Nothing remarkable about those guys... pretty much the same as all the online softener sellers. They seem to favor Autotrol instead of the far more popular Fleck control valves.

With real estate it's location, location, location and with water treatment it's DEALER, DEALER, DEALER.

If you have a good dealer locally give them consideration but don't forget that the initial cost is only part of the expense. Consider the routine maintenance costs and length of warranty and what is covered.

Ask your neighbors who they use for water treatment. They might tell you who's good or who to avoid.

DIY is cost effective only if you know or want to learn the installation, setup, and maintenance routines but remember, when you do it yourself there's no one else to blame.

Thanks for the reality check. I am almost certainly going to go with Culligan for the reason you stress: DEALER, DEALER, DEALER. I have a Culligan Iron Cleer system already in my house; it has given me excellent service for 4-5 years. Now I need a treatment for a rental and the Culligan man who came today is part owner with his brother, whose father ran the business before him, and whose grandfather started the business here in town. Culligan has put in lots systems all around my area (which has notoriously lousy wells with lots of sulphur, iron and manganese), so I think they know what I am up against.

AND, I am definitely (!!!) not equipped for the DIY side of the equation.

I just wanted not to skip a step in my research, and someone sent me a link to Budget today, so I thought I'd ask you here.

And now I know exactly what to do.
Good and Thanks.

Spending a dollar and getting a dollar's worth is the best deal around.

Culligan's tests came up with the following numbers:
Iron .5
Manganese 0.5
Hydrogen Sulfide present
Hardness 5
TDS 230

The extra fee test for bacterial contamination came back clear. Thank goodness for small favors.