APX Alarm Security Solutions, Inc.
5132 North 300 West
Provo Utah 84604
U.S.A.
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APX Alarm Security Solutions, Inc. Deceptive, unlicensed, high-pressure door-to-door sales Provo Utah
3Author
1Consumer
2Employee/Owner
A representative of APX came to my door to tell me that they needed people to "advertise" for them on my street, and that their home alarm system service would be free for us. I thought it sounded like a good deal, so he took me through his speech and I agreed.
It was only when I was about to agree that he mentioned the monthly charge, a "special" low rate for "advertising" homes. I objected, and he apologized and said he thought it was "obvious" that there would be a monthly fee. He claimed this was because of the charges for the police department and fire department.
Also, the contract was for 60 months. I asked what I would be charged if I canceled early. He told me "between 20 and 100 dollars, depending on when you cancel." This is a total lie. After the 3 day "grace" period required by Missouri state law, they offer no way of canceling (I confirmed this over the phone). This means I would have been liable for all 60 months had I continued the service.
They misrepresented the quality of their rates. Their rates for a special "advertising" home are higher than other companies' rates. Also, there is no way to confirm "special" rates because they do not publish rates on their website, nor can you get rates via the phone. They claim this is because rates are "tailored" to individuals, but it is clearly to deprive consumers of needed information that any reputable company would give.
They misrepresented the status of another "advertising" home. He implied that the family, who lived near us, had the service for a while and were happy with it. I called them, and it turns out they had only had the service for a few hours, like us. They were not aware of the lack of cancellation measure after 3 days, either.
They did not have a license to solicit in Columbia, MO, where I live. I checked with the city and they found no record of one, and it is required in Columbia.
They left their garbage in my house and on the porch after installation. This is actually somewhat of a perk, since if they fail to come pick the stuff up I can use their boxes to mail the equipment back to them.
In sum, their sales techniques were misleading, deceptive, and fraudulent, and they lacked proper licenses. I have sent them a cancellation notice within the three days, so I hope not to have any problems in the future. I am supposed to get a visit from the rep to return my check. I have very little hope of this, but I will update if it happens.
Ardeaem
Columbia, Missouri
U.S.A.
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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
3Author
1Consumer
2Employee/Owner
Updates & Rebuttals
#1 Employee
AUTHOR: Tcariley - Orland (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, August 08, 2007
POSTED: Thursday, August 09, 2007
ardeaem,
I do not doubt that the sales rep you are referring to told you these things, but i want you to know that they are not taught to tell these things to possible customers. If a rep is untruthful that is entirely the reps fault. As for the contract i will try to explain.
A five year contract is becoming the industry standard for any security company with any success. APX is the fastest growing security system marketing company in America. They are the only alarm company with a satisfactory rating on the better business bureau and have the highest rated customer service out of any other company. The equipment provided is the best on the market to date. The contract itself locks your rate and makes it possible for you to have all of this at no cost except the monthly monitoring. So in respect to you think about this: you are getting a security system to protect you home and yourself along with your family, so do you want a cheap local name or the best quality out there with APX?
Oh, and APX is registered with the states not cities.
#2 Update By Author
AUTHOR: Ardeaem - Columbia (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, August 18, 2007
POSTED: Saturday, August 18, 2007
You say that APX is registered with states, not cities. In many cities you are required to register with the city to do door-to-door sales (surely a company that solicits nationwide door-to-door knows this). The salesman was NOT registered, as required. I told him he was required to be licensed, and the city license office called him and told him, so he KNEW that registration was required. My wife saw him soliciting later that day. Thus, he was knowingly soliciting without a license and breaking the law.
Before APX sends employees to a city to solicit, APX should ensure you are in compliance with the law. These laws are created for the protection of consumers. The fact that APX doesn't spend the time to do their research is evidence, to me, of a company-wide disrespect for the law.
As an update: I did cancel the service and did not have any more problems, besides APX calling me several times to try to get the equipment back. The equipment had already been removed, so that was annoying and disconcerting, but I have not heard from them since I explained for the SECOND time that it had already been removed.
#3 Update By Author
AUTHOR: Ardeaem - Columbia (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, August 18, 2007
POSTED: Sunday, August 19, 2007
From the Columbia, MO city ordinances:
Section 13-227: Permit required.
(a)
It shall be unlawful for any solicitor or canvasser, as defined in section 13-226 hereof, to engage in such business within the corporate limits of the city without first obtaining a permit therefor in compliance with the provisions of this article.
Section 13-231: Exhibition of permit.
Solicitors and canvassers are required to exhibit their business permit cards at the request of any citizen.
gocolumbiamo.com/Finance/Services/blsolicit.php
It is not unusual for cities to require this.
#4 Consumer Suggestion
AUTHOR: Robert - Buffalo (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, August 19, 2007
POSTED: Sunday, August 19, 2007
The employee rebuttal stated" They are the only alarm company with a satisfactory rating on the better business bureau and..."
A quick check at the BBB website, bbb.org shows this statement is not true! There are plenty of alarm companies listed, across the country, with a satisfactory rating.
I would think that an employee of a security business would at least be, you know, honest.
#5 Employee
AUTHOR: Knowitall - Provo (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, October 16, 2007
POSTED: Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Apx is liscensed with the states, but you are right, they need special liscensing for smaller communities, often classified as villages. The needed liscense takes weeks to get, and the group of salesmen are only in an area for about a week, so they don't bother going through the costly process. If someone calls the police on a salesman, they are instructed to move a block over and keep knocking. They are fast moving, living in appts provided by the company for the summer months. I know everything about this company and how it works, but having just spent a lengthy amount of time repsonding to someone else I'm a little tired to go into more depth. If you have any questions, ask, I have the answer.
