Monitronics International Self-renewal Contract Without Disclosure to Customer or Notification Dallas Texas
I, too, have my own horror story about Monitronics. My husband signed up and we fulfilled our 3-year contract. The contract was such fine print, font size 4 or 6, that you actually need a magnifying glass to read it and I have excellent up-close vision. Point 1: No one ever discloses the terms because Monitronics wants to keep you, the consumer, trapped. Point 2: When the customer service notifies you via phone that your contract is set to automatically renew, but all you have to do is send a letter, they do not mention the terms of the contract, or offer the date to you, so you can terminate in time.
The customer service's soul purpose is to tell you your letter was received 1,2,3,4 days too late, and you must, therefore, continue your contract for another year. They say they will give you a "break" and not charge you for the full 3 years even though you were tricked into thinking you could actually cancel. My letter was written on the right date but received 2 days late (28 days before my contract Anniversary date) when it automatically self-renewed without my knowledge.
Clearly, had the customer service been concerned with the customer, I would have received a contract that was readible, mimimum font size of 10, and made aware of the clever, tricky, "hook" that they were placing me on. Also, customer service would send out a written notice 90 days before the contract renewal data warning the customer that they would be obligated for a self-renewal term if they did not respond in writing 30 days before their anniversary date. Their customer service is to serve Monitronics, not the customer.
My account has been turned over to collections and CMI is threatening to tarnish my credit report (blackmail) because they are being paid to collect from dishonest thieves. I never used my system after I sent in my letter. It's a SCAM and I, too, am an innocent victim who has been preyed upon by these scavengers! I think there is some legislature in the works to have companies like this disclose in writing, but it is too later for me.
Sue
88011, New Mexico
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Juliann
Gresham,Oregon,
U.S.A.
It is not too late! My husband and I fought them for 1 year
#5Consumer Comment
Tue, January 13, 2004
Please, check out the following link to the BBB on Monitronics in Texas.
http://www.dallas.bbb.org/commonreport.html?compid=27001664
BBB Reliability Report
Monitronics International, Inc.
12801 Stemmons Frwy., #821
Dallas, TX 75234
General Information
Original Business Start Date: January 1994
Phone Number: (972) 243-7443
Fax Number: (972) 243-0195
Email Address: lbank@monitronics.com
Type-of-Business Classification: Monitor Service Only for Security & Fire Alarms
Customer Experience
This company's membership with the Better Business Bureau was revoked on November 10, 2003 by the Bureau's Board of Directors due to one or more unanswered complaints. According to information in Bureau files this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to a pattern of slow or no response to customer complaints and a pattern of complaints regarding contract issues. Specifically, consumers allege in their complaints that the company will not release them from the service even when the consumer follows the company's policy to terminate the service.
Additional Information
Additional Addresses: 12801 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75234
Additional Phone Numbers: 800-232-1490
800-447-9239
800-868-7624
888-758-5900
972-243-1064 (fax)
Don't give up. My husband and I fought them for 1 year. Currently, we are not receiving the phone calls from Monitronics. We filed a complaint with the Attorney General in the state of Oregon and haven't heard from Monitronics since.
Juliann
Gresham,Oregon,
U.S.A.
It is not too late! My husband and I fought them for 1 year
#5Consumer Comment
Tue, January 13, 2004
Please, check out the following link to the BBB on Monitronics in Texas.
http://www.dallas.bbb.org/commonreport.html?compid=27001664
BBB Reliability Report
Monitronics International, Inc.
12801 Stemmons Frwy., #821
Dallas, TX 75234
General Information
Original Business Start Date: January 1994
Phone Number: (972) 243-7443
Fax Number: (972) 243-0195
Email Address: lbank@monitronics.com
Type-of-Business Classification: Monitor Service Only for Security & Fire Alarms
Customer Experience
This company's membership with the Better Business Bureau was revoked on November 10, 2003 by the Bureau's Board of Directors due to one or more unanswered complaints. According to information in Bureau files this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to a pattern of slow or no response to customer complaints and a pattern of complaints regarding contract issues. Specifically, consumers allege in their complaints that the company will not release them from the service even when the consumer follows the company's policy to terminate the service.
Additional Information
Additional Addresses: 12801 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75234
Additional Phone Numbers: 800-232-1490
800-447-9239
800-868-7624
888-758-5900
972-243-1064 (fax)
Don't give up. My husband and I fought them for 1 year. Currently, we are not receiving the phone calls from Monitronics. We filed a complaint with the Attorney General in the state of Oregon and haven't heard from Monitronics since.
Juliann
Gresham,Oregon,
U.S.A.
It is not too late! My husband and I fought them for 1 year
#5Consumer Comment
Tue, January 13, 2004
Please, check out the following link to the BBB on Monitronics in Texas.
http://www.dallas.bbb.org/commonreport.html?compid=27001664
BBB Reliability Report
Monitronics International, Inc.
12801 Stemmons Frwy., #821
Dallas, TX 75234
General Information
Original Business Start Date: January 1994
Phone Number: (972) 243-7443
Fax Number: (972) 243-0195
Email Address: lbank@monitronics.com
Type-of-Business Classification: Monitor Service Only for Security & Fire Alarms
Customer Experience
This company's membership with the Better Business Bureau was revoked on November 10, 2003 by the Bureau's Board of Directors due to one or more unanswered complaints. According to information in Bureau files this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to a pattern of slow or no response to customer complaints and a pattern of complaints regarding contract issues. Specifically, consumers allege in their complaints that the company will not release them from the service even when the consumer follows the company's policy to terminate the service.
Additional Information
Additional Addresses: 12801 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75234
Additional Phone Numbers: 800-232-1490
800-447-9239
800-868-7624
888-758-5900
972-243-1064 (fax)
Don't give up. My husband and I fought them for 1 year. Currently, we are not receiving the phone calls from Monitronics. We filed a complaint with the Attorney General in the state of Oregon and haven't heard from Monitronics since.
Juliann
Gresham,Oregon,
U.S.A.
It is not too late! My husband and I fought them for 1 year
#5Consumer Comment
Tue, January 13, 2004
Please, check out the following link to the BBB on Monitronics in Texas.
http://www.dallas.bbb.org/commonreport.html?compid=27001664
BBB Reliability Report
Monitronics International, Inc.
12801 Stemmons Frwy., #821
Dallas, TX 75234
General Information
Original Business Start Date: January 1994
Phone Number: (972) 243-7443
Fax Number: (972) 243-0195
Email Address: lbank@monitronics.com
Type-of-Business Classification: Monitor Service Only for Security & Fire Alarms
Customer Experience
This company's membership with the Better Business Bureau was revoked on November 10, 2003 by the Bureau's Board of Directors due to one or more unanswered complaints. According to information in Bureau files this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to a pattern of slow or no response to customer complaints and a pattern of complaints regarding contract issues. Specifically, consumers allege in their complaints that the company will not release them from the service even when the consumer follows the company's policy to terminate the service.
Additional Information
Additional Addresses: 12801 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75234
Additional Phone Numbers: 800-232-1490
800-447-9239
800-868-7624
888-758-5900
972-243-1064 (fax)
Don't give up. My husband and I fought them for 1 year. Currently, we are not receiving the phone calls from Monitronics. We filed a complaint with the Attorney General in the state of Oregon and haven't heard from Monitronics since.