APX Alarms?

[Nick Koan]

So,

I thinks I almost got scammed. A guy came to my house today selling alarm systems door to door. Now, I'm not really one for door-to-door salesmen (mainly because if they have to sell it door-to-door, its probably not really worth buying), but I have been thinking about an electronic security system for my house. So, I listened to him. It sounded decent, and wow, what a deal he would cut me.

The spiel was that he wasn't a salesman. APX was a newish company that is just trying to get into the market here and I'd be helping him by putting up a sign in my yard and for that I'd get a free system.

First ding: Its all free with free installation. My price is guaranteed for 60 months. Me: "Umm, that sounds like a contract." "Oh no, its just a price guarantee"

Second ding: Scare tactics. Showed me how easy it was to buy skeleton keys online. And it sounded perfectly rehearsed. And of course, I figured, "Well, that actually kinda makes sense as a part of a legit sales pitch"

Third ding: Showed me how much I would have paid at full price, and how much a full monthly price is. Then, showed me how much I'm saving. I really should have been more wary by now, but I was kind of getting into it. And of course, I shouldn't tell my neighbors what a killer deal I was getting, but tell them what my "real" price would have been.

Fourth ding (the homerun ding): After all was said and done (I still signed up, despite the warning lights) and of course, just glossed over everything before signing. Anyway, as he was leaving he asked for a glass of water. Of course, I gave it to him, and then said something like "Man, you look exhausted." and he replied with "Yeah, I've been up since 7am. I got 13 new accounts today." Oops.

That was really the one that did it for me. So, I googled APX Alarms and Apex Alarms. The first page of hits was all about how its a legit company but pretty shady. For one thing, they try to do the whole "Help me out, I'll help you out" but, it turns out their "discounted" monthly fee is actually more than established companies like Brinks or whatnot. Also, turns out they usually sell the contract to another company Security Associates International (SAI) which, of course, turns into more of a nightmare for more customer service type stuff. The only good looking reviews don't pass your basic internet BS test.

I canceled the service just a few hours after signing the contract. The installer guy showed up and started installing things, while I was still reading the internet and going over the contract in greater detail. I ended up kicking him out after doing two door monitors (which he removed before he left). The last thing I had to do was fax in a cancellation form (which I just did) and get a confirmation call back from them (which hasn't happened yet).

Luckily I gave them my credit card instead of my bank account info for EFT. I should probably call them and tell them to block any charges.

Hopefully that's the end of it.

[Kevin M]

Except you need a real security system now that shady sales guy and shady installation gyuy have had a chance to scope the place out, and are aware of your lack of security.

[Nick Koan]

Originally Posted by Kevin M

Except you need a real security system now that shady sales guy and shady installation gyuy have had a chance to scope the place out, and are aware of your lack of security.

Yup, I'm planning on getting a real system here soon anyway, this is just going to accelerate it a little. I've still got my old fashioned security system in place, so its all good.

[sperry]

Same kid has been wandering around my neighborhood. He tried to sell Lisa on it too with the whole "free install so we can get advertisements" line. His mistake was bad mouthing ADT as being crappy when Lisa's used every system out there through work and they're the best.

[Nick Koan]

What kills me is that I know that I know better than this.

Oh well, it should all be sorted out soon. Hold on the credit card for now. Gotta check tomorrow to see if the cancellation paperwork went through.

[Nick Koan]

Originally Posted by sperry

Same kid has been wandering around my neighborhood. He tried to sell Lisa on it too with the whole "free install so we can get advertisements" line. His mistake was bad mouthing ADT as being crappy when Lisa's used every system out there through work and they're the best.

Yeah, I have a feeling they try to talk to newer neighborhoods where people don't really know their neighbors yet, and they can name drop and all that stuff without fear of messing getting caught.

Also, he asked me where I worked and I said IGT, but he of course thought I said ADT and thought I worked for the competitors. He said he'd never heard of IGT before.

Now that I think of it, the fact that he didn't know about one of Reno's biggest employers is really yet another strike.

[sperry]

I wouldn't blame the sales kid too much though. I think he's just a high school kid that got sucked into their sales system and is probably just doing his best to follow the prefab pitch to earn some summer cash.

[Nick Koan]

Oh for sure. Actually, both were really nice when I told them I was going to cancel and very helpful in getting it all cleared up. I've known some pretty decent people that have gotten caught up in this type of stuff for quick summer cash.

I almost felt bad for him, but not like I was going to be sucked into a sub-standard and shady security system just cause I felt bad.

[MattR]

Scam, or at least bogus, this same outfit pitched this "new in town" angle 5 years ago when they came to my door in the northwest. No good.

[MPREZIV]

Originally Posted by Nick Koan

... I've still got my old fashioned security system in place, so its all good.

?

[Kevin M]

I'm picturing more, grab the cell phone and hide in the closet until the police show up.

[Dean]

No, no, no... Nick is Asian, so he can go all martial arts on their ass.

[Nick Koan]

I got my guns right here

*flexes*

[sybir]

Originally Posted by Nick Koan

I got my guns right here

*flexes*

Derringers, huh?

[cody]

They came by my house a few months ago. A bunch of my neighbors fell for it as they have the little signs in their lawns. I have never bought anything from somebody who knocks on my door.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by cody

They came by my house a few months ago. A bunch of my neighbors fell for it as they have the little signs in their lawns. I have never bought anything from somebody who knocks on my door.

Does that mean you leave the garage open for the pizza delivery guy?

[cody]

He knows to just come on in.

[Nick Koan]

Originally Posted by cody

They came by my house a few months ago. A bunch of my neighbors fell for it as they have the little signs in their lawns. I have never bought anything from somebody who knocks on my door.

Yeah, I'm with you on that one, 99.9% of the time.

Stupid lapse of judgment.

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by sperry

Does that mean you leave the garage open for the pizza delivery guy?

I think I'd rather buy 'off-inventory' speakers than door-to-door pizza...

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Kevin M

I think I'd rather buy 'off-inventory' speakers than door-to-door pizza... :shock:

Right, I'm sure you've never had Domino's delivered to your house.

[cody]

Door-to-door pizza sounds naaaasty.

[Nick Koan]

Hey look, this pizza just fell off the back of a truck. I'm just trying to off it for whatever. $10 and its yours.

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by sperry

Right, I'm sure you've never had Domino's delivered to your house.

Actually, no. But I've had some of the good ones. The difference is I called them and asked them to stop by with my pizza, they didn't just ring the bell because they were in the neighborhood.

[Nick Koan]

Ah, finally got everything resolved. I just got on the phone this morning with the Account Resolution department, who finally got my cancellation paperwork

Anyway, of course they tried to offer me 3 free months, and then they tried to offer me a shorter contract with a lower rate. But, phew. I'm just glad it didn't turn into this nightmare that I was expecting it to turn out to be.

[cody]

Good to hear.