Apx Alarm is now Vivint

You should know that Apx of Apex Alarm has changed their name to Vivint.

My APX Story

On February 22, 2008, I frustratingly posted a message on my blog about APX Alarm. The matter has since been resolved for me personally, but enough people are still out there, frustrated with the services they've received from both APX and other "summer sales" alarm companies that, while I wanted to MOVE the post away from my own website, I also want to keep the forum alive for people on both sides of this issue to explore the concerns surrounding APX Alarm.

Below, I am adding the 133 COMMENTS that were written on the original post I wrote, and I INVITE YOU TO ADD YOUR OWN COMMENTS, below:

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Found a group on facebook with a discussion board where members of their salesforce make fun of their sales tactics with customers. See a screenshot here.
Posted by Robert Merrill February 22, 2008, 5:43 pm

I love it when their sales guys come to my door. I just screw with their heads and waste their time. Die APX. Die.
Posted by Chris February 22, 2008, 5:55 pm

Robert,Too bad more people don’t look online before they sign anything. Most of their search results are negative on the first page.
Here are my ideas:
Create a MySpace Page with the URLhttp://www.myspace.com/APEXALARM and post warnings and from it link to your MyFace I mean Facebook group.
Leave comments on blogs who talk about the company and link to this post.
Write a negative review of APEX ALARM on CitySearch Utah.
apx security system isn’t just in Utah of course.
Another blogger blogged about APX ALARM’s amazing PR recovery: http://www.russpage.net/apx-alarm-shows-how-to-manage-a-pr-crisis/
See if you can find them on Wikipedia and add links of news reports saying they scammed people.
At some point, after you do what you can (small claims court? Get Gephart?), let it go. Anger is bad for the soul, and your is good through and through.
I hated Orem Auto electric after the owner cussed me out. They told me to get my car there, knowing what was wrong, then said they wouldn’t work on cars that weren’t running.
-Janet
Posted by Janet Meiners February 22, 2008, 7:35 pm

you are completely right…and quite a talented writer i must add. they’ve come so many times to try and sell it to me at my house and i just tell them i am not interested and shut the door in their faces. my brother in law worked for them a few summers ago and they fired him after 2 weeks for not being able to “read and understand” directions in a city that he just moved to. and then refused to give him his final paycheck. what pompus jerks. and their billboards are so stupid!
Posted by shannon petersen February 22, 2008, 10:51 pm

Rob,
I think you ought to take a chance and simply sue them in small claims court. If you can document that things they told you to get you to sign were false, its called fraud in the inducement. Most judges can smell a contract which is overly one-sided and will do their best to come up with a fair solution.
Another option is to consider a class action suit if it appears that they engage in this conduct as a part of doing business.
Posted by Rand February 22, 2008, 11:56 pm

[...] Read the rest of this great post here [...]
Posted by Bad Debt » Blog Archive » APX ALARM of Provo, Utah is a Thief and a Liar. February 23, 2008, 10:13 pm

One more thing I need to comment on. I was reminded of the time, after we called APX about our service, but before they sent us to collections, that our salesperson actually called.
He said he was “just checking in” and wanted “to be sure our service was going well”.
We replied that it was good he called because we were having trouble with the service and trying to get it fixed.
“I thought that might be happening.” he replied, which seemed a bit fishy at the time.
He promised to get someone to help us, and would call back. Needless to say, we’re still in the same situation we’re in.
Posted by Robert Merrill February 24, 2008, 10:38 am

[...] Utah Tech Jobs Skip to content AboutChannelsGlossary of Recruiting TermsLegal NoteTag Cloud Connecting Talent with Technology « APX ALARM of Provo, Utah is a Thief and a Liar. [...]
Posted by Utah Tech Jobs » Shadows of Different Colors February 24, 2008, 12:20 pm

I had two nephews work for that company last summer and they lost nothing but money and half of their summer trying to push alarms on people that seem to know better and were gievn a lousy drepressed neighborhood to work in in California. Their website is so cheesy with the music and claims that this kid and that made over a hundred thousand dollars in a year. They ought to e shut down for false advertisement.
Posted by Saul Valdez February 26, 2008, 12:16 pm

I know these people all to well! I work in the industry, I like it, but there are people who are in it that are the scum of the earth. In this industry, if you know what you are doing and are knowledgeable about it, it is good. But, you get companies promising the sky, and with little to no training put kids on the street to sell to people. Well what happens then is that they want money, so they try to get people into contracts any way possible, relying on trickery to get people to sign up! Companies do this only for the money and it is a shame. I write about it in my blog, check it out
summer-alarm-sales.blogspot.com
I hope everything works out, companies like that are easy in and hard as hell to get out. Seems almost like drugs!
Good luck!
Posted by Seth B February 27, 2008, 11:53 am

Well let me just say I am glad I did my research! I am a freshman in college, and while looking through brochures and information in a “College Information” Center I found a poorly made brochure from APX Alarm. The title is very catchy with a “What are you doing this summer?” and goes on to offer college kids the opportunity to make $30,000 or more in one summer. TOO good to be true I thought. The Sales manager who typed the brochure claimed to be spreading this limited and special program to Oregon and Washington- and that only 10-15 students are accepted.
It all sounded kind of fishy…didn’t help that he spelled words like experience wrong. (experence)
The website looks very well designed, the company seems honorable– until articles like this.
Thanks for this article! You are helping to reveal all the deceitful companies out there.
How low can they be to go after poor college kids??
Posted by Rachael March 1, 2008, 1:26 am

At the end of your post you said morally. I think what you should have said is ethically. I am sure that you could report your situation to the BBB (better business bureau) because they have violated a contractual agreement to provide a service of monitoring your house. Which according to laws throughout the state of Utah you could have been fined for noise pollution for an alarm that went off on top of your bad service.
Posted by Dan March 10, 2008, 12:34 pm

I am a Salesrep for APX and I have to say that there are few possible situations that could have led up to your home not being monitored.
I am in no way representing APX as a company on this matter, I just want to give you some insight on what might have happened
Your assigned technician could have screwed something up during install. There are specific procedures for dealing with DSL, VOIP, call waiting, ect. If the technician was not aware of one of these issues, the alarm could have been improperly installed. It really depends on what system you recieved. Was it a cell primary or a two way?
There is no way for us to know if your system is working or not. Any company for that matter cannot find out if your phone line is connected properly all the time. The way an alarm system works is like an automated phone. When a sensor is triggered it calls the monitoring company. Thats when they return the call, or come across the two way. It is illegal for them to monitor or call your system if it is not set off first. That is why the tech should have told you to test the system monthly. I apologize if he failed to do so. To test the system simply set it off and see if someone calls your home or comes across the two way. There is no charge for the procedure. Just tell them your code and your can sleep safely.
If you changed your phone line to a different service or added a service to your phone line, (DSL, VOIP, ect) then your system would not function properly and a tech would have to add or change the setup/equipment of your system.
Aside from a few possible technical errors - for the system to have been called in by the tech, it had to be working during the day of the install if it was a two way you would have heard someone come across the speakerphone. If it was a cell system they would have called the house.During this time is when the system is activated and your home is being monitored on a temporary basis untill the paperwork is filed.
That brings us to the sales rep.If the salesrep has a paperwork issue he is notified within a week of turning in the paperwork. The paperwork will be rejected if there are ANY errors. i.e. -If there was a mistake and the rep crossed something out without having you initial it it will be sent back to him.He has about a month to figure things out and file acceptable paperwork. He probably knew of a problem and dreaded calling you and put it off untill he finally called you and said “I had an idea that you where having a problem.” By this point if there was a paperwork issue for this long your account could have been marked as a cancel and your home would have been disconnected from monitoring. Your salesrep knew this he was just avoiding the problem.
As for your demands on receiving something in writing about crediting your account, it would never happen. I would even go as far to say that almost every monthly service/utility company would not go through the trouble of sending you something in writing about crediting your account. Especially if your account was past due by this time. It simply does not make good business sense to go through negotiating a deal with someone that is past due and wanting credit. Like I said there is no way for them to know that your house wasn’t being monitored. People call in all the time trying to get a break on there monitoring by making claims such as these. ( I am not saying that you are lying about your system not working I believe you!)
Anyway I am probably not making much sense by now and again I apologize for my spelling and gramatical errors.
I admit that we screwed up by not having a tech out there right away to make it right. I admit that not everyone sales rep in this company uses completely ethical sales tactics. All I can say is that we are trained to be ethical and honest. It is up to the rep to choose to act that way. Every sales company has its sleaze balls.
That said, from what I know it is always easier to deal with a company and demand things when you are paying your bill. If you where $170 behind you have to look at it from our perspective. It looks as though you are trying to get a free ride. I know that we work with people on negotiating bills, but not if you are past due and wanting an additional 6 months credit.
We installed over 120,000 accounts as a whole last year and our company has one of the lowest cancelation rates in the business. I have personally signed up over 200 new accounts and have had maybe 2 problems such as yours. It is not how we do business.
Posted by A Concerned Employee March 12, 2008, 7:57 pm

Well Utah isn’t the only state these slugs inhabit. I’m in Nebraska and in the same boat as Rob. I paid the past balance and said to hell with them. Now Crenshaw is trying to get more money out of me. I have a complaint in witrh the Attorney Genneral and I’m writing my Congressman. Their tactics are illegal and the product being pawned is junk. Your right, it needs to end.
Posted by Randy April 18, 2008, 3:52 pm

To “concerned employee”…your full of s***!
Yeah, after they waited around past thirty days they would be happy to come by….AND CHARGE FOR A SERVICE CALL ON SOMETHING THAT NEVER WORKED!!!!
Posted by Randy April 18, 2008, 3:54 pm

Rob- I agree with Janet’s tactics on getting ranked for the terms “APX Alarm” or “APEX ALARM.” In fact, it really wouldn’t take much to be in the #1 spot.
I’ve had scores of friends over the years work for this company, and it is a rare day that it was a positive experience for them. It’s always sad to see scummy organizations, like APEX, worm their way into your home!
Posted by Paul Wilson April 21, 2008, 9:04 am

A few months ago I had entered a favorable account on the behalf of APX, Now I wish I hadn’t. This group is nothing more than crooks. I would have never let them in the door I have been had.I live in Ohio and right now Ohio is forming a Do Not Knock awareness for people that are going door to door to sell anything. these companies will be fined $500. every time they knock on one of these doors listed. This prevents crooks from gaining entry into our homes. Just like the Do not call list.
This is a copy of one of the emails I sent to APX to Lyndsay…………No. I wish you would just come and take this out, I am sorry I ever opened my door to your salesman. It has been a pain every time it makes noise and wakes me up.I don’t need this aggravation in my life. I did get online, and saw a lot of the same complaints. I will not do this again.I no longer want this alarm in my home.
Posted by Donna Stickler April 21, 2008, 11:55 am

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Posted by Yelp for Local Online Business Reviews April 30, 2008, 12:09 pm

APx came to our home today insisting on installing a free chip.The guy said that it would work great with what we have and there would be no charges.Yeah,like i was born yesterday.Good thing i was at home,because he came through my back gate ready.He said that he had spoken to my husband,and that he said that it was okay to go ahead and install the chip.They were a division of Honeywell. He argued with me right away when i refused to let him talk about his product.I ordered him off my property right away.This is the second time that i have had to order APX away from my property.I’m in retail management,and the guy was trying to pull a fast one.The next time they show up here,I’m calling the police department.
Posted by gail May 23, 2008, 2:18 pm

This company is a complete rip off. They have been sued by the major companies over the past year. I work for one of the major top 3 security companies and these guys are completely dishonest.
Now, there is nothing wrong with competition in the world, but dishonestly kills me and the other good companies out there. These college guys come to people homes who already have an existing system and tell the customer how their system sucks and is inadequate and how they need to do an upgrade. The scare tactic is that customers phone lines are going to get cut and their system is completely useless. Yes, it is possible for a phoneline to get cut, but when I ask customers have their line ever been cut, 98% say it never has. These little liars fail to understand that major companies have backup systems as well for their customers in their homes in case their lines do get cut. Also, last summer these cellback-ups were analog and I don’t even know if they have switched to digital as of yet b/c if it is analog, completely useless b/c the towers don’t support them anymore.
For all of those out there, HONEYWELL doesn’t sell directly to consumers and they really push the name and some people think they have Honeywell monitoring for them. That is not true.
I say beware of these guys because they are charging too much for a security system anyways at about $45 per month for a 5yr contract. Yes, 5 years.
Posted by Nicole June 1, 2008, 8:47 pm

Thank you one & all for your time to post your experiences with APX.One of their salesmen talked to me last night and, I must admit, I was leaning towards going with it. I told him I could not give him a definite answer until today. He’s to call me later, and he’s going to get a ‘thanx, but no thanx’.Too bad not everyone can check things out online before jumping at what sounds like a good deal.
Posted by JEAN ALLEN June 3, 2008, 10:38 am

TWIMC:
I must tell you of my experience with APX Alarm - it is definitely not an unique experience according to the many negative comments on the web.
Friday June 13, 2008 7:25 PM
Dustin Udall knocked on my door. He was a clean cut college aged kid wearing a blue APX Alarm logo shirt and shorts, showing an ID clipped to his belt. He had business cards. He looked official and upstanding. That’s about as far as I can go with positive feedback.
The following dialogue may not be verbatim, but it’s close to what I remember and it will give important facts on why I don’t (and you shouldn’t) ever want service from APX Alarm.
Dustin: Hi, my name is Dustin from APX Alarm.Me: Hi. (wondering why I even opened the door)Dustin: I see you have an Alliance Protection sticker in your window.Me: Yes, I have an active monitoring service with Alliance that I am happy with.Dustin: Do you have VOIP? Because if a burglar were to cut your phone lines, your alarm will not work. (typical scare tactic)Me: (knowing the previous comment was a scare tactic) Yes, I have Time Warner Cable’s package with phone, cable, and web. I also realize that if my phone lines were cut ( I’d like to see statistics on burglaries where this actually happens), my alarm may not call the monitoring company, but it will still activate the audible alert.Dustin: Well, what I can do for you will help you out in that situation. I’m the Director of Advertising, and we’re looking for customers to help us out in this neighborhood. Do you know your neighbors, Paul and Sally, who live just around the corner?, they’ve already agreed to use the service I’m about to tell you about. We will install a new keypad and an analog cell phone system that will call APX alarm in the event that your phone line is cut, and we’ll do it for free, all you have to do is display a lighted sign in your front yard as advertising for us. Then we can send out sales team around to your neighbors and they’ll see that you have our service already. Most people go with a familiar alarm company.Me: That sounds interesting, what’s the catch?Dustin: You have to display the sign and agree to our monitoring service for three years.Me: I’m under contract with Alliance until September.Dustin: That’s ok, we’ll buy out your contract.Me: Alright. Come in, let me look at your paperwork. (big mistake on my part)
He proceeds to fill me on some details, (monthly monitoring service at $44.99 per month for 36 months) writes up the contract and then gets somebody on the phone to verify information I gave him. After very carefully reading the cancellation clause of the contract, I signed the agreement. Paperwork complete. At this point I am very hesitant to do anything more, but I did.
Dustin: I have two technicians right around the corner finishing up Paul and Sally’s installation. They can be here in a few minutes.Me: It’s really not a good time for me, I need to bathe my one year old daughter and put her to bed. Can we do this on Monday?Dustin: No, we’re only in the area this week.Me: (reluctant, but) ok, fine. What about the contract buyout with Alliance?Dustin: I don’t have a company check. (he reaches into his wallet and pulls out $80) Will this cover it?Me: Not really, I have at least three months left at $32.99.Dustin: That’s all I have, are you sure?Me: ok (I reluctantly take the cash)
Dustin calls his technicians (who are at my door in what seems like 10 seconds) . They (two clean cut college aged kids wearing blue APX Alarm logo shirts and shorts) looked official and upstanding. They were wearing tool belts and brought 5 gallon pails with tools and equipment. I held them up at my front door to ask a few more technical questions then reluctantly let them into my house and showed them the wiring box, they began tearing apart the wiring of my existing system to begin their installation. Dustin leaves.
Then, I log on and search the web “APX Alarm scam” HOLY CRAP!!!! I was alarmed (no pun intended) at the amount of negative comments on various websites about this whole ordeal. Just google “APX alarm” with or without “scam” and you’ll see what I mean. Did I say HOLY CRAP!!!!
After reading a posted comment, I decided enough was enough and called Dustin.
Dustin: HelloMe: Hi Dustin, I did a google search on APX Alarm and I see tons of negative information about your company. What’s the deal?Dustin: Are you sure you didn’t search APEX Alarm? I’ve heard of them before.Me: No, I searched APX Alarm. I can type. I need your guys to stop installation and put my system back together.Dustin: Ok fine - I’ll stop by and get my $80 back.Me: Please hurry.Dustin: ok bye.
I went over to the technicians and told them to stop and put my system back together. The cancellation clause of the contract states the agreement will not be binding unless 1) it is signed by a APX supervisor or 2) they start the monitoring service.
One of their phones rings - It must have been Dustin. “Hello. yeah. ok. ok. bye.”
After about an hour of them fumbling around with the wiring, one of the technicians (I think his name was Johnny) said he couldn’t get it back together, but APX Alarm would cover the costs for Alliance to repair it. I really hope this happens. I’ve yet to get confirmation of this.
After they all left, I did more research.
There was no Paul or Sally in my neighborhood (I searched the surrounding blocks, no APX Alarm signs anywhere to be found) Paul and Sally, huh? right.$44.99 per month over a 36 month period will more than cover the costs of the “free” equipment they would have installed. Nothing is free!!Dustin was from Arizona, Johnny was from Minnesota, and the other technician was from the midwest somewhere. Company stability?No company check to buy out existing contract? Offered me cash? Cash IS king, but come on.Offer not available except for right then? Typical example of bad deal.
These are all red flags I should have caught on to earlier, but I didn’t until the various websites opened my eyes. I wanted the technology. I wanted it now. Instant gratification.
I just hope I can get my system back to working condition without cost.
Bottom Line: Don’t sign an agreement with APX unless you get the free equipment and the monthly monitoring is under $35 per month for 36 months. Even then, I’d be hesitant.
Posted by Chris Alberts June 16, 2008, 11:05 am

They just came to my door last night. I thought the deal sounded ok. Thank goodness I asked my boyfriend to make the decision. He searched online and found only scam articles about APEX. We are going to call the fraud hotline and also call the rep back and tell them that if we see them in our town, the authorities will be notified. Thanks!!!!!
Posted by Carol June 17, 2008, 7:33 am

I and my husband own an alarm company in Salt Lake City and strive DAILY to overcome the negative attitudes built in people by APX and other similar companies. I am passionate about home security, especially where women and children are involved. Most assaults begin as simple home invasions, gone awry when someone is unexpectedly found at home. A pet or a gun isn’t enough. Monitored home security systems are a proven first line of defense against crime.
I worry most about the people who will become victims because their “feel good” security systems are not real security. If we as consumers know this, doesn’t the BURGLAR know this too? Be wary of anyone telling you that a double-sticky door sensor and motion detector will protect anything against anyone. I have yet to meet an installer or salesperson who is properly licensed according to Utah law. Yet they continue to do business.
Thanks for letting me vent. It infuriates me that good people continue to fall prey to these tactics. Before you buy, call around. Become informed. For heavens sake, if nothing else, email ME luann.riding@tsgwatchdog.com. I’ll at least answer your questions honestly!
Posted by LuAnn Riding June 17, 2008, 9:55 am

Hello Robert,
I’ve been feeling slightly abused since purchasing my APX security system this evening. The salesman came while I was in the midst of showing my home to a couple who did state a desire to have the added security. After the couple left, the salesman, who was indeed charming, gave his pitch. He knew my intent was to sell the home, but led me to believe initially that the products were free only as a promotion, as if to imply that it was the “deal for today, take it now, while you still have the opportunity. ” Considering the prospect of profitability in the sale of my home by having a new security system, and knowing the potential buyer had expressed interest, I was easily coaxed. The plan seemed simple, a nominal monthly fee, and no upfront cost, as the installation fee was waved (showing generosity). He stated I could take the system with me in the event of moving (and pay the installation fee then), or transfer the plan to the new owners,provided they would agree to pay the the monthly fee. He made a phone call after having me sign paperwork (which I didn’t read as thoroughly as I would usually). While on the phone he locked in the rate for sixty months and acted as though he’d done me a favor by making it impossible to have a rate change. I then probed him about cancelling the plan, in the event of unforseen financial difficulty. Only then was it explained that I had been locked in to a sixty month contract. Worse yet, that I was now obligated to pay the entire amount should I intend to cancell AT ANY POINT. I was astonished, and I considerately explained that the young man had mislead me. Luckily, he did conceed he’d not explained that portion well enough, and he was able to get the contract shortened to 36 months, ($300 profit from the retail amount of the 8 point gadgets.) Within only about twenty minutes, three other young men were on the scene, making generous holes in the walls to place their product. All the fellows seemed rather young and inexperienced, and all stated they’d hailed from varied locations like Utah, Florida, California and Calgary in Canada. It seemed a bit “off”, but I played nice. They joked that other customers wondered if they were ex-convicts- it was a bit uncomfortable. Also, they really didn’t take the time to explain how to work the new contol panel, they just said everything was in the manual, and they expected me to clean up the leftover debris. Further, the young man who defaced the trim on my back door, didn’t bother locking it afterward. So it’s now almost 1am, and I’m awake with lights on about me, and still debating the four gentlemen’s validity. In the fine print I’d neglected to read when I should have, it indicates I do have three business days to cancell. It’s funny, they’re really concerned about the condition of their gadgets, but nowhere is there any regard for my property and the fact that my walls and door jams have been damaged. This salesman must have known I wanted to get out of the agreement. He dated the cancellation paperwork with last Monday’s date. After reading your posted note, I am really going to consider purchasing lots of paint and spackle, to conceal my mistake. Also, a nice watchdog, a better alarm choice, to keep the salesmen out!!!!
Posted by Amy DuBois June 20, 2008, 10:22 pm

@Amy DuBois I am concerned!
In a time of housing crisis where selling a home is harder in most states than it ever has been, this smacks of predatory!
Furthermore, in the other comments, I am seeing an incredible trend:
1) DEALS/FAVORS: When we bought our system it was the same way. For us, it was that they would get a bonus if they installed “one more system tonight”.
2) It seems there are always “installers” waiting right around the corner.
4) Tricky things concerning the lock-ins and then the after-the-fact, so-you-don’t-cancel-right-now “discounts” though you’re still spending more money than you were before they showed up
5) Nobody ever gets a chance to read the ENTIRE contract… they’re too smooth.
6) They never fully explain how to use the system. Its always “in the manual”
A few things I have learned, btw:
- YOU, by the way, not APX is responsible for making sure the system you’re paying $30-$50/month for works.
- THEY make no claims to actually CALL 911 for you in an emergency. Cleverly worded, the contract says they will make every effort… but its clear that they can’t be sued if someone actually violates your home’s security.
Finally, I need to comment:
IF THAT AGENT FUDGED YOUR CANCELLATION DATE ***SO YOU CAN’T CANCEL***, YOU SHOULD CALL AN ATTORNEY, TODAY
Posted by Robert Merrill June 21, 2008, 7:33 am

My girlfriend and I worked for APX in the summer of 07` and it was one of the worst summers I have ever had. Alarms are a good thing for sure, but APX actually teaches the sales reps to push, LIE, and manipulate people into signing RIGHT NOW! My girlfriend and I found out where some of the offices are going in 08 and we thought about contacting the local news to at least warn people of these door to door salesmen. I truly regret getting people to sign those contracts, I wish I never worked for them at all. If you want to go with an alarm company at least go with a reputable company like ADT or Brinks (at least they are not scam). If anyone has any questions about them or would like to know more about shitty APX, just post a question for me. I need to make up for all the wrong I did to people over the summer of 07. Oh and one more thing, our manager for our office in 07 actually lied to people and told us to lie as well. Tell me, is that the kind of people you want protecting your house and loved ones. P.P.S I know alot of the shady tactics and details about the contracts so feel free to ask me anything.
Thanx
Posted by Ex-employee June 22, 2008, 10:42 pm

A very clean-cut APX salesman just came to my door and gave me the same smooth talk. When I told him I wanted to wait for my partner to hear his pitch, he got very agitated and reluctanly agreed to come back. When we told him we don’t buy products door-to-door and would have to look over his materials, he wasn’t too happy.
Bottom line: his sales pitch was VERBATIM everything i’ve just read here, and any company that employs drones like that is one that I do not trust.
Thanks to everyone for posting your experiences; you just saved me a lot of time and heaaches. Thank you.
Posted by Kevin June 23, 2008, 6:15 pm

No matter what they tell you, DO NOT SIGN THE CONTRACT!!!!!!!!!! Oh and just so everyone knows, APX used to be the alarm company known as APEX (they are the same company) they had some legal issues so they switched to APX. I pray no one signs any contract and I also pray they are smart enough to google the company. I am so glad that a website like this is around for the regular consumer.
Thanx and watch out!
Posted by Ex-employee June 23, 2008, 8:14 pm

Well, I think we could be in for a rough ride. I won’t bore you with the details. We had an APX salesman do us a “favor” last night and give us all the equipment for free because he wanted to use us as an advertising house. We were by a stop sign an it was a good location for people to see their sign. Everything was about word for word what everyone has already said. Oh, by the way, guess what they forgot to give us…the sign for the yard!! Quite an advertisement huh?I have sent a certified letter cancelling the service as per the notice of cancellation policy stating that we have three days to cancel without any penalty or obligation.Has anyone tried within the three day cancellation policy, to cancel? If so, with what results??I felt in my gut something was wrong.. I should have listened. Never again!
Posted by Beth June 24, 2008, 8:07 am

Hi Beth,
This is what I posted on ripoffreport.com last Monday June 18th. I signed contract on June 13th (Friday the 13th of all days) I’ve actually called twice since then confirming cancellation.
I was successful in cancelling our contract in three business days, here’s what I did:1) signed the cancellation (Item #5) of the agreement2) pdf’d it and e-mailed to customer support3) faxed it twice to different numbers4) sent original via FedEx overnight
I doubt that all of this was necessary, but after reading all these posts, I couldn’t afford to take any chances. For any other consumer out there, I would recommend doing no less that what I did, you cannot take chances or make assumptions with this company.
I called today - dude told me account was indeed cancelled, so I’m off the hook. THANK YOU!!
Posted by Chris Alberts June 24, 2008, 8:17 am

To beth, they just tell you that your house would be “Good for Advertising”. Thats BULLSHIT! its just another tactic to get the sale. All they care about is getting the system in and making a little bit more money off of you. If you are within the 3 day cancellation period CANCEL CANCEL CANCEL!!!! when I worked for apx last summer, I had lots of people cancel within those three days but do it right and follow chris alberts instructions. I hope you can cancel without too much of a headache.
Posted by Ex-employee June 24, 2008, 3:52 pm

I’ve been asked from some of you where I worked for apx, but for certain reasons I cannot disclose that yet. But believe me, I did work for apx in 2007 and all I want to do now is help people make the right decision before purchasing an alarm system.
Posted by Ex-employee June 24, 2008, 8:06 pm

It’s Beth again. Thanks everyone for your insight. Chris Alberts, thanks, I did everything that you did. They are due to receive the mail copy today at noon.One more question, does anyone know if they actually come back to reclaim the system they installed? Or do they just leave it?
Posted by Beth June 25, 2008, 6:28 am

they will come back to take the equipment back, but be careful. One account that I set up cancelled and when the technicians came to take it out, they left holes in the wall and left wires hanging out. Ask them to fix the holes and to not leave any wires out (be very stern with them). Best of luck to you beth.
Posted by Ex-employee June 25, 2008, 5:52 pm

I work for Apx and love it…the company is not a scam and the problem is people dont read the contract before they sign…Its funny because i have made 6 digits off suckers like you in 4 months
Posted by Carter June 30, 2008, 9:17 pm

hey ex-employee!there was a apx guy that came the other day and we thought it was safe and my mom signed the dotted line BUT i felt weird about it and googled them and saw SCAMS and RIPOFFS about the company and i started screaming to call and cancel before the techs came and i called the guy i think his name was a fake as it lead directly to his voicemail w/ a different caller id name yaaa. i was pissed. but he gave us all the original forms and stuff and told us to just send in the notice of cancellation slip. i scanned it and sent it to their e-mail 11 times and we went out to buy a fax machine but i did it wrong but went to fax it at a fax store. and we mailed it so they’ll get it in a day. will this work?!?! we gave them noooooo info on billing other than to just send a monthly bill. but i called them to ask questions but now i can’t get through their call waiting line. do they screen the calls too? how will i know if it’s cancelled?? should i be worried?? we didn’t get the system installed and the guy i talked to on the phone said i shouldn’t have to worry as it doesn’t bind us to the contract but to send in the cancellation notice and what threw me off is that they can’t verify the e-mails since their e-mail staff weren’t in til monday. wtf? but it’s such a shady business and we never accept door-to-door but they sure are smooth! please reply soon!! i’m gonna go send some more of the cancellation copies now. thanks and sorry for being lengthy.
Posted by concerned July 5, 2008, 3:24 pm

hmm
Posted by bob July 5, 2008, 3:25 pm

to concerned, if you can definatly fax the cancellation notice in and save the fax confirmation copy. they have to cancel, it’s a legal contract. best thing to do is follow what chris alberts did. when you phoned your salesperson he/she most likely screened your call and won’t pick their phone up when you call (it’s a waste of time even talking to jackass of a salesperson). like I said before I’ve had lots of people cancel on me, so I wouldn’t worry too much. Mailing it will work just as good, but make sure it’s going to Provo, Utah. thats where the head office is (I know because I’ve been there). best of luck to you, and I hope eveything works out for you.
Posted by Ex-employee July 6, 2008, 1:43 pm

thanks ex-employee!i sent in mulitple copies via fax from home and at the store and mailed it where they get it within a day and e-mailed it. lol. i had a feeling they were screening but the sales people i talked to before seemed real nice. i hope it’ll get cancelled and i saved everything. i don’t think they can do much as to we never gave them any info on payment and never had it installed. and another question, how long does it take for them to get the fax?? and i heard someone say they faxed it to different numbers? could you put the numbers up here? and i wish my neighbors could’ve listened to me though. they’re fairly old where they still believe in the good of all people…but thanks again for the info!!
Posted by concerned July 6, 2008, 4:23 pm

if the equipment wasn’t even installed, you have nothing to worry about. you won’t get charged for anything, as for the #’s They will be on the folder they gave you or on the contract. I threw out all my apx papers so I don’t have #’s for you sorry. the fax should get to them right away so I wouldn’t worry about that either and if they have no payment info the can’t charge you at all. every sale we got we had to obtain either a blank check or a credit card # so if you gave them neither, don’t sweat it! Oh ya and they act real nice to you (and very few are genuine) but they really don’t give a shit about you, only the sale they are going to get. I’ve actully witnessed a sales rep lie to someone about the equipment just to get the alarm in the house. BEWARE!!!!! anyways you should be in good shape so take care.
Your freindly neighbourhood ex-employee.
Posted by Ex-employee July 6, 2008, 6:38 pm

hey another question, sorry for buggin’, but will they contact me to confirm the cancellation or do i have to call them to confirm the cancellation. it’s been 3 days since i sent that in via fax and all that. i do what to call to confirm it, but i feel like i’m going to get screened and never answered, ya know? thanks again!!
Posted by concerned July 8, 2008, 8:09 am

They are still scamming!
I am in the process of getting my 87 year oldfather who suffers from dimentia out of their contract. He has had the unit for a year and never realized that it had to be “armed” and “disarmed” —– power light was on so thought it was working.
Posted by Peter B. July 16, 2008, 11:43 am

YOU PEOPLE GET A LIFE! THESE SALES MEN WORK THEIR A** OFF TO TRY AND MAKE SOME GOOD MONEY. AS THE WIFE OF A SALESMEN, I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING MY HUSBAND DOES. YES, THERE ARE DISHONEST SALESMEN THAT WORK FOR APX, BUT THERE ARE DISHONEST PEOPLE IN ANY PROFESSION!! MY GUESS IS EITHER YOU WERE A CRAPPY REP/TECH WHO EITHER COULD SELL OR COULDNT INSTALL WORTH CRAP. RIGHT? THOUGHT SO. GET A LIFE.
Posted by Katie July 24, 2008, 4:21 pm

I appareciate that there are people that work hard. However, respect should be held only for those who do so honestly.
A couple of weeks ago I attended my grandmother’s funeral. As we had lunch the great grandchildren got on the topic of what they were doing for work for the summer. It turns out that one of my cousin’s sons worked for APX last summer. He made great money but decided to sell pest control this summer instead. He felt uncomfortable about misleading sales pitches he was encouraged to use.
Hard work is a great thing. Selling a legit product honestly is even better. Maybe hubby should work for a company with a little better reputation.
Posted by Rand July 24, 2008, 8:01 pm

To katie, your absolutly right. I only sold 70 sytems through the whole summer, but, I only sold 70 because I actually was truthfull to people I sold to. As for the 30 people in the office I witnessed 3 of them were like me and the rest lied to on almost all of their sales (I know because I watched them do it). I am simply here to help people that have been betrayed and lied to. Your husband most likely lies and scams to get that money to you, right? thought so. Anyways Its not just the dishonesty, its the faulty equipment and the horrible customer service (I know because I also dealt with it too). So katie, Think before you open up your big yapper.
Posted by Ex-employee July 24, 2008, 9:22 pm

I’ve actually sold with him most of this summer as well as work in the office part-time, he makes it a strong point to be honest because he has a conscience and doesn’t want people left half-protected or are so senile they can’t use the alarm, and he still makes plenty of sales! you have to realize Apx itself is not a bad company, just some of the reps are.
Posted by Katie July 25, 2008, 7:59 pm

And I have quite a small yapper thank-you very much.
Posted by Katie July 25, 2008, 8:00 pm

LOL. APX are liars and do anything in their power to downgrade any other company’s security system that might already be in the home. Funny how you are there to “upgrade” someones existing system. In theory, all security systems work the same but you all lie saying how yours is so much better with the big “your line is going to get cut” scare. True that might happen but you guys don’t understand that other companies are aware of this and already have a backup system in place if customers so desire it. Lets be real, how many lines actually get cut? I know, you have no eartly ideea because it is just a scare tactic.
All of this “new technology” you claim is ludacris. Your darn keypad looks like Brink’s old pad that was in used in the mid 1980’s. For that great “two way” speaker, Protection One had it over 10 years ago and it is not new whatsoever. And people, these people can’t hear a thief in your house as they claim to. Come on, what thief is going to talk to someone or let the world be known that they are breaking in their house. OOPS, I forget, the darn siren is on the keypad in the first place so the operator can’t hear anything period because the siren is blasting.
Posted by Nicole July 27, 2008, 7:07 pm

Nicole is absolutly right. hahaha. Bottom line : APX blows!And believe me when I say, they have soooo many scare tactics, its not even funny. I know because right before we went out, everyday, my manager would tell the whole office to use these scare tactics until it got you in the house.
APX S** BA**********!!!!
P.S. Nicole is right, apx’s equipment is just as “new” as Brinks, ADT, Protection One, or any other company out there.
Posted by Ex-employee July 27, 2008, 8:42 pm

KSL.com is reporting the following:
Maryland A.G. probes complaints about home alarm sales
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — The Maryland attorney general’s office says it is investigating complaints of aggressive sales tactics for home alarm systems in the Hagerstown area.
A spokeswoman tells The (Hagerstown) Herald-Mail the agency is investigating two complaints about representatives from Apx Alarm Security Systems of Provo, Utah.
One complaint was from a Hagerstown woman who says an Apx salesman refused to leave her home until she signed a five-year contract worth $2,300. She says Apx then refused her request to cancel the deal.
Washington County Sheriff Douglas Mullendore says others have complained that Apx salesmen entered their homes uninvited.
The company hasn’t immediately responded to inquiries from the newspaper and The Associated Press.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Posted by Robert Merrill July 30, 2008, 12:53 pm

Hey does anyone know how to get this website on the google search? I found this site when I googled APX alarm but now this site doesn’t pop up anymore. We should try and fix that. More people need to be warned about APX.
Posted by Ex-employee July 30, 2008, 3:50 pm

apx is def not a scam we are a ligitamate business just like ADT or Brinks…u people need to read what u r signing first and stop complaining about stupid things, ill admit sum of our sales tactics r fishy but thu truth is apx as a company does not scam people it is the few individual reps that pracice bad selling habits.. there is no way ur system never worked, we dont get paid until our job is completely done and working properly..thats what thu post survey is for, they check the system for problems and make sure everything is in complete working condition and our products arent crap, if u look in ur house u prob already have sum kind of honeywell products, why didnt u tell thu operator on the fone during the survey u were not happy.. stop talking shit about apx we work our asses off to make money that we need to live
Posted by apx employee August 11, 2008, 9:50 pm

Wow, apx employee, you should take all that money you make and get some spelling lessons you fucking idiot.
Posted by Ex-employee August 12, 2008, 4:20 pm

LOL at APX employee. You really need to get back in school son. Spelling 101 please. Yes, they are a legitimate company but the sales tactics are extremely shady. To go around saying how other alarm companies’ systems are crap is ridiculous. It’s one thing to sell your product but to downgrade a system that works just fine from your competitors is just simply shady and unethical.
We’ll see if you guys are even around in 10 years b/c at this rate, I surely doubt it. When the crappy wireless equipment dies in about 1-2 years, I wonder if you are going to go door to door to repair the systems? Naw, I doubt it.
Posted by whatisthedeal August 13, 2008, 7:36 pm

why dont i take all that money and pay u a visit u f***ng b**ch talk sh** to me ill f**in stomp ur a**, i can give a fu* who u r, i type like that cuz its faster…like i said its not thu comp who slanders others its in thu hands of reps that make it bad for every1 else, ur dumb our wireless equiptment isnt junk its by honeywell holmie n we dont downgrade system we use there existing equiptment and give them more, most of the time we charge less on there monthly payments…do sum research before u talk sh** cuz u obviously dont know anything, u people need to get a life n stop talking sh**, read ur contracts in ur not happy cancel within ur 3 days n stop bi**hn, get a life cuz apx cannot be stopped!
Posted by apx employee August 16, 2008, 10:17 pm

bottom line is that there are too many dumb***es in this world that make idiot impulse buys and dont do the research in the 3 days given to try out the system risk free and compare prices with other companies or at least to see what they have to offer. There are 2 phone surveys that the customer MUST go through in order for the sale to be completed. The 1st is all about verifying the fact that YOU, dumb*** customer, understand that you are about to be locked in a 3-5 year contract in the amount of 40-50 dollars a month and that you agree that it is with APX alarm, not honeywell, or any previous alarm security company. The 2nd survey verifies with you that you have been shown how to use the system and that you are happy with the installation. IF YOU DO NOT ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS WITH ALL YES’S THE ORDER WILL NOT GO THROUGH. Now, that being said. APX ALARM is just like any other security system that is out in the market. IN FACT, ADT, 1st line security, monitronics and other security companies use the EXACT type of wireless equipment as us. This would make it an even better reason to choose us as your alarm security because you will be able to upgrade your system in the long run, not necessarily with even apx, but with another company that has compatible parts and not even have to pay for the upgradable parts just like a cell phone company will give you the new latest and greatest cell phone with a service agreement.On the other hand, if you were to have a security system from a company such as brinks, you would not be able to have this liberty because brink’s wireless equipment is only compatible with brinks security. Now as far as the sales go, yes there can be some shady salesman, but it is IMPOSSIBLE for you, DUMB*** CUSTOMER, to be unaware that you are going to have to pay your monthly monitoring for X amount of years. If you did not hear this part that it your own da** fault because you have been verified this over the phone AND you have your own copy that breaks down the expenses that YOU are responsible for. Ive been working for this company for 3 years now and i dont feel bad about a single job that i do. yes, there are many other companies that might offer a better deal than ours, but guess what, its your own fault for making an impulse buy to someone that you just met at your front door. I mean seriously, how can you give your social security number, credit card number, date of birth, and have your credit checked to someone you just met for 45 minutes. I’ll tell you how, its because your a dumb*** and you just have been APXed. Have a nice day!
Posted by apx employee #1048476 August 16, 2008, 11:19 pm

After reading the posts of the APX employees, I am glad I use another company. It is amazing the amount of hostility present. So anyone who does not fully understanding a multi-page contract after a 45 minute sales pitch really a dumb a**? Perhaps you should try that as your new door approach. “Hi I’m with APX and I am hoping you’re the next dumb a**.” If there are this many customers who have concerns maybe you should look at your approach and consider if it needs correcting. Based on what I have read, I would never want my name associated with this company.
Posted by Rand August 17, 2008, 4:58 pm

Most all apx employees are that hostile. You should hear how they talk about the customers after the sale. There is a good reason why I don’t work for that company anymore. I feel sorry for anyone who signs an apx contract. Most of the employees lie about the equipment and what it does, once I was with an employee and he told this nice lady that the actual alarm panel had a smoke detector built in it. “you’ve just been APXed” dude you officially are the biggest dou**e-bag. congrats.
Posted by ex-employee August 17, 2008, 5:20 pm

Wow, APX Employee, you need a chill pill. All of the profanity (of course spelled incorrectly as wellA) is totally not necessary. Come on dude, this is the web.
The truth hurts doesn’t it. But I don’t totally blame you because I doubt if you put a gun up to someones head to make them sign a ridiculous 3-5 year contract for approx $45 a month when the more notable companies only charge about $30 a month for just a 3 year contract.
Face it buddy, both you and I know that wireless does suck overall b/c of the simple fact it is ran by batteries and is prone to service issues…PEOPLE IT IS NOT AN UPGRADE AS THESE KIDS CLAIM!!! I guess if your van drops you off in the Northern part of the country, you sell the wireless motion detector for a detached garage as well don’t you? Knowing that it is going to send false signals in the winter because of the extreme cold weather. But hey, you tend to trick the poor people and elderly people anyways and they believe your lies.
If you want a security system, please look around with different companies and don’t fly with a kid who has only probably worked for the company for 3 months who takes his/her money every summer and runs.
Posted by Nicole August 17, 2008, 8:32 pm

not exactly…like we said u have three days to review the contract and do research on our company and also try out the system, if u dont take the three days to do that u r an idiot..u can cancell at no cost to u! and smoke detectors cannot be set off because of cold weather…they cnly be set off by smoke and intense heat, if ur going to make a point do ur research, n its funny u try to shame our wireless equiptment wen ADT n other known companys use the same equiptment!! they use lynx panels, ademco d/w contacts, glassbreaks and motions that we use (which are all wireless). most people that ive installed for in the past who have had ADT or brinks say they r paying less or about the same for there monthly payments, i have never had someone say there paying more..we r not as hostile as u think, research sum other alarm companies on rip-off reports…we r not the only company who may or may not practice bad sales tactics and were def not the only company who does door-2-door sales. u people just complain because u have not taken the time alotted to read our contract or make necessary research on ur 3 days alotted, if u have problems with the equiptment afterwards thats understandable, but it is not the companies fault, it is the techs fault who may have installed it incorrectly, we cant come out to ur house every week to check ur system ur supposed to do that urself. if nething becomes faulty or u have problems with it, we definantly do not charge for servicing ur system unless we can tell u have improperly used it or broke it urself! u people r seriously rediculous, dont be stupid and make an impulse buy n if u do ITS UR FAULT UR AN IDIOT!!! i dont feel sorry for any of u who signed up with apx unless u truthfully had technical problems with ur equiptment, as for the contract n billing..thats ur own fault!
Posted by apx employee August 18, 2008, 3:00 pm

apx employee, have you ever heard of “hooked on phonics”. it teaches you how to read and spell. Maybe you should leave apx and go to school full time dumba**.
Posted by ex-employee August 18, 2008, 4:14 pm

Yes, hooked on phonics…PLEASE…I said wireless motion detectors and both you and I know that I am correct.
Wireless components are an industry wide problem with serious issues with false alarms (come on man, how many dropped calls on your cellphone do you have versus your landline phone? hmmm, probably 50 to 0) and the good companies (ADT and Brinks) only tend to install wireless if there is no other possible way to install hard wired components.
Posted by Nicole August 18, 2008, 5:48 pm

correct, smoke or motion, a motion will still not send false alarms because of cold weather only if its too hot out n u do not have insulation of ur garage…ill admit wireless equiptment has more problems then hard wired but not near as much as people r trying say. is this bout spelling or apx alarm, r u seriously so stupid ur gunna try to bash me on spelling over wut this blog is actually bout…dumb.
Posted by apx employee August 18, 2008, 7:58 pm

APX is the worst alarm company in the market today. It is one of the newer companies and it has the most complaints out of any company. The only reason they are still around is because they get little kids like “apx employee” to go out every summer and find gullable people to sign contracts, bottom line! Think of how many people are living in the United states and Canada, every year there are just more and more people to scam. hey apx employee, maybe your mommy and daddy should should teach you how to read and write before they let you work for the summer dumbass.
Posted by ex-employee August 19, 2008, 3:04 pm

Quick update.. I was able to successfully cancel the policy with APX. They came and took the equipment with no hassle. My husband made sure the guy spackled and redid everything as it should be. I am glad to have this chapter closed. Thanks again for all the advice.
@Beth BIG TIME CONGRATS! ~RM
Posted by Beth August 19, 2008, 8:27 pm

One of the “strengths” of APX is their uncanny ability to draw very talented and earnest young people into their sales force. I wish I could do the same. I believe their success comes from the fact that they mass-market. Hundreds of sales people knocking on thousands and thousands of doors. Success ought to come just from the tenacity of the scheme.
But, and this is my MAJOR concern, everyday Joe Customer gets a very skewed picture of burglar alarm companies because of all the misinformation thrown out into the marketplace by untrained, numbers-driven sales people posing as “specialists” in a field where knowledge, training and expertise are VITAL.
For example: hard-wired vs. wireless — Listen up kids, nothing Nothing NOTHING is as good as hard-wired. Wireless devices are sold because hard-wired is not possible or the installer will not take the time to run wires. Smoke detectors (wireless or not) don’t belong in garages. Too much heat (the solder chip melts at 135 degrees), too much cold (frost), and too much particulate matter from exhaust or dust. Heat detectors are the only device that belongs in a garage.
All in all, quit arguing about things that don’t matter and talk about what does — alarm companies sell one thing and one thing ONLY — peace of mind. Does the alarm company you are considering give you correct and adequate information so that you as a customer can make an educated decision and walk away with peace of mind? If you are considering APX and the answer to that question is yes, then go for it. It takes all kinds to build a freeway.
Posted by LuAnn Riding August 20, 2008, 8:02 am

i am 27 thank u i may be young but im not such a “little kid” why r u talking about my age neways does that matter?? plenty of younger people can do alot of things that older generations can barely do..luanns gotta be thu first person who said sumthing that actually mattered!why r people talkin bout my spelling rather than thu actual topic of this blog, its rediculous..people talking bout thu company all bad for all kinds uf reasons when in fact we r a company,a company trys to make as much money as possible by any meens possible so thats wut we try to accomplish..wireless is by no meens better then hard wired, but its not no where near wut everyone here makes it out to be..we hafta do our own service calls n noone i work with hasta do near as many as u think we would. the whole reason we do wireless is becuz we do do mass marketing as luann said imagine if we did every sale a hard wired system,its too costly, it takes way longer therefore, we wouldnt be able to fit in all of our sales. Apx has been around for bout 10 years now and we open up more accounts annually then ne other alarm company around…why becuz we can make people buy, we make u say yes…u think all these sales reps give a crap about u, no, they care bout there check wen they go home..just like everyone else in this world, this is not news!! look at a few posts ago a lady says she cancelled and we piked up the system no hassle..why? because she read the contract, knew wut she was actually signing, and cancelled within the threes days…how hard is that for u people to do? know wut ur signing, know thu payment and time u will have to be stuck to us!
Posted by apx employee August 21, 2008, 1:51 am

Contrary to your view, many companies do not try to make money by any means possible. Rather, they try to do so ethically and try to provide a good value to their clients. Trying to “make as much money as possible by any meens [sic] possible” is what is wrong with certain elements in our society. Apparently “U will have to be stuck to us” is an apt description of those who are unfortunate enough to fall for the hardball sales tactics.
Posted by Rand August 21, 2008, 5:30 am

The simple fact of the matter is that APX alarm is making a bad name for door to door salesmen. How hard is it to be honest? Granted, you may not get as many sales, but at least you will be able to go to bed every night knowing that you made an honest days living. To all of the people considering alarms, why would you even remotely consider a company that has been around for only ten years; Adt has been around for 130+ years, they might know what they are doing. Also, ADT does monitoring for 33.99 a month with a lifetime warranty, movers package, and connections to the police, fire department, and EMS as a standard in the monitoring rate; no install fee, no equipment fee. All in a three year contract. My only other suggestion would be Brinks. The only other thing that I will say is that when I drive around the neighborhoods in the Austin area, I see a lot of ADT and Brinks signs. That definitely tells me something!
Posted by security sales manager in Austin Texas August 21, 2008, 2:01 pm

O.K. apx employee the reason why I talk about your spelling is because I can barely read your blog. It’s like trying to read something my 7 year neice wrote. Second, I absolutly agree with EVERYTHING security sales manager in Austin Texas said. Apx gives sales people a very bad name, you just proved my point. The sales people that work for apx don’t give a shit about anyone at all, they only care about one thing……$$$$$. There are some people, like myself, that are honest, hard working, caring people. When I worked for apx I didn’t sell many, because I was honest, but at least I could look at myself in the mirror every night and be proud of what I did. You sound like the type of sales rep that would push, lie, cheat your way through a sale. In my mind your no better than the white stuff that acumulates at the side of your mouth when your thirsty. Your 27 and your still scaming people, wow!, you must be really proud of yourself loser.
Posted by ex-employee August 21, 2008, 3:23 pm

I totally agree with Security Sales Manager as well. True, APX obviously reaches out to more people by going door to door but as a company, you have to realize that at a point, retention will play a big role in a companys long term success. You can install all of these customers but if your cancellation rate is ridiculous once these contracts are over, you have a very good chance of going under (ask your other Utah door to door buddies).
You guys want to be like ADT by having a similar yard sign and you want to be like Brinks with “saying” that you are recommended for J.D. Power and Associates golden award for Customer Service (too bad saying you want the award, doesn’t give you the award).
ADT and Brinks pretty much have a mutual respect for each other and that is why they have been around (and very successful) for the longest time.
Posted by whatisthedeal August 21, 2008, 6:03 pm

I agree with all the comments that APX are a big rip off. I will likely be hearing shortly from their collections agency. Every time I spoke with someone they back peddled. I’m sorry that the sales rep said this or that, but the fact of the matter is you are under contract. The only way I got them to stop charging me for services no longer rendered was to close the credit card which I had authorized them to make charges against. When I first came to Utah over twenty years ago I was warned that the business practices of many in Utah were not as one might hope they would be. Sure I encountered odometer roll backs, and the like from car dealers, but I didn’t realize that I needed to guard myself against this security companies as well. As a result my wife and I have made a pact never to buy anything from a door to door solicitor ever again. We will still buy girl scout cookies, and support neighborhood kids in fundraising, but I figure if “professional” entities need to peddle their wares door to door, their is likely something in their product or it’s financing that is going to burn me.
Posted by Ripped off in Santaquin, Utah August 23, 2008, 5:52 pm

Well here’s another for youon 6/9/8 a middle aged couple from Canada…Brian and Vera Wood came to my home…hubby and i had been interested in a system so we listened and signed they were here till 11pm installing all but the fire alarm which would be installed the next day HA! after 3 days I called and was given an appt for a week later during the window of the appt they called to reschedule for 5 weeks later. then the fee went up 10$ and was taken out 10 days b4 the agreed date the lovely customer service guy said its in the contract that there could be more taxes free month service reduction of fee by salesman then the permit papers come…not a word had been said by salesman about permitting so another month free still unable to arm system they wont send correct paperwork and tell me only way out ius to get someone to take over contract or pay it out no service has been provided class action should be the way to gobut BBB and state attorney will be where I start
Posted by Anne August 25, 2008, 2:38 pm

My question is…..has anyone ever just stopped paying them? I have it automatically withdrawn from my bank account and I was thinking about switching banks anyway. What will happen to me if I stop paying them? Will they really persue, or will they just give up? I’ve been with them since March, and I have found that I never use the stupid thing anyway.
Posted by Can't afford APX in Tooele September 23, 2008, 2:46 pm

@can’t afford Yes, they will pursue you. I recommend you call and talk with them first. It will get ugly quickly if you just vanish. Trust me
Posted by Robert Merrill September 23, 2008, 2:50 pm

@Can’t Afford: Yeah, they will come after you. They use the firm ADLG (www.adlg.us) and they will come hard and strong.
This is the biggest problem with Alarm sales, especially APX. There is no Early Termination Clause. You have to pay it all or go to collections. With anything else that involves a consumer contract, there is an early termination, think cell phones and the $200. People actually go buy those, but alarms come to your door and weren’t even thinking about getting it. It’s not fair and not right. Yeah, you have 3 days. The companies wouldn’t even give the 3 days if the government didn’t make them! You have 3 days to decide if you want something or not for the next 1825 days. Doesn’t make sense and it’s not going to fly for too long. You can’t keep going with business practices like that.
Friends come and go, but enemies pile up. The pile is growing for APX
Posted by Growing Pile September 24, 2008, 10:59 am

There are still some good guys in the alarm business. Our contracts have a cancellation clause that allows customers to pay the balance due of the discount they received at the beginning. If they take a three year monitoring agreement and receive perhaps a $600 discount for that agreement, then cancel after a year, they pay only two years’ worth of that $600 discount. The difference is that we sell our equipment outright. Therefore, the costs are a little higher in the beginning. Others who give equipment away recoup costs through the higher monthly fee. If customers cancel early, the company loses its investment. Actual monitoring costs run about $15 per month. Anything above that is company profit. The higher the monitoring, the bigger the profit margin. The more free equipment the customer gets upfront, the higher the monitoring must be to cover it, and/or the longer the contract must be to accommodate the company’s outlay at the beginning. It’s all just business. APX, et al., won’t allow cancellation because they can’t afford not to collect for their initial outlay. Customers need to understand that nothing comes free. That free installation will cost them down the road. And those companies will do and say whatever they have to to get the “FREE” system into your home and your signature on that contract. Look for quality equipment, highly qualified licensed installers, and a rock solid company to stand behind it all. Alarm systems are like seat belts. You may never need one, but in the instance you do — well, it may save your life. On a different note, I understand from reliable business sources, that APX is being kicked out of state after state for bad business practices. They will reap what they sow, that’s for sure. Thanks for listening!
Posted by LuAnn Riding September 27, 2008, 9:13 am

BEWARE! HORRIBLE SERVICE! August 2008, a pushy sales rep knocked on our door saying he is from Honeywell, our system was old, they would upgrade at no cost if we switched to APX, and said our neighbors had switched too, just like in the other reviews. After his spiel we finally said OK, and that night they changed our system to theirs, they were in our house till 1 am. Since then (beginning the next day) we have had problems, our sensors would not work properly and they would send their tech to fix, only to create more problems. They have very incompetent technicians who break what is already working and cannot fix anything. It has been more than a month and we do not yet (as of 9/28/08) have a working alarm system. They did not charge us for the service visits, but the fact that they have been wasting our time, we signed a contract, and they basically broke our old but working alarm system is horrible. Since we switched we haven’t been able to set out alarm, our safety has been compromised.
Posted by Deniz Bac September 28, 2008, 7:37 pm

I think it is sad that the APX employee keeps referring to it as his company. It is sad that he wants so badly to be affiliated with it because other than his money which I don’t doubt he made a lot of he doesn’t have much going for him. He is a sub contractor and so he isn’t part of APX and they don’t care AT ALL about him the second he stops making them money. He has fallen subject to being part of the group and he is holding on for dear life, but the group, like the manager who recruited him and makes great over-rides on his sales is just selling him the way he sells others. At least he is respectful and uses proper language talking to ladies. In five years you will all be out of your contract and will have lent word of mouth warnings to a lot of people a learned a lesson. This sub-contracted apx “marketing manager specialist advertising rep etc” will have some money but without that is just nothing. Oh well, I guess he can swear at me now, I’m sure he’ll be very original and that his parents would be very proud of him and that his siblings think he is the best…
Posted by Bobby September 30, 2008, 11:03 am

My brother is in upper management at Apx Alarm. I made him aware of your situation, Robert, and he immediately responded by talking to Josh Houser, the executive over customer service. Josh responded that he has dealt with you, Robert, personally and has not been able to make you happy after his efforts at doing so…I don't know “what” efforts were put forward by Josh so that was ambiguous and could be interpreted that Josh has done nothing and so you're not happy or he's done something and you're still not happy. I've always gone to the Better Business Bureau immediately if ever there has been a customer service issue. I've never been disappointed in going the BBB route as all sides–both you and the business–can be guaranteed a fair mediation. I've walked away with a free laptop from CompUSA and a whole CD of original family portraits by a top-notch photography studio, as a result. Another approach would go the FTC route. If there is truly something illegal going on on Apx's side, they would be investigated.
My business partner is personal friends with Bob Garfield (http://www.comcastmustdie.com), who is personal friends with Ralph Nader…Ralph and Bob are serious consumer advocates so I would recommend contacting Bob at his website (cited previously) if the BBB or FTC route does not help. My guess is if you have significant documentation the BBB will be able to resolve this issue for all concerned.
To be fair, from the Apx side you can view a positive report about their customer service by going to the following:Story about APX on local NBC Channel.http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=4397436 <http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=43...>
Story about APX from the local paperhttp://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/282251/17/
Posted by Tami October 2, 2008, 8:09 am

@Tami, thanks for the comment. I wish you could see the other 76 comments on this post that Disqus is hiding somehow :(.
FWIW, I talked with Josh (he contacted me) and he was able to take care of everything a self-respecting company would… he listened to me, realized there were some problems (maybe on both our faults) and agreed that it would be best for us to part ways and make a clean break. APX *has* resolved my problem to enough satisfaction. I would never do business with them, nor would I recommend them to anybody, but I am personally OK with how things worked out.
I know I *could* go through all the hassle of contacting the FTC and the BBB and all those other things, but that was not my point in posting this. The *point* was that, when something goes wrong with a company's service, it should be simple to get it fixed or canceled. By very definition, having to contact a federal or non-profit agency to get a dispute resolved with a company is TOO MUCH WORK that I don't have time for.
And, about the hurricane work they did, that's great. I don't have a problem with the PEOPLE at APX… its their incredibly litigious contract, their rediculously long contract-period, and the pit-bulls they contract out to when accounts go sour.
Like I said when I posted the blog: “I am angry… knowing that my SECURITY ALARM COMPANY has resorted to bullying collection agencies and underhanded, litigious contracts to make money, and the thread of lawsuit and loss of personal property. The reason I turned to them is to PROTECT myself … [but] YOU, Apex Alarm, are the greatest THREAT to that very security you pretended to care about.”
Posted by robertmerrill October 2, 2008, 1:38 pm

I know how you feel I just got a call from Anderson, Crenshaw & Assoc. They too have threatened with a civil lawsuit …I explained to the guy that, we were renting the house we were in and they gave me a 30 day notice due to the reason of them selling the house ok so where did that leave me? I had to find a place and like right away! He did not care, ” Unfortunately they don't care of your situation you broke your contract and they want thier payment you still owe over $1000.00 in the contract well if they take me to court so be it I feel real bad cause I cant not do anything about it but I do feel it now I will never ever recommend APEX Alarm's to no one I will make sure it gets around even if I have to go around knocking on doors…….MDR
Posted by Margarita November 13, 2008, 9:54 am

HI I CAN RELATE, I WILL NEVER, EVER EVER, EVER REFERR APX TO ANYONE. THEY CAME TO MY HOME LATE ONE NIGHT PRETENDING THEY WERE ADT. TELLING ME THEY WERE HERE TO UP GRADE MY SYSTEM(KEY PAD) HAD ALL MY INFORMATION, AND CHANGED MY SERVICE OVER TO APX. BECAUSE IT WAS DAYS LATER WHEN I FOUND OUT WHAT THEY DID I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE CONTACT THAT I DIDN'T KNOW WAS A CONTACT WHICH WAS MADE OUT TO ME TO BE A WORK ORDER FORM SHOWING THEY WERE HERE, WAS PAST THE DATE TO DECLINE THERE SERVICES. THEY ARE LIARS, RUDE WITH NO POINT TO HELP NO ONE BUT THEMSELVES. APX COMING INTO MY FAMILY WAS THE WORST THING TO EVERY HAPPEN TO US. THEY TOLD ME IF I DON'T WANT THERE SERVICE THEN I SHOULD SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE. NOW THE DEVILS ARE CALLING MY HOUSE OVER ERRORS THEY MADE. PLEASE IS THERE SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP ME…
Posted by TIESHETTA November 19, 2008, 1:57 pm

Sorry Margarita…. GOOD LUCK!
Posted by robertmerrill November 24, 2008, 11:00 am

Wish I had seen these posts earlier. All I wanted was a panic pendant for my Mom. The techs (?) came in, borrowed my tools, disabled my sophisticated existing alarm, said it couldn’t be added to the APX system, drilled unecessary holes, didn’t hook the phone in the hall back up, left plaster dust on everything. I called CS in Provo and was told to contact a local rep. I took photos and plan to report them to BBB. Oh, BTW, the local hospital has the pendant alarms for free. I’m not as smart as I thought. “Fool me once…”
Posted by Clyde November 26, 2008, 7:43 pm

Come on people.Is it not obvious that the comments from employees at APX ARE REALLY BEING SENT FROM THESE FEW UNHAPPY BLOGGERS? GIVE ME A BREAK. A 3 YEAR OLD CAN FIGURE THIS OUT.THESE PEOPLE ARE POSING AS EMPLOYEES FOR APX AND TRYING TO MAKE YOU THINK THEY ARE RUDE AND OBNOXIOUS, WHEN IN ACTUALITY,ITS THE DISGRUNTLED CUSTOMERS MAKING THIS UP! LETS ALL BE SMARTER THAN THIS
Posted by givemeabreak November 30, 2008, 6:20 pm

i just spent forever reading this long discussion. this is all kinda depressing. lol.
Posted by another apx employee December 3, 2008, 3:45 am

lol. i ran into on of these poor families that got ripped off by a dirty sales rep. this huge guy about kicked my ace cause he didnt get everything he needed. my communication skills, taught to me by apx, saved my ace that day. lol.
Posted by another apx employee December 3, 2008, 3:52 am

lol those last 2 posts just proved my point! What a bunch of fake people we have here.Seems to me there is probably 3 people out on this blog who are unhappy.Im unhappy with my credit card companies.I didnt pay the bill and they wont let me out of it, so I think I will start a blog and complain about them!Robert, pay your bills
Posted by givemeabreak December 3, 2008, 6:16 am

@givemeabreak I have no idea if these so-called APX employees are really employees. I don’t run background checks on the people posting comments here.
My credit card company gives me what I pay them for. APX didn’t. They did cancel my contract and make everything good, but not before I put this blog-post up, Anderson, Crenshaw And Associates harassed and verbally abused me and my family, and my credit rating took a beating.
That’s why it is still here.
Posted by Robert Merrill December 3, 2008, 11:18 am

Tieshetta — Don’t just sit there and take it — according to your story, these guys lied to get your busines — call the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint against them. Call every government agency you can think of and file complaints. It’s up to the consumer to put these guys out of business. They are making MILLIONS OF DOLLARS on the backs of innocents unaware of their tactics. Whenever I see an APX/Platinum/Pinnacle/ad naseaum sign or logo, it makes me sick to think of the thousands of people who have been duped into thinking they are secure in their own homes, when in fact, they ARE NOT. Now other companies of the same ilk are coming into Utah — Titan Security from Arizona, for example. Ask for licenses — EVERY person involved with a security person MUST by law have a Utah State Company Agent License — EVERY installer of burglar alarm equipment MUST have completed an installer’s course through the Utah Burglar and Fire Alarm Association, and have a certificate — NONE of the APX/et al. people I have talked to have either.
BUYER BEWARE — AND KICK THEM OUT OF YOUR HOUSE BEFORE THEY GET A CHANCE TO SPREAD MORE FALSE INFORMATION.
And you who work for APX –shame on you for using such incidious deceit to make money. That “poor family” you ran into who was “ripped off” was probably one of your sales.
Posted by LuAnn Riding December 4, 2008, 10:49 pm

Luann sounds like she works in the office for a major alarm company. Probably ADT or BRINKS.The ones who are well known ,because they spend millions advertising on all media fronts. I think I may slide on over to the negative blogs about these companies, then come back here and let you see all the negativity that is said about these so called “legitimate alarm companies”. I have worked in the industry for years, and I can tell you for a fact that I have switched customers alarm systems out for other systems and the systems that I switched out, never even called the customer. I recently went to a customers house and they still had 1 month left on their contract with ADT. I switched their system out, put it in a box, and ADT hasnt called yet.Botton line is, they have been paying monitoring fees for 5 years and it probably never worked. I have seen some pitiful installs by all alarm companies, so I guess if you have licensed installers, that makes it o.k.. Give me a break..ALL CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE AN ALARM SYSTEM SHOULD SET IT OFF ON PURPOSE ONCE EVERY MONTH OR SO, AND SEE IF YOU GET CALLED. I GUARANTEE YOU A.P.X. WILL!
Posted by givemeabreak December 5, 2008, 6:28 am

Actually, I own a local alarm company, happily affiliated with Brinks. I chose Brinks because their customer renewal rate is in the high 90 percent range. Has APX even been in business long enough to have customers renewing?
Posted by LuAnn Riding December 5, 2008, 8:31 pm

I dont think they have…I know that I have sure replaced a lot of brinks alarms…Please tell your techs to have a little pride in their work…They are the joke of the industry.Use screws sometimes, and it wiil last longer
Posted by givemeabreak December 6, 2008, 2:01 pm

I dont think they have…I know that I have sure replaced a lot of brinks alarms…Please tell your techs to have a little pride in their work…They are the joke of the industry.Use screws sometimes, and it wiil last longer. Oh and by the way…APX is backed by some company named Honeywell
Posted by givemeabreak December 6, 2008, 2:02 pm

Idiot, Honeywell provides equipment to Brinks, ADT and basically all of the big alarm companies. You guys illegally use the Honeywell name in your sales tactics (yes, you know that is true). Honeywell doesn’t monitor alarms at all but you lie to people whereas they believe that they do.
It’s so funny how you guys go saying how other alarms suck and you put a dumb ass, one point system in the home meaning that the siren, panel box, receiver are all in the keypad. All an intruder has to do is to tear down the keypad and it is over. I sure wish the public were a little more informed about some of this.
Come on, you say your operators can hear if someone is breaking in your home? Get real, the darn siren is going off. Your operators can’t hear anything and they have to turn off the siren to even talk to you through the stupid keypad. Who runs to the keypad if they think someone is breaking in. Umm, no one.
Posted by Nicole December 6, 2008, 2:14 pm

LOL What an idiot you are.They are an authorized I repeat, authorized dealer of Honeywell.They dont buy their equipment from GE or DSC (you know, like Brinks and ADT does) Oh and by the way, the siren is deactivated during a 2-way call,,,HELLO, thought you knew about alarm systems..All you know is what your told by your imcompetent techs
Posted by givemeabreak December 6, 2008, 3:23 pm

Im sorry..Forgot, we will just cut the phone line to deactivate your sytems…Seeing as your pre 70’s systems dont even have cell capabilities
Posted by givemeabreak December 6, 2008, 3:26 pm

Humm, Brinks has only been around 25 years in the Home Security side of the business. Do the math honey with pre 70’s equipment. Also, the “new technology” that you claim has been around (stupid 2 way “non secure” system)has been around with Protection One over 10 years ago. How gullible some people are to believe an operator can actually “hear” a burglar.
Yes, Brinks and ADt has had Cellbackup for over 10 years. Get your facts right before assuming everything.
Posted by Nicole December 7, 2008, 3:51 pm

I have my facts straight, sweetie.Of all the Brinks and ADT sytems that I have replaced, I have never, ever seen a cell unit.And if you are an employee of ADT, have you joined in on the lawsuit the employees have filed?The mark of a good company is how they treat their employees.Way to go ADT!
Posted by givemeabreak December 7, 2008, 8:58 pm

No, I don’t work for ADT so stop assuming again.
Brinks and ADT isn’t dumb enough to install the cell unit with everything else like you idiots so that is why you haven’t seen it. Just pull the keypad down and “walla”, all gone. Also, the the two have more of a selected base and doesn’t sign everyone up who says yes to a system.
Let’s be real, the police don’t take alarms overly serious and many people don’t want to waste the extra money on such a unit whereas the PD will come 30 minutes later anyways. I must say, you lie and deceive yourselves to getting people to pay $50 a month for a system that the police isn’t going take any more serious than John Does local company at $10 a month.
Posted by Nicole December 7, 2008, 11:41 pm

LOL LOL LOL Lets see I just got a 911 call for a burglary…Hmmm Its a call from ADT or Brinks…Send a unit right away…They are the gods of the industry.If we have an alarm call from them, it has to be real!!!! Oh , you say its from APX? Dont worry about it, They dont advertise on T.V. and Internet, and ADT and Brinks only have the elite sign up for their service, so any other alarm company in america is not worth sending a unit out too…LOL How utterly retarded are you? I will bet you any amount of money that you will not be able to break in and rip the keypad off the wall befor e signals are sent from an APX system. I would not take that bet on ADT or Brinks, because they probably are not monitoring it anyway. They dont have to…Only the “elite” have their systems and they wouldnt know anyway…HOW STUPID YOU SOUND!Do you know how many police have APX sytems in their homes? Quite a lot!
Posted by givemeabreak December 8, 2008, 6:27 am

Gosh you APX folks can’t write or comprehend anything. Hello idiot, the PD will not respond fast to ANY system whether it be Brinks, ADT, Protection One, APX or whatever. It’s pretty fast to stop your dumb transmission when the bad guy is going to go the the keypad in the first place. You want to know why? because your old ass (well you think it is new technology) system (keypad) has the siren is in it as well. Whereas the other companies will strategically install components at different parts of the home which makes it harder for an intruder to figure out how to disable it, you dummies give the bad guy the ticket to shutting it off. huumm, take the crowbar you used to break in the house and pull off the keypad like it has been known to have been done.
Sad Sad Sad… You people are pathetic.
Posted by Nicole December 8, 2008, 6:30 pm

LOL APX installs the same type systems .ADT BRINKS PROTECTION 1 ALL INSTALL THE SAME TYPE WIRELESS SYSTEMS, AND YOU KNOW IT.STRATEGIC LOCATION…LOL..YOU MEAN WHERE EVER ITS CONVENIENT FOR YOUR LAZY INSTALLERS..APX SYSTEMS MAY SUCK, BUT THE WERE $200M IN THE BLACK LAST YEAR…
Posted by givemeabreak December 8, 2008, 6:40 pm

No, the other companies generally only installs wireless systems if there is no other option because of the fact that wireless systems are complete garbage and malfunction like no other. Hardwired all the way for customer satisfaction for neatness and quality.
The way you all run and install that crappy wireless systems in an hour says enough about the non quality.
WOW, GREAT FOR YOU TO ADMIT THAT APX SYSTEMS SUCK. LOL LIKE WE DIDN’T ALREADY KNOW THAT!!!
Posted by whatisthedeal December 8, 2008, 7:11 pm

LOL I DONT EVEN WORK AT APX,BUT I HAVE WORKED IN THE INDUSTRY FOR 15 YEARS.IVE DONE HARDWIRED AND WIRELESS.ANYONE WHO WANTS TO STEAL STUFF FROM A HOUSE, WILL STEAL IT.2 MINUTES IS ALL YOU NEED. APX, ADT AND BRINKS SYSTEMS ARE ALL THE SAME.90% ARE USED FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES AND SUCH. SO DONT GO ACTING LIKE YOUR ALARM SYSTEMS ARE UNBEATABLE, AND IF YOUR NICE, WHEN YOUR COMPANY GOES OUT OF BUSINESS (OH, AND IT WILL) APX MAY HIRE YOU IF YOUR NICE.200MILL IN ONE YEAR ALONE!
Posted by givemeabreak December 8, 2008, 7:22 pm

all you people complaining are a sorry bunch. You’re all skeptics and are the type that never want to get out of your comfort zone to do something new. I did it and enjoyed it. I didn’t make $100,000 but still did pretty good for one summer. Those who complain and say its crap are those who go out there and make a piss poor effort. you reap what you sow. go big or go home…. you sorry bunch or losers.
Posted by Jake December 12, 2008, 12:41 am

i needed a cosigner and i was approved, but i told them i would not have my son sign as cosigner if i needed one i was not interested. HE NEVER SIGNED but they have a signature that as crossed out, you look at my copy of the contract and no one signed. now they will not take my sons name off as his name is PRINTED on the contract. That is illegal. I am contacting the atttorney general and going tosmall claims court since i needed a cosigner and no one signed this contract should be voided.
Posted by Terri December 18, 2008, 7:07 am

You shouldn’t sign anything without reading the contract. Everything is there, including that you agree to test the system monthly and the company cannot be held responsible for anything that occurs as a result of your failure to test, etc. I’ve worked for a few security companies and although I would agree sometimes customers are misled, most often they just don’t read the contract that they’re signing, and it’s their own fault.
Posted by Someone who knows about this stuff December 24, 2008, 3:24 pm

All y’all seriously need to get a life. If everyone on here would put all this passion and energy into something that mattered, oh how wonderful the country would be. APX Alarm, Brinks Alarm, ADT… whatever. They all offer the same coverage, the same service, and the same equipment. None of the aforementioned companies are a scam. I’m sure everyone here has received a call from a pushy ADT salesman after you bought your home. Am I right?? Give APX a break. APX is just like any other company. Actually, according to JD Power & Associates they won an award for FANTASTIC CUSTOMER SERVICE this past year. Hmmmm? Get off your computers and stop complaining about a non-issue. There are more important things to be worrying about!
Posted by APX ALARM IS AMAZING!!!! December 30, 2008, 12:49 am

It’s true. Check out the link…
http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pressrelease.aspx?id=2008107
I have an alarm from APX and it has been awesome. I think that some of you are the cause of these problems by your awful attitudes. I called customer service and they were nothing but respectful and helpful… the same is true with the salesman and technician. They are just ambitious college students trying to make a buck. Oh, and I have actually stayed in touch with the salesman and the other day i inquired about some of the stuff that has been posted. APX actually does offer a internship program. These kids aren’t out there lying. It’s alarm sales… simple as that. Do you want one or not?? Lighten up people…
Posted by It's true... APX is legit! December 30, 2008, 12:59 am

I had an attempted break-in the other day. Thank goodness I remembered to set the alarm before i went to work. The burglars attempted to break down my back door and the alarm went off immediately. The cops also showed up two minutes later. I don’t know what all this griping is about. APX, along with the local police department helped save my posessions from being stolen and most likely vandalism of my property. Thanks APX!!!
Posted by Attempted break-in December 30, 2008, 12:12 pm

I’m pleased that you all feel good about your APX systems. You have just what you were promised — “feel good” security. But don’t be deluded into thinking you have a real security system. You DO NOT.
First, your system may be disabled by knocking the panel from the wall. The phone connection and the power supply are most likely within inches of each other, and inches of the main panel. Disconnect that phone line or disable the panel by opening it and pulling off the ribbon cable (a five second task) and you have NO security. Cell back built in? Not secure again because of accessibility. Don’t trust your life to a cell phone. Had any dropped calls lately?
If the burglar is smart (and they mostly are) they will break into a door with an entry delay and disable your panel before an alarm even occurs. Try it yourself. You’ll see if I’m not right.
Next, I would be willing to venture that your salesman and installer were NOT licensed under State laws. I know this because they come to me for a job when they get fed up with APX. One told me that APX (and clones) don’t require licenses because they don’t keep employees long enough to make it profitable. Your system was probably installed by amatures who have no idea what security really should be, only what they’ve been told by their “trainers.” Those young people can be sincerely, and sincerely wrong.
Finally — just remember when you arm your system and go to sleep at night, your security is dependent upon a piece of double sticky tape. JD Powers and Associates doesn’t certify the quality of your security, only the politeness of the telephone rep.
Good luck in the future.
PS — Add up the cost of your system and your monitoring, and you’ll find you most likely will pay thousands of dollars for your “feel good” security.
Posted by LuAnn Riding January 1, 2009, 11:46 am

Come on Luann, an alarm is an alarm. Anyone could break in and diable any alarm.Do you think the alarms you install are “magic”? Do you think your installers are “magic”? Im sorry, but just because they have to pay a fee (to get a license) dosent mean they know what they are doing. It only means they know how to write a check.As far as ripping the panel off the wall, you may be right. If the intruder has knowledge of where it is and what type of system it is.If he’s that smart,then dosent it make since to say that any alarm (even the “magic ones”) can be defeated the same way. As far as dropped cell phone calls, you are right, but the frequency that the companies used is dedicated to alarm systems only, and not 45,000,000 million subscibers. I dont know what your selling here, but I would certainly rather have a cell calling out then the phone line that has already been cut before they even enter the house. So if you think you might be able to sell a couple of more alarms by cutting them down and trying to make your “magic” ones look unpenetratable,then just please quit trying to make everyone on here look like we are idiots. You arent telling anyone anything that they dont already know. Good luck with your “Magic” alarms this year
Posted by givemeabreak January 1, 2009, 12:56 pm

You make many good points. You lack courtesy, not information.
Let’s discuss this:
1. “an alarm is an alarm” I’m assuming you mean alarm system. What type of car did you buy last? Did you consider options as a car is a car, right? hmmmmm Even you must admit that everything is not equal. The alarm system at my bank certainly isn’t an all-in-one control/keypad/siren/communicator model with sensors attached with double-sticky tape and battery powered motions that go to sleep for five+ minutes after detecting movement.
2. Anyone knowledgeable enough in alarm systems can and does bypass them. The professional alarm installer’s job is to make that as difficult as possible. Hardwired, supervised contacts. Separate sirens, strobes, keypads, and control panels. Control panels placed in interior spaces protected by instant alarm, and not in an area accessible during the entry delay period.
3. The “dedicated” cell signal. The Alarmnet cell unit used by APX uses the control frequency of the local cell network. It shares that frequency with every other person making a cell phone call. It is also no more secure than the channel which every cell signal is assigned. Any cell signal can be easily interrupted with a GSM frequency white-noise generation. We purchased one on the internet to use for demo purposes. The provider indicated that he sells approximately 1000 units per month. Police reports indicate residential phone line cuts are virtually non-existent. However, if a monitored phone line is cut, a professionally installed system will detect and sound a trouble signal if the system is disarmed. If armed, the system will sound an alarm. What field do you program the line cut monitor on an APX Ademco Lynx? Oh wait, there is no such field…the Lynx doesn’t have that feature.Why are you harping on cell anyway? Most APX Lynx systems are sold without cell units and therefore call over the phone line, usually without any type of line seizure.
FINALLY, my installers all have certifications obtained by taking a class and passing a test, along with continuing training and certification upgrades. They also apprentice under a experienced, licensed and certified installer for six months.
My entire problem with APX still remains as it has been since I first entered this blog. APX and clones are providing “feel good” security, telling people the system they purchase is something it is not — real security. You CANNOT install a REAL SECURITY SYSTEM in an hour, door to door. Surface mount sensors ARE NOT REAL SECURITY. An all-in-one panel IS NOT REAL SECURITY. Don’t tell me it is. My company does not install “magic” systems. We install professional security systems, custom designed to fit each separate location. While our systems are not full-proof, they ARE professional, licensed, IQ certified systems. We have installed systems in banks, hospitals, nursing homes, jewelry stores, credit unions, and most important, my father’s home.
Just please be honest enough to call APX and clones what they really are.
Posted by LuAnn Riding January 1, 2009, 4:22 pm

Hey, Luann….You make some excellent points also! I like the type systems you were talking about having in my home…You know, like the banks have? Im gonna call you soon and have one installed in my home! Ill call you when I can come up with the $10,000 it will cost to have it installed. Ill have to call the phone company 1st, just to have a line installed that only goes straight to the police instead of a monitoring service…Hmmm, wonder what that will set me back every month…I will give you a call when I hit the lottery,meanwhile, I think ill stick with the one I have, you know, the one thats already scared off a burglar in my fathers home.
Posted by givemeabreak January 2, 2009, 6:06 am

Hey Luann!… you’re a dip-s**t! I install for Protection One, not APX, but the info you provide is not accurate at all. I thought you were a professional?? Do us all a favor and stop posting on this blog. You’re an f****ng idiot.
Posted by Protection ONE is better than everyone January 2, 2009, 4:57 pm

In defense of the company… we had a system installed in our home as well as our rent-house. The renters were cooking 2 months back and got the oven smoking. Smoke set off the smoke sensor and APX was talking to them through the panel. Fire Dept and police were on the scene within 3 minutes. Maybe we are just lucky but their service is working for us. I wish we had read up on this company before we signed though because it causes me to worry. I’ll have to do more research and see how we get out of this contract and get on with a more reputable company.
Posted by Brandy January 2, 2009, 10:50 pm

Hey — watch your mouth! If you have comments that invalidate what I’ve said, then give them accurately and not filled with all the juvenile character denegrations that really have nothing at all to do with the subject at hand. Perhaps the problem is that I’ve hit a little too close to home for comfort. My installer experience goes back to 1979. How long does yours? I’m VERY familiar on a personal and professional basis with people at Protection One. They install quality systems — Honeywell Vista 15P is their standard product. Go home and wash your mouth out with soap, then learn some communication skills.
Posted by LuAnn Riding January 3, 2009, 9:42 am

Brandy — I’m glad your system worked as promised. The down side of smoke detectors is that they go off when you burn the toast, as well as when your house is on fire. The down side of your APX contract is that you probably won’t be able to cancel it. But any security system is better than none at all, so use it and be safe!
Posted by LuAnn Riding January 3, 2009, 4:53 pm

HELLO TO ALL, THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS IT ALL GOES BACK TO THE INSTALLATION. A POOR INSTALL WILL GIVE SERVICE ISSUES NO MATTER WHAT SYSTEM IS INSTALLED AT THE TIME. IT IS A COMPANYS OBLIGATION TO SERVICE THAT SYSTEM IF NEEDED. BUT WHEN YOU DEAL WITH A COMPANY THAT DOES NOT HAVE A SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN YOUR CITY IT CREATES PROBLEMS. APX HIRES TECHS IN THE CITY THAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO DOOR TODOOR SALES IN. SO ONCE THEY ARE DONE IN THAT CITY THEY ARE GONE JUST LIKE THE TECH THEY HIRED AS A CONTRACTOR TO INSTALL YOUR ALARM SYSTEM. SO DO YOUR SELF A FAVOR DO SOME HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU GET A SYSTEM. SOME TIMES FREE IS NOT THE WAY TO GO.. ESPECIALLY A 5 YR CONTRACT. THANKS
Posted by JAY-005 January 13, 2009, 7:30 am

JAY, WHERE HAVE YOU GOTTEN YOUR INFO? APX HAS TECHS ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA..THEY ARE THE ONLY ALARM COMPANY THAT I KNOW OF WHO GUARANTEES THEY WILL SERVICE YOUR SYSTEM WITHIN 24 HOURS IF YOU HAVE HAD A BREAK-IN. WHAT OTHER COMPANY DOES THAT? NONE
Posted by givemeabreak January 13, 2009, 2:02 pm

LUANN, I JUST SAW WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THIS SINCE ‘79…ME TOO! DO YOU REMEMBER THE OLD SCHOOL DIALERS THAT USED 8 TRACK TAPES..LOL WEVE COME A LONG WAY!
Posted by givemeabreak January 13, 2009, 2:05 pm

i want the alarm system out of our house and we will pay the agreement in full but matthaw saided they will not take the alarm system out
Posted by gilbert ebertz January 13, 2009, 6:06 pm

IF YOU PAY IT IN FULL, ITS YOURS TO DO WHAT YOU WANT
Posted by givemeabreak January 14, 2009, 6:34 am
Givemeabreak, No experience with 8 track tapes (except in my car); we used matrix boards with brass screws and nuts for telephone and account number — old school Honeywell, for sure! My husband’s experience goes to 1968, placing sensors along the Ho Chi Minh Trails. They called the artillary, not the police. Also, I was under the impression that APX equipment was never owned by the customer, only leased. Isn’t it proprietary-programmed so it can’t be used by other companies?
Gilbert, Why are you unhappy with your system? Any security system is better than nothing, especially as home invasions increase in this difficult economy. If you’re stuck with that contract, maybe you should require that they make the system work to your satisfaction. Just a thought…
Posted by LuAnn Riding January 14, 2009, 11:58 am

it’s funny to me that there are comments on here about how people are forced into contracts they know nothing about and that there was nothing they could do about it. when you were handed the 25 inch long carbon copy piece of paper with thousands of fine printed words on infact both sides, were you not curious? were you not the least bit wondering what that said? when you took out your credit card and gave it to the agent while watching him write the info on the paperwork did you not raise an eyebrow? when the pre-install survey call was made over the phone where they clearly state, “do you understand that this is a 60 month agreement and that throughout that period you will be charged a monitoring rate of 49.99 which will not increase?” did that not make sense that it was a 60 month contract? after the installation was finished and they had you sign the paperwork certifying that they finished the install and that you understand to the terms and agreements on the paperwork,did that not register in your puny little minds? when they made yet another call in the same hour (post install survey call) with the technician present and re-stated that this was a 60 month agreement and that you would be charged a monitoring rate of 49.99 AGAIN over the phone, you didn’t understand? when they also asked you over the phone (once on each call) to carefully look at the attached 3 day right of recisssion paper and that you would have the legal right to un-bind yourself from this contract within 3 business days, let me guess you still didn’t understand anything. and when everything was said and done and 2 years down the road you wanted to cancel services, it was a huge surprise that you were in a contract for 60 months?!! and that you had no idea?!! you had never agreed to this?! you never signed anything of the sort?!! this logic blows me away. if you don’t want to be in any situation like this then don’t sign the contract without reading it first. you created your own scam for signing this contract blindly and absent minded.
Posted by ex apx employee January 14, 2009, 11:01 pm

Hey,Luann….APX equipment can be used by any other company..My dad owns an alarm company and I got my start when I was about 8 years old.We used to have to program 8-track tapes to dial straight to the police dept…lol
Posted by givemeabreak January 15, 2009, 6:23 am

Give ME a break, kid — didn’t your mama teach you it isn’t polite to remind a lady of her age Thanks for the info on APX systems. At a police meeting today we were reminded that ALL sales people and ALL installers working in the state of Utah are required to have appropriate licenses. The public needs to ASK TO SEE LICENSES before they sign contracts and/or allow any installer inside their homes.
Posted by LuAnn Riding January 15, 2009, 11:00 am

Im pretty sure apx is licensed in all 50 states and parts of canada
Posted by givemeabreak January 15, 2009, 11:58 am

LuAnn seriously though… stop talking. You are so arrogant it makes us all want to vomit. We officially vote you off the island!!!!
EDITOR’S NOTE: I chose to change the name of this commenter because they were obviously using a false name and email address and making fun of another frequent commenter here, and alluding to items about her personal life that are irrelevant to this discussion. While I wish some of the comments here were less argumentative, this one–I feel–crossed the line, and I changed the name they used.
I do find it interesting that the hateful remark came from someone writing from a certain, identifiable computer in the Math & Science building at BYU, a school that teaches against hatred.
Posted by I am a coward and make fun of others (Name Changed) January 20, 2009, 12:22 pm