Insecure Home Security Salesmen Invade Monticello
August 29th, 2012 by Joe Burgess
Recently, a young door-to-door salesman came to my home, representing the “cutting edge” home security firm Vivint. I heard his sales pitch and promises, along with his list of satisfied customers. 
I’m glad I didn’t purchase his promises, since the next day I asked the MPD officer he described as a “satisfied customer” with Vivint, and he told me he had never met (or done business) with them.
After hearing multiple complaints from other Monticello residents about the droves of salesmen, who don’t carry business cards, I was told they were at a local restaurant, Monday. I visited with them for a couple of minutes, and they told me that a “Steve-O” was probably my salesman.
When I asked questions about where they were from, and if they were affiliated with APX security (Google it), they quickly became even more evasive. Then they remembered that they did have a business card, which they gave me, even though it doesn’t have an address, city, or state listed on it.
A Vivint sales rep. came back to my residence, Tuesday evening. When I again asked questions about where they from, he recognized me, and couldn’t remember anything except a lady’s name for me to call.
He seemed even less than pleased when I told him that I had been recording our conversation.
In 2010, Arkansas Atty. Gen. Dustin McDaniel filed suit against APX on numerous charges of violation of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. In June of this year Vivint (formerly APX Alarm Security) accepted a Consent Judgement from the Attorney General’s office for Deceptive Trade Practices and for violation of the Arkansas Home Solicitation Sales Act.
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a woman came by my house selling the same thing. i turned her away.
Thanks for busting them out Joe. I have ADT and they saw my sign and ask me if I wanted an ‘upgrade’
They also came to my moms house and with the seniors, they start off by asking if they know how bad the crime rate is in ‘your’ neighborhood, they are trying to sell their junk thru fear. I ran them off the first time but in a few weeks they came back. I also smelled a big fat dirty rat trying to rip off people, especially senior citizens.
KUDO’s Joe!!
Thanks for keeping us updated on things like this!
I love my vivint system and these men are very respectful.
Had that boy come by here.
Blew him off.
Glad I did.
I’ve enjoyed my system. Great service too
good job Joe. thanks for letting everyone know about these people. Is there nothing that can be done to stop these people?
They have been by my house twice, and were throwing around local business people’s names. I also heard that they went to someone’s house to install equipment at 1:00 a.m.
They came to my house 3 times,after being told to not come back the 1st time. The same guy came the 1st two times,and another came the 3rd. I called the law. My neighbors have also ran these people off,and they are still roaming the streets with there “orange” shorts. They are scam artist and not very good ones!!
I bought it and LOVE it! I also have friends who have it in other areas of the state. All are satisfied customers.
had a guy stop by my place once
I also had a visit from a Vivint salesman….he was a very informative, very persuasive and convincing. I talked to my husband about it and he thought it sounded like a really good deal…..all of the services, all of the equipment and a very low price AND TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!!! Guess he was right!!!
I love how you only show one side of this situation and don’t interview any of the people in town that have bought the systems. Great journalism right here.
My experience was different. I signed up for this. Checked it out… This kid, Kendrick, was nothing but nice to me. Gave me references, named several people I knew, I called one and it checked out… He had signed up as well. Installation was done quickly and professionally. Salesman, Kendrick, followed up a few days later. Have had no complaints as yet about the service. The technology that is offered is nice, really cool features. Multiple others in my neighborhood have signed up for it. I did Google searches on this company and have found it to be used widespread and reputable.
Oh… And in my very long internet experience…. The BBB is more like BBS… http://www.vivint.com/about/bbb
They showed up at my house. It made me very uncomfortable that they were asking all kinds of questions about my current security system, how long I had owned the house, etc., etc. They had no ID, no address, no pamphlets. Very suspicious.
They walk up and down the street of our neighborhood, been to our house 3 times, and every time tell them no. They had no Id’s, no business card, no nothing. I looked them up online, and seen how bad the company was. Just seems like a scam.
I’m not sure what guys most of you are talking about, but all of the guys I know that are here have ID’s with them. They wear them around their* necks at all times during the day. There may be some other people out there that are claiming to be with Vivint, but the guys I know are legit workers and are all kind and very respectful.
Had one come to my door today. Thank you but no, thank you.
I would like to disagree with you article, I live in Mcgehee and the
particular salesman that my family experienced was extremely professional and had an iPad with a great presentation of his system. All of you that “blew them off” probably never got to experience that, and and far as “becoming evasive” who wants to talk about being affiliated with a company that was just sued. No one. All in all I was impressed with my experiences with Vivent, and as a result I have their system in my home, and I am more than happy with it, it’s actually quite impressive. So for all those that think it’s a “scam” it’s sure working out well for me
Im not sure what everyone is upset about. I read the article. Seems to me like a witch hunt. If you have a recording of them saying something illegal or dishonest, POST IT!!!
I have had my system for 14 months now, and I love it!
He came to my house also, I think Doug was his name I let him in and we talked a few minutes, then he wanted to talk to my husband and I told him no, because my husband works all day and he needed his rest, but he kept on so I told him I wasn’t interested and on his way out the door he saw how, “WE SOUTHENERS TAKE CARE OF THINGS”, CAN YOU SAY 12 GAUGE ?
Not a big fan of door-to-door salesmen but at least these guys are out tryin to make a living. Very pleasant & knowledgeable salesman came up to our house, made his presentation and we bought the system and had it installed that evening. So far it has been exactly what they told us it would be. I can see no signs of being scammed. Just do some research if you are uncomfortable with it or stand firm on your decision not to buy.
By the way, due to the experience some folks are having it is obvious this company could use a little more discression in their hiring procedures.
We had ADT service switched to this service.have been very pleased with this company. If you have a smart phone you can download the app from the iTunes store and it made me have a much more secure feeling about my home when I am away I can check it from anywhere and with the cameras in the house I can even watch the baby sitter to make sure that everything is Ok with the kids. Thank you for the great service guys. Have even talked to the head office when my sister set the alarm off. And by the way it is saving me money. So joe some more of that incorrect journalism.
I have recently moved to Monticello and just had a Vivint System installed. I also had a Vivint system where i previously lived and have always been extremely satisfied. Not sure where all this negative talk is coming from, they are a great company and their customer service is exceptional!
The negative talk is from people being skeptical as they should be, but the article has no basis for concern except for the guys asking questions and trying to sell their product. People are commenting that didn’t even give them a chance. I gave the guy a hard time and made him prove his product before we bought.
Of course, the reporting is very biased as usual. I know people all over the state who have the system. My salesperson checked back with us the next day to make sure all was well! I love being able to check on my house when we are not there. Super nice salesperson and installation crew!
A representative from Vivint Security system came by my house Tuesday afternoon around 3:10pm. This young, caucasian male about 25-29 yrs old knocked and was very pleasant. He began his sales pitch by asking me if I knew several people in town and as I said I did, he went to state that they had purchased the systems and loved them. He asked if he could come inside and I immediately said “NO” and that I was not interested in the security system and that my friends might be. I asked him for his # and name but he didn’t want to give me the info. He in return asked me for their names/#’s and I said “no, I’ll let them contact you if you have a contact #. He did give me a # and after I kinda thought about it, I trashed the #. Just had a bad vibe and didn’t want to be responsible for referring my friends to a “Bad Business”……….Thanks Joe for alerting Monticellonians!
I forgot to mention, I checked with 2 of the names he’d stated had purchased the security systems and YES, they had purchased the security systems but numerous years ago and it was NOT even the same business name. and one of those friends was not pleased with the service nor equipment
sounds to me like these guys aren’t from monticello and they’re just trying to get some customers in that area. It’s quite common to not have an address on a business card if you travel a lot, or if you dont have a local presence. As a matter of fact, I work from home for a very well known company and I do not have my address on my business card.
In regards to referencing other people: that’s just appears to be a measure taken to get a sale for a desperate salesperson.
I think the system is ok – the guys are salesmen – if you cant’t afford it don’t buy it – don’t knock the ones that do!!! – I think you will discover many local business now have the system!!
From most of the things I’ve read most people don’t start having trouble with Vivint until they goto cancel it. Has anyone here who’s had it in the past, tried to cancel it?
hmm so what was the big bust? That an employee lied? You know sometimes the workers at Mcdonalds lie to me. They say they’ve put ketchup in the bag… no ketchup. This is rather silly IMO. :/
That is true, but the Attorney General doesn’t investigate and press charges for a package of ketchup.
He does for droves of lying salesmen, who fast-talk elderly citizens.
Oh yeah, I’ve looked up those court papers, and VIVINT didn’t argue, THEY AGREED TO THE CHARGES!!
Yeah, these boys were as nice as they could be. Trying get that kind of service from McDonalds. Or BK. or Wendys.
I also have Vivint and LOVE IT! GREAT customer service and the system itself is very good. SO NO these are not bad guys… just trying to do their job and sell systems.
I actually have encounter 4 Vivint employees in my door before I got the system it’s a great system it would of helped me a lot before