Why choose a locally owned company over a franchise, generic or out-of-state company?
SOFT WATER BY MELISSA
In a market like ours here in the greater Las Vegas market where the water is so incredibly hard and contaminated, there is a good reason to go with a locally-owned company that offers custom systems instead of selling a generic system that is also sold in markets where the water is only slightly hard or has relatively few contaminants in it: because we can address exactly what is in OUR water to filter out the damaging and toxic chemicals and provide better warranties because we have made the systems specifically to handle the 3rd worst tap water (according to EWG.org) that is also some of the hardest public water in the nation.
While generic national brands tend to do just fine in most markets, the standardized equipment simply isn’t made with the resins that can withstand 25 grains of hardness for long, and aren’t targeting the arsenic, perchlorate, hexavalent chromium (the “Erin Brockovich chemical”), extreme chlorines, and other dangerous contaminants because it’s just not that common around the country. So that means it’s simply NOT a good business model for them to cater to one city due to manufacturing costs to break out from their standard lineup to specialize for Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson tap water concerns. It would mean they would have to charge even more than the $7,000 to $10,000 or more that they already ask for their equipment with limited warranties.
That leads to the next issue: If a system is made for a limited-term use of 5 to 10 years, but it has to work 3 to 4 times harder to eliminate just the hard minerals, it’s simply not likely going to be able to hold up that long without failing. Sometimes they fail gradually and you don’t notice until your hot water heater died, or the water spots become unmistakable — and unremovable no matter how much you scrub. Then you start the process of trying to get a warranty enforced only to find out that it doesn’t cover VERY expensive labor charges that often run in the hundreds of dollars or more. They also end up requiring more frequent resin or carbon tank changes at a standard of $500 every 2 - 3 years — something the sales rep usually fails to tell you about because it would deter you from buying the already VERY expensive system only to realize that keeping it going for the term of the warranty might cost you thousands again down the road. However, they know this and know that selling that equipment in this market is very profitable for them as a result.
Another concern that many customers don’t think about until they find themselves in this predicament is that a franchise can close it doors, then reopen several months later under a new name (often another family member) only to discover that the company is no longer legally required to honor the warranty, even though it’s the same brand name. Corporate has no legal liability to honor it, either. So you’re stuck paying for service and repairs even when the warranty was supposed to cover it for 10 years!
Doing business with a locally owned company that is invested in your community and has established a good reputation with great online reviews ensures you are the priority. YOUR satisfaction is what keeps their doors open for sometimes even decades, like with H2OToGo, who has been here for over 40 years doing right by homeowners, hospitals, casinos, car washes, pharmacies, labs and more. The thousands of reviews don’t lie: people get a better price, better warranty, better service from our own team, and a better quality system that they don’t have to spend much on after the installation. It just makes sense — and cents — and it’s why I only offer their systems to my clients, often at a better price, too!
Another alternative is to get a cheap “big box store” system, but then I get asked all the time from clients who had their cheap systems fail as quickly as 6 months after install, why they even sell those throw-away units here, and it’s because “they can,” and will make a fortune off of you buying it over and over again as you also keep replacing appliances like hot water heaters, or paying their guys to keep repairing them, knowing the filtration equipment simply isn’t the right tool for the job… but they make great money from homeowners this way. I use this analogy: If you like to go off-roading in the desert, you don’t take a Tesla, a BMW 5, a Prius, or an Accord out there, right? You drive a 4WD vehicle that’s made to handle something that rough so you don’t have constant repairs and eventually have to get rid of it.
Lastly, never go with a company that isn’t a brick and mortar business with a lawful license to sell and install here in Las Vegas. We get a lot of “water treatment tourism” from other states who don’t understand our water and are selling deficient systems, and may not even install them to our codes, so if anything goes wrong, you have no legal recourse; good luck even finding them to have them fixed or get them served if you try to file a claim or a suit. Always make sure they’re local, properly licensed, bonded and insured, and have a good reputation online.
For more information, please feel free to fill out my Soft Water by Melissa contact form and I’ll be happy to help you. You can also simply call me at 702-550-1448 to reach me directly. You can also find my page on Facebook and I have a contact form there as well as lots of good reviews, photos and articles. I’m in Henderson, Summerlin, North Las Vegas, Southern Highlands, Mountain’s Edge, Lake Las Vegas, Cadence, Aliante ... everywhere across town each week, and can schedule a time to stop by and help you out in the convenience of your own home so I can get your exact hardness reading and check your plumbing, and then I can make some system recommendations and a free bid for your home and family’s needs. No obligation, but lots of good information!
Please reach out via my contact form, or call 702-550-1448 - I’m happy to help!
Melissa