Not Happy with Alarm Force
Alarm Force is cheap but there are some serous bugs in the system. I initially went with Alarm Force because of the commercials, the low monthly cost, free installation and that the system is wireless so I would not need to run wires. When I had mine installed about 6 months ago (I paid an additional $700 for extra sensors, smoke detectors and 2 keypads so I don’t use my cordless phone to operate the system). The installer placed the receiving unit right beside my wireless router (at the time I was informed the Alarm Force receiving unit needed to be close to where the phone line comes into my home). The system seemed to work fine until I came home from work about a month later and my front door was kicked in. I called alarm force and they had not received an alarm. After 5 calls to their technical department, we figured out the wireless router was preventing the receiving unit from receiving signals from the sensors. I moved the Alarm Force receiving unit to another room and away from the wireless router. The Alarm Force installer had already been to my home 2X to repair my system previously. The components have obviously been used before they came into my home. I argued that the installer should have tested the system before he left and questioned his qualifications. Alarm Force backed their installer. I also questioned why the installer did not wear a uniform, did not have anything showing he worked for Alarm Force and why drove a rusty old car that leaked fluids on my driveway. I tried to get out of the 3 year contract but Alarm Force refused and no one would let me talk to a manager. Then, last month my back door opened around 3 am (I have no idea how it opened). The door chime woke me up but the alarm did not go off. To be honest, walking through a dark house ½ asleep looking for an intruder and waiting for Alarm Force to come on with 2 way voice communication as back-up that never happens is really crappy. The door that opened is set for instant alarm in the “home” mode and the alarm was definitely on. Also, I pay for cell back-up and if my phone line is cut Alarm Force informed me that they will notify me immediately. Well, the cell back-up does not work because the cell signal isn’t strong enough (ironically I live in a major city centre) and the phone line cut option does not work either. My wife accidentally unplugged the phone line from the wall to the unit for 4 weeks. Alarm force never notified us that the phone line was disconnected. Alarm force is still not sure why this option doesn’t work but they continue to charge me the extra fees. So basically, the only thing worse in my opinion to not having and home alarm is having a home alarm that you think works and actually doesn’t. I’m new to the home alarm thing and when my contract expires I will be looking for another provider. Maybe skip experiencing Alarm Force and roll the dice on another company.
Comments
4 Comments on Not Happy with Alarm Force
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Tim on
Thu, 28th Jan 2010 23:02
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Motty Perel on
Sun, 7th Feb 2010 21:24
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Alarm Company on
Sun, 7th Feb 2010 23:19
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joal borggard on
Tue, 11th May 2010 13:07
Well first off your alarm was not armed when the back door opened. No door chime when it’s armed, only when the system is not armed do the doors chime. Next, sounds like your alarm wasn’t on when the phone cord was pulled. Therefore it’s not going to report your line is cut because it wasn’t there to begin with. If the line is lost while the alarm is on it reports. This was all explained to me pretty clearly by the person who put ours in. Can’t speak for his dress as our installer wore an Alarmforce shirt, coat and had on a Id badge as well. Now as for his car. Our installer had a nice suv. I asked him if it was a company vehicle and most choose to drive personal vehicles, so maybe the guy couldn’t afford a nice new one.
Monitoring means that the monitor knows in what condition the home installation is. What kind of monitoring is it, when the monitor is not notified whether the home has or does not have a telephone connection, or whether the equipment is or is not powered? All a burglar has to do when he breaks in is to pull the plug on the talking box or, much more conveniently, go to the basement and pull the main switch. After that, he can work without disturbance.
The complaints in this blog are more detailed and more reliable than BBB in terms of this. All home alarm companies on BBB get the same rating. All those companies work on meeting the rating according to the game rule.
Signed a three year contract. Near end of contract was having trouble with equipment. Phoned company to determine what needed to be sent back and how to turn-off my alarm for remaining couple of months as it was malfunctioning. Was told that nothing needed to bed done and contract would just end. Realized 5 months later they were still withdrawing monthly payments. Asked them to re-imburse and would not even entertain it. Had to send in equipment to close account. They said they would send way bill. After three weeks, the way bill still did not arrive and they billed another month. The company is the WORST company I have ever dealt with. Stay away. It has been a nightmare. I am out over $200 dollars for an alarm I haven’t turned on in over 9 months.
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