This is one of the many companies selling in-home alarm systems that are supposed to help the elderly and disabled summon help in an emergency. Some of these systems work better than others; all of them are expensive and, in many cases, the contract terms are objectionable. For example, LifeAlert customers tell us that the company holds them to the three-year contract even if the elderly individual dies before the term is up.
A few recent complaints ...
Melissa of Sammamish, WA March 30, 2008
Melissa of Sammamish WA (03/30/08) Ridiculous and horrible customer sales and smarmy behavior. Insulting, fear tactics. We had my parents send the units and the unsigned contract back immediately. The unit was NEVER installed. Life Alert continues to send them a bill asking for 347. On Feb 8th, 2008 Life Alert told us that the acct had been closed with nothing owed, yet last week my parents received another bill (end of March 2008). We want this stopped!
Undue stress to my elderly parents that they owe something that they do not. Concern that Life Alert would elevate their unethical practice and threaten credit standing.
Victoria of Jonesborough, TN March 26, 2008
Victoria of Jonesborough TN (03/26/08) I am so thankful for your website. Not for the fact as a complainer but for the fact that I'm a consumer and most recently have wondered and comtemplated calling Life Alert. After reading the many complaints about the Life alert services, products and the atrocious customer service, I decided against inquiring about their services. My sweet mother-in-law is 89 years old. Within the last several months, her legs have grown weak causing her to fall. Once she falls, she can not get up. I have purchased a walker for her, so that she may get around without fear of falling. I know that she might fall even with a walker. She has a cell phone so that she can contact us if the need arises. I just really wished there was a RELIABLE service one could count on. For any senior to be left vulnerable for more than several minutes is a crime. Thank you so much for your valuable service
Joseph of Kailua, HI March 21, 2008
Joseph of Kailua HI (03/21/08) This Company is not much better, if at all, then a telemarketing scam. I asked for a brochure over the internet and instead got a call from a high pressure salesman. He refused to give me any written information (I'll see if my supervisor will authorize it) or information about the product and was more anxious to get my credit card number than anything else. He called four times after I told him verbally and by email not to call again. I think this is a senior rip off scam.
Brian of Sacramento, CA March 6, 2008
Brian of Sacramento CA (03/06/08) I feel this company took advantage of my mother who lives by herself at age 85 and is under medication. She was sold a security system with Life Alert, which she already has. My mother has know idea how this system works, how to active it or to explain to any family members how to use it. Even though she signed a three-year contract, we feel this is unfair.
I have asked the company to remove the system, and even though he was willing to cancel the 75% of total due, for 475 he would complete the transaction. But at no charge to us he was willing to add upgrades.This company is taking advantage of this situation and should remove their equipment and cancel the services. It's the morally right thing to do.
This has caused emotional duress to my mother.
Melissa of Humble, TX December 13, 2007
Melissa of Humble TX (12/13/07) DO NOT BUY LIFE ALERT. My husband and I went to the store and came back to my mother-in-law flat on her back just outside her patio door. She fell right after we left. No ambulance, no police, no fire dept. After calling to cancel the contract at 800-338-9090 press 5 for Contracts Dept. I got the run around. First I was told the supervisor, Patty, was not there. I persisted to speak to someone. After four people, Alana, Alissa, Rami and Glen, Patty came on the phone. I explained I needed to return the equipment, it didn't work. Not only did she hang up on me but I got phrases like, "I'm not your friend," and "You are making a bigger deal out of this then what it is." It takes a lot for me to get mad but I got mad. Not only that my mother-in-law, but also my very close friend's life is no big deal sent me into a rage. They would not cancel the contract. They REFUSED to give me the address to return the unit, that doesn't work. I was berated continuously. Then hung up on again. Thanks to this site I am so glad it wasn't me, IT WAS THEM! I just hope upon hope this comment helps someone from making a big mistake.
No positive response from the emergency response unit OR customer service.
The company responds:
In an effort to contact Melissa of Humble, TX to try to look into her mother in law's incident and resolve her concerns appropriately, we have searched our customer base in the Humble, Tx area for any mention of Melissa or a subscriber in that area with similiar circumstances but to no avail.
We welcome having the opportunity to look into this incident if Melissa could contact us directly by email at johnb@lifealert.com to help us identify our subscriber.
We are committed to making certain that any concern about our service or personnel is addressed immediatly on our subscriber's behalf. We take very seriously any circumstances where our employees do not demonstrate our committment to helping our customer or their family.
Please contact us.
Life Alert
John M. Brady
Vice President
Personal Emergency Response
johnb@lifealert.com
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