I received a call from someone stating that they were with the Water Quality Association. They wanted to conduct a survey and would like to come out and test our water... all sounds good... offered a free vacation for our time & trouble. My phone caller I.D. shows the call came from "Call Somebody" (hmmmmmmm)

Long story short... It was a Rainsoft sale and unfortunately we bought it... Stupid US! The savings look impressive on the front end but there is absolutely no disclosure as to your operating costs (i.e. the extra water that is used for the regeneration process) Not only is there additional water usage, it also increases your sewerage bill as well.

The installation was a nightmare. My home is all plumbed with 3/4" copper. These guys came in with plastic pipe with much smaller inside diameter. There was no initial testing of my water pressure and after the installation we can only run one tap or shower at a time. New rule in the house... Nobody is allowed to flush the commode while someone is taking a shower... seriously.

I discovered this problem while the installers where there and refused to sign their release form... they said you have to sign this in order to start your warranty... I still refused and they promptly left stating that someone would be out to test our water next week. I called the company immediately, got an answering machine so I left a message stating the initial water pressure problem. I stated that I would use the system over the weekend to see if got any better but I was not satisfied at the present time. Also, as one of the incentives "to buy right this minute" they would install an allergen type air filtration system in our HVAC unit. The plumbers weren't equipped to make this installation when they showed up on Friday at noon... just as well, the air filter is of little or no value in my opinion and considering the *** job I got on my plumbing, I certainly don't want this company working on my HVAC system.

After contacting "Call Somebody" aka Rainsoft of Birmingham they sent their Customer Service rep out to look at the installation. I maintained my cool, stated my case, told him I was willing to pay them something for their trouble and please just get this thing out of my house. He stated that they could do that but he would call the owner of the company to see what we could work out. I then talked directly to the owner of this company, stated my case again... he basically told me in so many words "you get what you got but we will try to make you happy". In other words I bought it, its mine. He also stated its like buying a car... you can't take them back to get your money back. I would argue that there is disclosure on the window sticker of a new care that at least gives you the mileage rating and projected operating/maintenance costs of the vehicle... not so with this transaction. I asked him for a quote to get this thing out of my house. The quote came in just under $2400 to remove the thing. I paid them $4600 initially. In three days of use he stated on his quote that the Rainsoft unit had depreciated 25% of the original $4600 cost.

Bottom line... I'm screwed, I paid a lot for very little. BUYER BEWARE of "Call Somebody aka Rainsoft of Birmingham".

In all fairness however, the unit does soften the water but the cost vs. benefit is not worth it, in my opinion. The business practices used to get into your home to sell you one of these units is very deceptive. It is embarrasing to get ripped off. Me getting ripped off is one thing but what if this happened to my parents or grandparents, folks on limited incomes, etc.

I am now in the process of ripping out the plumbing done by this company and replacing the pipe myself with the proper diameter in an attempt to get some of my water pressure back.

My advice to anyone receiving a phone call from someone representing themselves as being with the "Water Quality Association" is to hang up immediately. If you are concerned about your water quality please research your options carefully before spend your money.