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.”
Voxcom Customer Service
I was talking to Valery, in Customer Service on March 12, 2010 at 2:42 PM. I agreed to renew my contract for three years providing there was an additional sensor in the Sun Room free of charge and check the operation of the garage sensor. An appointment was to be made by the said Valery. She agreed to the no extra charge.
June 22, 2010 I contacted Sandy at 11:40 am and I was told that nothing had been done as I had not signed an agreement. I have not had an agreement sent to me, and therefore could not sign it. I asked to talk to the manager. She said his name was Gill and she would email him and have him call me back as he was in a meeting at the time.
This is the 24 of June at 12:30 PM and I still have not heard from him. I have this type of problem every time I try to communicate that I have something to discuss. I find the monitoring excellent, but the service is really not worth the hassle.
How in hell can I explain the situation here when no one returns the calls, sends out contracts, or even contacts me in writing, phone or email? When I try to send a normal email to customer service, it comes back that I am sending a bulk mailing. What in hell is wrong with Voxcom? You really don’t want evidence of complaints do you?
- Mel James
Alarm Force Installation
Give me a break ! How can you seriously compare an Alarm Force “installation” to any real professional installation. Their junk is unsupervised re-boxed Linear hardware that the security industry abandoned 30 years ago.
Their two way voice is a joke. They are a marketing company out to “cream skim” the industry by fleecing unsophisticated consumers looking for something for nothing !
They seem to believe that “the more dung you throw up against the wall, the more that will stick! ”
For crying out loud, call a small, professional installation company in your area. Do a modicum of shopping rather than allow yourself to get fleeced by any of the large companies with their long term contracts, expensive service and inflated prices. And above all, don’t believe you can get something for nothing in this industry or any other……
- Robert Campbell
Security Systems
Alarm Force “loses” emails that say: “I don’t want to renew” even though received before the expiry date of the three-year contract. They kept charging monthly for two more months. Local rep never returned our phone calls when the equipment failed. Service is blocked when the phone is off the hook — so any smart burglar would know how to disable the system and the process to do his work in peace without interruption by the “security” system. There are several REAL security systems that cost no more — and actually provide security.
- Perseus
Alarm vs Break in
Signed three year contract and equipment does not work as promised; could not get out of three year contract (understandable) but once the contract ended they still refuse to discontinue service and refuse to stop billing me and when I try to cancel they tell me I have to do it in writing by sending a written formal letter stating all my personal information regarding the contract including banking info (yeah right) and a justifiable reason for termination of service (how about the lack of service as a start)
This company is the worst not only in alarms but in all business practices in general. I cannot see how they can stay in business for so long other than to prey on the fears of the general public. Alarmforce needs to be taught a lesson or two in how to be a service provider. If any one comes to your door trying to sell you alarm force please slam the door shut and call the cops they are nothing but lying cheating crooks. This is a warning for all interested in protecting yourself. You should not have to protect yourself from the very same person who is under contract to protect you and your loved ones. Trust me do not use alarm force for any of your security needs it will be cheaper in the long run to let the thieves break in and just replace what they break or steal!!!
- T. SCHARFL
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.
Wish Never with Alarm Force
I have recently finished with a 3 yr contract and returned all equipment. I have my termination letter and UPS proof of delivery. Alarm Force claims that I did not return everything. I wish I took a photo of the box to prove I did. Now I have a bill for missing equipment for $291.36 and sent me to collections. This is stealing and harrassment. I have filed a complaint with BBB, Market Place and other blogs. Please do not get Alarm Force get a real security company. Also, customer service reps are rude and this usually comes from top down management. After researching this company I wish I never gave them my business and hard earned money.
Alarm Force not work
Put in a new alarm system and it works great, we’ve set it off a few times on purpose just to see…ha Our batteries have a 4-5 year life and we can replace all of them ourselves. Great customer service too. Alarm Force is nothing but old equipment that doesn’t work half of the time and that you are responsible for testing once a month or so they say. They put our box in the cupboard, we could hardly hear it! The techs installing our new system looked at us like we were nuts when we asked them how often we should be testing..a good alarm system will let you know via keyboard when a sensor battery is low.. Alarm Force never did, just stopped working and one of our door sensors never worked no matter what we did to it. The charge for them to come and look at it was crazy so we just left it and put our 130-pound Rottweiler and his bed there instead. Alarm Force is not very pet-friendly either. In general I am not a tech geek or anything but this alarm system is a bunch of crap and a ripoff. I would not recommend it to anyone! I only remain anonymous ’cause I don’t have a google account, I would gladly give my name…
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.
AlarmFarce
I have worked for an security alarm company for a little over 5 year 3.5 as tech 1.5+ as an inspector. Alarm Force should be called Alarmfarce. The sytem they use is antiquated by design. What i mean is the technoligy is at least 20 years old. Also most of their customers use the phone to arm/disarm system (can you say redail!!!!!) also they do NOT have phone line siezure which means that if the phone is off hook it can NOT call out or if the Bulglar calls in it can NOT call out. Placement of the panel is another story. The kichen counter or behind a couch is good enough?? Next most devices are 2-way taped on?? Also for the first 30 to 90 seconds the “operator” you hear is a recording until a live operator can get to your alarm. Next and most important Joel Matlin advertises his 2-way as a good way to confirm alarms only thing is if the bulglar is queit the it goes the same way as any other alarm unverified. Next if it is a robbery in progress and the operator comes on after you press your panic button i really hope you are wearing a bullet proof jacket.