- Report: #346647
Complaint Review: Pinnacle Security - New York City New York
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Pinnacle Security
www.pinnaclesecurity.net New York City, New York, U.S.A.
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Pinnacle Security Ex-Employee: This is a MUST READ FOR EVERYONE CONSIDERING PINNACLE SECURITY New York City New York
*UPDATE Employee: If you would like the real story with Paul, please contact our corporate office and ask to speak to the legal dept. He is a rogue employee.
*Author of original report: Ex-Employee: As Was Expected, Pinnacle Security Tries to Save Face
*UPDATE Employee: I love Pinnacle Security! Check out ADT's list of complaints!
*Author of original report: Judge Cautiously
*Consumer Comment: PLS CONTACT ME WITH COMPLAINTS AGAINST PINNACLE
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: misinformed and underexperienced
*Consumer Comment: Ben- Class action lawsuit
*Consumer Comment: Contacting legal department?
*Consumer Comment: Ben- Class action lawsuit
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Pinnacle is corrupt - don't work for them
*UPDATE Employee: Research is the Key.
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: The Good, The Bad, and The Industry
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: The Good, The Bad, and The Industry
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Former employee also against pinnacle
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Mostly True
*BEFORE CONSIDERING SERVICE WITH PINNACLE SECURITY, READ THE BELOW*
It saddens me to have to write to you that Pinnacle Security is the most unethical company in the 'business' of home security. It is true, they lie. It is true that they mislead. It is true that they do not care about the customers, only the amount of money they will line-their-pockets with. As a former employee, who **recently** departed Pinnacle for several troubling reasons (mainly their lack of ethics while conducting business), I want to concur with all of the complaints on this helpful site that this company is the worst in the industry. Let me explain a few reasons why.
They stink from the head down. Frankly, leadership is everything in our day-and-age. Unfortunately, when character is compromised for selfish money-making, people--regular people--suffer the consequences. Imagine suffering the consequences when it comes to home security. This company has leaders and managers that actually ENCOURAGE lying. For example, many people on this site have stated that the Pinnacle employees stated that he or she was a so-called 'advertiser.' This tact is dead wrong and unethical. Every Pinnacle representative is plainly no more than a 'sales person.'
Moreover, in Pinnacle Security's training manual (for sales reps), the one with the shaded man on the front (which I have in my possession), they actually tell every representative 'not to tell them [the customer] that you [the sales rep] are a sales person.' Why do they utilize this fine bit of lying? They compare it to 'wrapping a present.' They do not want to risk telling the customer that they are a sales person because they do not want to be rejected--their strategy is to use trickery at your door so that you will buy what they are offering. Unfortunately, people have to look passed all of the token phrasing they use in their deflections.
What a Pinnacle Rep is not, according to the truth (not the manual):
1. An advertiser.
2. A marketing director.
3. A advertising director.
4. A manager.
If they tell you, 'We are just setting up a few houses today,' they are using deflection. What they want you to do is to feel a 'sense of urgency,' as one of my New York City managers told us, in order to force a customer into a 'no option scenario,' only because the deal must be 'too good to be true.' America, this is too good to be true because it is an utter fabrication. The point of 'summer sales' at Pinnacle Security is to set up as many homes in the area as possible--you ARE NOT the SPECIAL few that is getting a SPECIAL break. If Pinnacle Security could set up your entire neighborhood, they would do it. With people absent or sharper than Pinnacle's immoral strategy, they will not land every house. Nevertheless, there will indeed be people that will fall victim; thus the reason why I must write to everyone I can and share this very important information.
It is dissatisfying to know that the managers in the office I worked with, in New York City, actually taught us some really troubling strategies to gain entry into a person's residence. The awful misrepresentation at Pinnacle Security should be the conclusive 'red flag' for anyone considering their 'service.'
At Pinnacle Security's morning meetings (a pound your chest engagement to get excited for selling), the lying strategies come to fruition. Mainly, managers (the office manager, Gabe, Coltt, and others) were instructing Pinnacle Reps to PRETEND that they were WITH GENERAL ELECTRIC or HONEYWELL. This is no 'typo;' management was instructing the office reps to inform the customers that they are 'FROM HONEYWELL or GENERAL ELECTRIC.'
Subsequently, the erroneous concoction of sales absurdity happens at the peoples doors.
For instance, I'll give you a scenario:
A Pinnacle Rep is dropped off into a neighborhood they are tasked to sell to. As they scope out the neighborhood, sizing up how they will manipulate the homes, they are taught to look for SECURITY SIGNS from competitors (i.e. ADT, Slomins, Brinks, First Line Security, and APX, to name a few). The homes that have signs are the homes that obviously have home security systems. One of the main objectives for Pinnacle Security is to accomplish what they call 'the takeover.'
The slimy corollary is a terrible set of circumstances innocent homeowners fall victim to. A Rep, let's just call him Coltt, will come to an ADT home knowing a few things. First, most ADT homes have HONEYWELL equipment. Second, many of these homes are 'out of contract' (some are not, but that is for another discussion). As Coltt approaches the door, he says something to this effect, 'Hi, I am with HONEYWELL. We are in the neighborhood checking BATTERIES on systems.' His objective is to get to the security panel, this allows him to substantiate himself by building phony credibility. Once Coltt gets to the panel, he then says that 'his company,' HONEYWELL, is 'updating panels' in the neighborhood. As he slips and slides past the truth, many people are suckered into the belief that HONEYWELL is doing THEM a SERVICE. FALSE! This is not a service to you, this is PINNACLE SECURITY committing a 'takeover!' Pinnacle Security is in NO WAY related to HONEYWELL--it does not matter if they tell you a million times that they are (nor are they with First Line Security or Monitronics).
Once Colt has finished his perpetration on veracity, he makes his way to a comfortable spot in the home and pulls out the contract (which is usually passed off as a work order). The next thing a potential customer realizes is that they are signing a three plus year contract with only a few days as a 'trial period.' If a homeowner becomes somewhat keen to the circumstance, they might ask Coltt whether or not they will still be monitored by ADT. His response is 'priceless': **Nobody cares who will do your monitoring; it is the equipment that everyone cares about.** Are you serious? Everyone should care who is doing the monitoring! The equipment is nothing without the monitoring--and ADT has been doing monitoring a lot longer than Pinnacle Security. With that, the infamous 'takeover' takes its nasty root.
The same strategy is used on 'new doors,' homes that have no security systems. Mainly, Pinnacle Security management tells their reps to SAY THEY ARE FROM GENERAL ELECTRIC (GE). If you have already heard this at your door, RUN FROM THIS PERSON. This is utter misrepresentation by Pinnacle Security. They do sell GE products, but they are not at all affiliated with GE. By stating that they are from GE, the unethical rep is hoping to gain credibility (apparently because Pinnacle Security cannot do this on its own merit). Who has not heard of GE before, right? Either on a 'takeover' (explained above), or a new home, GE and HONEYWELL, have been taken advantage of by misled Pinnacle Security sales reps--this company is NOT related to Honeywell or GE (a partnership does not mean affiliation). Why does Pinnacle do this? To make a buck off of you. This disorderly salesmanship must end--it will have to start with you.
Even more daunting, but is more so 'off the map,' are some of the darker strategies by 'experienced sales reps' or managers. These tactics are not expressed in morning meetings--like the above--but they are still strangely used at people's doors. I experienced by observation, first hand, the absolute lie of telling people the following:
1. I am from the Police Department.
2. The Police Department sent us out to your neighborhood.
3. There have been break-ins in the neighborhood (even with no knowledge of the facts).
4. The City (New York City, in this case) has new standards for home security--we are providing the updates.
5. The future is digital, so we are upgrading people to digital systems. (Most of the systems that are in people's homes are already digital.)
6. The City will enforce the new laws on security systems, so you might as well just get it done through our company now.
These are bottom of the barrel, dirty deeds.
It gets even worse. Many of the sales reps for Pinnacle Security have informed customers, during 'takeovers,' that they would cancel their old provider (like ADT, for instance). Many have canceled for them, which, to my knowledge, is illegal (I cannot pretend to be a person I am not). Nonetheless, some have not cancelled at all--leaving customers to sort out the nightmare of figuring out what went wrong in the process. After the trial period has passed, however, nothing can be done to get a customer out of this jam. The sales reps at Pinnacle Security have full knowledge of their ridiculous conduct.
When it comes to monthly rates, this is a broad window of flexibility that is at the disposal of the Rep. They will more than likely charge you more than they actually have to--if they start you out at 44.99 (two way voice) or 49.99 (cell primary), they are charging you the max. The rep gets paid $25 more for every dollar they charge you per month (39.99 for two way voice and 44.99 for cell primary are the minimum prices for every customer). If you are at the max or in between, they duped you.
Noteworthy information regarding the monitoring is quite important, as well. It is yet another lie from the Pinnacle Rep if he or she tells you that you are 'JUST PAYING TO STAY CONNECTED to the Police Department, Fire Department, and emergency outlet.' The Police and fire departments charge ZERO dollars to you for just staying connected. This is just dark Pinnacle strategy, once again. They want you to believe that YOU are paying for the connections, but, in reality, they are making you agree to pay for the monitoring (accomplished by Pinnacle Security). A home secured by Pinnacle Security is connected to ONE entity: Pinnacle Security.
Lastly, but even more importantly, are the type of technicians utilized by Pinnacle Security. These individuals are probably the best individuals working for the company, but they are not experienced in the least. They are young kids who are trying to make some money for the summer, but their experience is as limited as the word indicates. Most offices are run by one very experienced person (the person running the New York City office of Brooklyn is a stand up gentleman), but the rest are mostly first year summer interns. Most do not have credentials and the speed in which home security systems go into houses is intense (at least at Pinnacle Security). With that, one could only imagine the innumerable complaints and anomalies that occur with installation. It is true that a trial period exist on the equipment, but room for error in reference to securing a home is not something that should ever be compromised.
I hope to write under every response or complaint on this important consumer site. These sort of companies are the reason why people lack trust in businesses. We must be educated thoroughly to know the spoiled from the fresh, the manipulators from the genuine. Pinnacle Security is full of money-grubbing manipulators who play games with a very important process: home security. Do you dare take the risk with your family with people that use fabrications to get your business? I chose not to work for this company because I drew the line--there is not a dollar amount that can purchase my principles. I would rather be poor with my ethics than rich and without them.
Stay far away from Pinnacle Security.
Paul
Newberry, Florida
U.S.A.
It saddens me to have to write to you that Pinnacle Security is the most unethical company in the 'business' of home security. It is true, they lie. It is true that they mislead. It is true that they do not care about the customers, only the amount of money they will line-their-pockets with. As a former employee, who **recently** departed Pinnacle for several troubling reasons (mainly their lack of ethics while conducting business), I want to concur with all of the complaints on this helpful site that this company is the worst in the industry. Let me explain a few reasons why.
They stink from the head down. Frankly, leadership is everything in our day-and-age. Unfortunately, when character is compromised for selfish money-making, people--regular people--suffer the consequences. Imagine suffering the consequences when it comes to home security. This company has leaders and managers that actually ENCOURAGE lying. For example, many people on this site have stated that the Pinnacle employees stated that he or she was a so-called 'advertiser.' This tact is dead wrong and unethical. Every Pinnacle representative is plainly no more than a 'sales person.'
Moreover, in Pinnacle Security's training manual (for sales reps), the one with the shaded man on the front (which I have in my possession), they actually tell every representative 'not to tell them [the customer] that you [the sales rep] are a sales person.' Why do they utilize this fine bit of lying? They compare it to 'wrapping a present.' They do not want to risk telling the customer that they are a sales person because they do not want to be rejected--their strategy is to use trickery at your door so that you will buy what they are offering. Unfortunately, people have to look passed all of the token phrasing they use in their deflections.
What a Pinnacle Rep is not, according to the truth (not the manual):
1. An advertiser.
2. A marketing director.
3. A advertising director.
4. A manager.
If they tell you, 'We are just setting up a few houses today,' they are using deflection. What they want you to do is to feel a 'sense of urgency,' as one of my New York City managers told us, in order to force a customer into a 'no option scenario,' only because the deal must be 'too good to be true.' America, this is too good to be true because it is an utter fabrication. The point of 'summer sales' at Pinnacle Security is to set up as many homes in the area as possible--you ARE NOT the SPECIAL few that is getting a SPECIAL break. If Pinnacle Security could set up your entire neighborhood, they would do it. With people absent or sharper than Pinnacle's immoral strategy, they will not land every house. Nevertheless, there will indeed be people that will fall victim; thus the reason why I must write to everyone I can and share this very important information.
It is dissatisfying to know that the managers in the office I worked with, in New York City, actually taught us some really troubling strategies to gain entry into a person's residence. The awful misrepresentation at Pinnacle Security should be the conclusive 'red flag' for anyone considering their 'service.'
At Pinnacle Security's morning meetings (a pound your chest engagement to get excited for selling), the lying strategies come to fruition. Mainly, managers (the office manager, Gabe, Coltt, and others) were instructing Pinnacle Reps to PRETEND that they were WITH GENERAL ELECTRIC or HONEYWELL. This is no 'typo;' management was instructing the office reps to inform the customers that they are 'FROM HONEYWELL or GENERAL ELECTRIC.'
Subsequently, the erroneous concoction of sales absurdity happens at the peoples doors.
For instance, I'll give you a scenario:
A Pinnacle Rep is dropped off into a neighborhood they are tasked to sell to. As they scope out the neighborhood, sizing up how they will manipulate the homes, they are taught to look for SECURITY SIGNS from competitors (i.e. ADT, Slomins, Brinks, First Line Security, and APX, to name a few). The homes that have signs are the homes that obviously have home security systems. One of the main objectives for Pinnacle Security is to accomplish what they call 'the takeover.'
The slimy corollary is a terrible set of circumstances innocent homeowners fall victim to. A Rep, let's just call him Coltt, will come to an ADT home knowing a few things. First, most ADT homes have HONEYWELL equipment. Second, many of these homes are 'out of contract' (some are not, but that is for another discussion). As Coltt approaches the door, he says something to this effect, 'Hi, I am with HONEYWELL. We are in the neighborhood checking BATTERIES on systems.' His objective is to get to the security panel, this allows him to substantiate himself by building phony credibility. Once Coltt gets to the panel, he then says that 'his company,' HONEYWELL, is 'updating panels' in the neighborhood. As he slips and slides past the truth, many people are suckered into the belief that HONEYWELL is doing THEM a SERVICE. FALSE! This is not a service to you, this is PINNACLE SECURITY committing a 'takeover!' Pinnacle Security is in NO WAY related to HONEYWELL--it does not matter if they tell you a million times that they are (nor are they with First Line Security or Monitronics).
Once Colt has finished his perpetration on veracity, he makes his way to a comfortable spot in the home and pulls out the contract (which is usually passed off as a work order). The next thing a potential customer realizes is that they are signing a three plus year contract with only a few days as a 'trial period.' If a homeowner becomes somewhat keen to the circumstance, they might ask Coltt whether or not they will still be monitored by ADT. His response is 'priceless': **Nobody cares who will do your monitoring; it is the equipment that everyone cares about.** Are you serious? Everyone should care who is doing the monitoring! The equipment is nothing without the monitoring--and ADT has been doing monitoring a lot longer than Pinnacle Security. With that, the infamous 'takeover' takes its nasty root.
The same strategy is used on 'new doors,' homes that have no security systems. Mainly, Pinnacle Security management tells their reps to SAY THEY ARE FROM GENERAL ELECTRIC (GE). If you have already heard this at your door, RUN FROM THIS PERSON. This is utter misrepresentation by Pinnacle Security. They do sell GE products, but they are not at all affiliated with GE. By stating that they are from GE, the unethical rep is hoping to gain credibility (apparently because Pinnacle Security cannot do this on its own merit). Who has not heard of GE before, right? Either on a 'takeover' (explained above), or a new home, GE and HONEYWELL, have been taken advantage of by misled Pinnacle Security sales reps--this company is NOT related to Honeywell or GE (a partnership does not mean affiliation). Why does Pinnacle do this? To make a buck off of you. This disorderly salesmanship must end--it will have to start with you.
Even more daunting, but is more so 'off the map,' are some of the darker strategies by 'experienced sales reps' or managers. These tactics are not expressed in morning meetings--like the above--but they are still strangely used at people's doors. I experienced by observation, first hand, the absolute lie of telling people the following:
1. I am from the Police Department.
2. The Police Department sent us out to your neighborhood.
3. There have been break-ins in the neighborhood (even with no knowledge of the facts).
4. The City (New York City, in this case) has new standards for home security--we are providing the updates.
5. The future is digital, so we are upgrading people to digital systems. (Most of the systems that are in people's homes are already digital.)
6. The City will enforce the new laws on security systems, so you might as well just get it done through our company now.
These are bottom of the barrel, dirty deeds.
It gets even worse. Many of the sales reps for Pinnacle Security have informed customers, during 'takeovers,' that they would cancel their old provider (like ADT, for instance). Many have canceled for them, which, to my knowledge, is illegal (I cannot pretend to be a person I am not). Nonetheless, some have not cancelled at all--leaving customers to sort out the nightmare of figuring out what went wrong in the process. After the trial period has passed, however, nothing can be done to get a customer out of this jam. The sales reps at Pinnacle Security have full knowledge of their ridiculous conduct.
When it comes to monthly rates, this is a broad window of flexibility that is at the disposal of the Rep. They will more than likely charge you more than they actually have to--if they start you out at 44.99 (two way voice) or 49.99 (cell primary), they are charging you the max. The rep gets paid $25 more for every dollar they charge you per month (39.99 for two way voice and 44.99 for cell primary are the minimum prices for every customer). If you are at the max or in between, they duped you.
Noteworthy information regarding the monitoring is quite important, as well. It is yet another lie from the Pinnacle Rep if he or she tells you that you are 'JUST PAYING TO STAY CONNECTED to the Police Department, Fire Department, and emergency outlet.' The Police and fire departments charge ZERO dollars to you for just staying connected. This is just dark Pinnacle strategy, once again. They want you to believe that YOU are paying for the connections, but, in reality, they are making you agree to pay for the monitoring (accomplished by Pinnacle Security). A home secured by Pinnacle Security is connected to ONE entity: Pinnacle Security.
Lastly, but even more importantly, are the type of technicians utilized by Pinnacle Security. These individuals are probably the best individuals working for the company, but they are not experienced in the least. They are young kids who are trying to make some money for the summer, but their experience is as limited as the word indicates. Most offices are run by one very experienced person (the person running the New York City office of Brooklyn is a stand up gentleman), but the rest are mostly first year summer interns. Most do not have credentials and the speed in which home security systems go into houses is intense (at least at Pinnacle Security). With that, one could only imagine the innumerable complaints and anomalies that occur with installation. It is true that a trial period exist on the equipment, but room for error in reference to securing a home is not something that should ever be compromised.
I hope to write under every response or complaint on this important consumer site. These sort of companies are the reason why people lack trust in businesses. We must be educated thoroughly to know the spoiled from the fresh, the manipulators from the genuine. Pinnacle Security is full of money-grubbing manipulators who play games with a very important process: home security. Do you dare take the risk with your family with people that use fabrications to get your business? I chose not to work for this company because I drew the line--there is not a dollar amount that can purchase my principles. I would rather be poor with my ethics than rich and without them.
Stay far away from Pinnacle Security.
Paul
Newberry, Florida
U.S.A.
15 Updates & Rebuttals
99bananas
Montana,United States of America
Mostly True
#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mon, February 25, 2013
Hi everyone! Also an ex-employee of Pinnacle, LLC. Everything the first guy said is mostly true. I feel pretty terrible for all of the systems that I sold.
I also left early and forfeited my back-end pay, but I knew exactly what I was doing. They do not hide the fact that if you breach contract, you will lose your back-end pay. At least not in the office where I was working.
As far as the deception at the door goes, the first guy hit the nail pretty much on the head. My office was still deceptive, but more careful with their words so that one could snake their way out of it if being pursued on the lies told. The take-over, what we called the "switch pitch," made me feel so slimy every time I was put in that situation. I was even told to take a sharpie, and black out the pinnacle embroideries on my hats, and to cover the pinnacle sign on my shirt with my binder while at a door, turn sideways, and point to the GE embroidery on my shoulder.
"Hi, I'm with pinnacle and GE, (GE is emphasized in that statement) GE is the company that made the security system in your house. We are just in the area updating some of the systems that we have found some weaknesses in, trying to make sure that we continue to keep your family safe."
This statement is technically true, but incredibly deceptive. The cell primary does lack a weakness that the older systems have. They are updating systems. That being said, I'm obviously not with just GE, and I'm about to wrap you up in a three year contract with you barely even knowing what happened.
"You've had that in there about three years now, right?"
If they say less, you tell them they are good to go, because the typical contract is three years. If they say yes or more, you say "Oh ya, we probably need to replace that". Make up a random model, ask if that's it, they won't know. Then you ask two completely frivolous questions about their system, point in their house, say "Let's take a look," and walk by them and lead them through their own house.
I do however, also agree with the statement that it is hard to make sure everything is on the up and up when you have that many employees. That could be fixed by being more selective in the hiring process though, rather than recruiting anyone and everyone.
I don't feel that I got ripped off financially by Pinnacle, but I do feel that a fair portion of my soul and innocence was thieved from me. I learned a lot about the psychology of selling, and I learned a lot about people, even though I've been in the sales industry for years. I learned a lot about being more careful when selecting an employer too!
I do also realize that part of this was my fault. I was seduced by Pinnacle like a drunk girl at a Tom Petty concert. Let's face it, I lied. Even though they taught me to and urged me to, I still stood on people's doorsteps and deceived them. I tricked people into choosing my product rather than another one. That's not sales. That's not a win, and I will never be the same person I was before a simple summer job forced me to do that to so many people to make a quick buck.
I'm also fairly interested in seeing how that class action suit is going. Whether or not I'd be a part of it, I'd love to pick your brain.
nonya business
Dallas,Texas,
United States of America
Former employee also against pinnacle
#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, August 09, 2012
I know most of the people on here are former reps. I am a former technician who because we went 2 months without any sales last summer became up to my neck in debt. You all make me feel good that I am not the only dissatisfied employee.
I was wondering if anyone knew if pinnacle actuall enforces their Noncomp or not so I can try and get a job with a different company?
P4R4
United States of AmericaThe Good, The Bad, and The Industry
#4UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, May 05, 2012
I am also an ex-employee, having left Pinnacle for a competitor I find to be far more honest and friendly with it's customers.
That being said, I feel the need to point out that when you hire in volumes that most security companies do, it's difficult to manage everyone perfectly. Everyone will have some of the good, the bad, and the ugly. (ha ha). Pinnacle Security systems work about as well as most of their competitors, and they have a good response time. The employees dealing with customers are USUALLY at least proficient and not completely corrupt, but I have noticed more bad eggs at Pinnacle than other businesses I've worked for. (and I've been a car salesman, so i've seen some bad ones!)
It is an indisputable fact that Pinnacle has been seriously targeted by the Government for unfair business practices- I've witnessed the aftermath of some of it firsthand. I even had difficulty pulling my final paycheck from them, and was dealt with upon news of my leaving with an air of hostility. But my personal issues aside-
Pinnacle has been in trouble for bad business practices before. Look up the BBB report on them. It's pretty bad, and from personal experience with them, I strongly encourage Buyer Beware!
P4R4
United States of AmericaThe Good, The Bad, and The Industry
#5UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, May 05, 2012
I am also an ex-employee, having left Pinnacle for a competitor I find to be far more honest and friendly with it's customers.
That being said, I feel the need to point out that when you hire in volumes that most security companies do, it's difficult to manage everyone perfectly. Everyone will have some of the good, the bad, and the ugly. (ha ha). Pinnacle Security systems work about as well as most of their competitors, and they have a good response time. The employees dealing with customers are USUALLY at least proficient and not completely corrupt, but I have noticed more bad eggs at Pinnacle than other businesses I've worked for. (and I've been a car salesman, so i've seen some bad ones!)
It is an indisputable fact that Pinnacle has been seriously targeted by the Government for unfair business practices- I've witnessed the aftermath of some of it firsthand. I even had difficulty pulling my final paycheck from them, and was dealt with upon news of my leaving with an air of hostility. But my personal issues aside-
Pinnacle has been in trouble for bad business practices before. Look up the BBB report on them. It's pretty bad, and from personal experience with them, I strongly encourage Buyer Beware!
Kean
Logan,Utah,
United States of America
Research is the Key.
#6UPDATE Employee
Fri, April 16, 2010
I've been a door to door sales person for five summers now. I've sold Pest Control for four summers, and Security Systems with Pinnacle Security this previous summer. I've always had my own way to sell products door to door and I haven't changed it. I've witnessed the liars, the deceivers, and the unethical sales rep. I personally have only found real success by being straight forward and honest with people and when I help my managers train and I teach them what I've learned. Consumers are always grateful when everything is laid out in plain English and easy to understand. I always say with confidence every aspect of the contract I am currently selling because I personally believe in it. I've done my own research into the products I am selling and the competition I'm working against. I chose to sell for Pinnacle Security for a few reasons:
One- The products Pinnacle offers are highest rated in the industry. They work, and are extremely effective. Monitoring is the fastest in the industry, and with the opening of more and more monitoring centers nationwide, the capabilities of securing more and more homes without effect on response time are top notch.
Two- I've never been taught unethical sales tactics by any manager from Pinnacle. My office in Seattle, WA was a very ethical office teaching us to be very clear on contract lengths, prices, and all the fine print. I always made sure I went over every little detail on the contract and never allowed it to be changed for any customer I set up with an Alarm System.
Three- I work hard, and am an honest sale person. Pinnacle has always allowed me to sell the way I want to. Yes I'm only a summer sales person because I attend college at Utah State University pursuing a Degree in Marketing in the Fall and Spring. I rarely offer this information to customers, but if they ask I always tell them the truth. I feel many sales reps are afraid to tell the truth because they feel it won't be received well. I stopped caring about what the customer may receive as good or bad my first year selling pest control, because it was simply easier to remain honest. And in my experience the customer almost always appreciates honesty. Granted it has lost me a few accounts in the short run but I feel the retention of the accounts I do sell in the long run more than make up for it. Last summer I sold 76 accounts and 75 accounts are still active to this day. The one account that is in default just stopped paying the monthly monitoring fee shortly after I sold it and has not responded to any phone calls by myself or the corporate office. There's always got to be at least one bad egg.
Four- Pinnacle has allowed to me to remain honest, do things my own way, and still sell accounts. I was never told to sell a certain way. I read the manual, which gave good meta-verbal and wording tips. But I only gleaned information from it I found useful to my own selling style. I do advertise. I don't feel sleazy or slimy telling people it is an advertising promotion. I would not be at a customer's door if I did not have something exceptional to offer. I leave my name and personal cell phone number with every sale and potential sale, and tell the consumer at the time that it is my personal cell phone number. This way they have someone to contact if anything goes wrong or they wish to purchase the system I was advertising. I've received many referral sales by doing so and have only been contacted by one customer with issues regarding their system. The issue itself was not even related to the security system itself, but was a battery issue with her current fire alarm system. Her batteries went bad in her current smoke detectors that were all connected and began going off at 2:00AM three days after we installed her security system. She responded to this by literally ripping her panel apart and destroying much of the system itself trying to turn the alarm off. She called me around 3:00AM. I answered (very sleepily as her call had woken me up), and upon hearing the alarm in the background I was luckily able to inform her that the sound was not that of our security system. This is why ripping the system apart was not working. It sounded to me like my fire alarms when someone burned something in the oven. I instructed her to disconnect all her fire alarms. This resulted in the alarms ceasing. I told her I would stop by as soon as I got to her area the next morning. She damaged the panel and two of the sensors which I did replace at no cost. The technician also did the extra work at no cost, although I did suggest she tip him because in all honesty she should have paid for the new equipment and installation. She was very grateful and did tip the technician and myself $20 each. I refused the tip she gave me, and in return she referred four of her neighbors which all purchased the system from me. She was chair of her HOA and had quite a bit of clout with her neighbors. I ended up paying for the new panel and sensors out of my paycheck, and the tech only agreed to install the new equipment because I took him out to lunch. But in focusing on customer service and satisfaction I ended up making way more with the extra four sales that I wouldn't have gotten had I just ignored her call and let her deal with corporate.
All in all, as a consumer you need to judge the situation as you see it. If the sales rep seems sleazy and untruthful, then don't buy from him. But when researching and by reading these slanderous and mis-representative posts by people that only see situations from one angle, it harms those of us that are attempting to be good and honest sales reps. We do have a great product to offer, we are not lying when we say it's a better deal than if you were to call up a company and get a price quote. I encourage homeowners to do so almost every sale. Most of my sales were not made on the spot. A valid Sales Tactic is to create urgency. When you see commercials on TV for Taco Bell, Meineke, or any other company that deals with the sales of products or services they almost always say "For a limited time only" We are simply doing the same. The deal is only good as long as I am in your area. I am simply a walking, talking coupon and I literally tell that to people on the doors. A consumer will get less equipment at a higher monthly rate when calling us directly, or when pricing with another company. I would not be knocking on someone's door if I didn't offer something worth their time. For this exact reason, when anyone comes to my door offering something to sell I listen to everything they have to say. If it's not something I'm interested in I tell them and send them on their way. But those of them that have something I would use and offer it at a great rate I take them up on their deal. We're not there to rip you off. We have something to offer each and every one of you. Listen to us and judge us by your experience and not those that happened to get a shitty sales rep.
Thank you for taking your time and reading my experiences. Feel free to contact me if you'd wish to learn more.
Texas,
USA
USA
Pinnacle is corrupt - don't work for them
#7UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, February 11, 2010
Everything that this person stated at the beginning of this thread is true (even though he kind of sounded high and mighty in his writing - no offense, dude). I worked for Pinnacle Security 2 summers ago and I feel pretty bad about the tactics that I was taught to use. I sold a system to a disabled woman and felt pretty bad about it because I know that I said some things that were dishonest (trying to use the tactics taught to me by both of my manager). That's why I had to quit, I felt slimy. And, yes, I could have ignored these tactics and tried to sell my own honest way, but I would rather make money for a company that encouraged me to be honest than to make money for a dishonest company. One of my old managers doesn't even work for them anymore, from what I understand. I'm not sure why, haven't contacted him to ask him yet, but I am curious as to why he left the company that he was so over-excited to work for.
I had a friend who also worked in another state tell me that he was talking with one of the owners on the phone because he was doing really well in sales, but was concerned about some sales tactics that were taught to him (my friend is a deeply religious person, in my opinion), and the owner started quoting Bible scriptures to him to justify why they use these dishonest tactics.......Honestly, I don't know how true that is because I heard it 2nd hand, but that really creeps me out when I think about it.
I just have a really dark feeling when I think about this company. My advice would be to avoid them. I'm sure there's some more honest security companies to work for where you could make just as much, and do it honestly.
Nis
Black Earth,Wisconsin,
United States of America
Contacting legal department?
#8Consumer Comment
Mon, January 11, 2010
I have been waiting for a rebuttal from three different companies (including this one), all concerning the same contract, due to it being sold so many times. My contract originally started with Pinnacle Home Security. The door to door sales person came to my house the month we moved in. I explained our situation to her, we were on a land contract with the builder until title was clear and house was completed. She then checked with her supervisor Ty, who "OK- ed" a 12 month contract. When filling out the contract, the sales person purposely had me not mark areas to accommodate this change. I did call SAI well after the 12 months to cancel. Now, after 2 1/2 years I am getting calls from a collection agency (Anderson Crenshaw and Associates- Whom I will add are BOTTOM DWELLERS) representing the third company to purchase contract. I have never received anything from this company on this issue....ever. I had to resort to filing with the Attorney General, and the BBB. This is where I was able to receive a copy of my contact. When I compared the two (mine and theirs) there were 15 things altered, changed, or added. After explaining this to all companies involved, now of course, it's none of there concern-unless payment is involved. And they still want me to pay. Finally Pinnacle Customers service informed me that due to not having any record on file, I needed to get in touch with their Legal Departments, William Hill. BUT, he can ONLY be reached be mail ?!?! WHAT???? Address given is Pinnacles Corporate Office in Orem UT. I would love to personally contact the Legal Office....HOW??
Nis
Black Earth,Wisconsin,
United States of America
Ben- Class action lawsuit
#9Consumer Comment
Mon, January 04, 2010
Ben I just started dealing with this company. I have a contract that has been changed, altered, and/or added to 15 different times. If I can be of any help, Please let me know.
Nis
Black Earth,Wisconsin,
United States of America
Ben- Class action lawsuit
#10Consumer Comment
Mon, January 04, 2010
Ben I just started dealing with this company. I have a contract that has been changed, altered, and/or added to 15 different times. If I can be of any help, Please let me know.
Dave
South Jordan,Utah,
United States of America
misinformed and underexperienced
#11UPDATE EX-employee responds
Fri, December 18, 2009
Apparently you have too much time on your hands. The time it spent you complaining for as long as you did (I couldn't even stand reading more than half) you could've spent it doing something more constructive. I don't have nearly as much time as you but I will try to be concise:
First of all, quit trying to impress people by being a sesquipedalian. Go look it up. Most of your words were misused anyway.
Second, having sold alarms for 3 years working for Pinnacle (1 year) and Platinum (2 years), I'm going to guess you were the judgemental unsuccessful kid who sold 35 because you either didn't work hard or didn't posess the ability to produce and now it's easier for you to lash out and finger-point and blame to "deflect", as you would put it, your failure.
Third, I will completely agree there is a mass amount of misrepresentation and dishonestly in Pinnacle, in home security sales, and in door-to-door period. I don't agree with it, and as a manager I never taught it. It only ends up cathcing up with the rep in the end anyway. But don't pool everyone that sells security in to your idea of what this industry teaches.
You need to do some more research on the sales industry in general. Sales is about packaging and presenting. That's not dishonest. Advertising is the same thing as selling you moron! It is not unethical to tell someone you are advertising when you are selling. Selling=Advertising!
I no longer sell home security. I did so for 3 years selling over 500 personal accounts and managing over 2300. I understand the dishonesty and greed that runs through that industry, but you were exposed to a small part of it. They are very good leaders and owners that do preach ethics. Don't be so narrow minded.
Ben
Inverness,Florida,
U.S.A.
PLS CONTACT ME WITH COMPLAINTS AGAINST PINNACLE
#12Consumer Comment
Fri, July 10, 2009
We are preparing a class action law suit against Pinnacle Securities. Please contact me with any/all complaints against the company from customers to employees. Ben
Grant
Newberry,Florida,
U.S.A.
Judge Cautiously
#13Author of original report
Tue, July 22, 2008
I am sure that the sales rep who is thoroughly exhuberant about Pinnacle Security has nothing to worry about, if they are honest. The cautions offered to this great consumer site is for the digestion of the potential customers. If you have integrity, then you should make sales without the coaxing tactics that riegn pervasively throughout the Pinnacle structure. Kudos to you for your honesty, Mr. or Mrs. Sales Rep. Despite reading like a advertiser, I trust that you believe you handle yourself with principle. To the potential customers: Judge carefully before you join Pinnacle Security.
Bwrig09
Centerville,Utah,
U.S.A.
I love Pinnacle Security! Check out ADT's list of complaints!
#14UPDATE Employee
Tue, July 22, 2008
I've been working as a Sales Rep for Pinnacle for a while now and have nothing but good things to say about them, so far. I love having my own Pinnacle System and enjoy selling them. I don't doubt that there are "shady" reps (managers, marketing directors, advertising managers etc) that sell for Pinnacle. However, from the training I went through and the practices I use, everyone knows that I'm a sales rep. I don't tell them I'm a "manager" or "from the police department," because I'm not either of those. I'm NOT an Area or Regional Manager. I'm a simple "sales rep." I don't work during the summer only. I work a couple of hours per day and work 90% of my business off of referrals. So far, I have NOTHING bad to say about Pinnacle Security as a company. I enjoy selling and I enjoy the product. I pay $46.99 per month (no, I don't feel like I got "duped"). There are always 2 sides to every story. Thanks, Pinnacle!
Grant
Newberry,Florida,
U.S.A.
Ex-Employee: As Was Expected, Pinnacle Security Tries to Save Face
#15Author of original report
Sun, July 13, 2008
As I expected, Pinnacle Security would try their best to a change a story to suit their selfish desires. First, let me set the record firmly on the side of veracity. Folks, there indeed was an advancement that I submitted to the Corporate Offices. HOWEVER, the advancement in pay IS NOT really an advancement to begin with. You see, to be specific, the advancement I submitted through discombobulated management--due to their shoddy training practices that forgot to oblige their employees specific information about how to siphon out the "free" points to buyers--was actually an advancement off of MY BACKEND EARNINGS. Let me be clear here: The money that I asked for was money that I ALREADY EARNED. What makes this assault on my character laughable is this fact: The money I earned in the backend--which will help Pinnacle Security a lot more than it will help me--were earnings "VOIDED because of a small detail in the contract I signed (yes, I had to sign a contract with Pinnacle Security too--this is yet another reason why this company is very poor). In my contract I forfeited ALL of my backend earnings when I left the company. A sales rep with Pinnacle makes 3/4 of their total earnings in the backend (this money is held in the backend just in case cancellations occur--which usually represents a VERY small percentage of the aggregate backend). Do not be fooled by Pinnacle's corporate posturing, Pinnacle Security has made a WHOLE lot more money from my energy than I will ever receive from them. If I lost ALL of my backend earnings, 75 percent of my earnings to be acute, then how am I ripping off Pinnacle Security? Friends, I have been ripped off, but that has never mattered as much as smug business practices. Second, the advancement I received from my OWN MONEY was actually allotted to my account BEFORE my plane ticket was bought to leave New York City and return to Florida. A couple points to mention. First, I knew that I was going to lose a whole lot of money leaving Pinnacle Security. This is the crux: I am always willing to ensure my character and integrity is fostered before money comes into the picture. I was duped by a company that wasted a lot of my time making themselves rich--which is also crookedly perpetrated on the regular people who would prefer not to be bothered at their homes. The question: Shouldn't I have already had a ticket purchased BEFORE my advancement? That is usually the case for someone that has planned a get-away; that is, unless I did not have the money to purchase a ticket. (You will soon read this answer in my fourth point.) Third, most of the employees who were signed by Pinnacle Security to represent them, actually were signed with a signing bonus. My recruiter, let's just call him Coltt, did not tell me about a signing bonus; to be precise, I was given NO signing bonus to work with Pinnacle (this is what Pinnacle can call free money given, not an advancement of my own money earned). Fourth, I did not even BUY my plane ticket to Florida. The Pinnacle Rep claims that I needed the advancement to leave. This is as false as pigs sprouting wings and soaring through the sky. T-Mobile bought my ticket AFTER my advancement--the plane ticket is in my name but the purchaser is a gentleman that works for T-Mobile (my current boss). Let's summarize: 1. I asked for an advancement of MY OWN money earned--I lost the majority of my earnings because of a small detail in the contract. 2. My plane ticket was purchased AFTER my advancement. 3. The plane ticket was NOT purchased by me at all--T-Mobile bought my ticket. 4. I received NO signing bonus to come to New York City, which MANY MANY Pinnacle reps did receive (this was a lie my recruiter must have loved because he made a whole lot of money signing me). To progress from here would be appropriate. Fifth, I have not harassed Pinnacle reps or management one iota. In fact, all I ever did was leave, resuming an honorable job making an honest dollar, wrote Rip-off Reports concerning the horrendous business practices by Pinnacle and, specifically, the New York City office, and was attacked by Pinnacle Security management in the office. Subsequently, I was bombarded with a stream of text messages and calls (which have been saved and will be used on my own end, if necessary) relaying mixed messages. Did I initiate contact with the office Manager, Gabe (the ring leader of misrepresentation and ill sales practices)? Absolutely not, he must have called me FIVE times, leaving a message on one occasion telling me that I had surprised him with the report (these text messages and voicemail messages are saved). More and more text messages poured in thanking me for telling the truth about the management--or the fact that the outside perspective was indispensable in showing a less than picturesque Pinnacle climate (these text messages are saved). I declare with unequivocal resolve: Half of the Pinnacle Office would testify on my behalf--the others would not because they are far too advanced in Pinnacle's twisting web of provincial ethics. There is no surprise that a person who becomes the "whistle blower" on inappropriate business practices will get a worthy recoil from the office and company accused. I want to ask the reader another, but sincerely powerful, question: If Pinnacle Security is thorough, honest, a "pinnacle" of integrity, a company of genuine consistency and unbridled professionalism, then why would they care what, they have a dubbed, is a "rogue" employees report about them? If a rep is forthright and exemplifies professionalism, than whatever is written by anyone should be taken with a grain-of-salt. If a corporate company is frightened by one "ex-employee" than one beckons to know this: What exactly is this company trying to hide? Lastly, I have no bother over whether or not Pinnacle Security has signed over 100,000 people in the last year or not. Have you ever heard of Pinnacle Security before today? Most would state that they haven't. If you are reading this rebuttal than you are one of the smart people that researches a company before you sign. I welcome that prudence--when we research, we find the answers. I have NOTHING to gain by writing this report--I have already lost a large mount of time and money working for Pinnacle. The only satisfaction I get is in knowing that I might help a few people realize the truth about a shady company. There are always two sides to every argument, but have you read a comment at all from Pinnacle Security rebutting what I wrote? NO, they have only attacked MY credibility--not Pinnacles OWN minced up statutes. Let the facts be stated--half truths are as good as vile fabrications.
Pinnacle Security
Orem,Utah,
U.S.A.
If you would like the real story with Paul, please contact our corporate office and ask to speak to the legal dept. He is a rogue employee.
#16UPDATE Employee
Sat, July 12, 2008
We believe he was recruited from a cell phone kiosk in a mall in Florida. He worked for a short time in one of our offices and upon before his departure asked for a monetary advance to help pay some personal bills so that he could remain an employee. Once the advance of money was given, this employee packed his bags overnight and hopped on a plane without telling anyone. If you know this individual please contact us. He continues to harass current employees by text messages and phone calls. All future contact will be recorded and sent to the corporate office. We do not agree with this employee. We are a well established company that has been in business for a decade and has set up over 150,000 residential homes with home security over the last few years. We have over 1000 sales reps in The continental United States and Canada. Any business this size will have a complaint here or there, but feel free to check out how promptly we resolve any customer/employee complaints. If you are interested in learning more about how to protect your home or business with one of our wireless security systems please visit our website www.pinnaclesecurity.net or call our corporate office at 1-877-PIN-SAFE. You may qualify for one of our systems O.A.C.
