opinion on the need for a water softener/purification system here? And does anyone have experience with GE?

We've lived places where we needed one and places where it wasn't necessary.

Thanks.

[Doodlegirl]

The Welcome Wagon lady is associated and without remorse will tell you that
this company represents the Welcome Wagon in TV! If that is the case, it's the first time in my long life that the Welcome Wagon lady did any more than
drop a basket or bag by the house. I believe this ploy needs to be stopped.
It started a few days after I moved in and continued for 2 months with weekly calls to test my water and get my 'gifts'. When I said I had fine water with a purifier, they continued to call. Never did get a Welcome
Wagon from the people responsible for this sales tactic. Silly beans.

[Bill32]

We recently had a water softener installed after living here full time for three years by Ecowater for $1500. The water is very hard and you will notice the effects on the plumbing eventually. I installed a charcoal filter on the refrigerator for the drinking water and that takes care of the chlorine taste. The water is safe to drink either way so don't think you have to run out and buy something. I personally don't think there is a need for a purifier system but they will try to sell you everything! If you do decide to use Ecowater let me know so I can get a $25 reward

[ladydoc]

You will get calls from lots from them. When they said $4000 for a system, I said....leave. LOL

The water here is terrible compared to our well water back home and very hard. We have been there 3 months and I can already see the results of the hard water. We purchased a new product from Sears, a water softener AND water filter in one unit. We have a little countertop filter right now and the difference in the taste of the water is incredible. I asked the Sears people about reverse osmosis because the water sales guy with the $4000 price tag said we really needed that. Sears told me that it takes 5 gallons of water to produce ONE gallon of reverse osmosis water.

We get a water report every year and it says that everything is within normal limits. Even the salesguy who came here kept saying the water will NOT make you sick, etc. So, it is a matter of taste. If you can tolerate the taste of the water and don't mind the hard water leaving spots on things and eroding your appliances, thats up to you.

BUT don't let them scare you that it is a health hazard....

[jojoin]

Don't know what a fair price is for a water purification system & water softner, or what the best brand is, but you can tell the difference in the water if you have ever had one... it even feels different in the shower, and doesn't leave all the residue. I guess cause it takes the chemicals out that make the water hard. I agree with other posters the water is not going to kill you if you don't get a treament system. It's just personal preference on what you want to spend your $$ on. Like, some people spend thousands of dollars to redo landscaping, or customizing a golf cart it's whatever is best for you.

[John_W]

As soon as we had our home phone connected we must of gotten six calls, my favorite one was they said this was "Home Depot and we have a $25 gift certificate for you."I said I was just in your store yesterday and bought a lawn mower, thanks you can just mail me the certificate. "Well, we would like to come out in person and present it to you", I said that' OK, were pretty busy and were in and out all the time. They said, "we would like to come by and do a free water test of your drinking water". I said, it's OK, I don't mind the drinking water and my neighbor just spent $3000 on a water purifier and he's had nothing but trouble with it. They said, "Who installed his water system? I said, "I didn't ask him, because I don't care, and you're not really Home Depot are you?" and they hung up.

The part about my neighbor is true, he paid $3100 and several times I had to go knock on his door because water was running out of a pipe on the side of his garage down my driveway, which I can see but he couldn't. Finally after several calls and about four days later, they came and hopefully fixed the problem.

[handyman]

Originally Posted by ladydoc

You will get calls from lots from them. When they said $4000 for a system, I said....leave. LOL

The water here is terrible compared to our well water back home and very hard. We have been there 3 months and I can already see the results of the hard water. We purchased a new product from Sears, a water softener AND water filter in one unit. We have a little countertop filter right now and the difference in the taste of the water is incredible. I asked the Sears people about reverse osmosis because the water sales guy with the $4000 price tag said we really needed that. Sears told me that it takes 5 gallons of water to produce ONE gallon of reverse osmosis water.

We get a water report every year and it says that everything is within normal limits. Even the salesguy who came here kept saying the water will NOT make you sick, etc. So, it is a matter of taste. If you can tolerate the taste of the water and don't mind the hard water leaving spots on things and eroding your appliances, thats up to you.

BUT don't let them scare you that it is a health hazard....

I just remind them that I am on the DO NOT CALL list and I will pursue them if they hinder me any further,and I have the not been bothered too much

[asianthree]

We used an outside home inspector and asked what he recommended extra for the home and said we didn't need it

[billmar]

Probably don't need it, but water softners do provide some benefits. I guess it's like a lot of things we buy.... probably don't need half of it

[drdodge]

Do not buy from these door to door people. You can go to Home Dopot or Lowes and buy a good water softner for around 500 dollars. Home depot handles Water Boss. You can check them out on line at Water boss .com. I have one of them and they do an excellent job. THE DOOR TO DOOR ARE A RIPOFF.
DRD

[LimeBiscuit]

I checked the Sears prices online last night and as several posters pointed out, they were considerably less-by an order of magnitude.

We stopped at Sears today will probably get a softener from them.

Thanks for all the advice.

[Bill32]

One feature that was important to me was to get a unit with a demand meter not a timer. With the demand meter it only backwash's according to your water usage. The one's with a timer will cycle whether or not your using water.

[lvlwallach]

We are looking at the system from Sears also, the water softener and filter combination. Is this the one you have? If so do you like it and how long have you had it? Any info would be appreciated. Also did you get the 3 yr or 5 yr warranty? Please give us a call at 954-850-6913. Thanks, Lavelle & Harvey (We also live in Buttonwood.)

Originally Posted by ladydoc

You will get calls from lots from them. When they said $4000 for a system, I said....leave. LOL

The water here is terrible compared to our well water back home and very hard. We have been there 3 months and I can already see the results of the hard water. We purchased a new product from Sears, a water softener AND water filter in one unit. We have a little countertop filter right now and the difference in the taste of the water is incredible. I asked the Sears people about reverse osmosis because the water sales guy with the $4000 price tag said we really needed that. Sears told me that it takes 5 gallons of water to produce ONE gallon of reverse osmosis water.

We get a water report every year and it says that everything is within normal limits. Even the salesguy who came here kept saying the water will NOT make you sick, etc. So, it is a matter of taste. If you can tolerate the taste of the water and don't mind the hard water leaving spots on things and eroding your appliances, thats up to you.

BUT don't let them scare you that it is a health hazard....

[lvlwallach]

We also looked at the Sears combination water softener and filter. Did you get it from Sears? If so are you happy with it and how long have you had it? Please call us at 954-850-6913. Thanks, Lavelle & Harvey (Buttonwood)

Originally Posted by LimeBiscuit

I checked the Sears prices online last night and as several posters pointed out, they were considerably less-by an order of magnitude.

We stopped at Sears today will probably get a softener from them.

Thanks for all the advice.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by lvlwallach

We also looked at the Sears combination water softener and filter. Did you get it from Sears? If so are you happy with it and how long have you had it? Please call us at 954-850-6913. Thanks, Lavelle & Harvey (Buttonwood)

Have a look at the units at HD Lowes. They will give you another price point. I bought a Culligan a few years ago and it works fine but often wondered if the $500 unit at HD wouldn't have worked just as well, as some have reported here on TOTV.