DISQUS

Dissatisfied · 11 months ago

I agree with all the negative comments on the sales tactics...unfortunately my husband was taken in by the smooth talk and signed a contract last summer. We've never even armed the system and when the smoke / fire detector went off we got a call 45 minutes later to see if everything was ok. We are currently trying to get out of the contract....which it sounds like we will not be able to do. There isn't even a hardship allowance....we've told them we both lost our jobs and can't pay and they really don't care. It just seems to me that an ethical company would have a way to cancel a contract. I just removed all the equipment....funny but as soon as I tried to remove the door sensors we received a call.....I told the woman that I was removing their equpipment and she offered to put it in test mode for a week so that nothing would get monitored. Then I had to have the phone company come rewire my phone so it didn't go thru the alarm system --- seems that our phone wouldn't have worked if anything went wrong with the alarm panel cause of the phone being wired directly to the alarm panel first. So.....as of now we don't have anything connected and will be writing a letter informing them that all their equipment has been removed so there is nothing to monitor. The told us to check on Craig's list for someone looking for service.....the only way out of the contract is to find someone to take it over. I would never do that to someone knowing how unscrupulous they are. So....we bein the battle of trying to get them to cancel the contract ....

Nick · 8 months ago

Wow! Thanks for the heads up.

Jon · 10 months ago

Dear Editor:

It is my desire to ask a very important favor of you. I currently reside in California and a couple of weeks ago I was in Utah visiting my brother who attends BYU. I am a former employee of APX Alarm and one day while I was eating lunch with my brother on campus he showed me this blog that he had come across (he was doing some investigation on the company because he is currently looking to install an alarm in his home). I was upset, to say the least, at all the negative comments left by posters (because I felt like my time at APX was enjoyable and I felt like I was able to protect a lot of families during my time there) that I felt like I had to post my two-cents. I am the anonymous poster that used an inappropriate name to identify myself. My brother called me today and informed me that you have changed the name and also posted a comment about the University that he attends. I acted immature and I regret my actions. I am sorry if I offended the person that I poked fun at. I just felt upset at the negative comments and lost my cool. My brother loves BYU and what they stand for. He asked me if I would do him the favor of apologizing and asking if you would be so kind as to remove your comment about BYU. It was posted by me and not by anyone attending BYU. I am sorry for what I said and hope that you will be so kind as to honor my request. Thank you so much. Sincerely, Jonathon Thomas

Mit Ailbu · 8 months ago

I use this company. I have never had a problem. I feel bad for anyone who has had a problem with them.

David · 8 months ago

My Apex story is like all of yours. I was promised a refund/credit for the time my system was down. A friend of mine came into my house for my birthday..I was not home but the alarm was supposed to be engaged. I asked her if the police came or the phone rang..she said no, and left. I have been fighting with this Crenshaw copany, and even told them that APEX denied a request for credit, and upon review, granted it, but then credit disappeared within a week when Apex sent me to collections. They kept telling me the "cell" was down....I kept asking "For how long was I unprotected" and they could not answer. Made appts with them to come fix, they cancelled and cancelled. I dont feel as though I owe them crap. If they gave me credit for good reason, and took it back cuz it went to default, what kind of scam is that??? I am not paying them one red cent, their equipment malfunctions and they dont even let you know. They told me that code 103 meant it was not communicating with them, and its MY responsibility to make sure the system is working properly. Am I to place a camera on the key pad in order to show when the Code popped up in order to get proper credit? This thing has happened 5 times.

Wildwillywong · 7 months ago

APX marketing operatives have been linked to committing burglaries and arson, to convince people that they need protection.

When the culprits went on trial, the judge gave them a slap on the wrist, saying that because they burned and robbed people's homes as entrepreneurs, they deserved a lighter sentence than a common person who would burn his home down for insurance money to pay off debts.

The judge said entrepreneurs are the backbone of America, and that he admired their spirit and determination to be a profitable American success story, but he couldn't officially approve of their sales tactics. And he told the victims that because they had no alarm systems, they were partially responsible for their damgages and losses because of their own negligence.

Wildwillywong · 7 months ago

Seriously, I knew nothing about APX until I bought one of their Honeywell panels from eBay yesterday.

I already had a Lynx installed by myself, so I was familiar with the equipment. My system is not monitored but I have it programmed to call my cell phone whenever there is an alarm. They will tell you that's not possible if the system is not monitored, but it is if you know how to program it.

As far as the equipment quality and reliability goes, I am very happy with it. The amount of protection the Lynx provides for the money is well worth it to me. I'm fully aware that it doesn't provide the same level of security as a bank or jewelry store alarm system, but you get what you pay for, and I feel like I definitely am getting my money's worth out of the Lynx.

I do have two questions about the APX branded LYNX panel. This panel didn't come with the X-10 transformer for turning lights on and off, and the "Lights On" and 'Lights Off" labels are not printed on the panel. Does anyone know if the APX panel is X-10 capable? I'm assuming they didn't print lights on and lights off on the panel to avoid inquiries or complaints from customers about a feature APX doesn't use.

Also, the lighted keypad option doesn't seem to work on the APX panel, even though it is listed in the programming instructions (as are x-10 procedures). So does anyone know if APX eliminated the keypad lighting feature to cut the cost of the panels?

Finally, I feel sorry for anyone who is "stuck" with APX for 5 years. The bright side is, if you do have a Lynx panel, it is a very good system, and you can expand and improve the coverage by adding sensors from eBay, and you can add a lot of programming options. I have my system set to automatically arm itself at 11PM. I highly recommend the Honeywell Lynx to anyone who is considering purchasing a security system, and wants to install it themselves without monitoring. I have no affiliation with any alarm or security company so this is an honest opinion.

Another cool thing about the Lynx that I just remembered is that the door sensors actually have two zones in them. So if you had two doors close to each other and you wanted them both covered, you could put the wireless sensor on one door, then run a wire from the wireless transmitter to the other door and use a cheaper magnet switch, instead of the more expensive wireless transmitter.

Chris · 6 months ago

Pure and Simple, APX (or SAI or Castlerock Security) is in it for the money and could care less for the people or promised service. They use returned Mormon Missionaries (RM's from BYU or other Utah schools) to sell the alarm systems door to door. They are taught to promise everything necessary to get your money in their pockets. I am a returned Mormon Missionary and fell for the "clean cut" sales pitch scam. When I purchased the system (three year contract), I knew there was a chance of me moving elsewhere and was told over and over that I would get one free "courtesy" move if i did. The sales rep Braxton promised this point over and over to get me to sign up. I knew his younger brother from church and thought the personal connection was reason enough to make the purchase - mistake I know. I used the system for just over a year (with no problems I might add) till my job required me to move my family to San Diego. At this time I learned my account was sold to SAI (and later again later to Castlerock Security). SAI stated they didn't provide service to San Diego and couldn't provide me with the "courtesy move" because it was not in the contract. I was responsible for the entire contract regardless. When my wife took it up the chain of command, they told her a moving coordinator would finally contact us. We tried for three months to get ahold of the moving coordinator and never received one call back. In the meantime, the new owners of my home set off the alarm system serval times. They didn't want the system and kept asking us to cancel the service. SAI would not cancel or remove the service until the contract was paid in full. When the alarm went off, it was APX who called my emergency contact list - not SAI. Again I asked APX to remove my information from the system. APX told me to contact SAI and SAI told me they wouldn't do anything until my account was current. I could talk to APX when the alarm went off, but not to them when trying to get them to honor their word or assist me with SAI. After several attempts to get either APX or SAI to honor the "courtesy" move as promised, I even offered to install a new system myself if they would send me the equipment. I was willing to finish out my contract if I was given the service as promised. APX or SAI wouldn't help me at all. I finally called the sales representative who sold me the system (Braxton). Each time I called him, he promised me he would contact someone and get it resolved, but never did. He acknowledged the promise of the "courtesy" move and seemed confused as to why the account was sold to SAI or the fact that they would not honor the "courtesy move". After months of trying to get SAI to work with me, they turned me over to Anderson, Crenshaw & Associates LLC a (not at all) professional collection agency. When I moved I had just over $900 left on the contact. Now the collection agency is threatening me with $1378 after they added on fees - cost of the equipment, install charges and Braxton's COMMISSIONS to add salt to my wounds. I still get SAI or Castlerock Security bills requesting $400 for past due charges while Anderson, Crenshaw & Associates LLC is demanding over three times that. I tried offering $1000 to the collection agency to get them to stop calling my house, threatening my family or reporting me to credit, but no they are holding me hostage at $1378. I continue to contact APX and SAI - both of them tell me they are going to listen to my story when I first call, but in the end transfer me to the collection agency. My father even had a APX sales representative (yes, a clean cut returned Mormon Missionary) come to their door. When he was told of my situation, he volunteered to help he promised "courtesy moves" himself. We talked a couple times on the phone trying to get my account switched over from SAI, but in the end - SAI or Castlerock Security or the (not so) professional collection agency controled my account. He could do nothing. I appreciated his willingness to help nonetheless. The alarm system worked fine for me, the people and promises failed me terribly. Shame on APX, SAI and Castlerock Security (I expected this from Anderson, Crenshaw & Associates LLC as a collection agency) and shame on those making promises they can't keep. Paying over $2000 for a year of alarm service was not worth it. Yes, I have learned my lesson, will read the fine print and admit verbal promises mean nothing to companies like APX. I just find it ironic seeing the clean cut Mormon missionaries turning full circle to make a quick and dishonest buck with APX. I just hope this summers returned Mormon Missionaries read the fine print before signing up for a summer job with APX.

Brooklyn · 6 months ago

We worked for APX in 2004. I can honestly say it was the worst summer of my entire life. My stomach still gets sick everytime I think about it. We had to BEG and PLEAD for them to give us our pay check. They told us lie after lie saying "your w-4 got lost, your check got lost in the mail, your check went to another district, etc, etc." Finally when we got home (more than half of our district left a month early) we had to fight with them over the phone to get them to cut us another check. After two week of arguing, they made us drive 2 hours to pick up our check because they wouldn't mail it to us. This company is nothing but dishonest with it's employees and customers. The reason that an installer is always at your door 10 seconds after the salesman leave, is because installers sit in parking lots near the neighborhoods they are selling in, waiting for a sell. Installers are told to "just go in the house and start drilling before the customer can ask too many questions." This company is dishonest.DO NOT BUY FROM THEM OR WORK FOR THEM. A good paycheck is not worth your integrity.

David · 5 months ago

I've worked for Apx for three years. I get paid everything on time and exactly what I'm supposed to get paid. They are the most honest, ethical, efficient, and successful organization I have ever worked for. I'm sorry to hear that some of you have had bad experiences. I've had so many positive experiences with Apx. I sell honestly and so does the rest of our office. If you don't like the liars, then don't sell with them--go with people you trust, not with the small percentage of the company force that are scumbags. We fire people in a heartbeat if they ever misrepresent the company to customers or lie about things. We don't tolerate dishonesty or unethical behavior. We work our butts off, honestly and ethically, and the rewards come. If I wasn't honest with people I'd feel awful. Thank goodness I am. Thank goodness most of the guys in our company are. It's funny that when people are happy and satisfied, they usually don't go out and blog--they don't care or have the time to. It usually is the upset ones that blog--so the majority of the positive experiences never get communicated in these kinds of forums. :) Oh well. I guess people will just have to investigate these things for themselves to discover the truth.

iheartapx · 5 months ago

Its funny how when an ADULT signs his or her name to a legal document and then acts like a CHILD and wants to get out of it as soon as it is no longer convenient for them. Should it be going the other way I am 100% positive this same person would be SCREAMING that they had a LEGAL CONTRACT and that APX should honor it. Grow up you baby and realize that YOU SIGNED THE PAPER WORK! Blame no one but yourself for that. APX didn't force you into anything, you should have been RESPONSIBLE enough to investigate it before you signed up.

robertmerrill · 5 months ago

Any business model that relies on "Well, you signed the contract, fork it over" isn't a business, it's a lie.

If my legal contract required payment for services that didn't work, and allowed me to still demand payment even if it didn't work, I would revise my contract or my services.

If other APX clients are happy, that's awesome. I just wasn't. I've never said the whole universe of APX clients never get their money's worth. But I didn't (ever) get what I paid for and simply wanted APX to make good on that.

If the service had worked as advertised/sold OR if the repeated attempts to contact APX directly had resulted in something before posting this, I never would have had a problem--and this website wouldn't exist.

lovetheapxalarm · 4 months ago

I had previously tried to leave a comment a few months ago and my comment was not approved by the blog owner, but:
I own an APX alarm and it has worked great. I am very greatful for the system, and I suppose that since the company does nearly 300,000 + accounts each year; of course there are going to be those that are a unsatisfied. I feel bad for those who are unhappy with the company, but not everyone everywhere is in the same situation so I might suggest to those who are looking into an alarm, read the contract! And read up on the equipment. This APX alarm might work well for you! It works great for my family!

Eric Eason · 1 month ago

Why did you post this son of a bitch in January of 2009 if the matter was aready resolved in 2008?
Are you screwed up that bad?
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robertmerrill · 1 month ago

lol, no. This was reposted from its original home somewhere else on the web.