ADT Security Services, Inc.

ADT (the national firm) is just AWFUL. We moved into a renovated house and bought an alarm system + monitoring from them. I think the system cost $ 600+ ?? and monthly monitoring about $ 80. That was a year ago this month (Mar ’15).
The system worked fine, then we started getting these «system battery» msgs. Since the annual home show was in a couple of days, I decided I’d talk with a local rep there, since that’s where we first met ADT last year. I spoke to the rep, who took my name and # and said he would call the next day (Monday). No Call. I called him, and he promised to dispatch a technician as soon as possible. Just when I was starting to feel the love, a week goes by with no technician and no call. Since we didn’t receive an OWNER’S MANUAL at installation, I go to the ADT website for more info. The MyADT site is supposed to have info about our system and account, but our system was listed as UNKNOWN. Hmmmmm.
I call ADT and the guy tells me I need this big, square battery that’s available on their website. So I’m about to order that when I wonder, where does that big hummer go? I call them back, and a nice gal says «it goes in the panel above the system interface» and then she goes off to «check something» … 22 minutes later with the checking apparently still going on, I hang up and go to find the panel. Looking, looking, looking … no panel.
You know what happens next: I call ADT back and another somewhat less nice gal says that I need the skinny battery that goes in the wall unit, which makes more sense to me since at least there is a wall unit an it is rather skinny. She says I can order it on the ADT site. Turns out it’s only sold by third party retailers, so I’m thinking «I can get it at the local battery store,» which I could for SEVENTY DOLLARS.
Remember, this rechargeable battery is about a year in service and I have to pay $ 70 for a replacement? I am more surprised than pleased.
So…I call ADT once more, and a gal tells me the system NEEDS the battery and I’ll HAVE to buy one. I explain to her that it’s a year old, it costs $ 70 and that’s a lot for just a yea… and SHE HANGS UP ON ME! I’m somewhat puzzled at her concept of customer service. As any five year old knows, I should have gone to AMAZON first, which I finally do and find the battery for about $ 30 and «free» shipping (don’t get me started on that subject…).
So we have about a year left on our contract with ADT, after which we’ll hire a local company with a better pricing and MUCH BETTER SERVICE. Bottom line — from our experience, steer clear of ADT. Oh, did I tell you that when you call the local store phone number you get the national call center. The folks there are very nice except for the ones who give you the wrong information, tell you stuff that’s not true, are forever «checking something.» or just hang up on you. And get a German Shepherd!

A couple of our door alarms are not working. Service fee is:
$ 130 first 15 minutes
$ 10 service call
$ 30 per next 15 minutes.
Plus, new equipment if it is not working.
I didn’t know they had attorneys working on their staff.
They do have a ripoff mentality at this place.

I could give 0 stars if that was an option. I had ADT alarm installed in Gainesville, Florida. They sent my account to Collections and penalized me for moving. Very unprofessional customer service. Stay away, total rip-​off. They lie and charge you if you move apts.