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ADT Reviews

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Providing electronic security to many retail outlets, airports, and 90 percent of the Fortune 500 companies, ADT is often considered one of the most reliable, trusted and oldest security systems in the United States. Although they began as a telegraph company over 140 years ago, they slowly expanded to home security, beginning to work with fire detection technology and burglar alarms in the 1940s.

Why is ADT considered one of the tried and true? It provides 24 hour security services to business and home owners with a variety of options that make them one of the top competitors not just in the United States, but throughout the world. In fact, ADT provides services to 7 million customers in over 60 countries.

Just some of the services they offer include fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, burglary, flood and temperature monitoring, as well as security cameras and a medical alert system. As would be expected from such an important company, they are also innovative. This means that many features can be voice activated, or controlled from your smartphone, even when you’re out of the house. They even have the capacity to adjust lighting and appliances. If you forgot to turn off your TV before going to work, you don’t have to worry about the lost energy. Just access the ADT system from your phone to turn it off.


REVIEW

There’s something to be said for a company that provides so much service, but reputation and big name aside, there are always some inconveniences that come with an alarm system. The ADT systems are sensitive, so it’s common for something other than a burglary, a particularly mischievous pet for example, to activate them. This many not just cause annoying beeping sounds throughout your house, if police are sent to the scene, false alarms can be very costly.

Many are also unhappy with ADT’s 36 month, self-renewing contracts. It’s hard to know what will happen in three years, or if you’ll even be living in the same house. These contracts effectively bind customers to ADT, and deter them from switching to other security companies if they aren’t happy with the service by also charging pricey cancellation fees. Some customers do not even seem aware when they sign up for ADT that they are agreeing to a three year contract.

ADT is also inconvenient if you plan on moving anytime soon, or even in the next few years. Both decommissioning the old system and installing a new one in a new home have fees attached to them. Not only that, but moving means you will have to start a new contract, which may lock you in for more years than you had planned, or have to pay the cancelation fee, which is expensive in itself.

These problems have led to over 4,000 complaints to the Better Business Bureau and a class action lawsuit filed in 2014 for its questionable early termination fees.


RATINGS

7 Total Score
Great

ADT is often considered one of the most reliable, trusted and oldest security systems in the United States.

6.9Editor's score
Price
4.2
Effectiveness
7.8
Features
8.5
Customer Care
7.1
7User's score
Price
6
Effectiveness
8
Features
8
Customer Care
6
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BRAND REPUTATION COMPARISON

ADT
55 %
Competitors
50 %

USER ENGAGEMENT COMPARISON

ADT
66 %
Competitors
50 %


POPULARITY TREND COMPARISON

76 %
Competitors
50 %


PROS:
  • Customizable options
  • Accessible from your phone
  • Nationwide service
  • Years of experience

CONS:
      • Sensitive system is easy to set off accidentally
      • Misleading contracts
      • Expensive cancelation fees
      • Inconvenient to move while under contract





CONCLUSION

ADT offers one of the top security systems in the U.S., and while it is reliable overall, it’s important to know exactly what you are signing up for. If you think you may move or want to cancel before the three year contract ends, you may find yourself in a sticky situation that results in the loss of hundreds of dollars. Do your research to make sure you can commit to ADT’s contract before signing.

Have you had an experience with this company?  Please share your ADT reviews below.


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1 Comment
  1. Reply
    Keith June 20, 2016 at 5:30 pm
    3.5
    Price
    60
    Effectiveness
    80
    Features
    80
    Customer Care
    60

    We were with Brinks until ADT bought them out. No complaints in the five years since.

    + PROS: Answers calls fast
    - CONS: Little on the pricey side compared to some competitors
    Helpful(0) Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this

    Leave a Reply to Keith Cancel reply

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