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.
Phone Line
I used ADT at my office, my phone line was cut and they didnt know about it for 1 week. I even had to tell them about it and they said that they see a trouble indicator but they do nothing about those. at least Alarm Force answers as soon as a phone line is cut. and try to get a price from adt over the phone…good luck…voxcom (Reliance Protectron since 2008) has a good service over the phone and seems good.
Alarm Force Company
They are not new (since 1988) but their wind is blowing hard. Their president’s image and voice are all over the market. His name is Joel Matlin. I’m contented to see Joel Matlin has his stage in some way.
The only concern is the way how he compares with his competitors. He never forgets his competitors in all his speeches. I suppose he is very stressed. In order to firm his position he tends to devalue his competitors. Everything has two sides. We need to see both sides. It’s called “all-round”. It’s not necessary for him to devalue his competitors by picking what they have, enlarging it and making it sound “only” something customers cannot live without. In this way, what customers see is his one side and they assume he only has one side, too good to be true. Remember, competitors also have A LOT he is not able to build since 1988 and it’s never necessary for competitors to give fuss about. What do his debates bring us? Personally I’m not against Joel Matlin and contrarily I appreciate his courage.
When Alarm Force focuses on their “only” something they eliminated monitored smoke detector since it’s the only way to help them control cost in order to promote their other “only” something at their affordable rate. But if you think twice, you will be easy to understand, actually the cost for all alarm companies is not much different. Price war will only invade profit margin and affect service quality in the long run although they assert life time warranty how are they able to guarantee if their company was only born in 1988? How much profit is supporting them to guarantee? We are all able to say sweet words, however, a listener should be able to think, filter but not be emotionally caught. Protectron is relatively straightforward at this point. They simply shout out “we are the most aggressive”!
I’m still not too negative till Joel Matlin started to devalue his competitors to this extent: “our competitors outsource their services to installers, so you never really know with whom you are dealing” Outsourcing installation or partnering with best suppliers are a more professional way. Some giant enterprises outsource human resources. Because they are much more specialized in and focus on their industries and therefore can ensure world class quality. “All-in-one” is not a small company can do and at the same time be able to guarantee the quality. Compared the best brands of alarm systems – DSC or Honeywell with Alarm Force’s new born “insourced” product which one will you choose to protect your home and family? If Joel Matlin didn’t shout out this point, I wouldn’t have picked it out, since as I said, everything has two sides, you can’t say what you have is definitely the only way and what others have is definitely supposed to be devalued just because of the difference! Customers will find it the most convenient when they are taken good care of individually by installers at initial period. Based on what I know, to run a company like Alarm Force taking all the risks on their own when it’s still small, financially it’s a huge burden and I believe Joel Matlin is trying his best to provide customers with quality services, however, it’s not guaranteed since he is over confident. Sometimes seeing a bit far and thinking about customers a bit more are not always to one’s disadvantage.
Joel Matlin is trying to promote his company based on a niche – they are “only” installing wireless systems. As I mentioned above, cost is obvious. He’s going to be able to import some cheap while quality material to produce equal quality products? Then he focuses on one motion detector to waive contacts. Why not simply tell customers there will be extra cost for extra devices? Why try to smile in front of people when you are so stressed in your dreams? Now it’s Customer’s choice. Customers understand there’s NO basic package that covers ALL. Alarm Force promotes their line-cut tech (cellular backup) at relatively low rate however they can’t cover basic contacts and monitored smoke detector. Which one is more basic, more important and more frequently happening? Once their company is getting more customers are they really able to take care of all customers with their current all-in-one manpower?
Compared choosing alarm company to dating, I would say, Alarm Force is a playmate.