Complaint Review: 1st Defense Security - GE Monitronics & Kigan Martineau Advertising Director Selling Service - henderson Nevada

I am a former lead technician for this company, I wanted to answer a few of the questions that were posed . When I was installing for them they primarily installed the G.E. Simon 3, which at the time was an older model but for the most part, if installed correctly, it could provide basic security for the perimeter of a home. However most of the systems installed by FDS have 3 door/window sensors and 1 motion or glassbreak detector. The glass break and motion detectors were commonly installed incorrectly and their capabilities were exaggerated. For example a glass break detector must have a direct line of sight to the glass it is protecting and it must be within 25 feet of the glass. These units were commonly put in a central area on the ground floor with a claim that they could protect multiple rooms. With motion detectors they were commonly installed upside down at 4 feet off floor to create a "pet corridor" In theory this can work but it is not an accepted way of installing these units. Although line seizure was mentioned, as long as the tech can get signal and two way confirmation the company was happy. The cell units were commonly sold with the promise of two way voice capability, which the ones they installed did not have at the time these were the telguard TG-4. Houses were rarely hardwired, even when pre-wiring existed their common practice was to make loops for example. Loop 1 all entry doors, loop 2 all remaining doors, loop  3 all first floor windows, loop 4 all remaining windows, then each loop would be attached to a wireless sensor which they would leave inside the wall usually behind the old alarm system box. This gave the appearence of a hardwire system. Their sales tactics are questionable in my opinion, but as a technician I only see the end result in the field by individual reps, I do not know how their training is set up or how much of the questionable tactics are condoned. I can only base it on the tech end of the job, which was pretty much in and out of an install in less than an hour with signals and they dont really care how. Their monitoring is done by monitronics out of texas, alot of companies have remote monitoring and yes most PDs place home security alarms as the lowest priority call. I have worked for several security companies, as an employee you can pick apart any of them. As a consumer it's up to you to make an informed decision. Don't let someone dictate what you do or don't want, if you want it go online and shop for it.

I do not recommend installing your system yourself, if an alarm goes off and your the only person listening it's not much good.

Michael

Malibu, CA

I can see 1st defense is doing standard damage control with their response. But they did really not answer anything specific in the original compaint. The most specific thing was their thoughts on the author of the complaint.  So I hope the 1st Defense sees and answer these straight forward questions in a straight forward manner with no buzzwords or spin. Plain language - Yes or No followed by a short explanation.

1. Do the Two-Way alarms systems installed by 1st Defense send signals DIRECTLY from their alarm systems to the Las Vegas Police? Or do all alarm signals go to somewhere else?

2. Has 1st Defense ever installed a wireless system in a pre-wired home? Connecting the wireless components to the hard wires?
(Doing this can destroy the valuable prewiring in a home. It also does not meet the technical guidelines set forth by the manufacturer.)

3. Does 1st defense get full line seizure on all  alarm systems installed - as laid out in the installation manual?

4. Has it ever been written 1st Defense's Sales Training Manual to use the the "Sign Approach"?

Have the following excerpts regarding the "Sign Approach" ever been written in your companies Sales Training Manual?
"Hi are you the home owner? (Yes) Great, I'm here with .......... we  don't have as many signs in this area, so my manager wants me to get some exposure up. ..........part of the advertising budget is reserved for equipment in neighborhoods where they want more exposure. If you would be willing to put our sign over there in the flowerbed where it can be easily seen from the street, the company is willing to compensate you giving you your own security system at no charge."

I look forward to your dialog on this.

   PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   What a dam joke!!!!!!!!!!    This company is horrible and once again full of lies.   PLease do what they ask and pull up First Defense on BBB for Las Vegas, their rating is now  a "B"  and consists of 20 customer complaints.  The rating continues to fall month after month.  I don't know about you but any company that has 20 complaints on BBB is a warning for me to RUN and do business elsewhere.   I continue to meet very irate customers that are stuck with horrible service from these jerks.  Any good reports (which is only a few) on the internet about this organization is that of an employee that still actually works for this horrible place.  Their equipment they use is inferior to the industry, their installs are messy, and customer service that of the worst I've ever seen!!  Once again you've been warned.  I find it entertaining that they try to even save their companys "face" by replying on here.  Just google their company and read reviews and pleae by their suggestion, check BBB there are 20 complaints and rising! 

YOU"VE BEEN WARNED AGAIN!!!  Choose a reputable company with squeaky clean background!!!

     First Defense Security has been in business over 10 years, has a B+ rating with the BBB and provides high quality products and services.  Over the years we have earned the business of many happy consumers and pride ourselves on our customer service.  We are an authorized provider of GE Security products and won their President's Award for excellence in 2008. 

     The rather rude comments here appear to be those of an upset individual with a personal conflict of some kind.  None of these are based in fact and all of them seem to be a personal attack against our company.

     I apologize that this person has taken advantage of a legitimate consumer forum in order to air their own dirty laundry, and I invite any curious consumers to review the BBB, actual customer reviews on servicemagic.com, or to contact us directly 702-547-0213.