It is very cheaply made and can be bypassed very easily. As a customer service representative I deal with more complaints about door sensors falling off, motion detectors going off for no valid reason and the system not arming. 90% of the product sold to customers is refurbished and sent out as new. It's very tiresome to hear irate customers calling in and not be able to talk to someone in the technical support staff. Why? Because at any given time there maybe 3 or 4 people dealing with all of Canada's and the US's problems. So as a customer service rep, we generate a service ticket and tell the customers someone from service will call you back. People call back sometimes up to 2 weeks later saying that no-one from service called them back therefore having customer service deal with many irrate customers demanding service now. People are paying for a functional alarm not for a piece of trash that keeps breaking down. People then try to get out of their contracts because of constant problems only to find out that "Oh well that's to bad your locked into a contract." People beware the company does not like law suits or people going to the Better Business Beaureu. So rather then getting upset with the Alarm Force Rep. Don't just threaten to go the the BBB follow up with it and they will let you out of your contact. They don't want to ruin there reputation with BBB.
As for the Central Station, again there are only 4 to 5 people covering active alarms. So when you think it's a good idea to get Two-way, it's not. It may take up to 10 minutes before you get a response on the two-way from someone in central station. In the meantime you could be dead or your contents stolen from your home thus defeating the purpose of a two-way system. I strongly recommend you consider another company. As a employee insider they are very un-organized and they scam people when signing work orders to get them to commit for another 4 years without even advising them. They have no compassion for people who become disabled, the elderly, people who have lost there jobs or even people who run into hard times. They protend to give you the best for your money but in the end you are a number, not a customer. Just to inform you that they are losing at least 100 to 150 customers a day because people are becoming wiser that this company is a joke. THINKING ALARM FORCE THINK AGAIN
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Thanks for the information. I've had Alarmforce for the last 3-4 years and have been very unhappy with it. The other day, I had a false alarm with my motion sensor. I had to leave work and lost about half a days pay because of it.
ReplyDeleteNot only that, but the system has been arming no problem, even though one of my sensor batteries are dead. Other times, I've left a patio door open (unknowningly),and armed it without a problem. A good system should recognize that the system is not ready.
I called earlier tonight to cancel the service with them. After 10 minutes, I was dumped to a voicemail to leave my name and number. I'll be very surprised to actually have them call back.
I agree with the main statement in this post. Keep away from Alarmforce! I've comlained a few times in my own blog about them..
Sorry to hear about your problems.
ReplyDeleteSince the install didn't cost you anything you might want to consider changing to a hardwired security alarm system once your contract expires. It will probably cost you a little to get a decent system installed but you will at least have something that will last. Be careful who you choose, free or cheap could end up costing you more in the end.
I'm local to you, who knows you may just stumble upon me.
For those interested, here is the link to Cameron's Blog
http://blog.eagleinbc.com/?s=alarmforce
We had our new AlarmForce system installed in July 2008. My wife was home during the installation and I had left instructions as to where I wanted the sensors located. On top of basic package we "purchased" 2 additional smoke detectors, 1 glass break sensor and 1 door contact for a total of $361.20. (I put that in quotations because we really do not own anything.)
ReplyDeleteThe installer insisted on placing the motion sensor BEHIND AN INTERIOR DOOR which, if left open, would render the system useless. He came back and moved it (damaging our wall) to another location. In this position, the system could not be armed if our wood stove was hot! I finally moved the sensor myself (damaging the wall again - the guy used tape and screws) and have not had another issue.
In October, the system said that there was a "low sensor battery". That's right, in three months a set of two lithium batteries had went dead in the glass break sensor. Then in December, the same error crops up again! The issue is that the system does not tell you which sensors are faulty! We did a test and three sensors did not report in! MORE lithium batteries down the tubes!
Just this past month, I took a terrible coughing fit near the glass break sensor and set off the alarm! That wasn't the bad part. I waited patiently by the AlarmForce box for the operator to come over the speaker. After a few minutes, I figured that they were not going to respond and went to brush my teeth. I had time to get to the bathroom and start brushing before I heard someone!
Our latest AlarmForce pain came when our credit card company cancelled our card in a security investigation. I remembered to call our heating oil supplier, phone company, cellphone provider, etc. but forgot to call AlarmForce. TWO DAYS LATER they mailed out a $21 SERVICE FEE notice because of the card being declined! Let me stress that they did not call us at all, just mailed out the bill. I called to explain the situation and was met with a very harsh attitude by their representative. After 20 minutes, I was able to have the fee reversed.
The trouble is, I cannot get out of their service contract. Thirty months at $25 come to $750 that I just cannot throw away. I will have to live with their poor response and inadequate equipment for the foreseeable future.
Wow, they really hosed you on the extra's. Speaking from an industry standpoint $361 extra for a couple of cheap ass wireless devices is highway robbery. In fact, that is far more than you would pay for the equivalent hardwired devices on most monitored hardwire alarm systems.
ReplyDeleteThe low battery incident also illustrates two major points. 1 - the ALARMFORCE alarm is not zoned. If it was, the system would tell you where the low battery was coming from. 2 - Wireless is crap
Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience and ended up paying over $1000.00 for what is really a VERY BASIC alarm system. The worst part is, once your contract is up, you will not be able to use the ALARMFORCE system with any other alarm company. So you will end up having to pay again to get something better.
I know it is too late for you, but hopefully your story will help keep others from making the same mistake. I am sick and tired of innocent people getting ripped off by Joel Matlin and his ALARMFORCE criminals. (Personal opinion, the word "Criminal" does not imply Joel or ALARMFORCE has been charged with anything, although they should)
Well I had the useless system back in 2003 after my home was robbed, they took advantage of the situation and I installed their useless system. After a couple of years of the system, not working, falling off the wall, false alarms, my phone not working I had had enough. They stated that my phone system was not compatible with their system and that may I should switch phone companies, "NOT" I said!! I returned their useless alarm system that sat on the mantle as it never would stick to the wall and all the sensors as well and kept the letter that I sent with it as confirmation. Now in 2009 they claim that I owe them $1500 for the alarm, monitoruing and interest on the money owed since 2003. They asked me for the way bill that I returned the system with, and of course I do not have it as it was so long ago. I have heard similar stories to mine just from mutual friends, I am going to report these vultures to the BBB and will take them to the highest court in the land if I have to just to see justice done. They prey on people who are vulnurable and should not be in business.
ReplyDeleteAlarmForce is the worst company that I have ever dealt with. My husband and I used them to install four systems into some of our rental properties. We paid them cash to install at the time of installation which was the first problem because they were trying to get to all of them in the same day, they forgot to give my husband a reciept - so then they billed us for the installation. Then probably four months later we had a break-in and believe or not the alarm system was stolen along with other things in the home, along with two others that were stolen out of two other properties. I continued to pay for the service for two years because I did sign a contract - then the company says that they are switching equipment and want us to pay for the new equipment and the said that they had no choice that the upgrade was mandatory. My husband and I told them that we were unhappy with the service that they provided, that the systems that we had have not worked since about four months after they installed them apparently and we were not paying them the last year - They said that if we bring in the equipment that we have that they will take off what we owe and cancel the contract. Well, we did bring them the one alarm system that we had and that was not stolen and they are saying that we still owe for the other three for the last year of the contract. I cannot pay this money to a company that is supposed to protect your home but harasses you instead.
ReplyDeleteI had the same issue with equipment upgrade. I was moving at the time so I had 6 months left of the contract. Instead I told them i do not need the service because I will cancel once the contract is up. I returned all my product and now Alarm Force is stating not all the equipment was returned. I have my termination letter proof of delivery from UPS. I wish i took a photo of all the product in the box to show i did return everything. Note to everyone: when returning product take a photo and keep on file!! Now they sent me to collections stating i owe Alarm force for missing equipment $291.36! This is stealling, harrassment and lies!
ReplyDeleteHave you read the AlarmForce contract? When you do, you will learn that AlarmForce is not responsible for anything that its employees and contractors (they pride themselves of not using contractors) do or neglect to do. Therefore you (Ha, ha) have no claim about anything you do not like.
ReplyDeleteAltogether, the AlarmForce contract is a one-way trap. It imparts an obligation to the customer to pay, while it does not impart any obligation on AlarmForce. Hence, the AlarmForce contract is illegal. In a courtroom a judge would determine its illegality. Apparently, no customer raised the problem with the illegality of the contract.
It is good that AlarmForce customers complain, but each complainer should also get to the Better Business Bureau BBB site www.BBB.org and leave a report there. I suspect that I am the only one who did so, because the AlarmForce rating with BBB is the highest A+. AlarmForce does not deserve that rating.
I also left my complaint with a few sites. But I also left a complaint with BBB. You should do so too.
My experience with AlarmForce is that their Central Station cannot tell the difference between a false alarm and a signal from their wireless box about the phone line going dead; that it takes weeks to receive a reply to a customer's message left with the receptionist, that all they know is charge money, while their contract does not require them to be responsible for anything. In my case, they charged me for ten months without giving me any service. I switched to another company and have written off my fees with AlarmForce. Then I disregarded their requests for service for a few months. My MasterCard expired. They still snatched another payment, but then I stopped the payments. Then they threatened with a collection agency. That turned my face red.
I paid all they wanted, returned their equipment and more (When AlarmForce came in, I have had an alarm, but without monitoring. The new company installed their own equipment, so I brought to AlarmForce all the garbage.)
Then I applied to Small Claims Court. At the Reconciliation Meeting before the Court Hearing, AlarmForce reps offered me $500 for my trouble. I demanded over $2,400, which included the price of my new installation. It would not be needed were AlarmForce to give palatable service.
I did not take the $500 and forfeited going to the Court Hearing, because AlarmForce would send a lawyer who would win the case for them. My refusal to take the money gives me the moral right to complain publicly.
All a burglar has to do after he breaks in, is to switch the main Hydro breaker off. That would be the end of monitoring. The burglar can do his job quietly, take a nap and leave through the front door.
I am going through this too. I do not understand how they continue to get away with charging people for a non-existent service. I feel like such a fool for falling for this SCAM! We gave up and un-plugged the equipment, our contract expired three years ago, I repeatedly told them over the phone that I wanted to cancel and only a year later was told that the equipment needed to be returned. I literally had to drop everything and race over to my husband's work to catch him before taking the equipment along with some other random things to the dump! Now I'm reading all these horror stories about Alarmforce claiming not to receive their equipment back even despite waybills to prove it! Why do they continue to get away with this?
ReplyDeleteinteresting. Alarmforce is positioning to sue me or find out who the mystery alarmforce employee is. whatever the case, the above article is simply a quote from someone else. Just so you know, I am not the "alarmforce employee" who is speaking out. just passing on what I have found online.
ReplyDeleteAm I glad I read these complaints.
ReplyDeleteTomorow, Monday, I was going to see about having Alarm Force installed. Whew!! Close call!!
How do they maintain such a high BBB rating??
Te only thing Alarm force cares about is money money money,not the safty of familys,they just dont care they want there money for a peice of crap that doesnt work!!My system didnt work for months I didnt know this but the battery was completly dead,you think they would send us a new one yeah they will for more money,that should be free its not our fault there system runs out of batteries so easily ,just send us a damn battery and we would have stayed with you or send a tecnition out for free ,,WHY charge us for your faulty system!!BAD BAD BAD BUISNESS,lol then just go ahead and charge us and dont tell us it doesn't work properly!!!
ReplyDeleteSCAMMERS,we have little children in the house that need protection and they don't care!!ITS ALL ABOUT THEIR MONEY NOT OUR SAFETY!! bills come in for something that stupidly doesn't work ,WHAT A HUNK OF JUNK CHEAPLY MADE CRAP,it went off all by it self while I was on the phone ,they called and asked if there was an emerency because it was as though someone was pressing the emergency button and I was standing right there no one was,faulty system and that was the last time anyone ever contacted me again on the system it hasnt worked since Ive tried to cancel before and still got a bill,anyways system is going to be cancelled fianlly today,after I write them a letter to cancel then wait for them to send me the sticker for the ups to come get there hunk of junk,lets hope this nightmare with them will be over.I HAVE NEVER FELT THIS MADE ME FEEL MY CHILDREN AND HOME WERE SAFE AS NEVER KNOWING WHETHER IT REALLY WORKED AS IT SHOULD OR NOT AND WILL NEVER EVER RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE!!