Alarm Force ripoff morally unethical pressure tatic sales pitches expects one to pay for rental equipment batteries North York Ontario

I signed a four-year contract with Alarm Force (hesitantly I might add - as I wanted to research other alarm companies but was told that if Alarm Force came down to see me, I had to sign the contract right then and there). Every time I had called to cancel that initial appointment with them (3x I might add) I was asked many questions as to why I was cancelling and basically pressure tatics were used on me to not cancel the appointment.

Anyways, I signed a 4 year contract wherein $28.00 odd dollars are billed to my VISA each month. We used the sytem initially for one month and after several false alarms (tripped by my husband) we stopped using the system (this alarm has no night-light indicators to remind you the system is on during the middle of the night so one can easilly trip the alarm). We basicalled realized that this system was not for us. There are NO sensors hooked up to the windows and only one sensor on a door. I did not feel safe. I told Alarm Force about this many times. We called to ask for a cancellation of the policy. We were told it was IMPOSSIBLE. This all transpired last year from August to October 2003.

Now today, October 21, 2004 I called Alarm Force once again after not using the system for months, as the battery is not working. I was told I would have to pay $20.00 for a new battery. Now, if this system is a RENTAL (4 year contract) why would I have to pay for ANYTHING!!!??? If my Hot Water Tank broke down I would not have to pay for anything!!! Same with my phone lines, cable lines, etc. etc. etc.

I am so angry and so frustrated with Alarm Force. I hate this system. I have never felt safe with it. I told them today to remove the alarm system from my home, even though I know that for the next three years I will still have to honour the contract. I was told I would have to mail it back to them. I did so today. But I still can not believe that a company would not honour my request to have the contract cancelled last year and that they would even have the audacity to ask for $20.00 for a new battery each year. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!

You would think that they would allow a person, after calling three times, the right to cancel the initial appointment without being harrassed! You would think that they would also allow a person to test the unit for a month or two and decide then if its the right system for them or not and to be able to cancel the contract after that period! And you would expect that any rental equipment would not be subjected to charges for items such as batteries!

I am so unbelievable angry, hurt, upset and mader than I have ever been in my entire LIFE!!!!!

I have learned a valuable lession - I will never do business with a company that pressures me and I will never sign a contract again for ANY service!!!!! And let that be a lesson to all you companies out there, but especially to Alarm Force.

Trish
Winona, Ontario
Canada