We've been unable to really use this system since it's installation, because it goes off for no reason. When that happens, the city fire department or police show up. Then they give you a ticket for a false alarm.
The first excuse my husband received months ago from the guy who installed it, who I believe is the owner, was "there may be dust in the air setting it off." He did not come to the house to investigate the problem, so he really had no idea what was causing it. Additionally, since our system is supposed to be pet-friendly, the motion sensors that supposedly don't detect dogs probably shouldn't be activated by dust particles. What an incredibly lame excuse.
Fast forward to last week, when I was once again awoken by a smoke alarm going off for no reason. I tried to return a missed verification call to the monitoring service to tell them not to make a report to the authorities. I missed the initial call as I was running around looking for a nonexistent fire. The return number left on my voicemail sent me to a telemarketing company. That's not sketchy at all... As I ran around looking for an alternative working number, the Fire Department arrived. Excellent.
When I called the installer, upset at the continuing problems & firemen in my driveway, he made the last excuse I could bear. This time, he said the alarm went off "likely because the house was settling." Unbelievable. We paid $800 for an alarm installation plus additional monitoring service charges, for a system that cannot be used, because it just randomly goes off with no cause if you ever turn it on.
Over several months, Security One didn't fix the system or even send a representative to our home to examine the issue. On this last call, since I made it clear I was really fed up, the installer did finally offer to come out to check the problem (AFTER blaming it on the house settling, WTH), but it was too late. Should have been handled ages ago, before we alienated all city emergency services with a faulty system that perpetually cries wolf.
We switched to Xfinity. $300 (versus $800 with Security One) install which included outdoor security cameras, which we did not get with Security One, accessible via our cell phones, and so far, it works perfectly. Amazingly, while it's turned on, the new system does not randomly emit distressing siren sounds while pointlessly contacting the authorities over nonexistent emergencies.
Cancelled service through Security One, though we are out $800 plus monitoring charges for something that never worked. What does the installer care, the money is already in his pocket. Total waste of time and money, and thanks to them, I'm pretty sure our house is on the s***list with the local authorities.
2 stars instead of 1, because the monitoring company did dependably report all (false) notifications to the appropriate agencies. read more