Protection One
Protection One was founded in 1988. It conducts home security evaluations before recommending specific security system components and design, and then monitors its components from one of its monitoring centers. In 2007, Protection One became the first national provider to introduce a Web-based service that enables its customers to access their own security systems through Internet-connected computers and cell phones. Its e-Secure customers also can receive e-mail and text notifications of certain events, as well as view video surveillance cameras via the Internet or cell phone.
Protection One was the only security company listed as one of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies (honesty and openness) in 2008 on Forbes.
APX
APX Alarm entered the home alarm service industry in 1997. It announced its new business partnership with investment banker, Goldman Sachs in 2006. APX acquired a central station from CMS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Protection One in 2009. APX Alarm also supports wireless communication capabilities, and system control via the internet or PDA application.
APX Alarm has faced criticisms regarding the tactics of the company’s door-to-door sales people. Its salespeople tell potential customers that there has been a recent rise of crime in the neighborhood, and claim to be a representative of the potential customer’s current alarm system provider, as among the most common complaints.
APX has responded to complaints in general by stating, “Our entire focus is on providing the best customer service possible and we understand that owning up to our mistakes and making things right when mistakes do occur is a critical component in delivering world-class customer service. When a company is as large as APX Alarm, and employs thousands of people, we do understand that not everything we do is going to be perfect. With that understanding in mind, we take every customer complaint seriously and do everything within our power to satisfy each and every customer.”
Alarm Company Contract
I signed a three year contract with Alarm Force. Near end of contract I was having trouble with equipment. I 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. I was told that nothing needed to be done and contract would just end. I realized 5 months later they were still withdrawing monthly payments. I asked them to reimburse. I 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.
- Joal Borggard
Alarm Force Salesman
I was interested in Alarm force because of Joel Matlin’s statements. So, I called and spoke to a Damian who turned out to be a high pressure salesman. I wanted a technical body to come to the house to discuss what they would be doing and answer some questions I had about equipment placement and the cat as well as other situations. Damian was damn near rude in trying to tell me what I needed, he could answer all questions from there. But, how could he without seeing the situation here. He has no idea of the house size, door/windows etc. I also wanted to ask about having the contract voided if the house should become inhabitable due to fire for example, or if my wife or I died. But reading the other testimonials, I would suggest that Joel dump Damian as he is certainly no asset to Alarm force. I’ve gone with another company.
- George Root
Poor Alarm Company
Alarm Force is a great marketing company, but a poor alarm company. The equipment is rented, minimal, and poor quality. The 2 way voice is a gimmick that is easily defeated. Listen to the words carefully when they advertise…they have good lawyers and just barely avoid false advertising. I think I will stick with reputable companies like Sears that installs real branded equipment that I own, and they care about my business because they have a lot more at stake than my monitoring money.
- Etobicoke Boy
Canadian vs American
Tyco International Ltd. reverse took over a smaller security services company named ADT Limited in 1997 and formed a new subsidiary named ADT Security Services. The Brink’s Company spun off Brink’s Home Security in 2008 and re-branded it as Broadview Security. Tyco International Ltd. is acquiring Broadview Security in a transaction that will bring together two of the largest names in home and commercial security and Broadview will merge and operate under ADT Security Services. This is American.
Groupe Vidéotron Ltée. acquired a few companies with the intention of using its cable network for purposes other than television broadcasting in 1987 and incorporated a new subsidiary under the name Protectron in 1988. Wellspring Capital Management LLC acquired Protectron in 2001 and Protectron became the largest privately owned Canadian electronic security company. In 2002, Protectron acquired the Canadian subsidiary of Protection One, the second-largest security company in the United States. The business has been part of Reliance Comfort Limited Partnership since 2005. In 2007, Reliance purchased VOXCOM Security Systems, a leading national provider of security-monitoring services in Canada and Voxcom was re-branded as Reliance Protectron. This is Canadian.
AlarmForce manufactures, installs and monitors its own security systems using its own proprietary technology, without outsourcing any of the processes. This is a unique Canadian.
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.
Another Alarm Company
Alarm Force customer for 7 years now. ADT for 3 years prior, Brinks home security 2 years before that, and Monotronics 1 year before that. Let me just say that these are some nice fish stories.
The battery in the main box is a backup battery which is used when your power is out. Eventually with power outages, surges or any flickers in your electricity it will drain just like any other backup battery. $100 charge, that’s a big fish. Mine cost $20.24 after tax. That was 4 years after having the system. I was told about the batteries in the sensors prior to installation. They recommend changing them once a year. How hard is that. Yes if you can’t change your own batteries they are going to charge you. The cost of the batteries is a little higher than retail. That’s the point, they can’t do it at retail or the poor guy who is doing it isn’t getting paid then. Go with ADT and get a wired system. No battery changes, but heaven forbid you need service there. ADT $35 an hour and $20 every 15 mins. after. I would much rather pay a guy $25-$30 to change the batteries that I am just too damn lazy to do myself.
As far as the two way. It’s not crystal clear, however I am not making my phone calls from the box. The point is to let who ever is in your home know, we know your there and the police are on the way. It is not a recorded voice, unless the 15 times I have accidentally set mine off in the past 7 years has just happened to be a different recorded voice each time that happened to sound just like the operator I was speaking to. Yeah if the intruder is quiet they won’t hear them, but guess what moron, if they don’t hear YOU it’s obviously not you in the house.
I won’t even mention the 4 times I have been broken into. The first I had ADT. They didn’t even know anything happened and that was that. The past 3 times over 7 years, yeah that’s a lot and apparenlty people want my stuff. Guess what, 1 break in with ADT cost me over $6000 in loss and damages, they were there a while while I was on vacation. Not to mention the over $350 in service charges from ADT to check and fix my system which didn’t work. 3 Break ins with Alarm Force have cost me $500 total and that was to fix a broken window on #1 Broken Sliding door on #2 and a door frame on #3. Hmmmm who’s the winner.
Go with another alarm company and see how quickly the awww of the bells and whistles wears off. I was there. The grass is always greener on the other side. You people are all stupid and are the same people who would sue McDonalds when you spill your hot coffee on yourself. Does the cup really need to say HOT…..It’s F’in coffee.
Alarm Force Panic Button
I worked at a store with Alarm Force. My co-worker was attacked by thugs with a baseball bat. He kept pressing the emergency button but nothing happened.
Later on the Alarm Force technician came by and confirmed that the panic button had never been connected to the system by their company.
Astounding! I still cannot understand why they didn’t sue Alarm Force; something about the store still being owned by the prior owners at the time or something. Me, I would have sued til the cows came home.
Alarm Force Crap
Whether or not the Alarm Force “panel” was at fault, fact of the matter is, Alarm Force is crap. The Alarm Force system consists of a shoebox sized plastic box with a tiny transistor radio sized speaker mounted right next to the microphone. This box is usually placed on the kitchen counter and plugged into the phone line and power there.
As for the “$100″ battery, this is a tiny $5 battery (at most). Alarm Force is NOT a service company. Their whole purpose is to obtain as many monitoring contracts as possible. With that much emphasis on sales and “alarm systems” which require little or no installation skill it is no wonder Alarm Force customers have problems getting service.