Re: Alarm Farce...

[Jim <alarminex@xxxxxxx>]

On May 17, 6:29=EF=BF=BDpm, tourman <robercampb...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On May 16, 8:55=EF=BF=BDpm, Jim <alarmi...@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On May 16, 1:13 pm, tourman <robercampb...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > > On May 16, 10:54 am, 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> wrote:
> > > > >>http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/alarmforce-c160953.html
>
> > > > >> From "Helen":
>
> > > > >> "We had our new AlarmForce system installed in July 2008. My wif=
e was
> > > > >> home during the installation and I had left instructions as to w=
here I
> > > > >> wanted the sensors located. On top of basic package we 'purchase=
d' 2
> > > > >> additional smoke detectors, 1 glass break sensor and 1 door cont=
act for
> > > > >> 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 IN=
TERIOR
> > > > >> DOOR which, if left open, would render the system useless. He ca=
me back
> > > > >> and moved it (damaging our wall) to another location. In this po=
sition,
> > > > >> the system could not be armed if our wood stove was hot! I final=
ly moved
> > > > >> the sensor myself (damaging the wall again - the guy used tape a=
nd
> > > > >> 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 s=
ensors
> > > > >> are faulty! We did a test and three sensors did not report in! M=
ORE
> > > > >> lithium batteries down the tubes!
>
> > > > >> Just this past month, I took a terrible coughing fit near the gl=
ass
> > > > >> 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 th=
e
> > > > >> 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 bat=
hroom
> > > > >> and start brushing before I heard someone!
>
> > > > >> Our latest AlarmForce pain came when our credit card company can=
celed
> > > > >> our card in a security investigation. I remembered to call our h=
eating
> > > > >> oil supplier, phone company, cellphone provider, etc. but forgot=
 to call
> > > > >> AlarmForce. TWO DAYS LATER they mailed out a $21 SERVICE FEE not=
ice
> > > > >> because of the card being declined! Let me stress that they did =
not call
> > > > >> us at all, just mailed out the bill. I called to explain the sit=
uation
> > > > >> 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. Thir=
ty
> > > > >> 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. And even when us guys manage to c=
lip
> > > > >> their wings, they'll keep right on flying... on their broomstick=
s.
>
> > > > > RHC: Sorry Frank, I just realized this was a referral from you fr=
om
> > > > > somewhere else. I jumped too quickly. It's just when I see the na=
me
> > > > > Alarm Force, I feel like a bull seeing red ! These guys give our
> > > > > industry a severe bad name and it makes me exceedingly angry.....
>
> > > > > I'll wipe the slobber off my cheek now.....:))))
>
> > > > No worries, mate! (as the Aussies say). Alarm Farce makes me see re=
d as
> > > > well. Substandard equipment, empty promises, and their much ballyho=
oed
> > > > "voice response"... All designed for one purpose... To "fleece" the
> > > > unsuspecting and trusting public. Have you seen the "interview with=
 a
> > > > real burglar", who actually "avoided Alarm Farce protected homes"??=
? At
> > > > least one guys got himself a semi-legitimate "job"... :-)
>
> > > > Their system is "free", which means it has no value. When will peop=
le
> > > > realize that "free" means "nothing" in the way of security?
>
> > > > --
> > > > My wife says women are angels. And even when us guys manage to clip
> > > > their wings, they'll keep right on flying... on 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...=
..-
>
> > This is the very reason when I hear people complain about these scam
> > companies and free alarm systems I no longer get upset. I used to get
> > really pissed thinking that the companies were taking business away
> > from me. Quite some time ago I finally realized that there are scam
> > companies in every industry and there are people who fall prey to
> > them. And those people who do fall prey ...... are not and never would
> > have been my customers.
>
> > Now when I hear stories like this I'm happy. Because ...... NOW they
> > ARE my customer!!!!!.
>
> RHC: Sorry, you've lost me there....how are they our customers ?
> Perhaps having been burned, and after doing even a bit of research,
> they may well end up as our customers....maybe-

Meaning that ......... when these kinds of companys attract end users,
these end users are not the type of people who are seriously looking
for a security solution. They're looking for a cheap way out. That
they can be deceived by these companys doesn't put them in a category
of client that I typically attract or, in fact would want to call me
for an estimate. It's just a waste of my time. After they get the
cheap system from the "other" company, some of these people are
satisfied or if not, will tolerate the poor protection and service and
being screwed on their monthly rates. Others learn that you don't get
something for nothing and look for a better product.
They weren't my (type) of customers before but now, they can be.