CONSUMER ALERT: High pressure home security
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning the public about high-pressure salesmen coming through parts of the Ark-La-Tex selling home security systems.
Suzy Vargo described a recent visit to her Bossier City home by a salesman making a great offer: "Put in a free security system just for the advertising the sign would give them in our front yard."
The idea of a free home security system seemed too good to be true. "But you were locked in for three years," added Vargo. But then came Vargo's first red flag. "It was 9 O'clock by the time we got through talking and he wanted to have an installer come in right then and install it that night."
But when the installer only put in one key pad before leaving for the night, Vargo got suspicious and called the BBB. "This company Pinnacle, has an F-rating," recalled Vargo.
Local BBB President Andy Fisher then took a closer look at Pinnacle Security, LLC out of Utah. "They have 12-hundred and 48-complaints against them in Utah." Fisher calls that terrible by any standard. He added, "so you know these people are not the type of business that you want to do business with."
Suzy Vargo spent four hours by phone and fax to cancel the contract. "You have to jump through hoops and call all these different extensions to get to somebody that's actually going to own up to being the one to talk to."
Fisher has a warning about pushy salesmen: "Try not to do business with somebody that's so high pressure that you don't want to do business with that type of person."
I spoke by phone with Jennifer Webb. She's with a public relations firm representing Pinnacle Security. Regarding those high pressure tactics, she told me quote, "any of that behavior is not sanctioned…and employees conducting themselves in such a way can face disciplinary action up to and including termination." Webb added, if it happens to you report it to pinnacle.
http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=12951785