• FreshwaterSystems

FreshwaterSystems

Overview

FreshwaterSystems has a rating of 3.05 stars from 3,923 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. Reviewers satisfied with FreshwaterSystems most frequently mention customer service, good price, and fast delivery. FreshwaterSystems ranks 2nd among Water Filter sites.

  • Service
    139
  • Value
    142
  • Shipping
    144
  • Returns
    46
  • Quality
    132

Proactively asks for customer feedback

This company does not typically respond to reviews

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 33.3%
Positive
1
Neutral
0
Negative
2
See all photos

What reviewers want you to know

Positive highlights

  • Excellent customer service (a very patient customer service rep) when selecting the proper filters.
  • We have gotten our fridge water filters from them for a long time and still get great service.

Critical highlights

  • Also I had difficulty reaching Freshwater Systems -- "all customer service reps are busy."
  • I've been forced to call my credit card company to dispute the charges.
How would you rate FreshwaterSystems?
Top Positive Review

“Super fast shipping and product arrived as ordered in perfect condition... great buying experience!”

DeWayne W.
9/2/22

I purchased a new exact replacement water storage tank for my RO system. Amazon had them available but several people complained that the tanks they received were heavily dented or damaged. Freshwater Systems had the same tank at very competitive pricing and reasonable shipping cost so I decided to buy from then rather than Amazon and I'm very happy with my decision. The tank I received from Freshwater Systems was well packed and not a scratch or dent on it and I received it quickly. Thank you Freshwater Systems for the excellent customer service and pleasant buying experience.

Top Critical Review

“WRONG ITEM SHIPPED”

David A.
9/28/22

I am just amazed at how bad this company is. I ordered a PVC reducer, 3" to 1 1/2". They sent me a 3" to 1 1/2" reducer, but it already had a 1 1/2" threaded pipe glued into it. When I sent them a photo, they responded that they did not send what appears to a used product. As a customer I have never been accused of lying before. They may eventually accept their mistake, but their initial response is just terrible. I will never do business with them again, regardless if they do correct their error.

Reviews (3,923)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (265) water filters (331) web site (54) replacement filters (82) water bottle (26) water systems (87) credit card (26)
Thumbnail of user ridetolive2012
1 review
0 helpful votes
April 13th, 2024

I purchased two RO filters from them at a cost of $250 each. One was no good and they refused to replace it. "Our margins are to low" this is how they treat their customers.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user davida4028
1 review
2 helpful votes
September 28th, 2022

I am just amazed at how bad this company is. I ordered a PVC reducer, 3" to 1 1/2". They sent me a 3" to 1 1/2" reducer, but it already had a 1 1/2" threaded pipe glued into it. When I sent them a photo, they responded that they did not send what appears to a used product. As a customer I have never been accused of lying before. They may eventually accept their mistake, but their initial response is just terrible. I will never do business with them again, regardless if they do correct their error.

Tip for consumers:
Do not use this company

Products used:
PVC

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user chandar
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 14th, 2016
Verified purchase

Item was back ordered and took over a month to receive. Looks like a good product, though.

Thumbnail of user michaelk135
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
January 26th, 2016
Verified purchase

Haven't received my filters yet.? Been several weeks since they were ordered

Thumbnail of user benjaminh38
1 review
0 helpful votes
May 5th, 2016
Verified purchase

I ordered the equipment and it came on time and I was thrilled however I ordered the wrong piece and there was no return address so as of right now I'm stuck with the wrong piece I'm not sure what to do, any suggestions?

Thumbnail of user brians144
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 18th, 2015
Verified purchase

I placed an order yesterday. I have not received the material, and don't expect it for another 3-4 days. Why am I being asked to rate my experience already?

Thumbnail of user tejasa
1 review
1 helpful vote
August 22nd, 2015
Verified purchase

We were not notified about 5000 cups being back-ordered, and 15 men painting airplanes in a hot hangar in Texas were very unhappy. We bought an emergency supply at Walmart but the cost and aggravation could have been avoided with a quick email several days earlier when the problem first occurred.

Thumbnail of user roscobe
1 review
2 helpful votes
July 12th, 2023

Customer service is a joke. The customer service representative became agitated when discussing why my expedited shipping took 1 week to get shipped.

Thumbnail of user andantel
1 review
0 helpful votes
January 9th, 2016
Verified purchase

I had a heck of a time getting it to not leak. I cranked down so hard the gasket deformed. Anything less and it was pouring water out.

Thumbnail of user davidp154
1 review
0 helpful votes
September 8th, 2015
Verified purchase

Not sure what happen waited over a week and had to call them and get the manager warehouse involved. Then I got my purchase

Thumbnail of user alanw764
1 review
3 helpful votes
April 19th, 2022
Verified purchase

Don buy the PH tester in the photos they are dried out and defective. The units will not calibrate no matter how long you soak them. Freshwater sent me two bad units then moved them to clearance. BE AWARE there is no refund on clearance items. Horrible company who posted lies on google reviews saying I did not want to calibrate the tips which is untrue I've been using these testers for years and tried to calibrate these pens over 5 days they don't calibrate and don't even read the same in the same testing solution. They then said they did not move the ph testers to clearance again another bold lie look at the pics below. They do NOT GIVE REFUNDS on clearance items. Terrible customer service knowingly selling defective product with no chance of a refund. Stray away

Service
Quality
Thumbnail of user michaelm9392
1 review
5 helpful votes
May 5th, 2022
Verified purchase

I have been a loyal customer for years. I got a mineralization filter for my RO system and I noticed a CA Prop65 sticker on it with a reproductive health and cancer warning. When I asked if the warning was due to the materials in the housing or was it the filter? I got the runaround and they said it only applied to CA. So the materials don't harm non-Californians? How stupid. They said they didn't know and told me to call manufacturer. They were no help either and told me to call Fresh Water as the don't apply the stickers. So I guess I have to just suck up that my water supply may in fact cause health issues when in fact I bought an expensive RO system to accomplish safe and healthy water? These folks were golden until I got this right wing dismissive bull and apathy when I am concerned about my health. Not good folks.

Products used:
Water treatment

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user donaldw45
1 review
0 helpful votes
January 20th, 2016
Verified purchase

I had to make 3 inquires before I was able to get a return order number. Ordering the wrong filters was my mistake. But, thought the first contact would have been enough. I am sure this must have just been an administration glitch somehow.

Thumbnail of user dewaynew10
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
September 2nd, 2022

I purchased a new exact replacement water storage tank for my RO system. Amazon had them available but several people complained that the tanks they received were heavily dented or damaged. Freshwater Systems had the same tank at very competitive pricing and reasonable shipping cost so I decided to buy from then rather than Amazon and I'm very happy with my decision. The tank I received from Freshwater Systems was well packed and not a scratch or dent on it and I received it quickly. Thank you Freshwater Systems for the excellent customer service and pleasant buying experience.

Products used:
PAE RO-132 Reverse Osmosis Storage Tank Powder Coated Steel 4.5 Gal.
John Guest Shut-Off Valve-Polypro Elbow NPTF - 3/8 x 1/4 NPTF

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user bertraml6
1 review
1 helpful vote
October 10th, 2015
Verified purchase

I have not installed the product yet so this is not a performance review. I ordered a Puro RO system and an additional set of cartridge refills. All I got was the refills. My order showed has having been completed. When I called, the error was acknowledged. And the RO system itself was sent out and I received it a week later. Given the difference in size, price, weight etc, it seems "sloppy" handling.

Thumbnail of user howardh216
1 review
3 helpful votes
September 24th, 2021
Verified purchase

Terrible company - terrible customer service. Do NOT waste your time. Over a month of excuses and then the day that it was supposed to be here - all that arrived was a cancellation email. AVOID AVOID AVOID.

Thumbnail of user mariad82
1 review
0 helpful votes
April 5th, 2016
Verified purchase

Received exactly what I ordered, but was back ordered and had to wait quite a long time.

Thumbnail of user billr1100
1 review
0 helpful votes
September 19th, 2023

McKayla handled my issue and me very professionaly. She did a great job hunting down my issue asap and gave great customer service.

Products used:
Filters

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user ms263
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 19th, 2016
Verified purchase

When an order is placed with your company there should be some sort of feed back when the item is back ordered. In addition when delivery time is requested by your cusomtomer there should be an actual date given not just an email consistently staing we are checking or stating check our website. Customer service is not just a empty hadded response.

Thumbnail of user dobrivojes
1 review
0 helpful votes
April 30th, 2016
Verified purchase

It took long time and phone calls and finally I received them. They work super fine but somebody mess-up on shipment. Thank You!

Thumbnail of user jimb209
1 review
0 helpful votes
May 4th, 2016
Verified purchase

Item didn't show up and tracking number no good. Emailed customer service and a few days later they said that another carrier picked up the shipment and they duplicated the shipment - took another week. Good thing I wasn't in a hurry. If I was customer service - I would have shipped the duplicate shipment 2nd Day at my expense - free shipping.

Thumbnail of user ke59
1 review
3 helpful votes
January 10th, 2020

One (standard) item was out stock and order was on hold. Took them 2 days to notify it is on back order. After a week they still did not ship. Kept the payment for another 5 days before refund.

Tip for consumers:
don't fall for the low advertised prices. The aggravation is not worth it.

Products used:
went to another store

Service
Value
Shipping
Thumbnail of user charless120
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 25th, 2016
Verified purchase

The good news: my UV bulb arrived quickly and safely. The bad news, it didn't turn on. When I called Fresh Water Systems, they told me I had to go back to the manufacturer to get a replacement - I hate when the company I purchase from doesn't stand behind what they sell. They advised me that it might be my power supply; that it takes more power to turn on a new bulb, than the one currently in use. So, I ordered another bulb that also did not come on. Now I have to order a new power supply - my 2.5-year-old Master Water Systems UV power supply has apparently crapped out!

Thumbnail of user thomast47
1 review
2 helpful votes
March 2nd, 2016
Verified purchase

Even though the filters I ordered turned out to be on backorder, my credit card was still charged right away. Secondly, the filters shown online were the blue PUR filters, which is what I wanted. When the order arrived, I received the newer everydrop filters (which I had read a number of negative reviews on). There were no problems with packaging or shipping.

Thumbnail of user elginc
1 review
0 helpful votes
April 9th, 2016
Verified purchase

Great items. Bought 3!

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From the business

Founded in 1989, Fresh Water Systems (FWS) has grown to be one of the largest independent providers of residential and commercial systems, parts, and accessories related to water purification. The company counts among its long-time customers over half a dozen of the nation's biggest pharmacy chains. FWS maintains one of the largest on-site inventory warehouses in the industry at its headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina. This ensures a wide selection of replacement parts, highly competitive pricing, and fast delivery times. We strive for total customer satisfaction with our comprehensive and easy-to-use website and call-in center staffed by dedicated and highly-trained professionals.

Business History

Fresh Water Systems began its life as a small water cooler sales and service business in Southern California. The company grew quickly and soon expanded into filtration. In the late 1990s, FWS was approached by a national pharmaceutical chain about supplying them with treatment and dispensing systems needed to provide the USP-Grade water required for formulating certain medications. (In-house systems eliminate the need for expensive and short shelf-life bottled water.) This led to FWS becoming the exclusive distributor of the PharMate® dispensing system, which the company continues to manufacture and service for over 15,000 pharmacies nationwide.

In 2004, the company relocated its headquarters to Greenville in the verdant Appalachian foothills of South Carolina. Today Fresh Water Systems is one of the largest direct providers of all things related to water treatment and purification, supplying both homeowners and internationally recognized corporations with everything from hard-to-find small filter parts to large-scale purification systems. In 2014, the company moved into a new building with greatly expanded warehouse, call center and office space from where it serves an ever-increasing number of customers throughout the US and internationally.

FWS recognizes that its business centers around water, one of the Earth's most valuable resources, and takes very seriously its commitment to improving its impact on the environment. The company actively promotes and seeks out products that reduce pollution and support global sustainability. In its own operations, it has instituted comprehensive recycling programs throughout its everyday operations.

Company Representative

Thumbnail of user stevel312
Steve L.
Digital Development Manager
Typically does not respond to reviews

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