HAGUE QUALITY WATER

My discussions began and ended with Michael Sebring. His first call was sympathetic, and he said he would certainly install equipment from another company. I gave complete instructions, a detailed list of what I wanted done. No problem, Mike said, we can do that, just let me see the equipment currently installed and I can give you an estimate for the work. First site visit, and Mike started to hedge. Well I can do what you ask, but why don't you just let me put in a whole new system for you? Well Mike, I said, I told you I wanted no sales job, I want a simple installation and reconfiguration of the existing system. More insistence on all new equipment from Hague. No Mike, this is not what I asked for and not what you agreed to do. This equipment is only a year old, we only need consistent acid neutralizing, we don't need a whole new system for another $5000. And I need a Delaware license number. Well ok, I guess we can do what you want, Mike says, it will be at least $500-600, but give me a diagram of what you want. I made that diagram, with incredible detail. I added the removal of our electric water heater and reconfiguration of the system to save space, requiring only new PVC pipes on existing equipment. And again, I need a license number. So now Mike needs to see the site again, to be sure the equipment will fit. He does, and his first written estimate is for about $1700. No details in pricing, just a total number. In this visit, he flashes a Delaware license to my brother, but leaves no license number, insisting his installers have their own licenses. The estimate stands at about $1700, with no details, and water sampling. After many phone calls and messages, I still maintain the cost is too high for what may take only a few hours of work, and I agree to a "not to exceed" estimate of $1700 but based on actual time and materials. I also reject water sampling for the purpose of even more sales pressure for new or different equipment. Hague will not agree, they want a firm commitment to their $1700 estimate no matter what the actual time spent. I reject their estimate and hear nothing further from them, not even a return phone call. The acid neutralizing equipment was delivered and standing by. No plumber would install it. I called the largest plumbing company in the area to remove my water heater, just to eliminate the sulfur odor caused by the sacrificial anode, taking just one issue at a time. While there, the plumbers agreed to install my acid neutralizing tank and to remove the injection system that is not working, while making space for the equipment by re-piping the existing tanks. In other words, within about 15 minutes, these licensed plumbers agreed to do the very same work that Hague considered doing after two site visits, dozens of calls, and detailed diagrams, and after offering an inflexible $1700 estimate and quick look at a license that we could never confirm to be current or adequate. Less than 90 minutes after these licensed and insured plumbers arrived at my home for the first time, all this work was completed. The new tank was unpacked, new media was poured in, the controller was programmed and everything was installed, the old piping removed and replaced, the water heater was gone, the injection system removed. The site was cleaned, all equipment and trash removed, the water was flowing and the quality was perfect, drinkable straight from the faucet. The cost? Just $300. Am I frustrated and angry with Hague Water? You bet I am. Their business continues the sad tradition of exploiting well owners in this whole area with a monopoly on treatment options, a refusal to negotiate anything, a disguised sales job behind every discussion, and in the end, a "take it or leave it" attitude with less concern for safe and clean water than a demand to make an exhorbitant profit for routine work worth less than a fifth of their estimate. I'm disgusted with Hague, I do not recommend or trust their services, and I caution every well owner to be as educated as possible to defend against these shameless sales tactics.

Very well; arrived on time, repaired what needed to be repaired and gave us some very good advice.