Slomin's Shield - Slomins free alarm system ripoff problems can not move contract issues Nationwide

I have just begun looking into security systems.....I am a novice. But, I don't understand your claiming that only Sloman offers free systems and installation. That definitely is NOT true. The two other companies I have contacted ...both offered free systems and installation and other "freebees". n fact, I thought the basic package from Sloman was a little limited as compareed to others. In my conversation with them, they NEVER mentioned the 5 year contract.

Hello I totally aggree.  Slomins Sheild is to good to be true.  The employess are very nasty.  I asked a lawyer about this I live in PA and they have had complaints about Slomins SHeild as well the employee's should not insult others who have been wrong thats very low in my book.  Ive also read the contract for this company it is a total rip off and they have a few things in fine print thats so small you cant read it so please people dont go with this company.  The person who filed this report is not telling lies. 

Some of these reviews are ridiculous! First of all, Slomin's is family owned, and has been since 1923!!The equipment used by Slomins is cutting edge and up to all industry standards. Fact: Slomin's employees are thoroughly trained and experienced in all aspects of their jobs. Ive had a slomins system for 12 years and have never had a single problem. Installation was neat and clean, service extremely efficient and their customer service is extraordinary. I also have worked with Christopher Vitale in the oil department and he is sweetheart, knowledgeable and understands his customers needs. Any one who has not looked at the contract, shame on you for not reading the terms and conditions. I use Slomins for heating and security they are #1

 

Joe

New York

Ok where might I start.. I am a former slomins employee who has had many people in my life work for slomins. I currently work for an alarm company out of northern delaware. I will just give you the run-down of "my slomins story". It all began about 5 years ago, i was a senior in high school and got a job making a whopping 9 dollars an hour as a telemarketer for slomins. First off let me say they do not give theyre telemarketers any information or training about security systems. So that is the start for a customer of talking to somebody who has no idea what they are talking about. But that is beside this point. I worked there for about 6 months and within that time my 19yr old sister who had just dropped out of high school was hired as the office manager for telemarketers. This made things pretty sweet for me as now my sister was my boss. But after a couple months of that i still couldnt stand it because i do not want to be a part of a company who decides to cold call people and try and decieve them into thinking there is high crime in their area and we are doing a neighborhood walk-through and we could have a salesman stop by.. I moved on with my life and went on to another job field. My sister continued to work for slomins and they transferred her to the delaware office where she was given another management position. Please keep in mind she did not and still does not know anything about security systems.. But that was just my telemarketing experience as a slomins employee. My sister started to date one of the technicians, and at the time i had moved to delaware as well and was staying with her. She got let go about 6 months after being transferred there, but her b/f still worked there. I know from speaking with him many many times that slomins installations are "lick & stick" jobs, which basically means they are thrown up and the equipment is cheap. After living with my sister for a month or so and getting an idea of how slomins was as far as installation/service from her technician boyfriend, i got a new job at a hotel called comfort suites, in newark, de. Well, after a few weeks of working there i noticed we had slomins as our security system for the hotel. Well one day the owner had asked me to call for service on the alarm system because he did not believe the panic buttons worked. I called everyday about 2 to 4 times and could never ever get an actual person on the phone, i would get a message prompt for service and in the year i was there never once did we get a response on our multiple request messages for service. I would always think to myself, so if the panic button does not work, will i be killed or will somebody not come to help if something bad happens, from that point i went from former slomins employee to having the worst taste in my mouth from the customer side of things. I would mention to my sisters boyfriend that we could not get a return phone call or anything regarding service we need, and he would just say "yea thats how they are". I stopped working there after that year and moved onto work for matrix security out of wilimington delaware, I was hired as an installation technician apprentice, so i learned alot of the ins and outs of installing and servicing alarms. That lasted for a little less than a year before I got laid off. I took a couple year break from the alarm industry but now i am back and so much more knowledgeable than ever. I now work in the service department for a alarm company in northern delaware, and i feel i understand alot of the issues that have been raised in this thread. By the way I have been in this position for about a year and a half.. There are a couple things I want to address.. Mainly about the comments from this Dustin character.. I will start reading his first entry and just spew out what comes to mind, with my honest opinion considering i believe in absolute customer satisfaction, and that is why i am here writing this(sorry bout the life story, just dont want people to think i dont know anything about slomins) Here we go... Slomins is not a great company, if you really believed that you would have posted a link to the Better Business Bureau so people can see for themselves. As far as the free system, free installation, and low monitoring costs.. Absolutely FALSE. In all reality the system is not free, it is rolled up into your contract so regardless, if you pay your contract, you are paying for your security system. Thats how every single "no-upfront cost" security companies work. And i do not personally know how slomins works, but most companies like that also roll the installation into your monthly rate as well. But not all so i cannot speak for slomins on that issue. But knowing the way that company is, they probly do.. And if im not mistaken theyre monitoring rates are $27 a month, which does seem fairly comparable with the industry as i have seen. So if there is one positive i can think of right now it would be that theyre monitoring rate is not outrageously high.. (but they would fold if it was) And by the way, the low-end equipment they use is NOT in any way ACTUAL protection for your home, if i had slomins, i would keep a gun in my home. Most slomins customers do not seem like lifetime customers, all that i have spoken to and dealt with have some kind of horror story about their experience with the company. And wokring for the company i do, i know that we have taken over many slomins systems(although we usually provide the customer with a free upgrade considering slomins is the only company we have ran into who locks out all of their systems so they can not be monitored or used by another alarm company-rotten) And the free system nonsense, like i said earlier is nothing special, every company i know will give you a free system if you sign a five year contract. Standard practice, sorry! So the statement that other companies will make you pay for the installation, system and a higher monitoring rate is wrong.. EVERY company will make you pay that, and every company that i know of will roll those charges into your monthly rate.. Now next you said about being lied to.. Slomins contract is transferrable(unlike any other companies). Well thats crazy because my company will transfer an existing customers contract to a new house. Maybe were the only 2 that do that!?! And you say a customer could easily sell his house with the system in it and transfer the contract to the new homeowners, but why would any good-hearted honest person want to sell such horrible service to people who just want to feel safe. And yes it is true all the new homeowner who have to do is sign off on taking over the contract, but what about when they have theyre first problem with the system, they will be very upset that they just took over the cintract and cant get it serviced.. And now this is the part i've been wanting to get to, since i came in the security industry i have seen the outrageous markup on products sold to customers (sometimes 2000%). The supposed 1200 dollar system is about 20 years old and could be found on the internet brand new for less than $80. So the $1200 thing, that is making me sick to see that. Even the best of home security systems dont cost the company $1200.. That is a slap in the face to anybody with the internet and a little common sense.. Oh and free installation by a proffesional technician.. No sorry not true, the technicians are not professional, my sisters boyfriend used to tell me how he would take dumps in peoples sump pumps.. And from what i have seen with my own eyes, the installations are very badly done, so if the technicians are professional, they must all get high before they do any work, because it is very unproffesional from what i have seen(it doesnt even look like they know how to conceal a wire..) Slomins will not add any significant value to your home, if anything it will decrease the value of your home because it is crappy unreliable equipment. My company does work on P800's which is the standard for slomins, but we would never think to sell somebody that as a new system, it was put out 20 years ago.. If you want good systems, go with brinks or adt(or hey maybe even my company) we all use honeywell systems, which if you do your research is one of the top security and many other fields manufacturers.. That is quality, napco simply is not. And whatever you do NEVER let them install wireless in your home, you will regret it, the napco wireless is a constant problem.. I think you mistyped there dustin, because there is no other company out there offering homeowners this bad of an oppurtunity.. The only reason slomins is still around is because of the shady techniques they do to get money from people, as you can see in this thread.. So they continue to make money, but if enough slomins customers go to the media, you will see they can be exposed.. A company like that should not be allowed to do business, they are very decieving and do not REALLY care about there customers and theyre safety, they care about the customers money and how much they can get from them.. And in this economy now, we as americans should not stand up for it, we can not.. We as a people are starting to realize we deserve and need to demand alot better in every aspect, especially when it comes to the security of our loved ones and possesions. I would not ever recommend anybody to go to slomins, being a formeremployee, former customer, and also employee of the alarm industry currently, after reading this I could not leave without giving my piece of mind.. B Safe..

Slomins, Slomins Shield, whatever you want to call it is the worst company in the Nation. I came on this website because Slomins is terrible. Their management is a complete joke and the little short guy that needs a booster seat to yell on the phone that goes by Jason's nut rubber but others call him troll Vitale or HomoChrisVita needs to read his management for dummies book. This company has been terrible for a long time. They have no concern for their employees and the only thing they spend money on is packing their investors' pocket (yeah thats right- they are not family owned) and paying managers that don't know anything. I had the worst experience in my life with this terrible company. I would rather have had my home broke into and beat with a wrench in the face than to ever do business with a micro managed company that has such poor knowledge about anything like this again. They should change their company name to Jews that want to sign you up to a huge contract and put you through trouble just to get your money INC.

As for Tom and Earl, yeah they definitely date or have some sort of relations. Obviously you have a contract because you took the free system. Same thing with a cell phone or cable company or anyone else. The guy that owns his own business is a little duck that can't get any food. Get over it. Or just tell your families that you are homohot for each other. As for the Dustin guy, well I think I know what his deal is. He obviously worked for a turd jew company ran by idiots and was basically doing whatever he could to get clients. Not sure if he is still with them or was ever with them but I am assuming from the way it sounded he once was and might still be. I met a couple salesman from Slomins and they were all running their mouths off at a bar and grill one night how their managers are all ex ADT and Brinks guys that have shady resumes. I did my research and this entire company is ran buy people that have had zero success in the industry other than what was handed to them.

If I were to make a suggestion for anyone. You would be better off having no heating or air conditioning and leaving your doors wide open and your windows open rather than to do any kind of business with this company. Google this company and read what everyone says about these clowns. I read on one site that this Jason guy inherited the Boss man title and the company is ran by investors and then all the management is now some fat guy that married a slomins worker and then a bunch of guys that the President knows. The others are people that couldn't make it with ADT or Brinks. All this info is online. Apparently they have a gay guy that came from Brinks and I called that Brinks office this Brian Schmidt worked at and they all said he left because he knew nothing and did nothing except back stab. So apparently this was a nice pick up for this fake security company Slomins. BEWARE VA AND GA.

I see you all are about to get this tricky corporate scam in your neck of the woods. I read on google that the Slomins sales spend more time in court over contracts than they do pitching their old Napco systems.

I to have had issues with Slomins. In 2000 I was 3 years into a new contract and was moving. The buyer was willing to pick up the contract. problem is that Slmins never sent them the paperwork, even after repeated attempts. They then tried to bill me for the remainder of the contract. They were relentless and the only thing that satisfied them was for me to sign a contract to my new house.

Five years of inferior service later we cancelled. Problem is they will not allow us to cancel. When I call to cancel they send me from department to department and then finally tell me they need to mail me a letter, which I need to sign and return with my code word. Problem is that they never send me a letter, just another monthly bill. I then call up and we go round again.

I thank you both--Tom and Earl, for conveying your opinions, based on solid facts regarding the Slomins Company. We were burglarized this past Monday and lost ALOT of high priced items so, I'm shopping for a security company. Thanks to your articles here, I will NOT CHOOSE SLOMINS. The last thing we need, after experiencing a burglary is an alarm company that doesn't care about it's customers.

Once again, I thank you profusely for the heads up on Slomins.

All the best to both of you,

Stan

I thank you both--Tom and Earl, for conveying your opinions, based on solid facts regarding the Slomins Company. We were burglarized this past Monday and lost ALOT of high priced items so, I'm shopping for a security company. Thanks to your articles here, I will NOT CHOOSE SLOMINS. The last thing we need, after experiencing a burglary is an alarm company that doesn't care about it's customers.

Once again, I thank you profusely for the heads up on Slomins.

All the best to both of you,

Stan

I thank you both--Tom and Earl, for conveying your opinions, based on solid facts regarding the Slomins Company. We were burglarized this past Monday and lost ALOT of high priced items so, I'm shopping for a security company. Thanks to your articles here, I will NOT CHOOSE SLOMINS. The last thing we need, after experiencing a burglary is an alarm company that doesn't care about it's customers.

Once again, I thank you profusely for the heads up on Slomins.

All the best to both of you,

Stan

Tom you have hit the nail right on the head (again). This guy comes on here saying you're lying and then tried to advertise for his company and provide contact info. The nerve of some people.

You have never tried to advertise, just state helpful information. Hell, I still don't know what company you work for. Why? Because you never mentioned it. And why not? Because you're not here for that. To me, it seems that your purpose here is to help me, as you have stated. If that upsets some of these Slomin employees then oh well. It's a shame (like you said) that these people will take time to get on this site, sign up for an account and write a rebuttal BUT when it comes to satisfying a customer they have no time for that. Why take 5 minutes to correct a mistake made by Slomin when they can just say forget me and try to justify themselves here.

I think anyone reading this thread will be able to see the kind of crap that Slomin's is about. The more they come on here and post ignorant comments the worse they make themselves look. Perhaps you Slomin people will realize that someone should take the time to correct my situation instead of wasting your time futaly trying to make yourselves look better. I wonder how many potential customers Slomin's has lost because of this thread? I guess Slomin's hasn't thought about that though...

Earl

Show me what part of my post was not factual.
The information I posted concerning your company came directly from your company's website, advertisements, and contracts.
So please tell me what I was wrong about.

Was it the length of contract?
Nope

Was it the part where I mentione dthe system cost of $1169.00?
Nope

Was it the part where I mentioned the lien?
Nope

Was it the additional charge for the warranty? Nope

Was it when I said Slomins installs an 8 zone Napco panel that I can buy for $80.00?
Nope

Was it about the single tech motion?
Nope

Was it about the dialer delay?
Nope

Nowhere in my post did I offer false information about Slomins.
I also did not mention my company's name, nor do I post contact information.
I am not here looking to make a sale.
I visit this website as a gesture of goodwill for those who have been victimized by security sales reps slinging nonsense to get a deal.

I am not here to debate which alarm company is the best, nor is this the forum for that. And why try to skate the issue by mentioning ADT's numerous complaints? Are you trying to say it's ok for Slomins to mistreat it's customers because ADT is worse? What the hell kind of logic is that?
I am replying for folks like Earl. You do remember him, right?
He's the Slomins customer who is STILL unsatisfied. You do remember the customers,right?
They are the reason you are able to pay your bills.
Show them some respect.
How about spending some time trying to make Earl a happy camper rather than waste time trying to convince the world that your company is great?

I know the moderators frown on harsh comments but for the love of GOD are you folks stupid or what?
The kit cost and labor to install it in his new home would cost your company less than $200.00.
Engaging the customer in a pissing contest will end up costing your company much more than that.
How about for once your company just does something outside of the norm to make a client happy?
It is ridiculous that this client issue is still unresolved.

If I was Earl, or another dissatisfied customer, I would take that lawn sign they gave you and put a nice big note under the part that says Slomins for everyone passing your house to see. Use your imagination as to what you should post under their logo. The sign would be on private property so nobody would be able to lawfully remove it.
After a few signs start popping up around town maybe Slomins would get the message and correct the problem.

It doesn't matter if another Security company is also neglect or lacking. That's not why I posted this. THIS posting is to let people know what Slomin's has done wrong.

My situation was both a misunderstanding, neglect AND a a company saying anything to make the sale and then not backing it up. This happens to people everyday and I am going to make sure that anyone looking for Slomin's will see that it happened with them too.

You speak of other posters "lying" and saying things for their benefit but yet you try to use this as an advertising tool, providing your phone number and a friendly offer to "help" anyone that wants to call you. Yeah right. You're a hypocrite.

I'm glad ripoffreport.com took your contact information out of this post. To try to use this as a forum for you to make sales shows just how despicable Slomin's really is. Oh, and you're right, you weren't there, so all of your speculation on this matter must really be the "BS" you were speaking of.

Earl

It doesn't matter if another Security company is also neglect or lacking. That's not why I posted this. THIS posting is to let people know what Slomin's has done wrong.

My situation was both a misunderstanding, neglect AND a a company saying anything to make the sale and then not backing it up. This happens to people everyday and I am going to make sure that anyone looking for Slomin's will see that it happened with them too.

You speak of other posters "lying" and saying things for their benefit but yet you try to use this as an advertising tool, providing your phone number and a friendly offer to "help" anyone that wants to call you. Yeah right. You're a hypocrite.

I'm glad ripoffreport.com took your contact information out of this post. To try to use this as a forum for you to make sales shows just how despicable Slomin's really is. Oh, and you're right, you weren't there, so all of your speculation on this matter must really be the "BS" you were speaking of.

Earl

It doesn't matter if another Security company is also neglect or lacking. That's not why I posted this. THIS posting is to let people know what Slomin's has done wrong.

My situation was both a misunderstanding, neglect AND a a company saying anything to make the sale and then not backing it up. This happens to people everyday and I am going to make sure that anyone looking for Slomin's will see that it happened with them too.

You speak of other posters "lying" and saying things for their benefit but yet you try to use this as an advertising tool, providing your phone number and a friendly offer to "help" anyone that wants to call you. Yeah right. You're a hypocrite.

I'm glad ripoffreport.com took your contact information out of this post. To try to use this as a forum for you to make sales shows just how despicable Slomin's really is. Oh, and you're right, you weren't there, so all of your speculation on this matter must really be the "BS" you were speaking of.

Earl

All I can say is that there is a lot of BS on this entire site. It is unfortunate that if you search Slomin's this comes up. If you search the nation's largest security company there is page after page after page of complaints about them. All I can say is that bashing one company for your benefit is bad business. Even worse telling lies about a business is worse. The Earl situation was a misunderstanding or neglect- I wasnt there so I am not going to comment anymore. I just state the facts.

I am not going to get into this because it has went from miscommunication to a bad situation.

If anyone in the MD/DC area has any questions or would like to hear valid info- please contact me. I would love to talk to you or provide you with accurate information.

CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Tom, you're right. I didn't see that part. I think that's ridiculous that they have a "lie" clause in their contract. for someone who specializes in "protecting" customers it's sad that customers need protection from them!

Unfortunately it's too late to take off the gloves and try to get out of this contract for free. After becoming so fed up with the run around we settled this matter. Instead of the $1200 they wanted us to pay I got them to agree to let me just pay the $597 for their system (which is what they claim the value is) and they dropped the rest of the contract.

I'm sure this is just what they want. Give a customer enough of a run around and they'll eventually pay. Going to the news would have been a good idea. Unfortunately in MD you can not tape another person without their knowledge. I probably could have gone to the news stations anyway. Live and learn I guess.

Thanks for everything Tom. You're knowledge of their rinky-dink equipment and practices has really helped to add weight to this report.

Earl,
When I said shame on you for not reading the contract I wasn't referring to the 60 month term. I was referring to the disclaimer at the bottom of the contract that states any implied warranties, representations, promises, or stipulations not mentioned in the contract are not valid.

Basically it says when a salesman asks you to take his word for it DON'T!

That is the part that infuriates me to all ends of the earth. It's a clause that allows a security salesman to blatantly lie to the customer and gives the customer no protection against those lies.

If the complaint you had involved a time share, health club membership, insurance policy, or just about any other service I wouldn't be as annoyed as I am when it involves a security company.

Think about this for just a second. The security company should be the one service provider you can TRUST. They should be the one provider willing to PROTECT their customer against nefarious activities. They should HONOR the claims made by their salesman, and not fall back on a contract disclaimer.

It's ridiculous that you have a beef with this company. If Slomins gave an iota of a crap for their customers they would install a system in your new home at no charge and allow you to continue with the original contract terms.
The previous location would still have a system installed so odds are the new residents would sign for service with Slomins. Slomins would GAIN a customer if handled properly but will now
LOSE a customer because of their nonsense.

I love when customers move into new homes because it creates another account for me when I sign up the new resident at the original location.

Someone emailed me for assistance with an issue identical to yours, who also happen to live in MD, and here is what I suggest you and they do.

Take the gloves off!

Call Slomins again, and ask them to move your system for free. Record the whole conversation. After the call make certain to call all of the local news stations and ask for the consumer reporter. Tell them exactly what happened, and how you have the phone call recorded. I guarantee one of them will jump on the story.
Contact everyone you know who has a Slomins system, along with anyone who complained on here about them, and ask them to participate.

Now news reporters never let the facts get in the way of a good story (embellishments make for better stories) so between your call, the contract terms (which are laughable -especially the part describing the fire system), the reporter's exaggerations, and Slomins realizing they will lose any potential customers who watch that report, I'd bet the ranch you will be released from the contract immediately.

The only thing Slomins cares about is the Almighty buck so hit them where it hurts. They wouldn't, and haven't, hesistated at hurting you.

If you need any clarifications Earl please fell free to email me.


Anyone who is thinking about doing business with Slomins should read the following first.

Slomins offers a web special where they say they will install
1 panel, 2 keypads, 3 doors, 2 motions, 1 fire sensor, and a keychain remote for free if you sign a 5 year monitoring contract. Their monitoring fee is advertised at $26.45 per month ($27.45 per month for Manhattan).

What they don't tell you is:
The offer is for a hardwired system ONLY! If you do not have a home that has an unfinished basement, or crawl space then be prepared for wires to be exposed and stapled to your walls.

The basic panel is limited to 8 zones.

The extended warranty has an annual cost of $134.00 ($11.17 per month).

The smoke detector they install is NOT approved by the NFPA, nor is it recognized as a qualified smoke detector in many jurisdictions. Paragraph 3 of their contract states that in bold print (but who reads contracts?) Their smoke detector does not qualify for any additional insurance discounts on many homeowner's policy.

The motion detectors are single technology motion detectors which are easily triggered by insects, cobwebs, or small pets. Single technology motion detectors are a primary cause for false alarms which results in fines being levied against the homeowner.

Their contract clearly states they will place a lien on your property for the duration of the contract and should you default on the contract your free system will now have a cost of $1169.00 of which you will be responsible for paying 60% of that PLUS pay the balance of the monitoring contract.

Their system has a 15 second delay in the dialer.

Their system cannot be monitored by any other company so if you decided to switch companies after the 5 years you would need a new system installed.

Does it still sound SPECIAL to you now?

I'm so glad to see that someone understands the basic ideals of the customer being right. I am especially happy to see someone in the same type of business realize that this is just bad business and that the comments left on this report by an (obviously) employee are very demeaning. I also appreciate you pointing out the fact that the equipment is worth approximately $100 and not the $1200 that the clown above stated. I thank you for your comments and wish you much success in your business.

I would only like to correct one thing. We DID read the contract and we were fully aware that it was a 5 year contract. What we were misinformed about was the fact that our salesperson, Mike Hoyle, told us that we could transfer our contract to a new home at no cost to us. This is the bit of dishonesty that led us to this problem. (I've referenced this portion of the original post at the bottom of this update).

And to be honest Tom, if someone, ANYONE, from Slomin's had treated us with 1 ounce of respect when we called then I doubt I would have posted this at all. It's the rudeness, the run around, the lack of concern or care and the fact that no one wants to call you back or basically deal with you at all is why I reported Slomin's.



**PORTION OF ORIGINAL POST**
"Apparently, in order to receive the free installation, you have to sign up for 5 years. Knowing that we would not be in this home for five years we SPECIFICALLY asked if we would be able to transfer service. Mr. Hoyle said it would not be a problem. I also asked him if there would be any cost to us. He assured us that there would be no cost at all for the move."

The alarm system Slomin's installs is worth $1200.00? An 8 zone Napco Gemini P800 panel that I can buy all day long for less than $80.00 is worth $1200.00? Does that include the cheap, single-technology motion detector ($8.00 wholesale) Slomins installs as well?

I am also in the alarm business. We are in business to make money. The public isn't as stupid as your comments attempt to make them. They know we install basic systems for no upfront fee because we recoup our initial outlay and achieve a profit over the course of our contracts. Do you honestly believe your customers think they are getting a gift when you sign them up or do you think they might actually know we sign them up because they are an opportunity for us to profit?

Show me the customer who thinks they are making out like bandits by handing us their money so I can club them on the head and remove the slow wit from the gene pool.

My average triple net profit on a zero down basic system install runs about $500.00 when all is said and done. Consumers don't have a problem allowing me to EARN that $500.00 as long as I am providing them with reliable, and customer-oriented service.

No doubt you're a sales rep for Slomins, and while there is nothing wrong with you defending your company you shouldn't be fueling the fire with that silliness regarding the panel's value.
Don't be ashamed of admitting you profit. Don't edny your company makes money when they install an alarm. Denial is just a polite way to say LIE.

The OP (Earl) should have read the contract before signing, and really has no legitimate beef when claiming to be ripped off. Everything was there in black and white. Or was it?

Earl didn't read the contract before signing, so shame on him for trusting his alarm company. Wow, doesn't that sound odd? He should have been leery of his alarm company?

Isn't it sad that we are in a business that advertises credibility, trust, honor, respect, and relaibility, and we have HUNDREDS of people complaining about being ripped off by our industry?

If you can't see this as being a huge problem you should probably follow another career path.

If your company invested more of it's revenue into customer retention and less on silly rubber Alarmo dolls with shields and sirens then MAYBE there wouldn't be as much negative feedback.

The day one of my customers gets to the point where they feel they need to let the world know I ripped them off is the day I need to close shop.
Now there are some unreasonable people in this world who complain about anything but man alive how many times does someone from your company need to view the same complaint, from multitudes of people, before they stop treating the customers like liars?

If 20 people tell me my system smells like a skunk then I'm going to search for the skunk rather than tell them they're crazy.

These people hand over their hard earned money every month so we can feed our families and when they have a complaint your company's responds by saying they heard wrong, or the salesman was wrong? How about practicing this really novel idea called the Customer is ALWAYS right?
So stop BSing about the value of the alarm and start focusing on the value of assisting a dissatisfied customer.


And to anyone reading this who is thinking of signing an alarm contract keep this in mind.......

If you sign with my company I will profit off of you. If you have a problem with me earning a living then try we won't do business together.

If the contract says 60 months then you have to pay for 60 months. It doesn't say "trial basis" and it doesn't say "cancel whenever you want"
It says 60 months.

There is no such thing as a free anything. If you are looking for the alarm company to upgrade an existing system then be prepared for another 36, or 60 month contract (depending on your company).

If you don't sign for a warranty then be prepared to pay $100.00 an hour (on average) for repairs.

Alarm systems definitely have a tremendous value so don't shy away from having one installed, but don't expect the contracts to favor anyone other than the alarm company.
Welcome to reality.

Ah so I see an employee has finally come on here to rebute the claim. I do not dispute that Slomin may be a better deal than some other company (although I have not compared). But I have not had a problem with another company, only with Slomin. And I guess the old saying is true - you get what you pay for. I can only report what has happened to us as a result of Slomin's negligance. I never said the contract did not state that we were locked in for 5 years. What I'm saying is that the salesman stated that they would transfer us for free with no additional months added to our contract.

You state that "Slomin's contract is transferable" but what you fail to mention is that you must pay $600 to transfer AND you have to start your contract over. But maybe that part just slipped your mind. Also with having a new home owner take over I don't think it's my job to try to sell your system to the next homeowner. Sure I could get the next guy to take over but after having all these problems with Slomin why would I want to pass that kind of service on to the next guy? Perhaps if I were on a lower concious level I would be able to do that.

"A free system with a 1200 dollar value" that's funny it says the value of the system is $597. Hmmmm, well maybe it's worth that to you but apparently not to Slomin and definitely not to me.

"with a free installation by a professional technician" Professional!? So the kid that came in to my house and drilled unecessary holes in my walls, tried to hide the mistake from us and left debris and trash from this "professional" installation is supposed to be a professional? I'd hate to see what someone that's unprofessional would do.

"with referrals that sign up with Slomin's you can get free monitoring for 3 months with every referral." Of course! We sign up our friends and family so that they're locked in for 5 years and we get 3 months free. Wow, what a deal! Hopefully that 3 free months is worth the headaches our referals will have to go through.

And finally, if Slomin is such a quality company, why did it take us weeks and weeks just to get someone on the phone that could help us? Why were we unable to reach this salesperson at any time? Why do managers dodge phone calls and no one seems to be able to help when you call? Sure, everything is nice and smooth when you're signing up with Slomin, just don't have a problem in the futurte or need to speak to a manager or your salesperson because it's at this time when you find out that Slomin is all about getting the sale and then to hell with you after that.

Just because you feel that some of this may be "far-fetched" does not mean it hasn't happened exactly as I stated. Unless you were on the phone with me for the weeks I tried to get help or unless you are the manager or salesperson that has no regard for customers I'd say you are unqualified to make that decision.

Regardless of what you think. Regardless what I should have read (which I did). Regardless of what I should have got in writing from the salesperson. The point is this - I am highly unsatisfied with the level of customer service (or lack thereof) I received from Slomins and now many people who may be thinking of going with them will hopefully see this and at least have a warning as to the kind of business Slomin runs.

If this report even helps one person decide not to go with Slomin then at least I can take satisfaction in the fact that someone isn't getting ripped off, even if it wasn't me. But you know even if someone reads this and does decide to go with Slomin hopefully they will not experience the same run around and lack of professional courtesy that I have. Also, your rebutal has the opposite effect that you wouldhope it has.

Your response as a Slomin employee with the attitude of "too bad and it's my fault" only goes to prove that this is the kind of response I have received all along from everyone I have spoken too. I'm sure someone will read this and feel the same way. The internet is a wonderfully powerful tool for making others aware of the kind of garbage companies put their customers through. Thank god that sites like Rip-Off Report exist. Otherwise no one would ever be aware that this has happened to anyone besides themselves.

It is very unfortunate that someone would bash a company because of neglect on their part. Slomin's is a great company. Most companies in the security industry charge for a system, charge for an installation, and then top it off with a higher monitoring rate. Slomin's simply gives home owners the opportunity to get protection for their home without paying for the system upfront and giving them an affordable rate.

Most Slomin's customers are customers for a lifetime, which does in fact start out with 60 months (five years). All companies in the industry have their customers sign a contract. The thing is that Slomin's gives you a free system by doing so. So it is to your benefit.

Other companies are going to charge you for the system, charge for the installation, and give you a 3 year contract that automatically renews so you end up being locked in for years and years. Slomin's is up front with the 5 years.

All of the information is explained in your contract that you signed. That is how business is most generally done.

As far as being lied to. Slomin's contract is transferable (unlike any other companies). Nobody knows where they will be next year. Your job could move you or whatever the case may be. Slomin's gives you the opportunity to sell your system with the house and the new home owner can simply take over the monitoring (Assignment Assumption Agreement). It is a great deal for the new home owner because all they have to do is take over the monitoring.

A free system with a 1200 dollar value, with a free installation by a professional technician. No subcontracting! As a home owner you get a free system, the system adds a percentage value to your home, and you can save up to 20% off of your home owners insurance. Plus with referrals that sign up with Slomin's you can get free monitoring for 3 months with every referral.

In short, there is simply no other company offering home owners this great of an opportunity. It is just like everything else, a smart consumer shops around for the best deal. In security people will go to Slomin's because they are a quality company and they do give home owners a great deal.

This situation is very unfortunate to hear about. There are some parts of the story that seem a little far fetched but freedom of speech is a beautiful thing. I would strongly suggest what the individual stated earlier. READ WHAT YOU SIGN. This company is a great thing for many and thousands and thousands of people have been so satisfied that they refer Slomin's to friends and family.

I think that most of these type of situations can be avoided by reading the contract and making sure that whatever promises are made by the sales person is stated in the contract. This means even writing it in by hand. Too often a sales person will make promises only to present a contract that is different than what was stated.

Unfortunately too many consumers just sign on the dotted line without as much as reading one line of fine print.

PLEASE - Always read before signing, even if it means taking an extra few minutes or longer to review. If the salesperson tries to tell you that this is all standard stuff, or tries to persuade you to just go ahead and sign - this should be a red flag and means you HAVE TO READ...

I hope that this suggestion has been helpful for anyone contemplating a major purchase.

We have been trying for over a month to get this resolved. We learned our sales person has now become sales manager (probably got a lot of customers due to his lies) and of course he denies ever having said anything about letting us move for free.

After much run around we finally got the name of a manager in the credit department. A Mr. Larry Koswell. After trying to get a hold of him and leave messages asking him to call us back we finally were able to reach him when we threatened that we would contact his manager. He was no help either. The best we could get is that they would settle the account for $597 (the price of the original install fee that was waived). Tired of dealing with them we accepted figuring this was the best we would get.

Here it is almost three weeks later and we have requested a bill reflecting this amount before we pay it. A week after speaking to the manager, on 6/20, we requested that Rachael send us a bill. We have received a bill for the full original amount. On 6/26 we made our second request for a bill from TaShawn and we received nothing, even though the girl said she would send it out.

After calling Mr. Koswell back repeatedly and leaving messages we have still received no response. Learning from our first mistake with this company we will not pay until we have something in writing. As of yet this matter is unresolved.

Unless you want huge headaches, run-around and unsympathetic and rude customer service PLEASE STAY AWAY from Slomin's Shield!!