Re: Alarm Farce...

[tourman <robercampbell@xxxxxxxxx>]

On May 16, 10:54=A0am, Frank Olson
<use_the_email_li...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On 15/05/2010 6:18 AM, tourman wrote:
>
>
>
> > On May 15, 12:57 am, Frank Olson
> > <use_the_email_li...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> =A0wrote:
> >>http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/alarmforce-c160953.html
>
> >> =A0 From "Helen":
>
> >> "We had our new AlarmForce system installed in July 2008. My wife was
> >> home during the installation and I had left instructions as to where I
> >> wanted the sensors located. On top of basic package we 'purchased' 2
> >> additional smoke detectors, 1 glass break sensor and 1 door contact fo=
r
> >> a total of $361.20. (I put that in quotations because we really do not
> >> own anything.)
>
> >> The installer insisted on placing the motion sensor BEHIND AN INTERIOR
> >> DOOR which, if left open, would render the system useless. He came bac=
k
> >> and moved it (damaging our wall) to another location. In this position=
,
> >> the system could not be armed if our wood stove was hot! I finally mov=
ed
> >> the sensor myself (damaging the wall again - the guy used tape and
> >> screws) and have not had another issue.
>
> >> In October, the system said that there was a 'low sensor battery'.
> >> That's right, in three months a set of two lithium batteries had went
> >> dead in the glass break sensor. Then in December, the same error crops
> >> up again! The issue is that the system does not tell you which sensors
> >> are faulty! We did a test and three sensors did not report in! MORE
> >> lithium batteries down the tubes!
>
> >> Just this past month, I took a terrible coughing fit near the glass
> >> break sensor and set off the alarm! That wasn't the bad part. I waited
> >> patiently by the AlarmForce box for the operator to come over the
> >> speaker. After a few minutes, I figured that they were not going to
> >> respond and went to brush my teeth. I had time to get to the bathroom
> >> and start brushing before I heard someone!
>
> >> Our latest AlarmForce pain came when our credit card company canceled
> >> our card in a security investigation. I remembered to call our heating
> >> oil supplier, phone company, cellphone provider, etc. but forgot to ca=
ll
> >> AlarmForce. TWO DAYS LATER they mailed out a $21 SERVICE FEE notice
> >> because of the card being declined! Let me stress that they did not ca=
ll
> >> us at all, just mailed out the bill. I called to explain the situation
> >> and was met with a very harsh attitude by their representative. After =
20
> >> minutes, I was able to have the fee reversed.
>
> >> The trouble is, I cannot get out of their service contract. Thirty
> >> months at $25 come to $750 that I just cannot throw away. I will have =
to
> >> live with their poor response and inadequate equipment for the
> >> foreseeable future."
>
> >> That's not the only one I found...
>
> >> --
> >> My wife says women are angels. =A0And even when us guys manage to clip
> >> their wings, they'll keep right on flying... =A0on their broomsticks.
>
> > RHC: Sorry Frank, I just realized this was a referral from you from
> > somewhere else. I jumped too quickly. It's just when I see the name
> > Alarm Force, I =A0feel like a bull seeing red ! These guys give our
> > industry a severe bad name and it makes me exceedingly =A0angry.....
>
> > I'll wipe the slobber off my cheek now.....:))))
>
> No worries, mate! (as the Aussies say). =A0Alarm Farce makes me see red a=
s
> well. =A0Substandard equipment, empty promises, and their much ballyhooed
> "voice response"... =A0All designed for one purpose... =A0To "fleece" the
> unsuspecting and trusting public. =A0Have you seen the "interview with a
> real burglar", who actually "avoided Alarm Farce protected homes"??? =A0A=
t
> least one guys got himself a semi-legitimate "job"... =A0:-)
>
> Their system is "free", which means it has no value. =A0When will people
> realize that "free" means "nothing" in the way of security?
>
> --
> My wife says women are angels. =A0And even when us guys manage to clip
> their wings, they'll keep right on flying... =A0on their broomsticks.

RHC: Unfortunately, you and I discussing something like this we both
totally agree on is like the "minister preaching to the converted".
The really sad part is how unsophisticated consumers are taken in by
all the phoney marketing hype.

At least when you have taken no security precautions, you know it and
can accommodate to a degree for it. However, when you are sold  crap
and lead to believe you have a real measure of security, you end up
fooling yourself with a false sense of security. That's really sad.....