Kinetico water softner complaint

ComplaintsHome & GardenKinetico water softner

Complaint

0
Jean S
Country: United States
Hello, I had a water softner rep. come to my home and sell me a water softner with a 3 month trial, if I was not satisfied they would take the unit back and I would owe nothing. The cost of the unit was $ 2,900.00 I told them I would pay it in full at the end of the 3 months if it really made my clothes softer, use less laundry soap, shampoo etc. and my dishes and silverware would not have any more spots, not to mention I would get a free year's supply of cleaning and soap products.

After a few weeks I noticed the same spots, didn't use any less soap etc. and my family hated the "slimy" feeling we had when we took showers. I called them and requested for the unit to be removed as I never rec'd the free products, and it did not perform as I was told.

I did pay them $900.00 in full for the faucet and the purifier under my sink. I never rec'd phone calls back, I wrote them letters to remove it and I was not going to pay for it. A man from their company came out and added more salt to the unit (even though they said it would last 4 months, this was only a month later) and when I came home from work I found the hose running all over my yard!! I lost thousands of gallons of water and have the bill to prove it. I called them explaining why he came out and what happened with the hose, again they never called me back.

I continued sending letters, I had an Attorney write them as well as the better business beauro and they continue to have a collection company call me as they placed me in a finance company to pay for the unit at a high interest rate without my knowledge!! Now it went on my credit report saying I owe them over $ 3,400.00!!

The unit is still sitting there, we never used it as it was defective since the water hose just lays there and when it runs it drains the water out from my house since it is hooked into the main water valve not to mention even if it didn't drain the water it still did not do what he said it would do. I showed them in good faith by sending them the $900.00 since the water from the sink filter they installed actually did make a difference by paying for that.

This company is really a scam and I still am trying to get this removed
from my credit report as well as all the collection calls I receive daily, I just want them to take this unit back and be done with it. This was installed in May or June of 2006.

Comments

  • 0
    benjamin
    | 1 reply
    What your missing is that the reason the kinetico works is that it is a twin tank unit.  You can buy a twin tank electric unit from just about anyone.  The problem is most reps don't show it as it cost more.  They may feel that they will loose the sale through price objection.  The non-electric is way overblown.  The cost to operate an electric softener is about $2.00 a year! Also the kinetico reps will talk about setting the clock being a pain for you the owner.  Remember setting the clock went bye, bye, years ago.  Todays electronics retain the information for days during a power outage.  A twin tank electric never has to have a clock set because it doesn't matter what time it is when there are 2 tanks!  Remember if you buy a system from a independent water dealer you will not be held hostage when its time for a repair.  Any knowledgeable dealer can offer service if needed.  In the overall picture buy a twin tank electric from a dealer who will set it up right for the long run. You will save over a $1000.00 and have great water.
    • 0
      Water Guy replies to benjamin
      Wait for the ever present lightening strike.... Buzzzz... Electric unit FRIED!  Oh yeah,  twin tank electric units, Fleck 9000 for instance, Just what consumers need,  2 pistons to become jammed with iron water. Or leak during regeneration. Happens around 5-6 years in my area.  Happy Birthday electric softener. Cost of upper/ lower pistons,  seals and spacers, $265. Oh let's hope the jammed pistons didn't fry the drive motor.  Crap,  look the little cog and gear drive is stripped. Before long your in it for $700-$800. What's that?  Out of warranty?  Still have HALF of a kinetico warranty. Been with a AUTHORIZED kinetico dealer for 10 years. Installed 1000's. All this in some of the hardest water in nation (100+ hardness and 3-5 ppm iron).
  • 0
    jimbor
    | 1 reply
    When you suggest buying from an independent dealer, do you mean, don't buy from a franchise owner?
    • 0
      benjammin replies to jimbor
      a independant is one who doesn't have a franchise name on the building.  that means they can sell and install the best at the lowest cost to you.  Service is also available from multiple sources.  The branded dealer loves that you have to have them service your system which allows them to put the screws to you!!  don't get so hung up on brand names.  its only marketing and your paying for it.
  • 0
    CarlS
    I have had a Kinetico for about 12 years and have never had an issue with it. It does comes with a prefilter which I change about every six moths. I thought that was going to be a pain (never had a prefilter with my Culligan) but now I am glad because there is a lot of junk in that filter which is probably why the Culligan died in about 5 years.

    It also uses half the salt than the Culligan.
  • 0
    Donald
    I have owned a Kinetico for over 17 yrs and it has never broke down. My neighbor has a culligan and they are out all the time. Though not the cheapest, I believe they are the best. Lower prices does not mean the best way to go! JMHO
  • 0
    John in Tacoma
    | 1 reply
    I bought a Kenetico softener 3 years ago and although the water is softer than without it, the mineral deposits in the toilets and sinks remain unchanged and are as bad as ever. This is very disappointing as I replaced a Culligan system for this express purpose. Now they want a high service call to inspect the situation (as if a service call inspection is going to solve anything)
    • 0
      Charles replies to John in Tacoma
      We had the same problem...I fixed it using a scale watcher http://www.stopwaterscale.com/?gclid=CLTFvOrJjK4CFdFdtgodh37s6g

      A scale watcher is like easy water in that it uses an electrical current to keep the Ca particles from clumping together and the softener removes them replacing them with sodium or potassium.  The scale watcher was put on a 37yo house when I purchased it.  The first four months we got a lot of milky water from the old scale being removed.  After it was clear we installed an older K60 from Kinetico and are as happy as can be.

      The newer 2040 or 2060 retail for $3295 and $3800 respectively but I have seen dealers
  • 0
    tv
    are you happy with the water softener you purchased from blue fountain water?
  • 0
    benjamin
    A independent is a dealer who sells and services various brands of water treatment equipment.  They are able to offer a wider variety of products to treat multiple problems.  The cost is much less do to marketing and promotion.  The quality is not less as some would believe.  Just because you overpay for something doesn't mean its any better.  The average Kinetico costs the dealer 850.00 dollars for a Mach 2060.  Do you really think 3000.00 is a good deal?  Dealers all talk about pricing and that is why they are all about the same.  Not price fixing, just price adjusting for what the market will bear.  Your not held hostage for repairs from a independent dealer too.  If there is a problem and you cannot get satisfaction then without a doubt there will be another dealer who can solve the problem.
  • 0
    lion
    Kinetico stinks. I would never buy or deal with the firm.
    We've had our system for several years and it never worked
    right.
    They recently sent a guy out to fix it, charged $180...
    $139 just to show is face. Did some work, left and the
    system still did not work right.
    Then I complain all they try to do is get met to buy a
    new one for about $3,000.
    The $180 they charged and no service was extremely disappointing and I would never have anything to do with them.
    Avoid Kinetico!!!!!
  • 0
    Over, Andover, & Over
    @ Jim, let me guess: After reading [somebody's] story, you immediately sent an email to the salesman that was giving you a "free trial" to cancel the free trial.  You did buy the water filter, although you think $1400.00 is a lot for a water filter, it had better perform for a long time.
  • 0
    Bill
    My Kinetico system is 26 years old with only one problem over that time when the float stuck in the Salt barrel.
  • 0
    Bill
    So Kim. You don't list/sell Kinetico so you bash them? What makes you different than any other hawker?
  • 0
    Lyle
    We bought a Kinetico water softener system 7 years ago for $3,300.00 & it has been a nightmare.  It began "crystalizing" (float sticking) shortly after we had it installed & periodically did so during the past 7 years.  Recently (January 2011) the system completely crashed (failing to soften water) & we called our distributor who sold it to us; Regina Nimbus Water service for repair.  They made 16 services calls including removing the system twice (taking it to their shop for serving) but could not repair it.  Finally after we contacted Kinetico direct the company reluctantly replace the faulty "head" on one of the tanks, however, Nimbus billed us $1,400.00 in repairs despite never ever being able to fix it!  We trashed the Kinetico system & went back to a basic softener system that actually works from another supplier!  What a waste of money on this Kinetico system not to mention the frustration & stress of dealing with NIMBUS!
  • 0
    pjmljb
    We have had a Kinetico system in two houses for 15 years.  Works great with great service from my local provider.  Moving again and will use them again.  Don't assume that one bad apple makes the whole product or every provider bad.  Sorry for your experience.  Mine has been great.
  • 0
    Customer First/Sales Second
    I am a Kinetico rep. in northern ca., My number one goal is to provide the customer with a solution to their problem. I only offer a customer what he or she neededs to address their current problem. If I offer financing I explain the terms and conditions of that financing. I may loose a sale in the short term, but in the long run it's worth.
  • 0
    Customer First/Sales Second
    I am a Kinetico rep. in northern ca., My number one goal is to provide the customer with a solution to their problem. I only offer a customer what he or she needs to address their current problem. If I offer financing I explain the terms and conditions of that financing. I may loose a sale in the short term, but in the long run it's worth.
  • 0
    Scott S
    OK,

    I have been in the water treatment business for many years. I started off with Culligan Water and now offer Kinetico. The FIRST thing anyone should do if the dealer won't respond is call the corporate office.

    Kinetico is a great water treatment system. I just worked on a system that has been in for over 10 years. It did not work because the contractor doing the remodel only ran the system to the hot water. The company that sold it wanted it to supply the whole house. Yet it took the customer 10 years to say it was not working.

    Bottom line... GET A WARRANTY IN WRITING. GET A GUARANTEE IN WRITING.
  • 0
    Feliciano
    Go shop for another brand!
    If you have problem with Kinetico, they charge you for coming to look at your unit. One technician came to my house, looked at my unit charged me $109.00 and nothing was done to solve my problem. When I complained They wanted to send another to look again and will charge me another $109.00.
    One day they sent me a maintenance notice supposedly to fix my non-working unit, with the recommendation to " change the resin" for $379.00. I agreed on the condition that I will not be charged with another $109.00. When the technician came I asked him if I can get soft water with that, he said that for me to get the soft water, he suggest another procedure and it will cost me $1,500.00. I refused and send him back to his office.
    The following business day I got a call that I owe them $79.00 for the technician's trip.
    Sound like extortion to me. Either I buy $379.00 which is not sure to work or upgrade to $1,500 or pay them $79.00 for refusing to buy!
    Save yourself from bad experience.

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