Vivint Security Systems - STAY AWAY!

rooftop59

So I have three young children, one on the way, the wife and I both work stressful full-time jobs (life is so stressful that I effing shingles right now - I'm too young for this ****!), so I generally don't have the time or energy to answer the door for solicitors. Last night we were eating pizza in the backyard, nice night, kids are behaving relatively well, when my oldest daughter (6) tells me she heard the doorbell ring. Well someone had been at the house the night before and I ignored them, but I am in the middle of several remodeling projects so I was afraid it might be a contractor or something so I check it out. Its not, but I decide to be nice and open the door anyway. Turns out he's selling security systems, which I have been thinking of getting for a while. So I decide to listen to his spiel, BIG mistake. He says that are doing a promotion for new panels, looking for homes to be advertising homes that the company subsidizes. He says I will make money with this system between the company subsidies and the savings on home insurance and electric (wifi-controlled thermostats, which I have also been thinking about for a while). So I let him in. He says they will cover all the controlled boxes etc., plus discount the monthly rate from 99 to 59. But slowly it comes out that this is a 60 month contract. Yes, you read that right, 60 month. So I ask what happens if I decide I can't pay for it or don't want it, he says they will suspend payments for a period, but finally admits that I will be responsible for paying 60 months worth. I am not to worried about that, we have two stable jobs and plan to stay in the house for at least 5 years. So then I ask how long I have to cancel if I change my mind. He says normally 3 days, but he will extend that to a week. Now that concerns me a bit, but as long as I have a couple days to research and can cancel I figure that's fine. So I sign, write down my credit card info, and the installer shows up and gets to work. As the installer is working I am sitting at the dining room table on my laptop keeping an eye on him. I start researching. Tums out that not too many customers are satisfied with this company. They lie to you up front about the subsidies and saving for being an advertising home (there are none basically), they lock you in to a very long contract, and even if you try to get out in the first few days they will ignore your calls until that time passes to lock you in. Now I am PISSED. I notice that the paper that I wrote my cc info on is still sitting on the table. So while the installer is in the other room I tear off that part of the paper. This is so if I try to cancel and they won't let me that don't have any payment info. I think I pulled a fast one on him (he is a very young kid, guessing like 21). But when he leaves, he tells me that is my copy to keep. Now I swear there was no carbon copy of that paper, but I am freaking out nonetheless. Either the salesman wrote down the info or snapped a pic, obviously they have it. I am so mad I get up this morning and report that card as lost to get a new card/number sent out. They have not yet charged it. The guy shows up to finish the installation (he was at my house until almost 10pm) and I tell him I cancelled the payment, please git ur shi!t outta here! And he did, and I think it is over.

What ticks me off the most is that half the time the salesman was here my kids are screaming, my 20 weeks pregnant wife is trying to carrol them still in here little work dress and high heels while this guy keeps feeding my BS, meanwhile I am in pain from this dang shingles that are from STRESS.

So in short, don't let a guy from Vivint into your home, or purchase anything from them.

Irrenhaus

Sorry to hear that.

I at the moment use Simply Safe no contract but you have to buy the system and installed yourself. But is all wireless and the base station connects to the network via cell phone network. No cameras so far yet but a good set wireless IP cameras do the job.

Good service so far quick call if the alarm sounds even if I go in test mode. My sister forgot the secret word one day and the she got the Police knocking at the door and the response time was not bad and I m not in a great neighborhood.

Just my 2 cents. Check their reviews....

Cheers
Rey

Dennis Gardner

Security systems sales are in vogue now since no one needs encyclopedias........

BlueFox

I can't think of anything I would buy from an unsolicited door-to-door salesman. Well, maybe some speakers.

mhardy6647

BlueFox wrote: »

I can't think of anything I would buy from an unsolicited door-to-door salesman. Well, maybe some speakers.

That's how I like to get mine... at least, when I can't find any at the dump.

Door-to-doors don't get in at our house, full stop.

gwh

Yeah you got to watch the upfront bull crap and what not.
I've had their service for about 5 years and they are very prompt at calling when we accidently set off the alarm, and all their operators speak clear English.
I remember being pissed off at the end of the pitch, seemed like the kid wanted me to write him a check for $99 when he had early stated no upfront cost. He ended up pulling the cash out of his pocket.

maximillian

Installed a Visonic wireless system myself years ago. Expanded with used components (and some new) over the years. I monitor myself, but I could get another company to monitor for relatively cheap. Overall very happy.


Had some young guy come to my house this past week selling insect treatment. He was selling a promotion for $30. I was interested (spoke only outside though) and asked if this is a "year" treatment for $30 which he said yes. Told him also that I wanted mosquito treatment. They offered for $70 more. So I said, it's $100 then right? Answer: yes. Went through the signup process and at the end just before I signed my name to the documents he said it's $30 for the first quarter for a total of 4 quarters. The other 3 quarters are $100 each. Told him no and to get lost. Slight problem is that I had already given my CC number to him, but again, didn't electronic sign the document (web based via a tablet) and he canceled it.

Not too worried about CC number since I can monitor this easily. If this company charges anything then I can complain and have the CC company reverse the charges. Credit cards are excellent for protection from this sort of crap.

But I like Bluefox's idea... just kick them off your property regardless of who they are.

BlueFox

maximillian wrote: »

But I like Bluefox's idea... just kick them off your property regardless of who they are.

Well, that is a bit extreme. I have bought Girl Scout cookies, and other stuff to help schools, but for serious money I will do the research first.

pearsall001

I guess it all depends on the company & the sales person. Going back many, many years ago I actually did D2D sales for a major Lawn Service company. I was exceptional at it & had some excellent earnings. Proper attire & your professional manner really made people feel comfortable. I never, ever went into someone's house. I also wanted to protect myself from nut jobs. Trust me I was leery of homeowners. I would always step back after knocking on the door a good 8-10 feet to give a nice safe distance, I would invite them to come out on to the lawn & show them their problem areas & how our Professional Service could improve their lawn. I was so darn good & pleasant it was not uncommon for me to get pretty much every house on the block as a package deal.

The company also gave me all the major leads...Townhomes, school districts. local ball fields. I did all the contacting, measuring & would give a presentation in front of the board of directors when needed. I cleaned up big time then would head back to my D2D sales. It was a lot of fun, met a lot of great people. In fact it was not uncommon for homeowners to compliment me & my company for coming directly to the homes. They would say they are so fed up with how impersonal companies are now a days & it was nice to see a major company presenting itself in such a positive manner.

Then there are those that would call the police on me saying I might be a robber or something along those lines. I can actually see their concern here though. The cop would come up to me & I'd show him my ID & Twp. permit. It always worked out good because the cops were aware of us because of the permits. Heck I even sold a number of police just from being stopped.