Re: Integrated Alarms, Inc. are Evil , be aware!!!

[sum1@xxxxxxxxx (Ian)]

no-sales-spam@bassburglaralarms wrote:
....
> The key is in the definition of gross negligence.
> It is much worse conduct than the common negligent
> behavior of some alarm companies.  For example,
> a relative of mine who has an ADT system (it was
> in the house when he bought it) says that they
> usually take about 10 minutes to call when the alarm
> goes off.  That is certainly negligent behavior.  It
> is not gross negligence, however.
>

I also have experienced problems with ADT here in north Texas.  When my
wife died suddenly in July '04, I had great difficulty in getting them to
fit two talking control panels (I have no eyesight for some years).
They also had to completely replace the old system, which had been put
in for my late parents-in-law many years ago,  as it was found to be
totally nonoperative.  I paid for the work done and the new panels and
signed a new contract/agreement but did not realize it was for three years.
I had plenty on my plate at that time, Will, cremation,  estate admin
and so on.
So, on selling that property in June'05, I assumed the agreement would
expire around September of that year and if thenew owner wanted it he
could take out a new contract.
Some weeks ago I had a phone call one evening from someone who said he was
from ADT and that he had "been going through some old paperwork and
found the sum of 380 dollars outstanding. Seemed it was for "services and
cancellation penalty".
I told him I didn't just write out checks for anyone who phoned me  with
no documentary proof, and next day phoned the local ADT billing office.
I was told there was an account for that address but in my late wife's
name, not mine, but they could not tell me if any money was owed, and the
promised call back to confirm or deny the debt was never made to me.
I e-mailed them with full details and giving my full postal and e-mail
addresses, and received a brief e-mail acknowledgment.
Next, a debt collection agency pme honed and avery offensive bullying type
tried to frighten me into sending the money. This kind of approach
doesn't work with me. His threat that I 'would lose my credit
rating' is irrelevant (in the extremely unlikely event that  I ever
need to borrow money, I could raise
plenty as I have  substantial equity).  Another guy claiming to be from
ADT phoned another day to suggest that if I paid 251.74 by credit card,
he would close the account. I told him I don't pay by credit card if I
can avoid it, and certainly not over the phone, but would send a check
for that amount to the address he gave. This was sent off a couple of days
later, but the check has still not been cashed some 3 or 4 weeks later
 The debt collection agency has rung repeatedly, but on seeing their
out-of -State  - or rather hearing it! -  number on my talking caller id,
I just let it ring. They haven't callef for a couple of days now, unless
the ones that are 'Number unknown' are fromthem.
They can take me to court if they like, it won't
bother me and for a sum of that amount, I doubt if it would be worth
their while.
Incidentally, I have never once received any written communication from
ADT or the debt collection outfit,  although as I said above,  ADT
have been  given my new address.
I don't  have a security alarm  system in this (new-built) house; don't
need it as it is part of a gated community with security guards. And I
don't have anything in here worth breaking in for anyway!  (frugal
living, see).
Oh, and for the record, I am completely free of debt of any kind and
have been since well before I came to America.
--
Ian