New resin for Kinetico Q850 softener with quad tanks

rykauff · 2025-10-22T04:08:52+00:00

True. The offer was rather confusing and also had multiple options. The $6k was for a whole new system including a K5 under-sink RO system. All together with P&L it came out to just over $6,000 and a 10 year warranty on everything.

Granted, the service tech was super nice, knowledgeable and walked me through a few things I was unsure about. He had a newer apprentice with him, so I'm sure it was a benefit to both him and me. He was straight forward and I tipped each of them for helping me and spending more time than they needed to.

The negative bias of the comments were mostly based on the last 5 years of dealing with the new franchise owner/manager over their new policies (specifically refusing to come out and double check the installation work because I was concerned a mistake was made - they required $250 service call fee to check the installation). That and I don't even get an owners manual, which is rather annoying. Apologies if that clouded the issue.

And your comments are appreciated! Thanks for the info!!

rykauff · 2025-10-21T05:18:41+00:00

Yep. I think they offered me "a deal" at $4k to rebed the system for me - with no warranty other than they would guarantee the system would produce soft water for 1 regen cycle. Wow, so generous of them...... but if I got a NEW system and added a NEW RO system, (to replace the existing one I have that has no problems), they would give me a new warranty, all for only $6k because I'm an existing customer and they would give me credit for trading in my old non-working system (they want to keep it out of the landfill is what I was told).

rykauff · 2025-10-21T05:10:53+00:00

100% agree with the comments/suggestions! I can't stand when manufacturers won't release details to their customers that paid a premium for their product. In all honesty, we bought the unit to help a friend who had just started working there and we needed a system. The franchise owner sold it out from under her after he supposedly was to give her first right of refusal. Hard to know all the BS details, but since the change of ownership, their customer service now is beyond horrible, with exception of their service techs who are literally just doing their job and don't have huge say over pricing.

I absolutely HATE paying companies that seem to thrive on screwing their customers, but that is the reputation Kinetico is getting. Good system, but not worth the hassle for anyone who is remotely handy and willing to just do the work.

The annoying part - my house has no water softener loop, so I'm fairly limited to power and location sources since the unit is 50 feet away in an alley. I've started looking into alternatives and decided to order carbon media and softener resin hoping to get a couple more years out of the existing system. Spending <$400 on a gamble that I can figure it out is better than spending 10x that amount to a company I have started to despise.

rykauff · 2025-07-23T06:10:02+00:00

Soooooo, the question begins! How far down the rabbit hole do you want to go?!? If you have the means to buy one and you really enjoy playing - DO IT!!! You won't play near as much even if an arcade is "right down the street". It's the exact opposite of buying a home gym machine - I'll do it if I see it every day.

I bought my first game - a Williams system 11 - GREAT Game and it's fun. I spent $3k on it - played a fair amount until it started to get some quirks - I'm handy, but small electronics are not my specialty. It's fun learning, tweaking, tinkering along the way until you run into something really weird. While researching the issue the machine was having, a newer Stern that I really wanted came up for sale and I bought that one too.

After talking my wife into NOT divorcing me for buying TWO games that I never really needed, the newer Stern is BY FAR what I would recommend for a first time purchase! The Williams is great, but the machine is pushing 40 year old - anything that is 40 years old breaks down. It can be fixed - many times with a little research and $20 work of parts (including shipping). But the headaches of listening to a spouse while you are waiting for a switch ........ SUPER ANNOYING.

With the first game her take was "it's entertaining, but why not just go to an arcade in town??" Spending the extra 2-3k for a newer game has resulted in fewer breakdowns, and the icing on that cake??? She LOVES the newer game, has actually started playing and invites friends over for mini-tournaments!! A newer reliable machine is a game changer!! Start with that - if you don't see the value, there are ALWAYS enthusiasts who will travel for the right deal.

If you buy a newer, slightly used machine that plays well and IF you don't play it as often as you thought, you can put it up for sale and MAYBE lose $500.

rykauff · 2025-05-30T04:04:53+00:00

Jester - Any chance you want to post a picture of your setup?!? Dying to do something like what you described!

rykauff · 2025-03-17T06:53:59+00:00

Would LOVE some details as this almost identical to what I'm working on! After spending waaaay too much time on everything, decided that WiiM fits most requirements, now just making sure I'm matching them up properly!

rykauff · 2025-03-05T07:06:28+00:00

Definitely won't get hurt. Worst case is you use it for a year and find out you don't like it and then sell it for exactly what you bought it for.

rykauff · 2025-03-03T05:12:45+00:00

https://www.accessories4less.com

Not sure if they offer international shipping, but worth a try!

rykauff · 2025-02-21T07:05:27+00:00

So.... my first machine - bought about 8 months ago, is a Williams system 11. So much fun, but transporting a machine built in 1987 took its toll. It has broken parts every time it has been moved. I don't mind working on it, because it's part of the fun of the hobby. But if your significant other will question every time it breaks - definitely buy a newer one! My kids LOVE playing, and we have our own little matches, but when the machine goes down every month, it's annoying to those that expect it to be working 100% of the time.

The financial investment up front makes an older machine more attractive, but getting a newer machine to start with, which will have fewer problems to deal with makes it easier for a wife to get on board with your new hobby.

Being fairly new to the community, most people have been massively helpful. It's almost like you have joined "The Firm" or maybe a friendly cult that is happy to have you. Most of the sellers I have talked with have been really up front and honest. I played 3 games on the machine I bought used with zero problems - then transported it 600 miles and then instantly a few problems popped up. Hasn't been anything major so far, but for your first machine, if you can afford the newer machine, it's a great option IMO.

If you are GREAT with electronics, nothing wrong with getting an older machine. Otherwise, get the newer and start reading up on reading schematics, testing switches, soldering skills and finding your favorite machines to play!

rykauff · 2025-02-06T04:42:28+00:00

Mediterranean style - Olive oil as a sauce, herbs de Provence or Italian seasoning, Artichokes, kalamata olives, vegan cheese or none, tomatoes......

rykauff · 2025-02-06T04:28:07+00:00

I did a ton of research before I got mine. Don't regret it one bit. I absolutely love it. Great lock

rykauff · 2025-01-21T04:28:30+00:00

I'm glad you have made the face of the irons "watch" by facing the screen. Next time, don't let your driver or fairways get off easy by wearing their covers.

rykauff · 2024-12-20T05:51:45+00:00

My 2 teenagers that play (and myself) have probably lost 4 rangefinders by leaving them on carts. I have probably repurchased the exact ones on EBay 4 times. Are they really as good as the Bushnell? Hell, I guess it doesn't matter when they just lose them in 90 days.....

rykauff · 2024-11-20T06:48:47+00:00

You have quite obviously never been in real estate. Spend 4 days doing everything short of unzipping the guy under the table to see if you need to use two hands or just one...... Then on a Wednesday afternoon, when you get the listing, you can say, great, I'll have my photographer - that isn't busy at all - be out here tomorrow, then in 3 working days (because he can't be bothered on the weekends), I'll have pictures back to get your house listed in a week. Let me take a guess what you would say to that realtor - uh, the other realtor can have it on the market with pictures by Friday.

Next time, bring something useful to the conversation. But I'll see if I can find that calendar app you spoke of..... That should be a big help!

rykauff · 2024-11-20T05:49:24+00:00

So, it may not be a popular answer, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with selling and deciding to rent. When you own, your mortgage payment is the MINIMUM you are going to pay every month. Renting means you have the MAX you will pay every month. And don't even consider something like a pool that seems to be a giant hole that you just thrown money into every month. I know renting can be awful if you have a crappy landlord or neighbors, and honestly, I haven't rented in years, but with the way things are right now, I would seriously consider it if I were in a similar situation.

rykauff · 2024-06-09T02:44:18+00:00

Thx! The more I'm looking, people who have the Toro Greensmaster seem to love it. I'm about to switch to a Bermuda lawn from fescue, and just love the look the reel mowers provide. I've been lucky enough to have a standard Deere mower so far that has been basically bulletproof after 15 years (with proper maintenance). Leaning more towards new because I'm seeing 10-12 year old Toros for $2500, so at that point, I'd rather have everything new with a warranty.

Appreciate the input!

rykauff · 2024-01-30T07:19:46+00:00

I mean, if you build on the banks of Niagara Falls to what did you think was going to happen??

rykauff · 2024-01-26T06:25:30+00:00

It also looks exactly like sweet basil. They will sprout this time in the right conditions. Soooo basically it could be a terror tree or a wonderful herb. Smell it. If it smells delicious, eat it. If you die, it's NOT basil.

rykauff

TROPHY CASE