BAIT AND SWITCH - A DISGRACEFUL COMPANY
I direct these comments to ADT and Defender, the local dealer. Going forward, I'll identify the company as ADT.
While I have no issue with the quality of the product and service ADT provides, they clearly and run a Bait and Switch Pricing Operation. I say clear because in retrospect and looking at other reviews, their business practice is consistent - and disgraceful. I'll describe what happened to me (and many others).
I received a mailer from ADT stating that they're offering service for $27.99. I called the number, explained that my house already had ADT equipment. The representative stated that not only is the $27.99 rate valid but that I would receive an $800 credit towards any new equipment. I asked at least three times if the $27.99 was valid for me and was assured that it was. I also inquired why I would need a credit towards new equipment since I was already armed. The representative stated that I probably won't -it's a simple matter of turning on the existing equipment. We set an appointment and was told me it shouldn't be any longer than 45 minutes to an hour.
The service person arrived promptly at the time agreed on - 11:00 AM. Assuming this was a quick and simply task I had scheduled meetings for myself at 1:00 and 2:00 PM. I showed him where the equipment was, went back to work and assumed this would all be quick and simple. He did tell me that we would need to replace many of the existing devices to ensure that the service worked - but again, that was covered by the $800 credit.
Over an hour and 15 minutes later, the representative told me he wanted to show me some add-ons I might like. Recognizing that this was a sales presentation, I said that while I might have an interest, I needed to do this another time. I assumed he had already done everything that was required. He then told me hadn't even really stared the work and that he needed several more hours.
I was furious and said that we should forget it and undo whatever he had already done. He then put me on the phone with a "Sales Manager" who tried to high pressure me into completing the installation. I initially said no. After further consideration - and not wanting to waste even more time - I asked if he could complete everything by 1:30 so I could at least do my 2:00 meeting. He told me yes. I cancelled the 1:00 meeting and agreed.
By nearly 1:40 (2:40 minutes - not 45 minutes to an hour), the representative said he was done and I that I just needed to "quickly sign off" on the paperwork. I asked once more if I was getting the $27.99 rate, he said yes and everything else in there "was pretty standard".
Maybe a week later I received a bill for $52.99. I was of course surprised after the many reassurances that I was getting the $27.99 rate. I was told by the person on the phone that I had in fact signed off on a 3 year contact at a rate of $52.99. When I expressed my absolute frustration and disgust, he/she went on to explain that the $27.99 rate only applies if you have a land line phone. I said that it doesn't say that anywhere on the advertisement. He/she said it does on the back. After looking for several minutes I saw that buried in all the fine print is one sentence about the need for a land line if you wanted that rate. The representative suggested that perhaps I should consider getting a land line! I won't go into the absolute stupidity of such a suggestion. Yet, at no time did anyone in the organization bring this up when I asked for assurances that I was receiving the $27.99 rate prior to and during the installation.
I then posted this review and made several tweets on your customer service line out of absolute disgust. I also looked up reviews and saw that many people - particularly the elderly- have had similar experiences. After three or four days someone from named Shannon left a message for me. I called her back. She returned my call several days later. I called her back and couldn't get her on the phone. I imagine this is what counts as "customer service" - a lame attempt at getting me on the phone.
Here's the thing that's so pathetic. You have a decent product and service that I may have willingly paid the going rate for. Instead you clearly have a methodology of entrapping customers to contract for the service.
I am still considering legal action and. have been in contact with the Better Business Bureau and Consumer Affairs. At minimum, I will continue to post this story on any and all customer review sites. ADT's business practices are a disgrace and I hope to alert, advocate and raise awareness about what you do to people. read more