AlarmForce

Formerly Bell Smart Home
Home Automation
Toronto ON M9L 1R2
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Reviews by rating (past 12 months)

Reviews for AlarmForce

Average customer rating:
7.2 10 (733 reviews)

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Andrew from Toronto
Andrew from Toronto
1 review Etobicoke, ON
0/10

Alarm and Protection.

I am very outraged and disappointed with this company, especially since you rely on them for your safety and well being. Here is why:
In the summer of 2013 I noticed a hooded man on camera outside my work building looking around into Windows. I pressed the panic button on the alarm panel (why else would it be there) and told them to send someone right away. A few minutes later I noticed flashing lights go by from a firetruck which I believe scared him off, then the police showed up and searched around the property for him and found nothing. The next bill cycle I was charged $150 from alarm force because they said they were charged from a false alarm claim. I protested the charge and they advised me to contact the police who I never heard back from regarding the matter. I called back alarm force and told them it wasn't fair for me to have to chase after the police since it was them billing me and then said they would look into it. A few months later another notice came saying I had an out standing balance, so I called back again and explained the situation and told me they would speak to a supervisor and sort it out. I never heard back from anyone.

Now here comes the scary part, it is now August of 2014 and yesterday I received a voice mail from alarm force at 5am saying an alarm has been triggered and to call them back. I was sleeping, and notice the voice mail until 10am when I wolk up and called them back immediately. I was told that I had a past due invoice so no guards were sent to make sure the property was Ok! To say the least I was shocked and felt like vomiting thinking my entire business was robbed or someone could have gotten seriously hurt. Luckily everything was Ok, except now I'm stuck with an untrustworthy company, and also 12 months of service that I paid for nothing. What if something horrible happened?

I recommend staying away from this company at all costs, they do not care about your safety, and there customer service staff can be very rude.

Approximate cost of services:
$40.00
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Company Response

Hi Andrew, We apologize for this experience and I would like to look into this situation further. In order for myself to do so please email your account information (full name, address, telephone number) to mdept@alarmforce.com. Have a good day, Dan

Romy from Maple Ridge
Romy from Maple Ridge
1 review Maple Ridge, BC
4/10

False Alarm

I accidentally forgot to enter my password on the keypad and the alarm went off. When Alarm force phoned me; I gave them my SAFE word. They mistakenly dispatched the police. I talked to the manager after I got a 150$ from the police department. I told her that I had said the correct word and she told me that they had a problem with my file and that I seem to have 2 words and somehow they got mixed up (this was after months of me hassling her to listen to the recording). She told me that for the inconvenience they would just give me 2 months free, but the rest of the money owed to the city; I would just have to pay out of my pocket. She said she was doing me a favour! It was such an ordeal; and all I got was not even a third of the bill! Not impressed!!!

Approximate cost of services:
$150.00
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Company Response

Hi Romy,

We apologize for this experience and I would like to look into this situation further. In order for myself to do so please email your account information (full name, address, telephone number) to mdept@alarmforce.com.

Have a good day,

Matt

Peter Kukucka Labuda from Wabamun
Peter Kukucka Labuda from Wabamun
3 reviews Wabamun, AB
5/10

Home Alarm System

I've never had a problem with AlarmForce, until I phoned customer service on July 17, 2014 to cancel my account. I was told that they had a 60 day notice requirement - fine. Then I was told that my service agreement doesn't run out until next April, which is odd considering I've been a customer since September of 2007! The customer service rep. gave me a choice on how to notify them - I chose email and sent them the requested information. I was told boxes would arrive in which I was to return their equipment...said equipment was to be returned by August 15, 2014. That means I get charged for a month of service when I won't even have their equipment anymore. I have not received any confirmation from AlarmForce that they received my email, nor did I receive any information as to how much cancellation would cost me. On July 25, 2014 I sent a follow-up email asking if they received my first email...it is now the late afternoon of July 28, 2014 and I still have heard nothing from AlarmForce and I have not received their boxes. As I stated previously, I never had a single problem with this company for the years I was a client; however, if you say the word "cancellation" be prepared for unprofessional treatment.

Approximate cost of services:
$0.00
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Company Response

Hi Peter,
We're sorry to hear of this experience. I have escalated this matter directly to a customer care manager and we will reach out to you shortly with resolution notes. Thanks and have a great day,
Matt

Felicia from Surrey
Felicia from Surrey
1 review Surrey, BC
0/10

Alarm Service

Worst customer service I've had. When initially signing the service, no one ever mentioned the 3 year contract until the day I called to cancel the service. Had to stay with company as I have to pay for 3 years regardless of if cancel or not.

Now finally my contract will end at the end of this October. And when I just called, I was told I need to mail all the equipment back for them to receive by Oct 15th, while my service expires on Oct 31st. Isn't it the most ridiculous thing that I am paying the service fee till Oct 31st, while I have to remove and mail the equipments at the beginning of October for them to receive by Oct 15th? Also most other company only needs 30 days notification for service cancellation, while this company is 60 days. AVOID this company. They're trying every way to trick the customer to get more service fee paid.

Approximate cost of services:
$30.00
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Company Response

Hi Felicia,
We apologize for this inconvenience but we do communicate our contract clearly regarding the 3-year term (an industry standard) and cancellation policy. However, if you can email mdept@alarmforce.com with your account info (full name, address, phone number) I will look into the details and see if there is anything I can do to help you out. We have appreciated your business and are sorry to see you go.Thanks,
Matt

Gerrit from Richmond Hill
Gerrit from Richmond Hill
1 review Richmond Hill, ON
2/10

Customer Service - Cancellation Process

I was told by a customer service rep that the only way to cancel is by email and they would send me a confirmation along with a UPS box & labels for returning the equipment. That was 7 days ago and still, after two followup emails, no response and no return boxes. I'm betting if I sent an email to sales@alarmforce.com I'd get a response within a day. So the question is, why does it take so long to process a cancellation order? Are there sooo many cancellations that you are backlogged with requests? That can't be good for investors! Or perhaps you're just stalling because the billing cycle continues until the equipment is actually returned? Very disappointing after such a long term relationship. I feel used.

Approximate cost of services:
$25.00
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Company Response

Hi Gerrit,
We're sorry to hear of this frustration and would like to resolve this issue immediately. If you can email me at mdept@alarmforce.com with your account info (full name, address, phone number) we can investigate and take the appropriate action to ensure your cancellation process goes smoothly. We will be sorry to see you go but thanks for being a loyal customer throughout the years. Thanks and have a great day, Matt

Marilyn from Port Coquitlam
Marilyn from Port Coquitlam
1 review Port Coquitlam, BC
9/10

Alarm installation

I contacted 5 different companies before deciding on Alarm Force. My initial discussions on pricing & service were the most helpful and detailed information without pressure to purchase. Other companies wanted to send over a rep., before discussing pricing. In addition, the installer was on time, professional and engaging

Approximate cost of services:
$28.00
0 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Company Response

Hi Marilyn, Thank you for your feedback. We are happy to provide a pressure-free sales process with all info discussed over the phone.
Have a great day,
Matt

Manuela from Barrie
Manuela from Barrie
2 reviews Barrie, ON
8/10

AlarmForce

I just wanted to send you a quick follow up to our alarm installation. The technician that arrived was prompt, efficient and very patient when explaining all the features and was knowledgeable with any questions we asked him. We feel much safer in our home now thanks to AlarmForce.

Approximate cost of services:
$25.00
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Company Response

Hi Manuela,
Thank you for your feedback. As an AlarmForce customer you deserve great service and peace of mind. Thanks and have a great day,
Matt

David from Calgary
David from Calgary
1 review Calgary, AB
1/10

Alarm service

Worst customer service ever…. Tried to get warranty work completed on a system I pay monthly for and wow what a run around – I doubt they even could help with a legitimate emergency –lost all confidence in their service.

Approximate cost of services:
$30.00
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Company Response

Hi David,
We're sorry to hear of this experience and would like to resolve the issue. If you can please e-mail Matt at mdept@alarmforce.com with your account info (full name, phone number, address) it will be looked into promptly. We're sorry for the inconvenience. Hope you had a great weekend,
Matt

Shawn Ed  from Edmonton
Shawn Ed from Edmonton
1 review Edmonton, AB
0/10

AlarmForce Video Relay

This review is about the Video Relay Service offered by Alarm Force. From the very beginning there were problems with the cameras we had installed at two sites. They said there was a problem with the wiring, then the programming, the motion sensor, the sound, nothing seemed to work properly. We had a technician out several times to both locations and all to little or no avail, and after the 4th time coming to one location they said they were going to charge us for future service calls, even though we did nothing to cause any of the problems. To this day the cameras they installed are almost totally useless, as the sound cuts in and out, they go offline at random for days or weeks, they fail to record people walking up to the door and yet at other times they record nothing at all, they fail to send images or video recordings to my email address, etc. Except for the fact that we can log on and watch live feed (with very poor and choppy sound) their Video Relay system is a complete failure and we can't wait to get out of their 3 year contract at $20 extra per month. In my opinion their Video Relay camera service is a waste of money and provides no additional security due to it's total lack of video and sound recording reliability.

Approximate cost of services:
$720.00
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Company Response

Hi Shawn,
Thank you for your feedback and we apologize that it has not been a good experience. I would like to like into these issues and determine a resolution. To-do-so I will need you to email your account information (full name, address, phone number) for each location to mdept@alarmforce.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks,

Matt

Bryn from Maple Ridge
Bryn from Maple Ridge
1 review Maple Ridge, BC
0/10

Alarmforce

This company has the worst customer service. I have had my commercial account for three years. I have paid to replace batteries and paid for a technician (much hassle there too). I'm now looking forward to cancelling, and I am getting much different information from the call centre than what's on my contract. So disappointed.

Approximate cost of services:
$30.00
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Company Response

Hi Bryn,

I am sorry to hear you have had a bad experience with customer care. All of our customers deserve great service of which we have consistently delivered as shown by our A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau. If you can send your account information to Matt at mdept@alarmforce.com we will investigate and resolve any issues. Thanks for your feedback and have a great weekend,
Matt

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