APX Alarm Review
July 24, 2010 
49 Comments
**NEW UPDATE** APX Alarm has changed their name to Vivint, Inc. Please be aware that this is the same company with the same bad business practices.
**UPDATE** APX Alarm has resolved my issues with their service. I was able to get in touch with a few good service representatives that assisted with my grievances. I am satisfied with the outcome, but still would not recommend this company.
Installing an alarm in your home can be a great thing for peace of mind and security, but you need to do your due diligence before you go ahead with a service. There are many options for alarm monitoring services around the country, some good and some bad. The service that I am going to review is APX Alarm.
I am reviewing this system with personal knowledge as I am a current APX Alarm customer. I have had their system and monitoring for about 3 years now and I can honestly say that I would rather leave my front door open than use this service again. Their company is an absolute nightmare to deal with and they still haven’t figured out what the phrase customer service means. So, APX Alarm, let me help you out with that….
Customer Service: Noun – assistance and other resources that a company provides to the people who buy or use its products or services
Hopefully this definition will allow your “customer service” reps to actually understand what they are there to do. If you cannot service the customer, then stop calling it customer service. Ok, back to the review.
APX alarm hires young people to sell their services door-to-door, usually during the summer time, all over the country. They setup in a neighborhood 
and canvas the area to see if they can sell their systems. They usually go to homes that don’t have an alarm sign, but have neighbors that have alarms. This enables them to use a simple scare tactic in order to push for the sale. The real issue that you need to be aware of is that most of the sales reps do not follow the requirements setup by the company. They are in a cut-throat environment trying to survive, so they resort to lying.
Once the sales reps scare you into a sale, they start the contract signing part of the deal. The main issue is that they rush you into signing without giving you ample time to read the contract. They negate to discuss contract cancellation fees or monthly fees. When asked directly, they tend to tell you that there is no fee for cancellation. This is a flat out lie as it costs you the rest of the contract to get out. They also don’t let you know that you have 3 days after the contract is signed to cancel. This is a law in most states, but without knowing it, people are unable to use it. It is similar to buyers remorse laws in some states with car dealers. The sales people at APX Alarm resort to bait and switch in order to get contracts. This tactic is illegal, but APX has paid states a lot of money in order to change the color of their paper and ink so you are unable to read the writing in most situations.
After you sign the contract, they call their office and they have you verbally agree to the contract. They usually do not tell you that you have to sign up for auto debit in order to get the deal, but if you push, you can still get the deal while still paying with a check. I never allow companies to auto debit my account because they often tend to double dip into your account and then call it a software glitch. After the phone call, they call the installer and in about 2 minutes they come flying up and jumping out of a van to install the system. It is like a bunch of clowns in a circus car. They say that it doesn’t take long to install the system, but it will take a couple of hours. I cannot say that all the technicians are slow, but the ones doing the installs around my area were untrained and unprofessional. When they pull out the system, make sure you check it out. I almost laughed when they installed our system because the it was so archaic and bulky. Below is the wireless system that is installed in most homes, but not all.
If you look at the picture, I decided to put up the same computer that I wrote this post with. It is my Asus netbook on top. The alarm system is the exact same size in width, but bigger in depth. It makes me laugh to think that I have a portable computer that is the same size as my alarm system. To think about, it makes me a little sad that the alarm system is that big.
This review is to make sure that you do not fall for the scare and push tactics that APX Alarm sales people use. They have duped many people in different states into outrageous contracts that are so iron-clad that most lawyers don’t even know how to get around them. I have personal experience with three other large, national alarm monitoring companies and APX Alarm is by far the worst that I have ever encountered. I have spoken with over 100 other people that have APX alarm and about 3 out of 4 dislike their service or the company itself. All of them were brought into a contract with the same scare tactics, which is a staggering number.
Stay away from APX Alarm and take your time researching a company that you are interested in. Don’t bother taking your issues to the Better Business Bureau because if you haven’t noticed, they don’t really do anything. I had a business that was part of the BBB, and they don’t do much if a customer complains. Remember, the businesses are the ones paying BBB, so why would they want to destroy a companies reputation that pays them money every year. Take you grievances to the Attorney General in your state. They have a lot more power to handle devious sales practices. APX Alarm has told me that they are now installing new systems in homes with touch screens, but their contracts are still as crazy as before. Another good piece of information is that if you want to cancel your service when your contract is up, you have to make sure that you send them a written cancellation notice with your account number on the form. This has to be done 30 days before the end of your term. You actually can send this cancellation notice in at any time so they have it on file. If you do not send them one, then they will auto-renew your contract for another year.
If you are a current APX alarm customer, let me know what you think of the company and their service. I want to hear what you have to say. Do you think APX Alarm is a scam? Provide me with your APX Alarm Review.
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I agree with this review. This company came to my home and pressured my wife into a sale while I was at work. Now we are stuck in a 5 year agreement that will cost over $2000 to get out of. The sales rep would not leave the house until she finally agreed to the “contract” that he misrepresented with no contract cancellation fees and other issues. I would never recommend this company. Apx always seems to say that they are not responsible for what their sales people say, but then who is?
Thanks for your feedback. If you look at the Better Business Bureau link in the review, you can see that APX has had a few issues with some states in regards to their business practices. You can check it out to see if your state is one of them.
I can’t speak for all the other sales reps in the company but I take pride in thoroughly discussing the details to people interested in getting the system. The equipment and performance is top notch.
Thanks Kyle for your feedback. While I can’t say how you do your sales pitch, the sales people in our area are ruthless and condescending, along with many other areas around this country. If you haven’t taken the time to look at the picture, you can notice that the equipment is not top notch. It is old and extremely large. I know that they are now using touch screens, but the systems that have been installed around here are about as big as anything should be. I would also disagree on the performance. Out of the 100 people I spoke with, they have said that it takes APX a couple of minutes to call after the alarm sounds. This is bad when it comes to performance. 1 minute can be the difference between life and death. If you take pride in your work, good for you. Maybe you should be the one teaching the other sales reps how to sell properly without scare tactics along with a nice topping of bait and switch.
APX alarm has put a bad alarm monitoring taste in my mouth. I was pretty much harassed to sign an contract and then when I told them I wouldn’t allow them to automatically put money from my account, the sales rep said that he was going to take away the deal. If they can’t train their sales reps right, then they shouldn’t be selling door to door. I don’t know how they get away with the apparent bait and switch that they pull. Must be paying off the government in each state.
You and many others have the same taste going on right now. It is good to see that APX is monitoring blogs like mine because maybe it will show them that they are not invincible to bad PR. I feel bad for the online reputation manager because they must be working overtime
I have had an apx system for 2 years. I haven’t had any problems with it. Everytime I call, they have been very nice to me and have fixed any issues with the system. On the other hand, I don’t agree with their crazy contracts. Other companies I have spoken with just have a simple cancellation fee for terminating early, which is what it should be. This is the only thing that APX needs to fix in my view.
Thanks for your comment christine. I believe you have a good solution here. From what I can tell and have heard, their new touchscreens are nice. The main issue that people have with them are their outlandish contracts. Do you need such a binding contract for the service especially in this economy? I don’t think so!
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GBell,
I work for APX Alarm and I’d really like to get this issue all resolved for you! If you could send me your contact info I can have someone call you and get this all solved today. Thanks so much for your time, I hope to hear from you soon!
Thank you Ian for contacting me. I will follow up once all issues have been resolved.
How does APX Alarm even think that they provide customer service to anyone? After a few minutes of searching online, I know I made the right choice in telling their sales person to leave my home. I wish my neighbors had time to review before getting pushed into a long contract. I have gone around my neighborhood and told everyone not to talk to anyone from APX. This company has no morales!
Hello Melis, thank you for your comments. There are many that do not really have a chance to search online before the sales people swoop in. In cases like APX, it would be nice to just have a smart phone so you can search for reviews while talking with a sales person.
I wish I had time to research online, but it is really hard to do when they just come up to you out of the blue. I don’t have a smart phone, so I cant do that option.
Hi there, anyway, thanks for the info!
APX came by our home last evening. I have to say that there was no “hard sale”. The weather here in Arkansas has been so hot, my husband invited the gentleman in because he, (my husband) was so hot. I have been checking out this company today because we do have a three day period in which we can cancel the contract. From what I can tell from this blog and the others I have encountered, it’s not much different from the sales person who came by selling Kirby vaccuums years ago. Sales are sales. The JD Powers award says volumes to us. There will always be those who change their minds after waiting longer than the 3 days to cancel the contract…and they whine. Hopefully, we will never have a breakin, a fire or a bad fall, but I feel more secure than I did yesterday morning that at least there is something in place. I feel it’s six to one and half a dozen of the other as far as companies go…except they all do not have the JD Powers award for customer service as APX has had the past two years.
Thank you DHanson for joining the conversation. I am happy to see that there was no hard sale for you. I have spoken with APX a lot over the past few weeks and I have encountered some really nice people. Unfortunately, the unkind individuals usually overshadow the nice. As you can see, this blog is not the only one that is showing the unkind side of APX alarm. If you feel safe with your alarm system, then that is great. That is the purpose of the system. Though JD Power awards are nice to see, that doesn’t mean everything to many of us that have been in customer service businesses or even owned them. Customer Service can still be bad and you can win the award. I have encountered many companies that have the greatest records for customer service with their customer base, but have never seen or even heard mention of a JD award. I just want to thank you again for your feedback though, it is much appreciated.
APX is offering to use my home to sponser there name and they will install everything for free. They only ask to put there sign in my front yard. What do u think?
Hello Ruben, thanks for stopping by. This is something that they offer to everyone in order to get the sale. While they do install the alarm system for free, they lock you into a 3 to 5 year contract. The only way to get out of the contract is to pay the remaining balance of the entire contract. You have to remember that nothing is free and they only provide this to you in order to finalize the sale. I would stay away unless you want to be locked in for about 5 years. They have to get the money from you for the system some how, and an iron-clad contract is how its done.
Hey, nice site you got here! Keep up the good job
I’d have to say, you chose ur words very well. The insight you gave are well positioned.
All this complaining about this company is ridiculous. I had ADT and Brinks at previous homes and they all require a contract and of course you can’t get out of it, that’s why it is called a contract. I find it almost amusing that you blame pushy sales tactics for your apparent buyers remorse. Did they put a gun to your head? Did they sign the contract for you? As for the archaic system they put in your house, it is the same system used by ADT and many other alarm companies. From the sounds of the posts you got it for “free” also. I just wonder if you complained this much when you got your first “free” phone from your cell phone company. Seems like your frustration would be better used to complain about a real scam…..like taxes.
Thanks for your comment Anthony. While I might agree with some points you make, your overall comment is unwarranted. I have had ADT for 7 years before moving and never had any issue, never had pressure sales tactics used, never had a bulky alarm system. I don’t know where you get your information from in regards to it being the same system, as I have checked around and had other alarm companies come and show me systems. APX’s alarm system initially installed in my residence was large and outdated. They have since upgraded their systems, so I cannot speak on that. On the note of buyer’s remorse, you can’t really have buyers remorse after 3 years. Elongated buyers remorse can only happen on large purchases such as homes and vehicles. Buyers remorse happens within the first few days to weeks of a purchase, not years. In regards to the contract, yes I signed it. I am aware of contracts and how they work. The reason why this post was created was due to APX not living up to their end of the contract. They missed alarms, did not call the police a couple of times, and a few times they never even called us after an alarm went off. This I believe is breaking the contract, so that is how this instance was resolved. If you do some research before you post about the complaining, you will see that APX Alarm has been asked by a couple of states to stop selling due to their high pressure sales tactics and misleading contracts. This by itself should show you that these people are not complaining, but just providing more fuel for the fire. If there are companies being asked by states to stop selling, then there is something extremely wrong. Also, the system was not free, I had to pay money for it, equivalent to the last three months of the contract. I also did not complain with my first “free” cell phone either. I know nothing is free and tend not to get duped into anything that is “free.”
Hello GBell, I would like to respond to some of the things you responded to Anthony. First of all, I am an APX employee and have been for 5 years. They treat there employees very well and they also treat there customers very well. I have gone back to many of the houses that I have helped to set up and test there system, and they have ALWAYS responded promptly. I have yet to find one myself and I have spoke with thousands of them. I have however run into several customers that had ADT that hadn’t been responded to, or had extremely delayed responses. But on the flip side of that, I have also spoke with people that enjoy there ADT system just as you do. APX may not have been an elite customer service 2 or 3 years ago, but they definately are now. There hold times are normally shorter than most and there response times are normally quicker and I know this from personal experience time and time again. I will set a customers alarms off in front of them(without it being on test mode) with complete confidence knowing they will respond in less than 45 seconds. It has ALWAYS happened for me in the last 2 years. As far as the equipment, while we did use older equipment at one time, as it has been said, we have new equipment that is outstanding and definately top of the line and are offering it to all existing customers that don’t have it for a very reasonable price. And the old equipment believe it or not is STILL used by ADT and many other alarm companies. It is called the Honeywell Lynx panel(also know as the APX 32). You may not have it, but that is because ADT uses many dealers that use a variety of equipments. But you may be suprised at how many ADT customers have this equipment. Now as far as the contract issue, EVERY SINGLE alarm company does contract. Thats how the industry makes there money plain and simple. You probably sign a 3 year contract when you got ADT. If someone doesn’t want to sign a contract, then there other option is to go buy the equipment for a hefty price, but they will still need to pay some type of monitering fee if they want the police to respond to it. The last issue would be shady sales reps that “Do whatever it takes”. While I regret in saying that APX has had those in the past and will probably have a few more to come, APX is very strict on these people. If they come to find of any of these practices used, they will fire them. My old manager was actually fired along with several of my co-workers because of there practices. But the fact is, is thats going to happen in EVERY SINGLE sales position out there. The bottom line is is that APX does offer a premier service that in my personal opinion can not be beat!!!
Hello MSla, Thank you for your comments on this article. While I can always appreciate you coming to your companies defense, I still do not know why you are trying to tell me that ADT’s system that I had in my home before APX was older. I was the one that had the system in the house and I assure you, it was much better with a lot better customer service. I never had a problem with it, no did I feel that they wouldn’t call me when my alarm went off. As stated, this article is just a summation of how the service was when I had it. I have heard that their equipment has changed, but still think that you shouldn’t charge current customers more money for them to have a better system since the ones that were provided to them were antiquated and outdated. This should be a free upgrade. Again as well, I understand contracts and how they work and know that every alarm company uses them. It seems that you are not reading the article. I am not complaining about signing a contract, as I know that it would happen upfront. I am complaining about how the sales person pushed their way into the contract while leaving very important details out when asked upfront about all the fees and time frames. The issue is that once you are lied to about a simple contract, how can you respect the company? There have been a couple of states that have restricted APX from selling their systems due to their strong-arm tactics, so that just shows that it is not just a few bad eggs. I know how sales people are taught and know how they are paid. APX fixed the issues that I had with them and I am no longer a customer of theirs and I am sure it is for the better. When I pay a monitoring fee, I expect my home to be monitored. If I am the one that has to call the police or emergency services then what is the point in paying a monthly fee?
anthony sounds like a employer of apx thats why he sounds the way he does,,APX IS A SCAM COMPANY SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM
Diaper backward spells repaid. Think about it. Marshall McLuhan
We got sucked into it just like the rest of you back in 2008. The very next day after it was installed, we found out that everything the rep had told us about the crime in our neighborhood was a lie. We immediately called to cancel the service. A lady answered the phone all friendly like and I explained that we just had it installed yesterday but it wasn’t going to work for us and that we would like to cancel. She paused for about 10 seconds and then hung up. I called right back and got no answer. I called repeatedly for the next 2 days and never got through. On the 4th day after the installation, I called again and the same lady that hung up on me before answered. I told her whats been going on and she denied any such phone call but told me that if we would like cancel that would be fine but we had to pay 2500 or whatever it was because 3 days have passed now on the contract.
To say I was pissed off would be a major understatement. I told myself then and to this day that I would not pay these people a dime, ever. We have had 3 collection agencies come after us and I tell them all the same thing. We have no debt because we cancelled it. I will do jail time before I pay them a cent.
Keep to your guns trinity. This is how they tend to screw people over, but only the customer can fight back. While other companies have contracts as well, I have never had a problem with dealing with issues like canceling.
I am living a nightmare since APX alarm salesman knocked my door. Made me sign a contract without me knowing that it was for 5 years.Apx Alarm scam. now Vivint same concept. becarefull don’t let people in your home. I could it save me some money by letting a thief in my house than APX alarm representative in my house.
I am sorry to hear about your problem with APX sillvia. There are many in the same boat as you. You have to keep fighting with them in order to get it done. I fought with them for some time and finally was able to break free.
this is a good feedback. some of the companies are like that. i have encountered same problem as you are. also, the company didn’t render the services that they promised or listed in the contract.
warning to us consumers! thanks for this one
Hello Jerry. Thanks for the comment. There are many companies out there that will take advantage and the consumers are the one that have to be vigilant.
I must disagree with your comments, just don’t believe all the “truths” are precise. I do have fun reading it, look forward to more!
Rarely have I had such a problem. I had a fearthat I made it worse. But for your article, I would have to pay much money for these pseudopundits. Great thanks for your help!
I have never been so frustrated – after weeks spent on seeking on the Internet, I couldn’t find any usable site that would make me not worried about it. Suddenly I found your text and I felt satisfied. You are my hero!
Such a good post! Now I understand issues that were too difficult for me to resolve. Furthermore the lot very light to think about.
I have Vivint with the updated touch screen. I have no problems with the system, it is the customer service. The friendly salesman came to my door and made good promises of only having to pay the monthly fee $49.99 and I signed. Less than month later I was billed $200. I called to talk to someone but no could explain anything. What a rip off!
I’ve never heard of APX but i have heard of other shady local alarm companies. Anything that requires a contract makes me uneasy. When I shopped around for my alarm system, of course ADT was on the list, as well as Protect America, Brinks (at the time), and a couple of others. Some had really low monitoring fees and when I questioned them about certain things. The fumbled their answers. Ultimately, I chose ADT and although it wasn’t the cheapest, I felt the most comfortable going with something more established. Heck, the white house uses ADT… Its good to see though that some APX employees have been reaching out to you.
Hello Amy. Thanks for stopping by. ADT is a good company and you get what you pay for with them. You can trust their product and their service. APX changed their name to Vivant due to so many complaints. They say it was to provide other services along with home monitoring, but they were starting to get blocked from states due to their sales practices.
GBELL he must be employed for apx just making the company to be so great but not true scammers
I agree. There are very few (if any) people that will say that APX is a good company.
My grandmother got this new system May of 2011, that she currently owes, as of October, $1000 to the city for false alarms plus the thousands to get out of her contract. She is over 70 and and was under the impression she could cancel at any time. She called to cancel and they talked her out of it and sent someone over to make sure everything was working properly. She let us in on this mistake in July 2011, for us to find the “crazy” contract that she cannot get out of with out paying the whole thing. OR “you can fing someone who will take over your contract, if they cancel, the responsibility is back on you”, PER THEIR REPRESENTATIVE, I wish I would call them customer service.So, she powered OFF the system, so she is throwing away $50 a month. They also refuse to let her know if they come again, they will charge. They only come out for free for a certain time, but while they are offering to come check your system, it is for a price. OH YEAH, one more thing. When I called to cancel it, the person told me I couldnt because the contract was with the person that came out. WTH!!!!!
i would never use apx again,,, i was lied to so much,, they only want your money and dont care about you or on how you feel ,they just want your money,and if you cancel their service you have to write them a note, im not a child so why do i need to write to have my service shut off . good luck to the people that have their service now or in the future.
This is very true and this is why the company changed its name to Vivint.
apx had a 2 young workers come out to fix the alarm in my garage and not only did they fix it they stoled from my garage and nothing every happened when we reported it,, like they didnt care,,i also own a 1969 chevelle ss and they workers opened up the hood of my car to see the motor then slammed my hood and scratched the paint on my car,,apx is not only a joke but they are also a scam company,,, i cant tell you not to use them but please be care full if you value your stuff ,,,,,,,,,i called them today to have my unit shut off but they kept saying i owe more money,,, to make a long story short they sloed from me plus over charged me,,,,,so now im looking to call brinks alarm company my friend has them and he talks great about them
Good luck with getting rid of APX and moving over to Brinks. It is a better company that will treat you better than APX/Vivint Will.