I must tell you of my experience with Vivint - it is definitely not an unique experience according to the many negative comments on the web.

Dustin Udall knocked on my door. He was a clean cut college aged kid wearing a blue Vivint logo shirt and shorts, showing an ID clipped to his belt. He had business cards. He looked official and upstanding. That’s about as far as I can go with positive feedback.
The following dialogue may not be verbatim, but it’s close to what I remember and it will give important facts on why I don’t (and you shouldn’t) ever want service from Vivint.
Dustin: Hi, my name is Dustin from Vivint.Me: Hi. (wondering why I even opened the door)Dustin: I see you have an Alliance Protection sticker in your window.Me: Yes, I have an active monitoring service with Alliance that I am happy with.Dustin: Do you have VOIP? Because if a burglar were to cut your phone lines, your alarm will not work. (typical scare tactic)Me: (knowing the previous comment was a scare tactic) Yes, I have Time Warner Cable’s package with phone, cable, and web. I also realize that if my phone lines were cut ( I’d like to see statistics on burglaries where this actually happens), my alarm may not call the monitoring company, but it will still activate the audible alert.Dustin: Well, what I can do for you will help you out in that situation. I’m the Director of Advertising, and we’re looking for customers to help us out in this neighborhood. Do you know your neighbors, Paul and Sally, who live just around the corner?, they’ve already agreed to use the service I’m about to tell you about. We will install a new keypad and an analog cell phone system that will call Vivint in the event that your phone line is cut, and we’ll do it for free, all you have to do is display a lighted sign in your front yard as advertising for us. Then we can send out sales team around to your neighbors and they’ll see that you have our service already. Most people go with a familiar alarm company.Me: That sounds interesting, what’s the catch?Dustin: You have to display the sign and agree to our monitoring service for three years.Me: I’m under contract with Alliance until September.Dustin: That’s ok, we’ll buy out your contract.Me: Alright. Come in, let me look at your paperwork. (big mistake on my part)
He proceeds to fill me on some details, (monthly monitoring service at $44.99 per month for 36 months) writes up the contract and then gets somebody on the phone to verify information I gave him. After very carefully reading the cancellation clause of the contract, I signed the agreement. Paperwork complete. At this point I am very hesitant to do anything more, but I did.
Dustin: I have two technicians right around the corner finishing up Paul and Sally’s installation. They can be here in a few minutes.Me: It’s really not a good time for me, I need to bathe my one year old daughter and put her to bed. Can we do this on Monday?Dustin: No, we’re only in the area this week.Me: (reluctant, but) ok, fine. What about the contract buyout with Alliance?Dustin: I don’t have a company check. (he reaches into his wallet and pulls out $80) Will this cover it?Me: Not really, I have at least three months left at $32.99.Dustin: That’s all I have, are you sure?Me: ok (I reluctantly take the cash)
Dustin calls his technicians (who are at my door in what seems like 10 seconds) . They (two clean cut college aged kids wearing blue Vivint logo shirts and shorts) looked official and upstanding. They were wearing tool belts and brought 5 gallon pails with tools and equipment. I held them up at my front door to ask a few more technical questions then reluctantly let them into my house and showed them the wiring box, they began tearing apart the wiring of my existing system to begin their installation. Dustin leaves.
Then, I log on and search the web “Vivint scam” HOLY CRAP!!!! I was alarmed (no pun intended) at the amount of negative comments on various websites about this whole ordeal. Just google “Vivint” with or without “scam” and you’ll see what I mean. Did I say HOLY CRAP!!!!
After reading a posted comment, I decided enough was enough and called Dustin.
Dustin: HelloMe: Hi Dustin, I did a google search on Vivint and I see tons of negative information about your company. What’s the deal?Dustin: Are you sure you didn’t search Vivint Reviews? I’ve heard of them before.Me: No, I searched Vivint. I can type. I need your guys to stop installation and put my system back together.Dustin: Ok fine - I’ll stop by and get my $80 back.Me: Please hurry.Dustin: ok bye.
I went over to the technicians and told them to stop and put my system back together. The cancellation clause of the contract states the agreement will not be binding unless 1) it is signed by a APX supervisor or 2) they start the monitoring service.
One of their phones rings - It must have been Dustin. “Hello. yeah. ok. ok. bye.”
After about an hour of them fumbling around with the wiring, one of the technicians (I think his name was Johnny) said he couldn’t get it back together, but Vivint would cover the costs for Alliance to repair it. I really hope this happens. I’ve yet to get confirmation of this.
After they all left, I did more research.
There was no Paul or Sally in my neighborhood (I searched the surrounding blocks, no Vivint signs anywhere to be found) Paul and Sally, huh? right.$44.99 per month over a 36 month period will more than cover the costs of the “free” equipment they would have installed. Nothing is free!!Dustin was from Arizona, Johnny was from Minnesota, and the other technician was from the midwest somewhere. Company stability?No company check to buy out existing contract? Offered me cash? Cash IS king, but come on.Offer not available except for right then? Typical example of bad deal.
These are all red flags I should have caught on to earlier, but I didn’t until the various websites opened my eyes. I wanted the technology. I wanted it now. Instant gratification.
I just hope I can get my system back to working condition without cost.
Bottom Line: Don’t sign an agreement with Vivint unless you get the free equipment and the monthly monitoring is under $35 per month for 36 months. Even then, I’d be hesitant.
Posted by Chris Alberts

Apex Alarm Systems

People are learning that in this ever-moving and uncertain world, Apex alarm systems are needed, and are becoming more and more common. In some urban areas, security systems are needed just as much as good door locks. During the decade which I'd grown up in, it wasn't uncommon to leave your doors unlocked, so I never had reason to consider looking at home alarms because we trusted others. Today's society couldn't be more different if it tried. As a parent, I have become more aware of today's chaos and I have begun to seriously look at the costs and benefits of having a home Apex alarm.

An Apex alarm system is needed by every business, no matter the size; insurance companies almost demand it. Many people that I know of have already had Apex alarm systems installed; mine is scheduled to be installed next week if nothing goes wrong. After thinking about this for some time, I finally gave in and searched for more information on the installation of a home security system. I never had any idea that they did more than just prevent against home invasions. Fortunately there are a number of really good reasons why you should have one fitted in your home.

Now that I know that these types of alarms can detect fire and the deadly carbon monoxide gas, I feel very reassured. Not only do they help with those factors, but can also aid in medical emergencies also. With a child to take care of and with additional crime happening in the surrounding neighborhoods, making the choice to look into Apex home security became my only option. The disappearance of many children that seems to be happening nationally scared me into finally taking some action.

It scares me that my little girl sleeps is only one storey from the ground level where anyone with wrong intentions could easily climb up, break a window and get to her. This was one of the leading reasons for me to start comparing home security systems on the market. I truly believed that making this decision was the best way to keep her safe. My home owners insurance is also reduced as it is quite normal for providers to reduce the premiums of people when they have an Apex alarm system installed. Without a doubt, having home security will add to your monthly bills but you have to consider how much more secure you will feel. You cannot place a price tag on safety and personal peace of mind.

Apex Alarm

Many people have realized that Apex alarm systems are needed, and are being fitted to an increasing number of homes. In relation, many areas have found that security systems are necessary. I had never even considered looking into a home alarm; after all it was not uncommon to leave doors unlocked and actually be able to trust others when I was young. Today is different to what it was like during those times. As a parent, I have become more aware of today's chaos and I have begun to seriously look at the costs and benefits of having an Apex home alarm.

A couple of years ago I discovered alarms systems are fitted now to most new cars. The Jeep that I bought had an alarm, but I can't say if it prevented anyone from vandalizing or breaking in, because I am not sure if anyone has tried. There are benefits though because I don't have to worry about losing my property or having it damaged, as it does in the money area, where I got a discount on my auto insurance because my car has it.

All companies, big, small and in between should have an alarm system installed if they value their security. Like more and more people are doing these days, I am going to have an alarm system installed at home. After thinking about this for some time, I finally gave in and searched for more information on the installation of a home security system. I was totally unaware that they not only protect a homeowner from attempts at burglary but other problems also. There are so many advantages to having one in your house that it is almost insane not too.

Knowing that these types of alarms can warn the household occupants of not only fire and the gas carbon monoxide (which cannot be detected by smell), I feel much better. They don't only assist in guarding against those dangers, but they can also be of benefit when there is a health or medical situation that requires attention. More crime is also occurring in surrounding neighborhoods and I now have a child to think of, so looking into home security simply became a choice that I had to make. After the kidnappings of children from where they lived made national papers, radio and TV I became more concerned about the situation.

It scares me that my little girl sleeps is only one storey from the ground level where anyone with wrong intentions could easily climb up, break a window and get to her. The thought brought back harsh reality and I started to look seriously into home security systems. I truly believed that making this decision was the best way to keep her safe. I'm also saving money through my insurance company, because the company gives discounts to homeowners who have alarm systems installed. Most certainly, Apex home security might cost you money every month but compared to its protection, it's a more than worthy investment. Your peace of mind is worth more than money any day.