Salesman Brian Schlagel stopped by my house for an appointment to discuss adding a security system to our home. Brian counted the windows and doors and presented the equipment package we would need to properly protect our home. He went over the contract options and suggested the 6 year plan so our monthly payment would be protected. We were a bit concerned about the length of the contract but he assured us that the contract would not hold up to the time period in fact he said people get out of them all the time, "you just call us and tell us when to cancel". He even said just file the contract since all it does is protect your monthly monitoring fee. He asked for a payment of $84.00 which covered the cost of the equipment which we would own.
Well some health issues arose with me and we have to move south to get me out of winter so, as Brian said, I called and told them when I would be terminating the monitoring to which I was told I can’t cancel the contract and I had $2,000 worth of equipment in my house. Needless to say I flopped out stating that Brian told me I could just cancel the contract like so many other have done. So I called Brain who never denied he told me I could just walk away from this contract and he only wants happy clients and would get back to me. Well I never heard from him but had several conversations with the manager who said there was a $750.00 termination fee. I told the manager I expect Brian to come through with his “Get out of the agreement with no cost” and if there was a termination fee, Brian should be paying that to make his story true.
So my best option was to put the monitoring on hold for 6 months and see if they buyer of my property would pick up the balance of the plan; so we signed a contract to that effect which included my possibly having my new house protected by Guardian so I could finish out my obligation. Well when I called them saying “Hey the new house wired for Guardian so all I need to do is transfer my contract there”. They said they have to have someone come put to make sure I don’t have any concerns…well the current owner, I’m sure didn’t improperly protect his house so I’m assured there is no need for a salesman to come, all we need to do is resume my contract at that location. No they say they have to add 6 months to my contract and pay a hefty transfer fee.
Guardian screws you every way you turn, no matter what you do it costs you a hefty fee. They even tried to charge me to have a repairman come to my home and repair a faulty installation. Then they wouldn’t send anyone out if I wouldn’t pay so they sent me some foam tape to fix t myself but the foam tape wouldn’t work and that’s not the tape they install with.
In my experience, Guardian Protection Services is a scam organization who has some excuse to charge you fees for about anything you want. I’ve never been lied to so much by one company in my life and never heard so many different stories from every different person you talk to. It’s almost like the phone representative that screws you the most gets the biggest bonus check for taking you for a ride.
I admit, shame on me for not reading the contract, but this Slick Willy was so good, even telling me my next door neighbor who inspired us to use Guardian got the same deal we did and they are happy as can be; what a con man.
I bought the system so I would get robbed and the salesman robbed me with every turn I make. It galls me so much to have been taken that I almost want to just pay the $750.00 and get their equipment out of my sight it makes me so mad.
I’m going to send a copy of the 6 month hold contract to my attorney and see if they can charge me when there is no mention of such a charge. I might just go door to door and tell people what a con job Guardian is.
#2Author of original report
Tue, August 08, 2017
Do you have a contract with them that is still in effect? If so you're still a slave to the Devil. If not stop paying them or close the account the draw from. Might be worth calling a lawyer and asking where you stand. I have Legal Shield so those calls coat me nothing but the 17.00 a month retainer, or maybe see if consumer protection can answer your questions.
GraceMarie Elliott
Emerald Isle,#3General Comment
Tue, August 08, 2017
I too have had enormous issues with Guardian Protection, they will not stop charging me monthly for one, and I have not been using their equipment for 6 months now. Please read my rip off report and advise what to do. Thank you
#4Author of original report
Tue, September 27, 2016
I filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Consumer Protection and hopefully I'm, able to attach those results.
In short, there were several areas of violation of Consumer Protection Laws and the Spirit of those laws. They were unsuccessful to mediate the dispute and recommended suing them. Their violations were as follows:
Being that I moved to Texas and the legal action would have to happen in Pennsylvania, they know I’m not likely to peruse it and their right since it would cost more to get there and back then the award would be. I just hope my post causes you to look elseward and make sure your rights are protected in in no other areas then the ones I outline here.
I switched to Simply Safe where the difference in monitoring will recoup my damages with Guardian in about 2 ½ years then it’s all gravy from there out.