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ComplaintsHome & GardenAvian Water Softener

Complaint

0
Richard
Country: United States
Salesman came to house newly bought, gave a spectacular presentation with water and food coloring. After an hour of insisting we could not afford it, he finally got us to take a 3 day trial. Salesman said to call him and he would cancel product by the third day otherwise we would be obligated to pay for it. Call the guy day before time was up and he gave us the run around, saying someone will be there to pick it up on a certain day at a certain time, no one came and finally the saleman said to us we have to send in paperwork to cancel product by third day, was too late for us mail man picked up mail from mail box already and the paperwork was postmarked one day late. Now we are stuck with a bill for $4900. Manager in office was very rude, hanging up phone and insulting. Don't fall for presentation, Our lesson learned.

Comments

  • 0
    Reed
    I had a 60 day trial.  I liked the product. I compared prices of this softner with others and dickered with the salesman on the price.  I bought the "System II" softner and brine tank for about $1200.  My house was already plumed for a softner.  I've had it for two and a half years when it developed a leak out of the top cap.  One of the company's representatives said that this could have been because of too high of water pressure.  I informed him that he installed a water pressure regulator at the time it was installed and that if it were the case that he should warranty out that part too.  The technician was kind enough to test the pressure which was only at 40 psi (definately not too high).  The technician informed me that he has seen a lot of these tanks crack.  Of course, the warranty that came with it only covers parts but has no guarantee about labor.  He charged me $300+ dollars to replace the tank only and transfer over all of the other parts including beads.  He said that he had to charge so much because the beads didn't come out easy and they were in there hard almost like cement and he had to chip away at them to get them out whereas usually they're not clumped and packed together.  I asked him why he didn't just replace the whole softner then since the beads were in that condition.  He said that beads are like gold and he has to keep them under lock and key and that if they hadn't dried up (which they havn't) that they sould still be good.  He reinstalled the softner and I paid what he asked.  I arranged for him to send a rep. to retest the softness of the water for that saturday.  A month has passed (todays date is 2/25/2011) and I still havn't seen that representative.  I can't feel that slimy feeling anymore that you get with a good water softner.  I'll try to let you know how it works out.

    As a summary:
    1. The price just depends on how you negotiate with the salesman because they are all commission based sales (Just like buying a car).
    2. Avian water softners have some big problems.
    3. The company you work with could make or break you oppinion of the product.  Right now my opinion of Avian and the company that installed the product is really low.
  • 0
    Jack Hawkins
    I am having a System II installed tomorrow, my friend has the same for the past 5 yrs no problems. I have talked with so many water softener co,and search the net. I realize companies need to make a profit and there prices went from $1,900 to $6,500. I went with the company for there warranty and getting the entire system II install etc. $2,200. Time will tell? Yeah all sales people are BS artist.
  • 0
    anonymous
    The avian unit is not a softener. It is a filtration system. It has stages of filters that actually REMOVE the harmful things in your water instead of adding something to the water to give you the illusion of having soft water. You can't buy a filtration unit for $700. You can buy a cheap softener for that price and still have all of the bad stuff in your water for your family to drink and bathe in. Not trying to get in the middle. People really need to utilize the World Wide Web to find information instead of just taking a guess at things. Figure out what you are buying and what the filters in it are, if there are any at all!
  • 0
    Raymond Sauceda
    I dont like depending on these fly by night service co. I would like to have a copie of the service manuel so I can do it myself. Does anyone know
    Where I can get one
  • 0
    puzzled
    I find it very interesting that you put all sales people in the same category.  There are many sales people in many different types of businesses that are very moral and ethical.  

    I also find it humorous that you compare a system that you saw at Lowes for $700 to other systems. Before spewing out at the mouth and vomiting your opinions all over the internet as if they were fact, you should really do some research as anonymous mentioned. You can not compare spam to filet mignon.  

    As the Avian rep stated, it is individual dealers, not the products at fault.  All things break and are in need of repair at some point.

    Keep it real when you post please, you do yourself and others a great injustice.
  • 0
    Juanma
    I had a similar problem, go to Better Business Bureau, you can file a claim online, they will take care.
  • 0
    ms. im after you  now
    your a con and i cant wait to put you out of busines. i will use fb and anything i can. you took advantage of the wrong old people. see you in court.
    a man does the right thing and takes back his faulty product. you not aq man at all.
  • 0
    GL
    | 1 reply
    Today at a Home Show, signed up for an Avian water softener and a reverse osmosis system, @2400.  Thought I's done enough research,but now, when I look at comments and see further info regarding what more I should learn, I canceled the install. I want more info on other companies.  What about Culligan?
    • 0
      Deacon replies to GL
      Culligan is no longer the company it once was. It has been sold 10 times in 12 years and is owned by china now. Avian and Hague are the 2 top of the line systems on the market. I notice most of the comments are on the people who sell them not the systems themselves. You should always get a service agreement so they come check the system every 6 months to avoid issues.
  • 0
    the father of zen
    I have an Avian System II that was installed a little over two years ago. I too feel scammed, but blame nobody but myself, as I usually don't buy anything from a salesman, at least not without taking the time to do my own research.  Buyer beware, right???  
    Anyway, my system doesn't seem be working right anymore, i.e. - glasses out of the dishwasher are starting to look like they did before we had the system, and there is only a slight sense of the silkiness we used to get when washing hands or taking a shower.  I am trying to find some kind of user/operator's guide on the system.  I haven't been able to find anything online, but there has got to be something on how to maintain/troubleshoot the system.  I have found some basic generic info on what to check with the problems I am having, but I would like to have some kind of guide on my system before I start taking it apart.
    I don't want to have to rely on the company that installed the system, as I am very displeased with the install of the system.  They left this huge hump in the yard where they had to dig to the pipes to connect the system (my house wasn't pre-plumbed for a system).  They said it would smooth out be it never did.  Now I am going to have to re-dig up my sod to try to level it back out.  They also didn't do a very good job installing the RO filter they installed under my kitchen sink.  And I am sure they will just try to scam me again and charge me more than should be needed.
    Anyway, sorry for the long note, but if anybody can help with a manual or other info it would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you in advance for any help.
  • 0
    Lynda Barnett
    Our family purchased this water system approx. 3-4 years ago. We were given (but we actually paid for it) all kinds of different soaps...dish, dishwasher, clothes, supposed to work great with this system. Hated the soap. It's sitting in our basement collecting dust. Like the other dissatisfied customers we were swindled into making this purchase by the salesman who would not take no for an answer. We were in the market for a water softener because living in Utah it is very dry here and had heard great things about water softeners and how they help with dry skin. I wish I would have went with my instincts and not made this purchase. I wish we had went with our local Sears company instead. They were only charging $700 not $5,000. What a waste. We recently ordered the filters that need to be changed yearly but were sent the wrong ones for a mere $160. When we  made the call in March 2012 to order these filters they were answering the phones. Now the phone just rings and then disconnects. What do we do now? I will report this business to our Better Business Bureau and ask for their advice. I know we were duped but we are not the only ones. I think the Better Business Bureau needs to get involved and help us get our money back or at least some kind of reembursement. If anyone else knows what to do please advise all of us.
  • 0
    Jerry Pri
    I am experiencing similar results with the aftermarket side of the Avian water softener system III and it is awful!
    I called their support line because the brine tank on my unit is not draining, and all the person on the end of the line wanted to do was sen out one of their dealers for a service call. My request was for basic information so that I may have an opportunity to troubleshoot the system myself, as it is most likely a simple fix. They have no tech manuals, basic diagrams or personnel on staff to answer basic questions with regards to the system. Buyer beware, after the $4900 dollars for installation, you will pay for a service call every time you have a minor issue. This corporation is more interested in protecting it's dealer network and franchise revenue than the end user. My advice would be to avoid this product altogether.
  • 0
    Loren
    I am not a sales but a service company, I live in central Texas. The Avian water softener is a fantastic unit but like any machine they need service. There is nothing on these machines that cant be fixed. There is no reason you should have a non functional softener.  I would be happy to talk to anyone and see if i could help, just e-mail me at brokensoftener@gmail.com
  • 0
    Tony
    I purchased my system 2 years ago here in Central Texas, from a Gentleman named Steven McKinzie, i absolutely LOVE my system, 2 of my kids have eczema, and their symptons are completely gone, the service has been great, he continues to stay in touch and i'm thankful i made this investment in my home and family, for all the people who had bad experiences, the company you buy from is a dealership, do your research on them, I bought from Aqua Life of Cedar Park, their an accredited Business with The BBB, and they maintain an A rating.
  • 0
    Shelley SC
    I too have been scammed!!  First, they didn't even tell me they would have to make a ton of holes in my house and then the next day after leaving the thing starts leaking all over the place.  I called an was told that they do not service the systems for free but that they would make an exception.  An exception? they installed it wrong!!  Then they told me that oh how much I would save on cleaners, that't a crock!!  I spend more time rinsing the smallest amount of soap from my hair that the water that I shold have been saving is now costing me double.  I have offered to pay for the installation if they would come remove it and all I get is that they will see what needs to be done.  The smell in my water won't go away and that is the reason I bought the system. I too went to the website and it takes you to an "email us" screen and noone will contact me.  I had three days to return this system but how would I have know it wouldn't work if it wasn't installed until a week later.   By the way, when they came to my house to repair the leaks- they were drunk!!! I have the money to pay but feel that if it does not work why should I be forced to pay?? This is a wste and an eye sore!!!
  • 0
    Danny
    | 1 reply
    I understand everyone's problems and yes there are many systems out there that sell for different prices , trust me they are not the same, I sell a competeing system and I gave customers who have had them for over 5 years and have no problems, but I service each one every year , 4, 5 and 6 thousand dollars is way to much, all your paying for is the companies big fat check , our test kits are real but if the companies are just out to rip you off you will get just that, I ain't asking for anyone's business cause I have a ton of it cause I am honest and have great customer service. So remember a lowes system is not the same and over 4 thousand is to much..also if
    • 0
      Danny replies to Danny
      Also if you buy one remember they won't last forever , they need to be serviced and cleaned once in a while..

      Danny Ivy
      Baker Home Solutions
      512-430-0720
      Bakerhomesolution@yahoo.com
  • 0
    ernesto fermin 435 640 3598
    how do you put more pruisure
  • 0
    Cheri
    | 1 reply
    Does anyone have info on who is suppose to upkeep this equipment...problems, and not happy about it
    • 0
      James replies to Cheri
      I bought it and I love it!

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