Complaint Review: A-1 Security Ltd

I hired this company to install (September, 2004):
1) Medico door locks; 2) Video phone entrance system with electric door lock; and 3) Alarm security system with keypad.

A) The installation was flawed from the begining, as I personnally had to replace their orignal wiring of the video phone system as an aduio hum was so loud it renedered the system useless. I purchased purchase the proper wire at a local electronics store, replaced A-1 's wiring - which had been positioned on the stairway carpet - with the proper wiring. System worked. [A-1's "solution" was to exchange the system I had ordered with an inferior wireless system, as they stated it was all they could do.]

B) The system also required a special hinge on the front door. This hinge requires 6 screws. A-1 put in one (1) screw; requested A-1 to finish this portion of the installation. All three separate requests failed to produce any results.

C) When I left on a trip in October 2004, I set the alarm. The alarm was triggered during the period I was gone. Since that occurance, the alarm has never functioned. A-1 claims there is nothing wrong with the system. However, it numberous attempts - both by myself and the person who was in charge of reseting the alarm - if necessary - upon my absence the alarm could not be reset.

D) I have paid $2,007.00 (initial deposit in September 2004), $547.63, and one monthly payment of $32.00 (both these in October 2004 before my trip. The $547.63, which appeared on their billing statement, was never itimized. Also, A-1 Security has never acknowledged or given me credit for these amounts paid by me.

E) Yesterday, February 17, 2005, I was informed (through an attorney whom I had hired in November 2004) A-1 claims I now owe them $1,650.12 (Balance on the equipment installed), plus $1,204.15 (to buy out the contract).

F) I have never been in possesion of a contract; nor did I know the contract was for 5 years. This informtion came to me in the same communication as the communication stating what I now owe A-1 Security.
Had I known the contract would be 5 years, I never would have agreed to it.

I was told - in September 2004, that a copy of the contract would be mailed to me. I never received it.

G) When the system became inoperable, I stopped paying the monthly fee of $32.00. I wrote a letter to them at their Reno, Nevada office, informing them I was not paying for a system which was not working. I told them I considered their actions (or non-actions if you please), their incompetence and their refuseal to admit the system was not working, as a BREECH OF CONTRACT. Their reply was verbal, and through one undated letter. They denied a Breech of Contract had occurred, stated they would not discontinue service, and that I must pay them the monthly charge (no mention of length of contract at this time).

H) The attorney I hired to represent me was a total waste of effort and MONEY, because nothing was ever solved. Actually, things are worse.

J) Since I am not benefiting from this alarm system installation, why should I have to continue opaying for it? And as for the equipment, they can take that equipment out of my house. As for paying A-1 for 5 years, that is something I would never have agreed to. I have known an alarm company to have more than three years with a service contract.

I) My homeowners insurrance policy (type and price of premimum) is contingent upon having a WORKABLE alarm system. Now, since I do not have a useable, workable alarm system, my insurance will be higher by at least 10 - 15 %.

Although this is already quite lengthly a report, it does NOT tell the whole story. The behavior, attitude, and other misc. stuff that I have had to suffer under because of this incompetent and fraudulent business, is beyond what anyone should have to indure. My attorney (whom I have fired as of 2-18-05) told me I have no choice but to pay everything A-1 wants, and for the 5 years - or buy out.

This is outraegous and completely unaccepatble, period !

Dave
Reno, Nevada
U.S.A.