[AbsolutKaz]

Hey everyone...moving from Pittsburgh, PA...where I've never used a water softener before.

The house we are purchasing has a Kinetco Mach Series (2060s I think) already installed - similar to the photo below, but with 3 tanks instead of 2:



....the owner said this is one of the top of the line softeners, and he paid around $5000 for it in 2007. He said he would sell it to me for $2000.

Just curious if this is a decent model and if the price is fair, or if I should offer less.

Again, I'm totally new to the world of water softeners, so any advice would help!

Thanks!

[macgeek]

My water softner came with the house, The system pictured is NOT a expensive system.
The expensive systems are the Reverse Osmosis systems, this just adds salt to your water

Jonathan

[MSchu]

comes with the house or no sale... it isn't that great of a system, but it does work

[StaggerLee22]

Nice system...not worth 2k now.
What happens when it breaks....cause it will.
Don't buy it.
Go to Sears and buy one from them for LESS THAN half the price with a long warranty.
READ THIS THREAD

[mod cut-- no consumer complaints, including from other sites]

[mricu]

I wouldn't buy a softener until I do research not only on the specific model, but what type of softeners/filters are out there and what would suit your lifestyle the best.

Most softeners use salts to soften the water ... for those that are watching their sodium intake, this can be a huge detriment to your own health.

So ya, you really need to research what type of system is right for you and then start looking at companies.

As the previous poster said as well, you don't know in what condition the unit is in so who knows, it may crack tomorrow or 2 years from now. You have no warranty on it so I'd go buy a new new and let the current owner of the home take it. I'm sure if they are willing to sell it to you, they may actually just don't want to go through the hassle of uninstalling it, moving it and re-installing ... they may just end up letting you have it even if you say no to purchasing it.

[Exaday]

We have a thread somewhere around her that deals with this. You can buy a very good water softner for 500

[bledsoe3]

I think if it is currently connected to the house it stays unless it is specifically excluded in the contract.

[AbsolutKaz]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

It is listed in the contract that the owner can take the water softener system.

I actually called the local Kinetico rep here, and gave them the tank info -

it's a K60 model, 2-tank system with a 3rd tank that's a dechlorinator.

It was installed in 2007 and has had no work done on the unit.

She stated that the carbon would need to be replaced in the dechlorinator soon ($395 + $105 labor)

Also, the warranty (10 years, parts) does transfer to me if the system stays.

I'll still look into some other options, or perhaps offer a lower price, since I will need to pay some replacement fees on that current system.

[Packrat1]

That looks like a good system I would keep it especially when you can get a warranty. As far as the salt goes I would recommend that you use 50lb Salt blocks. You can get them at feed supply stores and I can provide a list if you PM me. The blocks last longer than pellets and won't clog your system. You ending using less salt.

[StaggerLee22]

But the bags are $2.97 at Lowes.
Cheap enough for me.